PgProfDev Data-Driven Breeding and Genetics at University of Edinburgh

Programme overview

Standalone online courses from the Data-Driven Breeding and Genetics programme, led by academics from the Roslin Institute and the Division of Global Agriculture and Food Systems. The programme addresses food security and sustainable agriculture through breeding and genetics, with links to ILRI and the Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health.

Faculty: College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine | Department: Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies | Duration: Up to 2 years (maximum 50 credits), part-time intermittent online study | Intake: Multiple start dates | Study mode: online | Location: Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

What you will study

Students take up to 50 credits of individual courses over two years, transferable towards the PgCert (ICL), PgDip (ICL) or MSc. The full MSc is 180 credits of nine core courses, three electives and a dissertation, taught asynchronously with pre-recorded content and assessed entirely by coursework.

Career pathways

Graduates are prepared for industry research and development, academia, and governmental and non-governmental organisations, addressing the shortage of data scientists in the agri-tech sector.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Programme (2027-28 entry): UK 2:1 honours degree, or international equivalent, in a life science, including relevant agriculture, breeding, genetics, statistical or data-driven backgrounds. Applicants with an unrelated degree and 3 years' relevant work experience may be considered (contact the team first) and may be admitted to Certificate level only at first. English language (all applicants, including UK nationals): IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each component; TOEFL iBT (from 21 January 2026) 4.5 overall with at least 4.5 in each component; C1 Advanced/C2 Proficiency 176 overall with at least 169 in each component.

Intake: Multiple start dates

Duration: up to 2 years part-time (intermittent study)

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