Animal Health and Welfare

Entry requirements

MRes - A minimum of a 2.1 or equivalent honours Biological Sciences degree.

MSc - A minimum of a 2:2 or equivalent honours Biological Sciences degree.

Applicants with an equivalent level of relevant industrial or professional work experience with be considered on an individual basis.

Months of entry

October

Course content

Animal Health and Welfare relates the study of animal health to improving and enhancing welfare. There is an increased global awareness of the link between animal and human health and this suggests that graduates with skills in this area are well placed for a range of career destinations within the animal sector.

The course combines advanced research and academic skills with applied science skills for use within the animal sector. It will equip you with theoretical knowledge in practical situations where an in-depth understanding of animal health and welfare might be of benefit, for example in animal production, utilisation of animals for educational/therapeutic purposes, conservation efforts, and the role/value of animals in society more generally. The course will cover the scientific theory and practice relating to animal health and welfare. It will also critically evaluate and assess the biological and social basis of the interactions, with the aim of improving our understanding and overall quality of specific human-animal interactions.

There is an emphasis on examining the biology of health and welfare science, while adopting a multidisciplinary approach to the wider subject area.

You'll study the current issues and insights at the forefront of animal health and welfare, and the philosophical, welfare and ethical issues related to these. You'll explore general patterns in human and animal cognition, behaviour, and psychological functioning, and appreciate how these relate to the application of health and welfare science.

In this course you will also evaluate the rigour and validity of published research, and assess their relevance to new situations within the discipline. You'll gain an insight into recent advances in animal science - therefore, attending a relevant scientific conference is strongly advised as an integral part of the course.

What you'll study

• Ethology and Welfare (Animal)
• Research Methods and Data Analysis
• Comparative Performance Biology
• Animal Health, Disease Control and Surveillance
• Ethics and Consultation (Animal)
• Animal Health
• Research Project

Information for international students

English language requirement - IELTS 6.5 (with a minimum of 5.5 in each skill) or the equivalent.

Fees and funding

Please visit our funding page.