Master of Animal Science
Overview
Master core skills in animal science to meet the global challenges associated with feeding the world and maintaining the environment.
This program is designed for recent graduates in any field, those with a Graduate Certificate in Animal Science, and established professionals wanting to upgrade their skills or redirect their career into animal science.
Specialise in Production Animal Science or Wildlife Biology, and select from more than 30 courses to tailor your studies to suit your interests and career goals, including business electives that hone your management abilities.
Develop the leadership, research and problem-solving skills to tackle issues in animal welfare, biosecurity concerns and competition for limited resources.
Complete a significant research project, which may provide a pathway to higher degree by research programs.
Upon graduation, you'll have career prospects in a wide range of government, commercial, community or research-based roles.
Program highlights
- Learn from research academics who are world leaders in their disciplines.
- Benefit from hands-on learning in extensive research and teaching facilities on Gatton campus.
- Utilise production animal and wildlife facilities, a dairy, sheep and goat herds, and visit commercial enterprises.
Majors
Tailor your studies to suit your goals. This program offers these options:
- Production Animal Science
- Wildlife Biology
How you'll learn
Your learning experiences are designed to best suit the learning outcomes of the courses you choose.
- Lectures
- Tutorials
- Work placements
- Research experience
- Fieldwork
Placements and work experience
What you'll study
At UQ, degrees are called 'programs' and subjects are called 'courses'. Here's a sample of the courses you could study in this program:
- Global Challenges in Agriculture [Core course]
- Leadership in Rural Industries & Communities [Core course]
- Advanced Research Methodologies [Core course]
- Effective Stakeholder Engagement [Elective]
- Biosecurity Plant Pests: Invertebrates [Elective]
- Agribusiness Value Chain Management [Elective]
Career possibilities
Our programs prepare you for your first job and beyond. Depending on which major you choose, here are some of the careers you could be on your way to:
- Wildlife scientist
- Animal nutritionist
- Biosecurity officer
- Animal research scientist
- Customs officer
- Livestock adviser or consultant
- National parks and wildlife officer
- Wildlife ecologist
Average annual salary range
Biosecurity Officer
seek.com.au
Average annual salary range
Research Manager
seek.com.au
Next steps after graduation
When you graduate, you'll be in high demand by employers for your advanced technical, communication, independent thinking and problem-solving skills.
You'll find a diverse range of career opportunities in fields or organisations such as:
- ecotourism
- land management
- environmental management
- research
- vertebrae pest and game management
- agricultural services and consultancies
- animal and food production enterprises
- government departments or agencies
- wildlife sanctuaries and zoos.
The curriculum is precisely tailored to my requirements, with a strong emphasis on the practical, hands-on skills essential for a successful career in wildlife conservation and biology.
Learning from world renowned professors at UQ changed my life. I was mesmerized by their work and that inspired me to do pioneering research of my own.
Studying Animal Science at UQ has helped me grow from a student into a passionate activist creating a positive change. The wildlife biology program has helped me evolve my own understanding of human-wildlife conflict as well as the world.
The curriculum is precisely tailored to my requirements, with a strong emphasis on the practical, hands-on skills essential for a successful career in wildlife conservation and biology.
Learning from world renowned professors at UQ changed my life. I was mesmerized by their work and that inspired me to do pioneering research of my own.
Studying Animal Science at UQ has helped me grow from a student into a passionate activist creating a positive change. The wildlife biology program has helped me evolve my own understanding of human-wildlife conflict as well as the world.
Events
See all events
Stories
See all stories
Stories
See all storiesEntry requirements
2-year degree (32 units of study)
To be eligible to complete the degree in 2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent)full-time (only available as full-time study), you'll need:
- a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in any discipline, or
- a graduate certificate in animal science, or
- to have successfully completed at least 3 years of study towards an approved qualification at an overseas partner institution, with a formal pathway to the Master of Animal Science.
You must have a grade point average (GPA) of 4.5 on a 7-point scale in your previous qualification.
1.5-year degree (24 units of study)
If you have relevant prior learning or experience, you can reduce the number of courses you need to complete and graduate in less time.
To be eligible to complete the degree in 1.5 years full-time (or part-time equivalent)full-time (only available as full-time study), you'll need:
- a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline (see below), or
- to have successfully completed at least 3.5 years of study towards an approved qualification at an overseas partner insitution, including research requirements, with a formal pathway to the Master of Animal Science.
You must have a grade point average (GPA) of 4.5 on a 7-point scale in your previous qualification.
Relevant disciplines for previous qualifications
Relevant disciplines include agricultural science, biological science, plant science (botany, horticulture or agronomy), equine science, animal science (behaviour, production or technology), wildlife science, wildlife management, veterinary science, veterinary technology and zoology.
Related programs
Depending on your previous qualifications and current goals, you might want to consider
one of these related programs:
English language requirements
IELTS overall 6.5; reading 6; writing 6; speaking 6; listening 6. For other English Language Proficiency Tests and Scores approved for UQ
TOEFL iBT (including Paper Edition) - Overall 87, listening 19, reading 19, writing 21 and speaking 19.
PTE Academic - Overall Score of 64 and 60 in all sub bands.
BE - A minimum overall grade of 4 plus a minimum grade of C in all macro skills.
CES - Overall 176 and 169 in all sub bands.
OET is not accepted.
There are other ways to meet the English language requirements. For some programs, additional conditions apply.
Student visas
International students who are accepted into full-time study in the Master of Animal Science are eligible to apply for an Australian student visa (subclass 500).
There are a number of requirements you must satisfy before a visa is granted, including the Genuine Student (GS) requirement.
Additional application information
Additional application information
Fields of study
Fields of study
Tailor your studies to suit your goals. This program offers these options:
Fields of study
Tailor your studies to suit your goals. This program offers these options:
Fees and Scholarships
Indicative annual fee
Approximate yearly cost of tuition (16 units). Your fees will vary according to your selected courses and study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.
$4,945
2026
Fee information for 2027 is not yet available. Fee information displayed is for 2026.
Approximate yearly cost of full-time tuition (16 units). Your fees will vary according to your study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.
AUD $56,800
2027
Additional costs
- This program includes majors and minors that may require completion of one or more field trip courses that may incur additional costs. Please check the course descriptions for more information.
Government assistance
Financial aid
As an international student, you might be eligible for financial aid – either from your home country, or from the Australian Government.
HECS-HELP
Domestic places in the Master of Animal Science are Commonwealth supported, as long as you meet all Commonwealth supported place eligibility requirements.
This means the cost of your education is shared between you and the Australian Government. Instead of tuition fees, Commonwealth supported students pay what are called student contribution amounts.
If you have a Commonwealth supported place, you may also be eligible for HECS-HELP. This is an Australian Government loan scheme to assist eligible students with the cost of their student contribution amounts.
Centrelink support
The Australian Government has approved this master's program for income support payments to be made to eligible students.
Scholarships
You may be eligible for more than 100 scholarships, including:
How to apply
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants
For support with applying – or if you have any questions about university life – get in touch with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (ATSIS) Unit.
Explore other programs
Helpful advice, right when you need it
Get useful info to help you navigate the confusing parts of getting into uni. Scholarship reminders, access to events and experiences, and advice from real students.
Sign up for updates. (No spam! We promise.)