Sustainable Aquaculture - Distance Learning (UG Cert) 2020 entry
Aquaculture is one of the world's fastest growing industries, with an average growth rate of over 8% per year for the past ten years. The Undergraduate Certificate course in Sustainable Aquaculture introduces the topic and focuses on the global aquaculture industry alongside fish and invertebrate biology. No previous study of aquaculture is required.
The course is delivered in partnership with 5m Publishing, who have developed the e-learning platform used to teach the course, and Fish Vet Group, the largest global supplier of veterinary services to the aquaculture industry.
This modular course is delivered part-time by distance learning via online tutorial support, direct email contact with tutors, video streams and access to student bulletin boards.
Course type
Undergraduate Certificate
Course duration
44 weeks part time
- January start course dates: 27 January 2020 to 31 January 2021
- September start course dates: 7 September 2020 to 30 June 2021
Information about all programmes from previous years of entry can be found in the archive.
Entry requirements
These grades are the overall standards required to consider you for entry. Find out more about Standard, Minimum and Gateway entry requirements using and see which entry requirements you need to look at using the entry requirements indicator.
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At least two Highers, or equivalent, from the following subjects:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computing
- Geography
- Geology
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Psychology.
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At least one A-Level, or equivalent, from the following subjects:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computing
- Geography
- Geology
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Psychology.
International applicants
If English is not your first language, you will need an overall IELTS score of 6.5, with a minimum score of 6.0 in each component (Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking), or an equivalent.
Do I need to have studied this subject before?
You do not need previous knowledge of sustainable aquaculture to apply.
General entry requirements
All applicants must have attained the following qualifications, or equivalent, in addition to the specific entry requirements for individual programmes.
SQA qualifications
SQA National 5 (B) in English and one SQA National 5 (B) from the following:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computing science
- Geography
- Lifeskills Mathematics (A grade)
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Psychology.
GCSE qualifications
GSCE (5 or B) in English language or English literature, and one GSCE (5 or B) from the following:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computing Science
- Geography
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Psychology.
Other qualifications
More information on how to apply via other entry routes or accreditation of prior learning and experience can be found on the University’s entry requirements web page.
Reputation
The School of Biology conducts world-class, innovative multidisciplinary research, and in the UK Research Excellence Framework 2014, Biology was ranked second in the UK based on the impact of its research.
The School of Biology was ranked second in the UK by the Guardian University Guide 2020 and was ranked fifth in the UK by the Complete University Guide 2020.
The University of St Andrews as a whole was voted top in the UK for student academic experience in The National Student Survey 2019 as 95% of St Andrews final year students were satisfied with the quality of the learning and teaching experience.
The University has secured a TEF Gold Award for the quality of teaching and the undergraduate experience.
Find out more about studying marine biology at St Andrews.
Course information
The Undergraduate Certificate in Sustainable Aquaculture is a part-time, distance learning course. The course is delivered by the School of Biology and normally takes 44 weeks to complete.
To obtain the certificate, students are required to complete three modules. Each module is divided into a series of topics with associated assessments, tutorials and case studies. There will be a monitored examination at the end of each module.
Students can expect to spend four to six hours studying per topic, per week. New topics are published weekly, but do not necessarily need to be completed in the week they are published. More details can be found on The Fish Site.
Modules
To obtain the certificate, students are required to complete three modules:
- The Global Aquaculture Industry: introduces the concept and definition of aquaculture and describes the global industry in the main production regions. Also considers the concept of sustainability, outlining the major environmental, social and economic factors contributing to this.
- Fish and Invertebrate Biology: addresses the essential aspects of fish and invertebrate biology, including the anatomy and physiology of the circulatory, respiratory, nervous, digestive, sensory, endocrine and reproductive systems. The module also looks at the life cycle of invertebrate and vertebrate aquaculture species.
- Aquaculture: Products and Markets: provides an understanding of the diversity of species, value of markets and the global trade of aquaculture products for finfish and invertebrates, including the importance of value added and niche products.
Teaching
Teaching format
Modules are taught through the use of an online e-learning platform with tutorial support, direct contact with tutors, video streams and access to student bulletin boards.
The University’s student services team can help students with additional needs resulting from disabilities, long-term medical conditions or learning disabilities. More information can be found on the students with disabilities web page.
Assessment
Classes are assessed through a combination of written examinations and coursework.
Undergraduates at the University of St Andrews must achieve at least 7.0 on the St Andrews 20-point grade scale to pass a module.
Fees
Tuition fees for 2020 entry
| Scotland and EU | £3,995 |
|---|---|
| Rest of the UK | £3,995 |
| Overseas | £3,995 |
For overseas students, tuition fees will be fixed at this level for the duration of your programme.
More information on tuition fees can be found on the undergraduate fees and funding page.
Funding and scholarships
The University of St Andrews offers a number of scholarships and support packages to undergraduate students each year.
Find out more about undergraduate scholarships.
Your future
Undergraduate degrees
Find out more about the undergraduate degrees in marine biology, and biology more widely, at the University of St Andrews.
Postgraduate degrees
See the Sustainable Aquaculture PGDip/MSc and Sustainable Aquaculture PG Cert course pages for more information about postgraduate degrees in Sustainable Aquaculture.
Careers
Students who take postgraduate modules in Sustainable Aquaculture will typically pursue a career in higher-level management, research and development, or business development within the global aquaculture business.
The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students to build their employability skills.
Contact
School of Biology
University of St Andrews
Biomedical Sciences Research Complex
North Haugh
St Andrews
KY16 9ST
Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 3401
Email: bioadmissions@st-andrews.ac.uk
Course Director: Dr Neil Hazon
Scottish Oceans Institute
University of St Andrews
St Andrews
KY16 8LB
Email: nh1@st-andrews.ac.uk
Undergraduate Certificate in Sustainable Aquaculture Administrator: Mrs Katrina Gatherum
Scottish Oceans Institute
University of St Andrews
St Andrews
KY16 8LB
Email: pgtaughtbiology@st-andrews.ac.uk
Policies
Admission to the University of St Andrews is governed by our admissions policy.
Curriculum development
As a research intensive institution, the University ensures that its teaching references the research interests of its staff, which may change from time to time. As a result, programmes are regularly reviewed with the aim of enhancing students' learning experience. Our approach to course revision is described online (PDF, 72 KB).
Tuition fees
The University will clarify compulsory fees and charges it requires any student to pay at the time of offer. The offer will also clarify conditions for any variation of fees. The University’s approach to fee setting is described online (PDF, 84 KB).