MSc Scholarships at the University of Stirling

The Asian Fish Welfare Network Project anticipates supporting six MSc students over the three years of the project from Vietnam, Thailand or Indonesia, to study on one of the Institute of Aquaculture’s one-year taught masters courses. Over the year of their study they will gain a deeper understanding of farmed fish welfare and will participate in fish welfare research projects in Asia, equipping them to become future leaders on this issue. It is provisionally anticipated that scholarships will be available for study in the academic years 2025-26 and 2026-27.

Applications will be opened early in 2026 for Nationals of Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam to study either MSc Sustainable Aquaculture or MSc Aquatic Pathobiology, or MSc Aquatic Veterinary Studies at the Institute of Aquaculture at the University of Stirling during the academic year 2026-27.

Candidates should be able to demonstrate a strong interest in aquatic animal welfare and have their application supported by an organisation in their home country that is engaged in fish welfare research or promotion. They must also have a firm offer of a place on one of the above courses prior to the final selection date.

The successful candidates will be expected to carry out their dissertation project in partnership with one of our local network partners in Thailand, Vietnam or Indonesia during 2027.

As only candidates that have a firm offer of a place on the course can be selected for financial support, potential candidates are advised to commence an application for one of the courses as soon as possible using the following links:

• MSc Sustainable Aquaculture

• MSc Aquatic Pathobiology

• MSc Aquatic Veterinary Studies

NB: If you are submitting a new application you must also notify us immediately using the form on this web page.

The funding support offered covers the academic course fees and a student stipend of approximately £20,000 to cover travel and living expenses. We are looking to fund students who show the greatest potential to contribute to the improvement of farmed aquatic animal welfare in Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam, so selection of candidates will be made by a panel of tutors with expertise and experience in aquatic animal welfare in Asia and good knowledge of our MSc programmes.

It is not a requirement of the funding that candidates have the support of their current employer or other organisation. However, if a candidate does have the support of their employer and expects to return to work with them after the MSc programme, there is space on the application form to give full details.

To apply for one of the scholarships, please use the application form which will be accessible via the button below once the call is open in 2026.

Previous scholars

Following a competitive application process for the academic year 2023-24, Arnan Hirunratanakorn from Thailand was supported to study the MSc programme in Sustainable Aquaculture, and Nghĩa Đỗ Trọng Phan from Vietnam was supported to undertake the MSc programme in Aquatic Pathobiology. You can read about their experiences and research projects here.

See also the testimonials on YouTube from Arnan Hirunratanakorn and Nsogbu Wadike.