Overview
Join us for your MPhil or PhD in Animal Science. Our research-active academic staff will support you.
The School of Natural and Environmental Sciences has an internationally recognised centre of excellence in animal sciences. It draws on fundamental research and applies it to areas of societal, industrial and policy importance.
Our research primarily involves:
- farm livestock, domesticated animal and wildlife applied research
- integrated livestock system development and evaluation
- animal behaviour, health and welfare
- survival, health and efficiency of nutrient utilisation
Opportunities are available for postgraduate research in the following areas of animal science:
This ranges from fundamental work on understanding animal needs and behavioural problems, to mechanistic studies of health and disease at the molecular level. It also includes the development of practical on-farm monitoring and assessment methods.
Our work examines:
- the consequences of modifications in nutrition and husbandry
- alterations in breeding strategies to improve the efficiency of resource use
Our ‘field to fork’ expertise allows us to study the relationships between husbandry systems and nutritional inputs of animals and the composition of their products, with further implications for human diet and health.
Important information
We’ve highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
Qualifications explained
Find out about the different qualification options for this course.
An MPhil is available in all subject areas. You receive research training and undertake original research leading to the completion of a 40,000 – 50,000 word thesis.
Find out about different types of postgraduate qualifications.
A PhD is a doctorate or doctoral award. It involves original research that should make a significant contribution to the knowledge of a specific subject. To complete the PhD you will produce a substantial piece of work (80,000 – 100,000 words) in the form of a supervised thesis. A PhD usually takes three years full time.
Find out about different types of postgraduate qualifications
How you’ll learn
Delivery
We offer a number of different routes to an MPhil or PhD in Animal Science. This includes full-time and part-time supervised research projects.
We attract postgraduates via non-traditional routes. This includes mature students and part-time postgraduates undertaking study as part of their continuing professional development.
Off-campus (split) research is also offered. This enables you to conduct trials in conditions appropriate to your research programme.
Depending on your modules, you’ll be assessed through a combination of:
- Thesis
- Viva
Our mission is to help you:
- stay healthy, positive and feeling well
- overcome any challenges you may face during your degree – academic or personal
- get the most out of your postgraduate research experience
- carry out admin and activities essential to progressing through your degree
- understand postgraduate research processes, standards and rules
We can offer you tailored wellbeing support, courses and activities.
You can also access a broad range of workshops covering:
- research and professional skills
- careers support
- wellbeing
- health and safety
- public engagement
- academic development
Find out more about our postgraduate research student support
Your development
Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering (SAgE) researcher development programme
Each faculty offers a researcher development programme for its postgraduate research students. We have designed your programme to help you:
- perform better as a researcher
- boost your career prospects
- broaden your impact
Through workshops and activities, it will build your transferable skills and increase your confidence.
You’ll cover:
- techniques for effective research
- methods for better collaborative working
- essential professional standards and requirements
Your programme is flexible. You can adapt it to meet your changing needs as you progress through your doctorate.
Your future
Our Careers Service
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Visit our Careers Service website
Quality and ranking
- 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- Global Top 130 University – QS World University Rankings 2025
- Global Top 170 University – Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
- Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024
- Top 90 for Life Sciences and Medicine – QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Check the government’s website for more information.
Facilities
Farms
Our multi-purpose farms are viable farming businesses. We use them as demonstration facilities for teaching purposes. They also provide land-based research facilities, especially in the area of organic production.
Cockle Park Farm is a 262ha mixed farm facility. It includes:
- the Palace Leas Plots hay meadow experiment
- an anaerobic digestion plant that will generate heat, electricity and digestate – an organic fertiliser – from pig and cattle manure
Nafferton Farm is a 300ha farm. It has two main farm units covering conventional and organic farming systems. The two systems are primarily focused on dairying and arable cropping. Both also operate beef production enterprises as a by-product of their dairy enterprises. The organic system is unique in maintaining a small-scale potato and vegetable production enterprise.
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.
Academic entry requirements
A 2:1 honours degree, or international equivalent, in a relevant subject.
We usually expect research experience and/or a postgraduate qualification, such as a MRes or MSc, for PhD study.
