MRes, Postgraduate Diploma, Postgraduate Certificate Anthrozoology

Course overview

This research-focused degree is ideal for those who want to develop and discover new scientific expertise around the wide and varied area of human and animal interaction.

You'll be supported to build on existing expertise in anthrozoology through research, preparing for PhD study or advancing your career.

You’ll gain a deeper insight into the role of animals in society, as well as how humans and animals co-exist from a historic and contemporary perspective. You’ll also explore the role of animals in healing and their role in cultures and religions.

Research-active lecturers and professors will support you to advance knowledge gained from your first degree or employment. You’ll learn how to develop practical solutions for existing and emerging challenges in human-animal interaction, focusing your research on your interests and career aspirations.

You’ll have access to a diverse range of species from our own animal collection – domestic animals, exotics, invertebrates and amphibians – as well as a wealth of wildlife across our 360-hectare conservation-style site. We’re also home to equine and canine therapy centres, as well as specialist dog agility activities and expertise.

Our strong industry connections with human-animal experts, animal therapists, animal trainers and zoos will further enhance your experiences and extend your professional networks. Delivery is flexible and often provided at weekends to fit around your work or other commitments.

What you'll study

This degree will equip you with the expertise needed to develop practical solutions for existing and emerging problems centred around animal-human interactions.

You’ll explore how humans co-exist and impact on animals through conservation, exploitation and as companions, as well as debating the ethical issues surrounding anthrozoology. Key topics include the human-animal bond, wildlife conflict and contemporary issues surrounding human-animal interaction.

Taught modules have been designed to advance your skills in critically evaluating current research, and develop your abilities in research design and statistical analysis.

These skills, along with one-to-one support, will allow you to understand and apply current scientific thinking to welfare issues, enabling you to evaluate and develop new ideas to improve real-world practice.

The practical and theoretical skills you will gain will enhance your career prospects and can be applied in future scientific research and applied areas of human-animal interactions, including education, legislation, working with animal charities, zoos and conservation organisations.

Your dissertation project, which provides opportunities for academic publishing, will be a piece of original research that will make a valuable contribution to the field of anthrozoology.

This project is highly flexible, providing freedom for you to research your chosen topic in line with your interests and career aspirations.

You’ll also be encouraged to attend industry conferences, with opportunities to present research in key areas – this provides a great foundation for you to develop your knowledge and reputation, as well as industry networks.

Students can also exit with PGcert and PGdip awards.