Applied Poultry Science

This online programme aims to equip current and future workers in the poultry field with skills, knowledge and understanding to address local and global challenges in sustainable poultry production.  

Poultry production for eggs or meat is a worldwide phenomenon - more than 180 eggs are produced per person per year for consumption globally, and over a third of all meat produced globally is from poultry. As incomes and suburban populations grow, poultry meat and egg consumption is likely to increase. A large poultry industry supports the production of such food, and thus there are a huge number of food-producing birds (mostly chickens) in the world at any one time.  

The programme enables students with relevant agricultural and animal-related backgrounds keen to acquire in-depth, research-led knowledge in applied poultry science.  

 Graduates of this programme are likely to establish or further their employee prospects in a poultry-related company or research institute, or relevant government department, or continue into academia via a PhD.  

This MSc is taught in collaboration with SRUC (Scotland’s Rural College) at the Poultry Unit at SRUC’s Monogastric Science Research Centre (MSRC). 

MSc, PGDip, PGCert, PPD

The programme is suitable for those with an undergraduate degree (2:1 or equivalent) in agricultural sciences, biological science, veterinary medicine, as well as professionals from agriculture, rural industries, government officials, international organisations, and research technicians in poultry science.  

 In circumstances where the background is not specifically related to these disciplines, we may also consider applications from those who have relevant work experience (work experience must be in a related area of poultry science or some involvement in poultry-related matters for 3 or more years).  

Many of our students already work in the poultry industry, for example in the fields of nutrition, breeding, egg or meat production, or poultry veterinarians, but are wishing to broaden their knowledge base to give them greater career opportunities. 

Applicants can contact the programme team to check before applying. They may be admitted to certificate level only in the first instance. Prospective students must also demonstrate fluency in spoken and written English in line with University entry requirements. 

Once successfully on the programme, completion of core courses is a pre-requisite for progression to subsequent courses. 

English language requirements 

If English is not your first language, we will also need to see evidence of your English language proficiency before we can offer you a place. 

English language requirements 

Alongside the subject content, the programme will also enable the acquisition of a range of transferable skills, such as computer skills, report writing, giving online presentations and time and project management. 

Programme learning outcomes 

• Demonstrate a critical understanding of the principal theories, principles and concepts of Applied Poultry Science (APS). 

• Use a significant range of the principal skills techniques, and practices which are associated with APS. 

• Critically review, consolidate and extend knowledge, skills and thinking in APS. 

• Use a range of appropriate methods to communicate to audiences with different levels of knowledge/expertise in APS. 

• Deal with professional issues and take responsibility for problem solving, autonomously and/or in a group. 

This is an online, part-time, intermittent programme of study. The programme has a taught element and a research project and dissertation element. The MSc programme can be completed over 3 years, or up to 6 years if done intermittently. Each academic year consists of 3 teaching blocks, each running over a period of 11 weeks. The table below shows the structure of the programme as well as the award gained upon successful completion of each academic year. 

Year 1 (60 credits) - Pg Certificate 

• Poultry Housing & Environment (20 credits)  

• Poultry Anatomy & Health (20 credits)  

• Poultry Feed, Nutrition & Digestion (20 credits) 

Year 2 (60 credits) - Pg Diploma 

• Poultry Behaviour & Welfare in Commercial Systems (20 credits)  

• Poultry Embryology & Incubation (10 credits)  

• Poultry Breeding & Genetics (10 credits)  

• Elective course(s) adding to 20 credits 

Year 3 (60 credits) - MSc 

• Final dissertation 

Each course (elsewhere often called ‘modules’) of the taught element is delivered in 2 blocks of 5 weeks of study with a week of independent study and reflection time in between. 

The courses are delivered in three 11-week terms from September-June. 

Year 1 

Core courses 

• Poultry Housing and Environment (20 Credits) 

• Poultry Anatomy and Health (20 Credits) 

• Poultry Feed, Nutrition and Digestion (20 Credits) 

Year 2 

Core courses 

• Poultry Behaviour and Welfare in Commerical Systems (20 Credits) 

• Research Methods and Data Analysis (10 Credits) 

• Poultry Embryology and Incubation (10 Credits) 

• Poultry Breeding and Genetics (10 Credits) 

Elective courses from this programme 

• Leadership Skills (10 Credits) 

Electives from other suitable courses will also be available. For more information see the Degree Programme Table. 

Degree Programme Table (Applied Poultry Science) 

Year 3 

Dissertation Element (must be written within a 12-month period) 

Studying part-time 

Part-time Intermittent Study may enable students to complete an MSc within a six-year timeframe rather than the standard three years, subject to agreement with the Programme Director. 

Course availability 

Although all courses are offered, we will not be able to guarantee that all courses will be available to all students, each year. This will be dependent upon numbers of students and availability of places on non-programme owned courses. 

Tuition fees 

Please note that you can pay for the programme on a course (module) basis. Each course is 20 credits and the dissertation year is equivalent to 60 credits. 

Tuition fees for online learning

Tuition fee discount for former graduates 

Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding

The University of Edinburgh subscribes to a funding database specifically for those looking for funding to support postgraduate studies.  The guide contains a huge database of funding opportunities, comprehensive guidance and tools to help you prepare a winning grant application including.

The Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding Online

Scholarship information 

It is recommended that you conduct your own research on this, but you can refer to the University Scholarship website to view suggestions on Scholarships. 

Online distance learning scholarships 

ITA Scotland 

Get up to £200 towards the cost of a training course with an SDS Individual Training Account (ITA). 

You could use the money to build the skills you need for a job. Or get some training to take your career to the next level. Whatever you want to do, there is a wide range of ITA approved courses on offer. 

ITA Scotland 

UK government postgraduate loans 

If you are planning to study with us, you could be eligible for a postgraduate loan towards your fees. From this year, online programmes are also eligible for this funding (please note, restrictions apply) 

This funding is available for UK nationals, those with settled status, and in some cases, EU nationals not resident in the UK. 

Learn more about postgraduate loans and submit your application 

The University has a strong and long-standing commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and to promoting a positive culture which celebrates difference, challenges prejudice and ensures fairness.

Find out more

Online application form 

Applications must be submitted through the University’s online application service, EUCLID. Offers cannot be made without a fully completed online application. 

Apply for this degree

Contact details 

If you would like more information on applying for this programme, please contact our team using the address below: 

Programme Team 

Email: Poultry.Science@ed.ac.uk