Food from aquatic systems is essential for much of the world’s population. However, with wild catches of seafood declining in many places, aquaculture is playing an increasing role as an alternative source of high-quality, nutritious food - and as an employer. Controlling disease is important to the ongoing success of this industry.
Our Aquatic Pathobiology postgraduate degree gives you a unique opportunity to study the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of aquatic animal diseases in cultured organisms. You’ll study at the Institute of Aquaculture, one of the top institutions in this field. The Institute is internationally recognised for both research and teaching and has more than 70 staff and 80 postgraduate students. This Masters in Aquatic Pathobiology has been taught at the Institute for almost 40 years and is the only postgraduate degree of its kind in the world.
The course combines high-quality, practical work and field visits with class-based training in aquatic disease diagnosis and health management challenges drawn from real industry situations. You’ll also develop an understanding of the biology, husbandry and environment of farmed aquatic species.
The course can also be seen as preparation for anyone who plans to do a PhD in aquatic animal health or disease.
The Institute of Aquaculture has received the UK’s most prestigious academic honour – the Queen’s Anniversary Prize 2019. The honour recognises outstanding work that shows quality and innovation, and delivers real benefit to the wider world through education and training. It recognises our pioneering work in the world’s fastest-growing food production sector and our bid to tackle global hunger.
Queen’s Anniversary Prize 2019
The Institute of Aquaculture has received the UK’s most prestigious academic honour – the Queen’s Anniversary Prize 2019. The honour recognises outstanding work that shows quality and innovation, and delivers real benefit to the wider world through education and training. It recognises our pioneering work in the world’s fastest-growing food production sector and our bid to tackle global hunger.
Top reasons to study with us
Study abroad
There are no formal study abroad options, but the research project may offer an opportunity to work with aquaculture businesses or other research organisations outside the UK.
Flexible learning
If you’re interested in studying a module from this course, the Postgraduate Certificate or the Postgraduate Diploma then please email Graduate Admissions to discuss your course of study.
Faculty facilities
The Institute of Aquaculture aims to provide the highest standard of facilities in an ever-changing commercial, academic and regulatory environment. We have freshwater sites in Central Scotland, tropical and temperate freshwater recirculation systems in Stirling and marine facilities in the West of Scotland.
The Institute provides analytical laboratories in all the key priority research areas, including:
- genomic, molecular and bioinformatics
- microbiology and immunology
- imaging facilities
- nutritional analytical services
- water quality services
Research overview
In REF 2021, we were ranked 1st in the UK for impact and 9th overall for research in Agriculture, Veterinary and Food Sciences, with 100% of the University's Institute of Aquaculture research having outstanding impact, the highest possible rating. 100% of our research environment is world leading or internationally excellent.
