Full-time Master's Degree Programme (2 years)
| About the programme Language: English (See language requirements) | Place of study: Viborg | Commencement: August / September (See if this programme also offers a January/February start for international applicants). Programme type: Full-time Master's Degree Programme (2 years) |
Animal Science is the master's degree programme for those who want to explore the latest research-based knowledge on animal health, welfare, and performance. Study at AU Viborg, a small campus located 65 km from Aarhus and become part of a highly ranked international academic environment.
During the programme, you build on the competencies you acquired during your bachelor's degree. You will learn to identify, analyse, and solve complex challenges within animal science and modern animal production systems.
You will gain the knowledge and skills to develop innovative, holistic, and evidence-based solutions to some of today’s major challenges, with a focus on animal welfare, sustainability, ethics, nutrition, and management.
At the same time, you will develop an understanding of how the animal sector influences sustainability at national and global levels, and of the interconnected relationships between feed, animals, food, people, the environment, and the climate.
The Animal Science programme also offers excellent opportunities to tailor your own academic profile. You can do this through elective courses, your master's thesis topic, and by choosing two or three of the following specialisations:
As a master's student at AU Viborg, you will become part of an internationally recognised and highly specialised academic environment with fellow students, researchers, and PhD students from around the world.
At AU Viborg, excellent research and high-tech experimental facilities come together to find practical solutions to complex challenges.
Do you dream of working with animals under human care? A Master's degree in Animal Science opens up a wide range of career opportunities within areas such as farm animals, companion animals, sport animals, exotic animals and wildlife management. One thing is certain: your knowledge and expertise will be in demand. Seize your chance to become a consultant, educator, or researcher within an NGO or in public administration.
In this section you can learn more about the admission requirements relevant to the Master's degree programme in Animal Science. Depending on your educational background and your qualifications, there are different ways to meet the admission requirements:
This section is relevant for you, if you have:
The two sections listed below are relevant only for students with a Bachelor's degree from a Danish institution:
Below these sections, you can learn more about the English language requirement. You can also find out which ranking criteria we use to assess your application when prioritizing among the submitted applications.
If you have an international educational background, you must meet both the general admission requirement and the specific admission requirements:
You must have a Bachelor's degree or equivalent that is comparable to a Danish Bachelor's degree in both level and duration (180 ECTS).
For more information about how your bachelor's degree is assessed, please see the national database.
If you meet the general admission requirement, the university will continue on to assess whether or not you meet the specific admission requirements.
You can be admitted to the Master's programme if the university assesses that your education has a level, scope, and content that corresponds to the academic requirements specified below.
| Subject area | Number of ECTS |
| 60 |
The following Bachelor's degree programme(s) from Aarhus University entitles you to an offer of admission to the Master's degree programme in Animal Science:
Please note that the you must apply for admission to the Master's degree programme witin three years of completing your Bachelor's degree programme.
Learn more about 'Legal right of admission'
Certain Bachelor's degree programmes from Aarhus University and various other Danish Universities have been determined to meet the admission requirements to this Master's degree programme in Animal Science:
All Master’s degree programmes at Aarhus University have limited intake. This means that you are not guaranteed admission even if you meet the entry requirements. When we prioritize among applicants, we assess your application based on a set of fixed ranking criteria, which you can see below.
If you have a legal right of admission, you are guaranteed a place in the programme and do not need to consider the ranking criteria.
Ranking criteria:
In criterion three, the score is based on the proportion of subjects on the bachelor’s degree diploma that fall within the relevant subject fields. In this assessment, ECTS credits that are a part of the admission requirements described under ‘Other qualifying degrees’ are not included.
Please note that grades achieved after the application deadline are not included in the assessment.
In order to be admitted to this programme you must meet the university's english language requirements.
Students with bachelor's degree from Aarhus University with a so-called 'Legal right of admission' are exempt from the English language requirement.
Unfortuntely, Aarhus University is not able to assess your qualifications beforehand. In order for your qualifications to be assessed you must apply for admission. To learn more, please go to Assessment of your qualifications.
Aarhus University and AU Viborg are among the world’s leading institutions in animal science. Nutrition, animal welfare, livestock production, climate, and natural resource management is among the key research areas at AU Viborg.
The Animal Science programme includes classroom teaching, project group work, laboratory exercises, field trips, and guest lectures, before you complete your own independent research project as part of your master's thesis.
During your studies, you will also have the opportunity to undertake an exchange stay at a university or company in Denmark or abroad.
The academic regulations for Animal Science will be available in late autumn 2026.
The academic regulations contain further information about the content of the individual courses. You can also find information about the structure of the programme and the requirements you must meet as a student, including examination formats and requirements.
At AU Viborg, you will be part of a vibrant social study environment with excellent opportunities to pursue both your academic and personal interests. AU Viborg’s student associations organise social events as well as professional and academic activities for you to partake in, and the campus offers facilities including an indoor riding arena, a dog association, a fitness room, and a Friday bar.
AU Viborg is a young campus where you will have the opportunity to help shape the social environment. With the city of Viborg is nearby, you will be guaranteed student accommodation, a student house where you can meet up with fellow students, and a rich cultural and community life.
