Equine Science

Why an MRes in Equine Science?

The equine science sector has an estimated turnover of £250 million pounds and supports 1.6 million jobs worldwide. Postgraduate qualifications in this sector greatly enhances employability and the MRes in Equine Science has specifically been designed to fulfil this goal. This course will equip you with specialist knowledge in a specific area of equine science and give you a range of critical and analytical skills widely sought after in the research and development sector of the equine industry. This skill set from the MRes will also make you highly competitive for advertised PhD positions in equine and veterinary science.

Why study at Aberystwyth?

With 360 members of staff (principle investigators, technicians and post-doctoral fellows), 1350 undergraduate students and more than 150 postgraduate students, IBERS is one of the largest research and teaching institutes within the UK. Excellence in teaching was recognised by outstanding scores (90-98%) in the National Student Satisfaction Survey for three consecutive years (NSS 2017, 2018, 2019), being awarded the Gold Award in the recent Teaching Excellence Framework (Teaching Excellence Framework, 2018) and wining University of the year for teaching quality for the second consecutive year (Good University Guide, The Times and Sunday Times, 2018 and 2019 . Employability data from the Recent Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE, 2017) shows that 97% of IBERS graduates were in work or further study six months after leaving Aberystwyth University. The economic and social impact of IBERS research was also recognised in 2011 when IBERS won the national BBSRC Excellence with Impact Award.

Aberystwyth University is the longest-established provider of equine related higher education in the UK, with an internationally renowned reputation for teaching and research in equine science. Our MSc in Equine Science was established in 1978. IBERS has its own equine teaching yard which is the only dedicated and fully licensed equine research yard in UK outside of veterinary college

Duration:

1 year full-time or 2 years part-time.

Funding:

Scholarships are available for this course.

Additional funding opportunities may be available, please check our funding calculator for details.

Course Fees: 

Please see the tuition fee pages for current tuition fees. Please note that all fees are subject to an annual increase.

This course will prepare you for a wide range of careers within the equine industry to improve horse health and welfare or to work in the research and development sector of the equine industry as well as the wider veterinary/animal/biological science fields.

Our graduates often progress to careers in:

• Scientific research
• Scientific publishing
• Equine/Animal Nutrition
• Equine/Animal Welfare
• Teaching
• Equine/Animal breeding
• Consultancy
• Laboratory work
• Many graduates have also progressed to PhDs or Veterinary Medicine.

Skills

Throughout this course you will:

• Develop advanced data collection/analysis, fieldwork and laboratory skills
• Enhance your scientific written and oral communication by communicating your research to a range of audiences including academics and the wider public
• Enhance your critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Develop study and research skills
• Direct and sustain a self-initiated programme of study underpinned by good time management skills
• Work effectively both independently and as the member of a team
• Enhance your project management skills to deliver a demanding combination of research, analysis, communication and presentation

How will I learn?

The major aspect of this course that uniquely positions itself from other Masters level Equine Science courses in the UK is the 12-month dissertation project (Semesters 1-3; 120 of 180 credits). Working under the supervision of active researchers with expertise in the field, you will collaboratively develop an equine science research project in the areas of reproduction, parasitology, nutrition, cognition or behaviour, anatomy or exercise physiology. In combination with the Research Methods module, your supervisor/supervisory team will mentor you in hypothesis-driven experimental design, provide training in analytical techniques, statistical analysis and interpretation of results and prepare you for successful oral presentations. You will also be guided in how to most efficiently communicate your results during the dissertation write-up and there will be opportunities to present your work at a national conference. It is expected that during this year long research project you will become an expert in your topic.

The remaining 60 credits are attained via modules from the MSc Equine Science programme and includes 20 credits in the core Research Methods module and 40 credits in option modules, which allow you to study other areas of equine science. Up to 10 hours per week are spent in taught modules in semesters 1 and 2. The rest of the time in semesters 1 and 2 and the whole of semester 3 are spent conducting your research project. Depending on your project this may include laboratory, field or computer-based research supported by regular meetings with your designated supervisor. The research projects will be set by members of IBERS staff or, if suitable, a research topic can be proposed by the applicant (please contact the course co-ordinator for further details: Sebastian McBride: sdm@aber.ac.uk).

How will I be assessed?

The taught modules are assessed by scientific writing assignments (such as reports, critical reviews, essays and journalistic articles), presentations, contribution to group discussions in seminars and online assignments. Subsequent successful submission of your research project dissertation leads to the award of an MRes.