University of Nottingham

What you'll study

This MSc combines core modules in nutritional physiology and feed science with practical laboratory and applied farm-based training, concluding with an independent research project. Teaching covers digestion and metabolism across species, nutrient requirements and life-stage feeding, feed ingredient evaluation, ration formulation and the use of models and statistics in nutrition research.

• Core topics: digestive physiology and metabolic regulation; nutrient requirements for growth, lactation and reproduction; feed ingredient chemistry and anti-nutritional factors; principles of diet formulation and optimisation.
• Practical and laboratory skills: feed and forage analysis techniques, in vitro and in vivo digestibility methods, sampling and experimental design, use of nutrition modelling and statistical packages for data analysis.
• Applied modules: welfare and environmental impacts of feeding systems, speciality feeds for companion animals and performance animals, evaluation of feed additives and alternative protein sources.
• Research project: a substantial, supervised dissertation project that gives experience in designing and conducting original research, data analysis and scientific communication. Projects can be laboratory-, farm- or industry-based, depending on supervisor and student interests.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a good honours degree (equivalent to a UK 2:1) in a relevant subject such as animal science, veterinary science, agriculture, animal biology, biochemistry or another life science. Candidates with a lower second-class degree (2:2) and substantial relevant professional experience in animal production, feed industry or laboratory work may be considered.

Applicants should demonstrate basic competence in quantitative methods and experimental work. International applicants must meet the University of Nottingham's English language requirements for postgraduate taught study; exemptions and acceptable qualifications are listed by the university.

Career prospects

Graduates move into roles across the feed and animal production sectors, commercial research, consultancy and regulation. Typical career paths include:

• Animal or poultry nutritionist in commercial feed companies or livestock integrators
• Formulation specialist or technical services advisor for feed mills and ingredient suppliers
• Research scientist in academic or industrial laboratories, or progression to PhD study
• Regulatory or quality assurance roles in animal feed safety and labelling
• Consultancy and advisory posts with farm assurance schemes, NGOs or governmental bodies concerned with animal production and welfare

Why study at University of Nottingham

The University of Nottingham offers this programme within a strong biosciences and veterinary environment located at the Sutton Bonington campus, where teaching and research in animal science are closely linked to practical facilities. Students benefit from access to laboratories, on-site farms and field facilities, and active research groups working on nutrition, physiology and sustainable livestock systems.

The course emphasises applied skills valued by employers — from feed analysis and ration formulation to experimental design and data interpretation — and provides opportunities to undertake industry-relevant research projects and make professional contacts through guest lectures and placements where available.