MSc (Research) Ageing, Health and Welfare in Glasgow United Kingdom | University of Glasgow

Our research initiatives are customized based on the specialized knowledge of lead researchers across our academic departments. We employ diverse methodologies such as field and lab experiments, epidemiological studies, computational modeling, bioinformatics, and advanced molecular techniques including genomics and proteomics. Students can pursue both fundamental and practical research, with opportunities for international fieldwork.
While aging is a universal phenomenon, its progression differs widely across and within species. Modern humans enjoy significantly longer lifespans than their ancestors, yet aging remains the primary contributor to numerous diseases. This has led to the important distinction between lifespan and healthspan—the period of life free from serious illness. Environmental factors play a crucial role in aging, and emerging research shows that our aging trajectory can be influenced by prenatal conditions and developmental experiences. Deciphering the mechanisms of aging, its variability, and its health consequences represents one of contemporary science's most pressing challenges.
Our institution offers a distinctive, multidisciplinary framework for investigating aging, health, and animal welfare. We examine aging processes across multiple biological scales—from molecules to whole organisms—in both controlled and natural environments. Our research incorporates cutting-edge interventions to explore critical questions about stress, nutrition, metabolism, and other factors affecting longevity in humans and animals.
With global population growth accelerating, ensuring sustainable food production presents another urgent societal priority. Our work focuses on optimizing livestock productivity while safeguarding animal welfare, controlling diseases, and minimizing ecological consequences. We specialize in innovative behavioral and physiological assessment techniques for evaluating welfare in domesticated and wild animal populations.