Animal Welfare Science, Ethics & Law MSc
Excellent MRes/MSc students will be considered for an annual PhD scholarship award (one per annum). International students will be considered but would be required to contribute the Home/EU-International fee differential or apply to the School/Institute for this support.
Animal welfare science and ethics is an expanding topic of international concern. It aims to improve our knowledge and understanding of animals’ needs, which is required to provide a high standard of care to the whole range of animals kept in captivity.
- This Masters programme is offered by the Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine (IBAHCM); a grouping of top researchers who focus on combining ecology and evolution with more applied problems in animal health and welfare.
- You will be taught by research-active staff using the latest approaches in understanding and responding to animal welfare-related issues, legislation related to use of animals, and both theoretical and applied ethics. In addition, you will have opportunities to develop skills in quantitative methods, sequence analysis, conservation biology, epidemiology and practical approaches to assessing biodiversity.
- A unique strength of the University of Glasgow for many years has been the strong ties between veterinarians and ecologists, which has now been formalised in the formation of the IBAHCM. This direct linking is rare but offers unique opportunities to provide training that spans both fundamental and applied research.
- The IBAHCM also offers an MSc in Quantitative Methods in Biodiversity, Conservation and Epidemiology. This degree is more focused on ecology and evolutionary biology and provides the opportunity for you to gain key quantitative skills that are not often a focus of welfare-based programmes.
- You will have the opportunity to base your independent research projects at the University field station on Loch Lomond (for freshwater or terrestrial-based projects); Millport field station on the Isle of Cumbria (for marine projects); or Cochno farm in Glasgow (for research based on farm animals). We will also assist you to gain research project placements in zoos or research laboratories, whenever possible.
Programme overview
- MSc: 12 months full-time
- PgDip: 9 months full-time
The programme provides a strong grounding in scientific writing and communication, statistical analysis, and experimental design. It is designed for flexibility, to enable you to customise a portfolio of courses suited to your particular interests.
You can choose from a range of specialised options that encompass key skills in:
- Ethics, legislative policy and welfare science – critical for promoting humane treatment of both captive and wild animals.
- Monitoring and assessing biodiversity – critical for understanding the impacts of environmental change
- Quantitative analyses of ecological and epidemiological data – critical for animal health and conservation.
Core courses
- Key research skills: Scientific communication; Introduction to R; Advanced linear models; Experimental design and power analysis
- Animal ethics
- Animal welfare science
- Legislation related to animal welfare
- Independent research project.
Optional courses
- Enrichment of animals in captive environments
- Care of captive animals
- Biology of suffering
- Assessment of physiological state
- Freshwater sampling techniques
- Marine sampling techniques
- Invertebrate identification
- Vertebrate identification
- Molecular analyses for DNA barcoding and biodiversity measurement
- Phyloinformatics
- Conservation genetics and phylodynamics
- Infectious disease ecology and the dynamics of emerging disease
- Single-species population models
- Multi-species models
- Spatial processes
- Introduction to Bayesian statistics.
Career prospects
You will gain core skills and knowledge across a wide range of subjects that will enhance your selection chances for competitive PhD programmes. In addition to academic options, career opportunities include roles in zoos, government agencies, officers of animal welfare, protection, or wildlife crime, veterinary nursing and aquaculture.
Further information: Professor Dan Haydon
Email: lorna.kennedy@glasgow.ac.uk
At least a 2.2 Honours degree or equivalent (e.g. GPA of 3.0 or above) in a relevant subject. Professional experience may be taken into account.
In your application, please submit a statement (up to 200 words) outlining why you want to study this programme in particular and what you hope to get out of it.
English language
If your first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. See English Language Requirements.
Further information regarding entry requirements: student.recruitment@glasgow.ac.uk
We ask that you apply online for a postgraduate taught degree. Our system allows you to fill out the standard application form online and submit this to the University within 42 days of starting your application.
You need to read the guide to applying online before starting your application. It will ensure you are ready to proceed, as well as answer many common questions about the process.
Apply now