Overview

Postgraduate research in the Bristol Veterinary School is largely based at the Langford campus, which houses a large number of research groups along with Langford Vets and the University farm.

The strength of the school's research programme is greatly enhanced by its position within the Faculty of Health Sciences. Our research extends from the fundamental to the applied and we collaborate with other research groups in the faculty and beyond, building on a policy of integration of basic science with veterinary activities.

Our postgraduate students are members of the Faculty of Health Sciences graduate school and benefit from the training opportunities it provides. We welcome enquiries and applications from prospective MScR and PhD students.

Programme structure

This research degree is also available via distance learning.

Entry requirements

An upper second-class degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant subject.

See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.

Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.

Go to admissions statement

If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level C.

Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.

Fees and funding

UK: full-time
£4,758 per year
UK: part-time
£2,379 per year
Overseas: full-time
£26,000 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.

More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.

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.

Alumni discount

University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study. Check your eligibility for an alumni discount.

Funding for 2024/25

We advertise fully funded studentships across the year. These are listed on the school website.

Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.

Career prospects

We recruit both veterinary and basic science students to our postgraduate programme. Many of our graduates go on to pursue academic positions in universities, performing a range of research, teaching and clinical roles. Other graduates have been recruited by research institutes (for example, BBSRC), government bodies (for example, Defra) or industry (for example, pharmaceutical, animal feed) where they perform research and advisory roles. Some veterinary graduates perform specialist clinical activities in veterinary practices.

Research groups

Research activities in the school are focused on two research themes and encompass both clinical excellence and strong basic science.

Our themes

Population Health

This theme embodies 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 in this theme addresses major challenges to sustainable intensification of livestock production, including epidemiology, infectious disease, nutrition and management, 'One Health', parasitology, veterinary public health, animal behaviour and animal welfare.

Our underpinning research communities

Interdisciplinary and cross-theme/group research is encouraged and supported. There are four Research Communities underpinning our two main themes:

Animal Welfare and Behaviour

This spans fundamental studies of cognition and emotion - through validation of animal welfare assessment methodologies - identifying and quantifying welfare problems and their causes in farm, laboratory, companion and working animals, as well as to implementing research-based solutions in the real world.

Infection, Inflammation and Immunotherapy

The community brings together several research strengths ranging from the fundamental to more applied research with potential for impact, which all collectively benefit from being part of a university-wide infection and immunity research theme. The research areas include immunology, microbiology, epidemiology, mathematical modelling, infectious diseases, zoonoses, parasitology and social science approaches.

Clinical Research

This community focuses on naturally-occurring diseases within the clinical caseload and is directed towards the prevention and treatment of animal and human diseases. This community brings together veterinary clinical specialists engaged in high-quality clinical research, working in new clinical and imaging facilities, with biomedical scientists who study fundamental physiological mechanisms and disease processes.

One Health Approaches to Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

Research is promoted and facilitated by the 'AMR Force', an active and inclusive group of enthusiastic researchers. Work is carried out in the South West, nationally and internationally, and the team are interested in decreasing antibiotic use while improving animal health through a plurality of approaches addressing differing styles and attitudes.

 

Data platforms and infrastructure

The school has a coordinated multidisciplinary approach to realising 21st century veterinary research and is developing platform technologies, data analytics and biobanking facilities to support cohort studies and high-quality clinical trials. With the completion of both the CIEL poultry research facility and the John Oldacre Farm Platform, a highly instrumented dairy farm on site, a wide range of data-intensive studies are possible to tackle grand challenges in both animal and human health. These studies are supported by strong links to data-intensive research and facilities across the University.

Interdisciplinary research is a major strength of the school and is reflected by our participation in these University and UK initiatives:

Contact us

Contact

Liz Hemmings, Postgraduate Admissions Administrator

Phone
+44 (0) 117 455 7759
Email
fohs-pgadmissions@bristol.ac.uk