Key Facts
Course Code C1250
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Qualification
PhD
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Course duration
3 years
Available for September start 2026
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Both the Department of Life Sciences and the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS) at Aberystwyth University offer opportunities to undertake a research degree in the biological sciences or related discipline.
Aberystwyth is recognised internationally for its plant breeding programmes, as well as its research expertise in animal and crop science. Within the Centre for Innovation Excellence in Livestock, the focus is on the efficient production of sheep meat while minimising environmental impact, while the Pwllpeiran Upland Research Platform provides a research resource to investigate upland farmed ecosystems. Our farms extend to over 800 hectares and act as innovation sites for the Welsh Government’s knowledge transfer service to industry.
IBERS is an internationally recognised research and teaching centre, providing a unique base for research in response to global challenges such as food security, bioenergy and sustainability, and the impacts of climate change. IBERS' scientists conduct research on genes and molecules, whole organisms and the environment.
The National Plant Phenomics Centre is a unique facility for delivering breeding solutions and advances for key crop species. In addition, the IBERS Seed Bank safeguards one of the world's largest collections of seeds from grasses, clover, oats and miscanthus.
AberInnovation brings academia and businesses from the bioscience, agri-tech, and food and drinks sectors together on a brand-new £40.5m campus.
Entry Requirements 2:1 Bachelors (Honours) degree in a relevant subject area or equivalent. Subject to agreement with project supervisor.
English Language Requirements IELTS 6.5 with minimum 5.5 in each component, or equivalent
Other Requirements Applicants should submit a full research proposal at the point of application
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Course Fees:
Please see the tuition fee pages for current tuition fees. Please note that all fees are subject to an annual increase.
Funding:
Funding opportunities may be available, please check our funding calculator for details.
Topics for research degrees can be selected from any of our areas of research, which include:
- Agriculture
- Animal and Microbial Sciences
- Animal Science and Production (with special emphasis on sheep, beef and dairy cattle)
- Biorenewables
- Biotechnology
- Crop Genetics, Genomics and Breeding
- Crop, Science and Production (including arable, grassland and forage crops)
- Ecology
- Environmental Change
- Environmental Economics and Valuation
- Equine Science (with special emphasis on behaviour, nutrition and reproduction)
- Evolution, Co-evolution and Adaptation
- Landscape Systems and Policy
- Regional and Rural Economics
- Rural Business Management and Economics
- Rural Resource and Countryside Management
- Rural Tourism and Recreation
- Rural, Environmental and Agricultural Policy (relevant to developed or developing countries)
- Veterinary science.
Major Funders & Links with Industry
Please visit our Research & Enterprise page for information regarding our staff, areas of interest, facilities and other information.
Formal training is given to all postgraduates in Aberystwyth. In addition, modules are made available within IBERS that are designed to maximise research experience and to develop transferable, professional and interpersonal skills. These modules help students improve competence in written, oral and visual communication skills, as well as help develop a broader understanding of the spectrum of skills required to be truly effective as a researcher, including experimental design and data analysis. These modules are designed to meet the training requirements of the UK Research Councils and other funding bodies.
Where specialist skills are required, or where there is a need for additional formal studies in a particular area, further training may involve attending selected courses.
