MSc in Aquaculture

MSc in Aquaculture

Last modified: 21. March 2025

The aim of the Master of Science in Aquaculture is to train professionals who, with their knowledge of fish farming and hydrobiology, are able to manage, control, supervise and plan production processes in their field of specialisation. They will carry out their activities in a sustainable agricultural and environmentally responsible manner, taking into account economic aspects and striving to achieve a balance between the conservation and efficient use of natural resources. Master's degree students are not only prepared for economic or business production management, but also for continuing their studies in a doctoral programme. The course provides a unique insight into both main systems of fish farming, namely intensive fish farming and more extensive pond farming. Due to the favourable situation of our country, both farming systems are present in the country and both are operating successfully. Fish farming as a discipline within agricultural sciences is a highly specialised field, and its cultivation is impossible without a critical evaluation of the information obtained and the processes observed. The skills acquired will enable the development of new knowledge and practices in fish farming and sustainable, safe fish production.

Qualification of the degree:

  • level of degree: Master of Science (MSc);
  • qualification: Master in Aquaculture.

Length of program: 3 semesters
Work schedule: full-time training (HU, EN), correspondence training (HU)
Financial options: state scholarship or self-funded
Program Leader: Dr. Béla Urbányi university professor (Szent István Campus)

Training sites and programme coordinator:

  • Szent István Campus (Gödöllő), Dr. Ákos Horváth university professor

Language of conduction: 

  • Szent István Campus: Hungarian or English;
  • condition of admission to English Master’s degree programme is to have at least B2 level English language skill.

Professional practice

The internship, as defined in the curriculum, is a one-week (40 hours), self-directed internship with an external partner or university training place, worth 3 credits. The student may carry out his/her internship placement either at a workplace listed in the university/faculty list of internship placements or at a workplace of his/her choice, approved by the programme leaders and the supervisor of student. The internship placement must be suitable for the student to acquire management and organisational skills in addition to the specialised activities. 
The internship may be carried out in small, medium or large fish farms, family farms, companies, cooperatives, public farms or any other actor in the agricultural production chain involved in fish farming, fish processing, fishing, angling or directly related to the sector (e.g. water management, environmental protection). It is also possible to do work experience in other jobs related to fish farming, e.g. in consultancy, in NGOs, in the commercial and service sector, in related higher education institutions, in (agricultural) research centres, in public administration, in food industry jobs. Up-to-date information on possible changes will be provided by the leadership of the programme.

Skills and professional competences acquired on completion of the programme

Graduate Aquaculturists have specialised, high-level professional and linguistic skills based on agricultural and natural sciences, which qualify them for managerial and senior management positions:

  • in the production sectors corresponding to their specialisation (fish production, fish processing, fish feed, fish health);
  • both main fish farming systems, i.e. intensive fish farming and more extensive fish farming in small and medium-sized enterprises, family farms, companies, cooperatives and public farms;
  • drawing up and implementing sectoral development programmes and projects in public authorities, agencies and municipalities;
  • in the fields of agriculture and, in particular, fish farming, in the fields of business, consultancy, planning, management, testing laboratories and public authorities;
  • in the governmental food chain safety system;
  • in public research institutes and universities, in the specialised press in areas related to fisheries management.

Conditions of obtaining pre-degree certificate (absolutorium)

  • completion of all the compulsory subjects of the course, plus the required number of optional credits according to the curriculum and the number of credits for the thesis, for a total of 115 credits;
  • completion of a four-week professional practice (5 credits).

Final exam

Condition to attend final exam:

  • obtained pre-degree certificate (absolutorium);
  • submission of thesis and its acceptance by reviewers;
  • the student shall not be in debt to the University.

The thesis topics are announced by the departments, which may include thesis topics from the departments teaching the core subjects. By elaborating thesis topics, the student demonstrates that he/she has acquired and can independently apply the professional competences required for the degree. The diploma thesis includes a section of the student's own research, assessment, analysis and proposals. The student may choose from a range of topics proposed by the department members or may initiate the elaboration of a topic of interest to the relevant department.

Parts of final exam:

  • comprehensive complex exam;
  • thesis defense;
  • and other tasks.

Field of knowledge and subjects of final exam:
The students of Master of Science in Aquaculture programme shall demonstrate their knowledge in the following professional areas:

  • International and domestic situation, trends and development of the fish farming/aquaculture sector.
  • The production structure of the pond farming, full-scale and semi-operational farming.
  • The production cycle of pond farming from reproduction to market fish.
  • Classification of fish pond types by construction and function.
  • Classification and role of fish produced on the pond farm.
  • Comparison of intensive and pond farming fish production.
  • Cage fish production, production structure and species.
  • Characteristics of flow-through intensive systems, description of species typically produced.
  • Recirculating fish production, main elements of the systems and their characterisation.
  • Recirculating fish production: different forms of filtration and their function.
  • Characterisation and production of carp species.
  • Characterisation and production of Chinese herbivorous fish species.
  • Characterisation and production of predatory fish species in pond farms.
  • Trout and salmon farming
  • Farming of sturgeons and paddlefishes 
  • African catfish farming and hybridisation.
  • Farming of sea pikeperch and gilthead seabream.
  • Genome manipulation and sex reversal in fish farming

Evaluation of final exam and qualification of degree from 2020/21 academic year

Accordingly, to chapter 4.3.16 Final exam and chapter 4.3.17. Degree certificate.

Model curriculum of the program