MSc Applied Animal Behaviour and Training

You will need:

A minimum of a 2.2 honours degree, ideally in biological science subjects or equivalent, but work experience can be taken into account if an unrelated qualification is held.

An appropriate academic reference

Life and/or experience of non-traditional students will be taken into account when considering applications. The successful completion of an entry task may be required when considering applications without the required formal entry qualifications.

If your first language is not English, or a Tier 4 student visa to study is required and GCSE English at grade 4/C or equivalent is not held, you will need to evidence your English language proficiency level, such as International English Language Testing System (IELTS) 6.0 overall (with a minimum 5.5 in each skill).

This programme is delivered with a variety of learning and teaching approaches to include all students' learning preferences.

For all modules, theory lectures are delivered that aim to deliver the core content and provide the underpinning knowledge. Using the webinar software, staff are able to monitor engagement to ensure participations.

To complement all theory lectures, you will have asynchronous seminars that are used to reinforce concepts delivered theoretically. Online webinars focus on facilitating a student-centred approach to enhance the independent learning that takes place outside of the webinar lecture sessions.

2025-26 ENTRY

Full-Time:

You will study four modules in the first semester (two evenings, 3 hours teaching between 6-9pm) and two in the second semester (one evening, 6-9pm), alongside completion of the Independent Research Project. This represents approximately six hours of live webinars per week plus a similar amount of time dedicated to directed tasks and tutorials.

Additional to this you will book individual tutorials with your Programme Leader. You will have four individual tutorials in an academic year.

Attendance is required at three block sessions throughout the year. For two of these, attendance is encouraged onsite at University Centre Bishop Burton. However alternative provision will be offered if you are unable to attend. One session will be online only.

These dates for the 2025/26 academic year are as follows:

- Thursday 18 - Saturday 20 September 2025 onsite

- Saturday 11 & Sunday 12 October 2025 online attendance only

- Saturday 28 February & Sunday 1 March 2026 - onsite

Students must also be available during the week of 25 May 2026 (Tuesday Friday) to deliver their Independent Research Project presentations online.

You are expected to complete a significant amount of private study in addition to class time and directed study (approximately 20 - 40 hours per week).

Part-Time:

You will study two modules per semester except during the final semester when the focus is on completion of the Independent Research Project. This represents approximately three hours of live webinars per week plus a similar amount of time dedicated to directed tasks and tutorials. Webinars run one night per week.

In the first year, attendance is required at two block sessions throughout the year. In person attendance is encouraged onsite at University Centre Bishop Burton. However alternative provision will be offered if you are unable to attend.

These dates for the 2025/26 academic year are as follows:

- Thursday 18 - Saturday 20 September 2025 onsite

- Saturday 28 February & Sunday 1 March 2026 - onsite

There will be one online block session in the second year plus one week where students need to be available to deliver their Independent Research Project presentation. Dates will be confirmed towards the end of your first year but are likely to be around October 2026 (online weekend) and May 2027 (online week).

You are expected to complete a significant amount of private study in addition to class time (approximately 10 - 20 hours per week).

Relevant extra-curricular activity and/or work experience is encouraged to enhance your learning.

The programme incorporates a variety of assessment methods across each academic year. The mix of assessments will seek to challenge and evaluate your knowledge, understanding and skills. Assessments for this programme include written assignments, webinar presentations, oral presentations, practical reports and demonstrations, evaluations and role-plays. Tutors provide support for assessments in class. There will also be opportunity for formative assessment and feedback during the delivery of each module to monitor learning, and to support and prepare you for the summative assessments which make up the module. Feedback on your summative assessments will be given which will allow you to guide efforts and activities in subsequent modules. Staff aim to return assessed work within a 20 working day timeframe (not including holidays) so that you can most benefit from the feedback.

Those who wish to continue their studies can do so by taking a PhD.

Upon graduating from this programme you could seek management positions in animal training, zoo keeping and education, environmental enrichment co-ordinator, education and lecturing, behaviour advisor/consultant, companion animal trainer, training animals for commercial work, animal rescue and rehabilitation, and assistance dog trainer.