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Subject Guide to Agriculture, Horticulture & Veterinary Medicine
Find your PERFECT POSTGRAD PROGRAMThe subjects of agriculture, horticulture and veterinary medicine are inextricably linked. Farms deal with plants and animals which both need looking after; the horticulturalist, being the expert in plant science and the veterinarian being the expert in animal welfare.
However, it’s slightly more complicated that. With every new piece of scientific progress, what were once considered new specialisms become more mainstream, becoming vital to continue successful agricultural, horticultural and veterinary practice. These disciplines are therefore ever-evolving and new ground-breaking masters degree programs are continuously becoming available. This makes this a fascinating and dynamic field of study.
Career prospects for graduates in agriculture, horticulture, forestry & veterinary science
There are literally thousands of career options available in agriculture, horticulture and veterinary medicine. With the global growing demand for sustainable food production, environmental management, animal health and innovative crop technologies, skilled postgraduates who can tackle these modern challenges are highly sought-after. There are many career paths in both the private and public sectore, and these include:
- Agricultural consultancy
- Farm management
- Plant and crop science
- Landscape planning
- Veterinary practice
- Animal welfare
- Biosecurity
- Government policy.
For every budding scientist, environmentalist and plant lover, there is a postgraduate course for you. These courses are becoming increasingly popular after in an age of environmental obligations and sustainability and animal rights initiatives. Be part of it with a degree in agriculture, horticulture, forestry or veterinary science.
Let's rake a look at some of the postgraduate courses available in these areas of study.
Postgraduate Programs in Agriculture
Agriculture is the oldest profession in the world. It can be summed up as the science of cultivating land, raising crops, and feeding, breeding, and raising livestock; farming. With sustainability becoming vital to growing crops effectively and responsibly, there are many opportunities for study in this area. Finding new ways to grow crops without chemicals and the growth of genetically engineered 'super crops' means that the agricultural community is divided on which is the right way to go, GM crops or organic and biodiverse.
Here is just a small selection showing the variety of postgraduate courses in agriculture that would enable you to become part of this vital debate or just simply take part in managing a farm effectively:
MSc Sustainable Aquaculture and Fisheries at the University of Plymouth
Learning about sustainable fishing practices is an important role in today’s world, and on the MSc Sustainable Aquaculture and Fisheries at the University of Plymouth, you’ll learn so much more. This course focuses on how to enhance food production by making better use of our oceans, seas and freshwater environments, especially as global population growth increases pressure on food security. With limited potential to expand agriculture on land, the program explores how aquatic foods can play a greater role in feeding the world.
MSc Agricultural Economics at the University of Reading
The University of Reading is one of the UK’s leading universities for environmental and ethical performance, where you can undertake important learning about the understanding of economic concepts and policies that promote world agricultural development. With finite world resources, the analytical skills of agricultural economists are more relevant today than ever before. Joining the MSc Agricultural Economics program means you’ll also be joining the Graduate Institute of International Development, Agriculture and Economics, based in Reading’s School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, campaigning for difference on a global scale.
MSc Agricultural, Environmental and Resource Economics at the University of Helsinki
The MSc Agricultural, Environmental and Resource Economics at the University of Helsinki in Finland is a course for students who are keen on adventure and travel and wish to undertake a new world of learning in Finland’s agricultural environment. Costing £13,134.75 (€15,000) for non-EU/EEA citizens , you’ll undertake the pressing task of answering the questions of tomorrow, today.
Find postgraduate programs in AGRICULTUREPostgraduate Programs in Horticulture
Horticulture can involve the cultivation of gardens, orchards and vegetables. Unlike ecology it is not the study of ecosystems, but rather the study of human cultivation of plants. It has a long tradition going back to the very beginning of plant cultivation much like agriculture. Because of the hundreds of thousands of plant species cultivated by humans it is a wide area of study with many specialisms. Here are some interesting postgraduate programs in horticulture that are currently available across the UK and the rest of Europe:
International Horticulture Science (IMaHS) at the University of Bologna
The International Horticulture Science (IMaHS) at the University of Bologna in Italy aims to produce highly qualified scientific professionals in the field of the design, management and assessment of tree production systems to work internationally. So, if you love walking in forests and science, and wish to combine these two passions, this could be for you. Making our forests more productive while managing them sustainably is a major challenge, and one that this postgraduate program is tackling head on. Scholarships and grants are available in certain situations.
Masters in Plant Science at NMBU Norwegian University of Life Sciences
The Masters in Plant Science enables students to specialise in agriculture, horticulture, plant biology or plant pathology. This means you can tailor your masters degree according to your horticultural science interests. So, if you want to help reduce plant disease and save crops from environmental disasters thereby helping feed the world then this could be a great course for you.
MSc Horticulture at University College Dublin
Do you want to work in the global dynamic horticulture production and supply industry? The MSc in Horticulture at University College Dublin (UCD Dublin) in Ireland can teach you how to understand the dynamics between the global logistics chain, and traditional horticulture business. For those who choose to move to Dublin to take on their horticulture dream, a fee of €10,640 for EU students and €29,500 for non-EU students (including UK students) will be needed.
Find postgraduate programs in HORTICULTURE
Postgraduate Programs in Veterinary Science
Veterinary medicine is a vital study area. Not only do farmers need their cattle to be healthy, but the police also need healthy horses and sniffer dogs, and of course pet owners want their animals to be well. It is such a diverse area of study because it deals with many different types of animals unlike human medicine which deals with just humans. It is competitive so you need to be highly motivated and practical as well as good at science to succeed in this area. With enough determination though, if you have a keen interest in the subject matter, you should be able to succeed in this area. Here is just a small selection of some of the more interesting and groundbreaking courses in veterinary science available to study in the UK and Europe.
Advanced Veterinary Nursing at Harper Adams University
The Advanced Veterinary Nursing course at Harper Adams University is a three-year, full-time degree is ideal for practising veterinary nurses who want to explore areas of specialised interest, create a researched-focused pathway, and develop the skills needed to analyse and resolve complex challenges that we see in modern practice today.
MScR Veterinary Sciences at the University of Bristol
This MScR Veterinary Sciences masters program at the University of Bristol is studied full time for two years and is suitable for both veterinary and basic science students who want to work for research institutes (for example, BBSRC), government bodies, or industry (for example, pharmaceutical, animal feed) where they perform research and advisory roles. You might even want to perform specialist clinical activities in veterinary practices. When you choose to study this course at the University of Bristol, you can do so via distance learning, or in person.
MRes Veterinary Science at the University of Nottingham
The MRes Veterinary Science postgraduate program at the University of Nottingham is studied over one year full time or two years part time, and gives students specialist training in a broad range of topics where they can learn the theory and practical techniques they’ll need for a successful research career in veterinary science. With modules looking into the integrated structure and function of healthy animals, as well as the mechanisms of disease and their clinical management, the program is built for veterinary research professionals.
Find postgraduate programs in VETERINARY SCIENCE
Postgraduate Programs in Forestry
A postgraduate program in forestry will provide students with expertise relevant to multiple-use forestry. Units of study will usually include ecology, ecosystems, forest planning, forestry management, silviculture, conservation, forest pathology, urban forestry and environmental issues.
Students will thereby gain the necessary skills to become a professional forester – an important role when you consider that forests cover approximately 30% of Earth’s land surface providing a multitude of benefits to ecosystems and humans, including, timber, flood prevention and biodiversity conservation.
There are several postgraduate courses in forestry in the UK including an MSc in Forest Science at the University of Cumbria that can be studied full time for one year at its Ambleside location.
Find postgraduate programs in FORESTRY