Animal, Agriculture, Equine, Sport, Veterinary

Course overview

Technological and scientific developments are rapidly influencing our industries, making innovative research essential to sustainable real-world practice. We provide the ideal environment to support the development of new skills, providing access to academic expertise, advanced scientific equipment and extensive research subjects.

This postgraduate degree provides an exciting opportunity for you to advance your knowledge and skills through a valuable piece of research in any area of animal, agriculture, equine, sport or veterinary subjects that we don’t currently offer. You can focus your research on an external setting or utilise the fantastic environment we provide at Hartpury.

You’ll be supported by our research-active lecturers and professors, most of whom are also successful industry professionals, to understand and implement research methodologies to suit your project, enabling you to develop practical solutions for existing and emerging challenges in your chosen topic.

The course is ideal for those keen to progress onto a PhD or wanting to advance their own and their industry’s professional practice. Delivery is flexible and often provided at weekends to fit around your work or other commitments.

What you'll study

This  degree is designed for those who want to progress into a postgraduate qualification but whose specific interests lie outside our current qualifications. You’ll develop new theoretical and practical expertise to help progress your career, as well as advance future scientific research and real-world practice.

Modules have been designed to equip you with advanced research expertise through taught lectures, seminars and one-to-one sessions.

These will equip you with the skills required for critical evaluation of research, effective research design and accurate statistical analysis, allowing you to apply current scientific thinking to your specific research topic, which you’ll conduct in your own time alongside your learning.

Alongside this, you’ll select an optional module to complement your research topic from our diverse range of specialist postgraduate modules across all courses – this provides you with the opportunity to advance new knowledge to help shape your research and your professional practice.

You’ll be encouraged to attend industry conferences and familiarise yourself with academic journals, with opportunities to present and publish your research. You’ll be able to make the most of our extensive professional networks, including strong links with national governing bodies, which will provide you with opportunities to develop your reputation with key industry professionals and organisations.

Modules

Below you’ll find the modules for this course. You’ll also be able to choose from a subject-specific optional module from our diverse specialist portfolio to suit your interests and career goals. Optional modules change each year in line with student, industry and research demands.

Please visit our document library for more module information.

How you'll study

We're committed to supporting you to fulfil your unique potential while you're here so that you can achieve your personal and professional goals.

Your support network

You'll benefit from a strong support network from day one. This will range from your lecturers, supervisors and personal tutor to our specialist academic (Achievement and Success Centre), employability (Innovation, Careers and Enterprise) and wellbeing teams.

Your learning experiences

You'll experience a range of teaching methods to strengthen your understanding of topics, including lectures, workshops and practical sessions.

Further details

Professional practice

Some optional modules require you to reflect on your current professional practice, so if you are currently working in a professional role (voluntary, paid, full or part-time), this will be an ideal supplement to your studies.

Research in commercial environments

You may want to progress your research in an external environment, but you may also be keen to make the most of our own commercial activities on campus. These include our farm and Agri-Tech Centre, equine and canine therapy centres, equine events centre, sports academy and injury clinics, and performance sports teams.

We have strong industry partnerships across all subject areas that students can utilise and benefit from for their research. These include partnerships with national governing bodies, LEAF Farms, Animal Health Trust, NAF, NFU, BEF, Jockey club, UK Agility, Arctic Quest, West Bromwich Albion Football Club, England Rugby and Gloucester Rugby.

Graduate destinations

Studying a Masters in Research provides you with the necessary skills for further PhD studies. It will also support you to advance your own professional practice – contemporary research experience will place you at the forefront of knowledge within your discipline.

Tuition fees and financial support

Please visit our student finance page for information on tuition fees and student loans, as well as non-repayable grants, bursaries and scholarships, eligible to different groups, to support with study costs.

MRes Bursary

You may be eligible for a £1,000 bursary to support your research project. Please visit our finance page for more details.

Below you'll find extra costs associated with studying this course, as well as costs associated with living and extra-curricular activities that might be of interest.

Clothing and footwear for optional module

You may need to purchase appropriate clothing and footwear for your optional module, depending upon which one you select. You’ll be informed about this prior to selection.

Hartpury University branded clothing is also available through our online shop, for those who wish to purchase it. However, this is not essential.

Accommodation and living costs

Please visit our student accommodation page for details.