Applied Animal Behaviour and Welfare Hartpury University

Overview

The Applied Animal Behaviour and Welfare M.Sc. at Hartpury University provides students with the advanced scientific knowledge required to enact positive change in animal management. This programme focuses on the interface between ethics and science, ensuring graduates can implement welfare theory within real-world time and cost constraints. By studying at a research-active institution, students develop the professional judgement needed to influence organisational decision-making and industry practices.

Why Applied Animal Behaviour and Welfare at Hartpury University?

Students benefit from a 360-hectare rural estate that serves as an inspiring learning environment, featuring an animal collection of over 70 species including mammals, reptiles, and invertebrates. Hartpury University is recognised for its world-leading and internationally excellent research, providing a robust academic foundation for postgraduate study. Many on-campus facilities operate as successful commercial businesses, offering students unique insights into how welfare standards are maintained in professional settings. Additionally, the university is ranked in the top 10 in the UK for postgraduate student satisfaction, supported by a network of industry-leading experts and specialist academic teams.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

• International fee: GBP 20625 per full
• National fee: GBP 12100 per full

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum combines theoretical exploration with practical application, covering legal structures and philosophical frameworks. Modules may include:

• Contemporary Issues in Animal Welfare Science
• Advances in Animal Behaviour
• Ethics of Animal Use
• Applied Animal Welfare Assessment
• Companion Animal Behaviour and Welfare
• Research Process
• Regulating Agriculture and Food Production
• Companion and Working Animal Regulations
• Postgraduate Dissertation

Careers with Applied Animal Behaviour and Welfare

Graduates are well-equipped for strategic leadership and management roles across both the commercial and charitable sectors. In the food production industry, expertise is required to inform policy and monitor compliance with welfare standards. Charitable organisations also seek specialists for roles in animal rescue, rehabilitation, and welfare campaigning. The analytical skills gained during the programme prepare students for diverse career paths, including:

• Animal welfare monitoring and assurance
• Animal rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming
• Teaching in animal-related subjects
• Starting a business within the animal industry
• Advanced academic research at PhD level

The dedicated employability team at the university provides further support to help students prepare for these professional destinations, ensuring they are ready to meet the demands of the global animal science sector.