Veterinary Sciences

Program Overview

Overview

The Bristol Veterinary School offers postgraduate research opportunities in Veterinary Sciences, leading to the award of a PhD or MSc by Research. The school's research programme is enhanced by its position within the Faculty of Health Sciences, allowing for collaboration with other research groups and integration of basic science with veterinary activities.

Key Information

• Programme duration: MScR: up to two years full-time, up to four years part-time; PhD: up to four years full-time, up to eight years part-time.
• Start date: Not fixed, but students are encouraged to start in September each year.
• Application deadline: Applications are welcome at any time of year.
• Delivery method: Distance Learning, On-Campus
• Location: Langford
• Awards available: PhD, MSc by research

Programme Structure

This research degree is also available via distance learning. Potential supervisors and their contact details can be found within the different research groups at Bristol Veterinary School.

World-Leading Research

• The University of Bristol is ranked fifth for research in the UK (Times Higher Education).
• 94% of the university's research is assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent.

Entry Requirements

• An upper second-class degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant subject.
• International equivalent qualifications can be found on the International Office website.
• English language requirements: If English is not the first language, applicants must reach the requirements outlined in the university's profile level C.

Fees and Funding

• Home: full-time: £4,850 per year
• Home: part-time: £2,425 per year
• Overseas: full-time: £26,700 per year
• Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.
• Alumni discount: University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study.
• Funding and scholarships: Fully funded studentships are advertised across the year and are listed on the school website.

Career Prospects

Graduates of the programme have gone on to pursue academic positions in universities, performing a range of research, teaching, and clinical roles. Others have been recruited by research institutes, government bodies, or industry, where they perform research and advisory roles.

Research Groups

Research activities in the school are focused on two research themes:

• Population Health: A multidisciplinary approach to studying the health of populations, spanning molecules to communities of animals, including the human animal through One Health approaches.
• Global Food Security: Research addressing major challenges to sustainable intensification of livestock production, including epidemiology, infectious disease, nutrition, and management.

Research Communities

• Animal Welfare and Behaviour: Fundamental studies of cognition and emotion, validation of animal welfare assessment methodologies, and implementing research-based solutions in the real world.
• Infection, Inflammation and Immunotherapy: Research ranging from fundamental to applied, with potential for impact, including immunology, microbiology, epidemiology, and social science approaches.
• Clinical Research: Naturally-occurring diseases within the clinical caseload, directed towards the prevention and treatment of animal and human diseases.
• One Health Approaches to Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR): Research promoting and facilitating a decrease in antibiotic use while improving animal health through a plurality of approaches.

Data Platforms and Infrastructure

The school has a coordinated multidisciplinary approach to realising 21st-century veterinary research, developing platform technologies, data analytics, and biobanking facilities to support cohort studies and high-quality clinical trials.

Program Outline

Careers:

• Academic positions in universities, performing research, teaching, and clinical roles.
• Research institutes (e.g., BBSRC)
• Government bodies (e.g., Defra)
• Industry (e.g., pharmaceutical, animal feed)
• Specialist clinical activities in veterinary practices

Other:

• Research activities focus on two themes: Population Health and Global Food Security.
• Interdisciplinary and cross-theme/group research is encouraged and supported.
• The school has a coordinated multidisciplinary approach to realizing 21st-century veterinary research and is developing platform technologies, data analytics, and biobanking facilities to support cohort studies and high-quality clinical trials.
• Interdisciplinary research is a major strength of the school and is reflected by its participation in various University and UK initiatives.

Tuition fees:

• UK: full-time
£4,758 per year
• UK: part-time
£2,379 per year
• Overseas: full-time
£26,000 per year For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year. Bench fees For postgraduate research students who are not funded by UK Research Councils or (specific) UK charities, it is usual to charge a bench fee. A bench fee covers the costs of laboratory consumables, specialist equipment and other relevant costs (such as training) for the duration of the programme. The bench fee charged can vary considerably depending on the nature of the programme being undertaken. Details of specific bench fee charges can be provided on request and will be made clear in the offer letter sent to applicants.