Postgraduate Research Programs - leading to a PhD or Masters degree

Why do a Higher Research Degree?

As a research postgraduate in the Faculty of Veterinary Science, you will be conducting new and innovative scientific research in your chosen area under the guidance of professionals in that field. Your successful study will lead you to being awarded the degree of Masters or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

You will have the opportunity to present your work at national and international conferences and you will be encouraged to document your work for the benefit of the scientific community, including through publications in scientific journals.

Invariably you will develop collaborative relationships with other students and researchers from national and international institutions and you will look forward to discussing your research at seminars and conferences, or via email.

Candidates find the projects very intellectually interesting and challenging, they become world experts in their field. They contribute to knowledge in the animal and veterinary sciences and in many cases higher degrees open doors to many other high level and exciting job opportunities.

If you are interested in a postgraduate research program, this page contains essential information to help you get started.

What to do

• Choose which higher research degree will suit you.
• Look at the research groups which are active in the Faculty and at the research areas of the staff and see if there is something that would interest you, too.
• Note that research strengths in the Faculty are generally in the areas of production animal research (especially pigs, poultry, cattle and sheep), immunopathology, reproduction and genetics, companion animal medicine, animal behaviour and welfare, wildlife conservation biology, photobiology and performance research in horses. You will also find that just because a member of staff teaches in one area, it does not necessarily mean that their research is in the same subject.
• Either find a current PhD research opportunity or have an idea of a related project that you are interested in and approach the academic involved to see if they'll take you on.
• Apply for funding and scholarship (if required). Be aware of the dates for application as they are well in advance of the course start date in most cases.
• You might also want to browse through the Postgraduate Research Students pages to get a feel for postgraduate life.