Overview
The Aquaculture sector in the UK was valued at £1.4bn in 2025. It’s expected to experience annual growth over the next five years, at a rate of 5.3% from 2025 to 2030 (source: IBIS World 2024). Skilled sustainable aquaculture specialists are needed to meet demand.
Our Masters in Sustainable Aquaculture explores the principles of aquaculture. It focuses on the key factors influencing the viability of aquatic animal farming and food production systems. You’ll develop an in-depth knowledge of:
- aquatic animal biology,
- environmental issues,
- nutrition,
- reproduction and genetics,
- disease and health management.
You can choose to develop any of the following practical skills:
- Advanced broodstock management
- Aquaculture policy and planning
- Livelihood analysis
- Environmental management and biodiversity
- Feed formulation and resources
- Aquatic animal health control
- Epidemiology
- Ecotoxicology
You can also explore the commercial business of sustainable aquaculture. There are optional modules covering marketing, business studies and economics. Gain the skills to establish, manage, and evaluate aquaculture enterprises and development projects.
Focus on your chosen area of aquaculture
The MSc Sustainable Aquaculture lets you choose subjects that suit your career goals. Specialised degrees have more compulsory modules, than the more flexible non-specialised route. The available Sustainable Aquaculture Masters degrees are:
- Master of Science in Aquaculture
- Master of Science in Aquaculture (Environmental Management)
- Master of Science in Aquaculture (Breeding and Genetics)
- Master of Science in Aquaculture (Aquaculture Nutrition)
- Master of Science in Aquaculture (Aquaculture Development and Food Security)
Gain valuable aquaculture insights on field trips
On this Sustainable Aquaculture MSc you’ll go on field trips to locations such as:
- farms,
- hatcheries,
- processors,
- feed companies,
- equipment suppliers,
- research laboratories.
Opportunities to carry out industry-based projects
We collaborate with aquaculture industry across more than 20 countries, partnering with all the major companies in Scotland. This strong industry network offers our students valuable opportunities to undertake industry-based research projects. Previous projects have included:
- Improving ballan wrasse (Labrus bergylkta Ascanuis, 1767) skeletal health through nutritional intervention
Partners: Otter Ferry Seafish, Scottish Fish Farms, Biomar, and Mowi - Assessing genetic diversity of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) in Nigeria based on genome-wide Single Nucleotide Polymorphism data
Partner: Spring Continental Harvest Ltd. (Nigeria) - Bridging Gaps in Aquaculture: A Field study on Economics and Fish Welfare in Thai Markets
Partners: Namsai Farms and Kasetsart University - Investigating Nutrient Connectivity in an Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) System
Partner: Fondazione IMC Centro Marino Internazionale, Sardinia
Learn from aquaculture experts
You’ll study at the Institute of Aquaculture, one of the top institutions in this field. Their facilities include:
- freshwater sites in Central Scotland;
- tropical and temperate freshwater recirculation systems on campus;
- marine facilities in the west of Scotland.
On this Sustainable Aquaculture Masters degree you’ll be taught by aquaculture professionals from Scotland and across the world. Visiting international experts deliver some lectures and workshops. Past guest lecturers have been from commercial partners, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and government agencies, including:
- MOWI Scotland
- Benchmark Genetics
- Cooke Aquaculture
- Devenish Nutrition
- GenoMar Genetics
- IFFO - The Marine Ingredients Organisation
- Veramaris
- ThinkAqua
- WorldFish
Top reasons to study with us
Flexible learning
If you’re interested in studying a module from this course, the Postgraduate Certificate or the Postgraduate Diploma then please email Graduate Admissions to discuss your course of study.
Research overview
In REF 2021, we were ranked 1st in the UK for impact and 9th overall for research in Agriculture, Veterinary and Food Sciences, with 100% of the University's Institute of Aquaculture research having outstanding impact, the highest possible rating. 100% of our research environment is world leading or internationally excellent. You will benefit from our focus on research-led teaching in key areas such as sustainable aquaculture, health, breeding and genetics, welfare and behaviour, and nutrition.
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
A minimum of a second class honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject. Applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant appropriate/relevant work/life experience are encouraged to apply.
Other routes of entry
If you don't currently meet our academic requirements, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need to progress onto some of our courses. Explore University of Stirling International Study Centre to see the routes available.
International entry requirements
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill.
- IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses.
Course details
The full Masters course for each degree outcome is divided into six taught modules, and a single research project module. The overall course is divided into three parts.
Foundation modules (September to November)
There are two compulsory modules taken consecutively, which give a broad introduction to aquaculture science and practice. The first focuses on aquaculture species, systems and environments
Advanced modules (November to April)
You must choose four advanced modules from the five offered. The advanced modules are sequential and there is a choice of two modules for the last of the four timetable blocks. Successful completion of the
Research Project module (May to September)
The Research Project module is completed in a subject area which complements the chosen course of advanced study or your named degree outcome. These projects can be lab based, field based, or involve a desk study analysis/report. Successful completion of the module, subsequent to foundation and advanced modules, will qualify you for an MSc in a selected degree outcome.
Modules
Course Details
Teaching
A variety of teaching approaches is used in the course. Our teaching makes use of both our campus-based teaching facilities and online learning environment. In addition to lectures, online materials, workshops, seminars, case studies, field and laboratory exercises, and a number of minor projects are assigned throughout the course. These are an integral part of the teaching and will involve the students working alone or in groups. These projects may require a written outcome or a presentation to peers and other staff and students.
Fieldwork
There will be a number of field exercises throughout the course. Some trips may involve several nights away from Stirling.
Assessment
Taught module assessment is continuous, involving short tests, seminars, essays, practical reports, critical and computational analysis, field assignments and set project reports. The Research Project module is examined through a written dissertation, a press release and seminar presentation which is delivered to peers, supervisors and the external examiner.
Classroom hours
The course involves intensive teaching and study. A standard day involves lectures, practicals, tutorials or group work between 09:00 and 18:00, with assignments taking additional time in the evenings or weekends. There are sometimes field trips which may start earlier or return later or involve several nights away from Stirling.
Course director
Key staff
Teaching on the Sustainable Aquaculture postgraduate course draws on the wide range of expertise available within the Institute of Aquaculture. Module and topic leaders include:
- Dr Armin Sturm (Foundations of Aquatic Production)
- Dr Amaya Albalat (Aquaculture in Practice)
- Professor Trevor Telfer (Environmental Systems)
- Dr Monica Betancor (Aquaculture Nutrition)
- Dr Almas Gheyas (Genetics and Reproduction)
- Professor David Little (Aquaculture and Society)
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
University of Stirling alumni will automatically be awarded a fee waiver for the first year of Masters studies through our Stirling Alumni Scholarship.
Applicants from the UK or Republic of Ireland who hold a first-class honours degree or equivalent will automatically be awarded a £2,000 scholarship through our Postgraduate Merit Scholarship.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Eligible students could receive a scholarship worth between £4,000-£7,000. See our range of generous scholarships for international postgraduate students.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
The full-time option for this course is eligible for a postgraduate tuition fee loan from one of the UK’s governments. See the Scholarships and funding section, below, for more details.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Scholarships and funding
Funding
If you have the talent, ability and drive to study with us, we want to make sure you make the most of the opportunity – regardless of your financial circumstances.
Learn more about available funding opportunities or use our scholarship finder to explore our range of scholarships.
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
Scottish students may be eligible to apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for loans of up to £11,500 to cover tuition fees and associated living costs.
English students can apply for a loan of up to £12,167 each year as part of the Postgraduate Masters Loan Scheme.
Welsh students can apply for financial support of up to £18,770 as a combination of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales.
Northern Irish students can apply for a postgraduate tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 from Student Finance NI.
International students may be able to gain additional funding from loan providers.
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships
These scholarships are for candidates from developing Commonwealth countries, looking to study selected postgraduate Masters courses. Find out if you could be eligible for a Commonwealth Shared Scholarship.
Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC) MSc Scholarships
The Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre scholarships are available to financially assist UK and overseas students. The award offers a full fee waiver to a strong candidate who demonstrates their aims and ambitions within the field of Aquaculture, making a case why they want to study at the Institute of Aquaculture at the University of Stirling.
Other scholarships
Scholarship awards are available from the Ronald Miller Scholarship and the Mister Gees Foundation Scholarship.
Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay
After you graduate
Graduates of the MSc Sustainable Aquaculture can follow a direct route into industry such as:
- production,
- the supply sector (feed, health, equipment),
- post-harvest (processing and marketing).
Roles within these areas of industry include:
- Scientist e.g. analytical researcher in research and development projects
- Fisheries technician e.g. in hatcheries
- Nutrition analysts e.g. in fish feed companies
- Fish farm manager
- Commercial fish farm operator
- Fish pathologist
- Fish vet
Aquaculture specialists can earn a base salary up to £43,000 annually. The average salary is £30,750 (source: Glassdoor 2025).
Stirling graduates of the Sustainable Aquaculture Masters have gone onto roles including:
- Molecular Biology Technical Specialist
- Manager
Organisations our graduates work for include:
- AquaGen
- University of Stirling
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