Program Overview

Introduction to the Ageing, Health & Welfare PhD/MSc (Research) Program

The Ageing, Health & Welfare PhD/MSc (Research) program addresses key questions in the fundamental biology of ageing, animal welfare, and food security. This program explores how and why ageing occurs, its impacts on health and well-being, how animals cope with pollutants, and how to achieve sustainable animal production while protecting animal health and welfare.

Program Details

• Duration:
  • PhD: 3-4 years full-time, 5 years part-time
  • MSc (Research): 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time
• Entry Requirements: A 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent.
• English Language Requirements:
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic: 6.5 with no subtests under 6.0
  • TOEFL (ibt, mybest, or at home): 90 overall with Reading 20, Listening 19, Speaking 19, Writing 21
  • Pearsons PTE Academic: 59 with minimum 59 in all subtests
  • Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE): 176 overall, no subtest less than 169
  • Oxford English Test: 7 overall with no subtest less than 6
  • LanguageCert Academic SELT: 70 overall with no subtest less than 60
  • Password Skills Plus: 6.5 overall with no subtest less than 6.0
  • Trinity College Tests Integrated Skills in English II & III & IV: ISEII Distinction with Distinction in all sub-tests
• Fees:
  • UK: To be confirmed (previous fee was ｣5,006)
  • International & EU: ｣33,210
  • Prices are based on the annual fee for full-time study. Fees for part-time study are half the full-time fee.

Research Areas

The program encompasses a wide range of research areas, including:

• Interplay between physiology, behaviour, and life history
• Wild immunology
• Avian reproduction
• Mammalian reproductive physiology and neuroendocrinology
• Poultry science
• Environmental factors, chemical exposure, and reproductive function
• Maternal smoking and development
• The effect of environmental stressors on ageing and longevity
• Evaluating stress in companion animals
• Organic production systems and animal welfare
• Physiology, ecology, and migration of birds
• Annual and daily rhythms of wild organisms
• Biological clocks and response to environmental change
• Neuroendocrinology and steroid biochemistry
• Livestock and wildlife management
• Behavioural ecology, evolutionary ecology, life history strategies, and environmental change
• Thermal biology of temperature regulation and cold adaptation in marine mammals and birds
• Veterinary ethics and animal welfare assessment
• Welfare and wildlife conservation ethics and welfare of wildlife interventions

Support and Facilities

• Excellent facilities for lab, field, and farm-based research
• Access to additional specialist facilities through a wide network of collaborators
• A vibrant and supportive community of researchers
• The College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences Graduate School provides a research training environment that includes provision of excellent facilities, training in essential research and generic skills, excellence in supervision and mentoring, and interactive discussion groups and seminars.

Application Process

To apply, potential students must:

• Identify a potential supervisor and discuss their research proposal
• Gather supporting documentation, including transcripts, degree certificates, references, and a research proposal (if applicable)
• Submit an online application form, highlighting the title of the research project of interest.