Postgraduate taught  

Animal Welfare Science, Ethics & Law MSc

Animal welfare splash image

Watch our latest webinar to find out more about this programme.

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.

Why this programme

  • 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.
  • Our strong ties between veterinarians and ecologists are a unique strength, offering training opportunities spanning both fundamental and applied research.
  • Accredited by the Royal Society of Biology for the purpose of meeting, in part, the academic and experience requirement for the Membership and Chartered Biologist (CBiol).
  • Learn with the School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine, a grouping of top researchers who focus on combining ecology and evolution with more applied problems in animal health.
  • Develop valuable skills in:
    • conservation biology
    • epidemiology
    • practical approaches to assessing biodiversity
    • quantitative methods
    • sequence analysis
  • Experience the opportunity to base your independent research projects at: We will also assist you to gain research project placements in zoos or research laboratories, whenever possible.
  • Gain core skills and knowledge across a wide range of subjects that will enhance your selection chances for competitive PhD programmes.
  • Many links with animal welfare-related organisations. We regularly welcome organisation experts to deliver guest lectures to our Animal Welfare students. We also arrange for our classes to visit organisations to obtain a first-hand view of working there is like.
  • Many organisations provide our students with opportunities to carry out their independent research project within their company.
  • We have currently the following partners involved in this programme:
    • Blair Drummond Safari Park
    • Chester Zoo
    • Highland Wildlife Park, Kingussie
    • National Museum Scotland
    • Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Scottish SPCA)
    • The Aspinall Foundation (Howletts & Port Lympne)
  • Integrated PhD - excel from your undergraduate degree

    Main Campus Location

    Mainly undertaken at the Gilmorehill Campus in the West End of Glasgow, with your research projects possibly taking place outwith the city at either Loch Lomond, Isle Of Cumbrae or Cochno Farm.

Programme structure

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.

A total of 180 credits are required, with 40 flexible credits in the second term.

Core courses

Term 2: Optional courses

Core MSc component

Animal welfare is a very broad and applied field and the programme aims to provide coverage of all the different aspects of the topic which are often treated separately.

Science is an essential skill in order to have a good understanding of welfare but we appreciate that applicants may come from diverse backgrounds and therefore the course includes a rigorous training in science communication, experimental design, data analysis and interpretation.

The programme also includes teaching by practitioners and visits to organisations with first-hand experience of applied welfare problems.

The programme also attempts to cover the entire spectrum of animal welfare, including zoos, farms, laboratory animals and wildlife.

Programme alteration or discontinuation
The University of Glasgow endeavours to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional circumstances, however, the University may withdraw or alter a programme. For more information, please see: Student contract.

Career prospects

Students are exposed to potential work places and can make valuable contacts with professionals in the welfare community.

Where possible this is a two-way exchange in which communities are offered help with any issues they have and for which assistance may be provided in finding a solution (e.g. through independent research projects, supervised by university staff).

This is also an option open to other courses and could benefit the students in the long-term as well as give the university valuable connections with the wider community.

Students from this programme have gone on to a very wide variety of graduate roles in academia and the labour market across the UK and also in Europe.

Job titles include:

  • agricultural officer for regional government, animal carer (horses), animal technician, canine carer, locum vet nurse, veterinary meat hygiene inspector

Other graduates have progressed to PhDs in veterinary medicine and science.

Fees & funding

Tuition fees for 2025-26

MSc

UK

  • Full-time fee: £11250

International & EU

  • Full-time fee: £29700

Deposits

International and EU applicants are required to pay a deposit of £2000 when an offer is made.

Deposits: terms & conditions

Additional fees

  • Fee for re-assessment of a dissertation (PGT programme): £370
  • Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed: £350
  • Registration/exam only fee: £170

Funding opportunities

Beit-Glasgow Scholarship

GREAT Scholarships 2025

The Snowdon Trust Master’s Scholarship

Banco de Mexico

Erasmus+ Master Degree Loans

DAAD-University of Glasgow 1-year Master’s grant

Colfuturo Fundacion para el Futuro de Colombia

Commonwealth Scholarship Schemes

Chevening Scholarship

CONICyT (La Comsion Nacional de Investigacion Cientifica y Tecnologica de Chile)

CONACyT (Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia) / FUNED Agreement

University of Glasgow African Excellence Award

University of Glasgow Caribbean Excellence Award

World Changers Glasgow Scholarship

Postgraduate Student Loan (Scotland and EU)

Postgraduate Tuition Fee Loans England only (PTFL)

Postgraduate Loans for Welsh Students

Alumni Discount

Postgraduate Access Scholarship

Global Leadership Scholarship

Glasgow Excellence Award (UK)

HESPAL Scholarship

Postgraduate Student Loan (NI)

World Changers Glasgow Scholarship PGT (EU)

The Clan Gregor Society Prize

The Dima Alhaj Scholarship

Sanctuary Scholarships

Travel Bursary for Forced Migrants

Glasgow Highland Society Scholarship

The scholarships above are relevant to this programme. For more funding opportunities search the scholarships database

Entry requirements

2.1 Hons (or non-UK equivalent) in any degree related to Animal Biology.

We may also accept degrees in Animal Production.

Applicants are required to provide a personal statement explaining motivations for applying to this programme. The statement should make specific reference to wanting to learn more about the underlying science of Animal Welfare and future plans post-qualification.

English language requirements

International students

We are proud of our diverse University community that includes students and staff from more than 140 different countries.

How to apply

To apply for a postgraduate taught degree you must apply online. We cannot accept applications any other way.

Please check you meet the Entry requirements for this programme before you begin your application.

Documents

As part of your online application, you also need to submit the following supporting documents:

  • A copy (or copies) of your official degree certificate(s) (if you have already completed your degree)
  • A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained
  • Official English translations of the certificate(s) and transcript(s)
  • One reference letter on headed paper
  • Evidence of your English language ability (if your first language is not English)
  • Any additional documents required for this programme (see Entry requirements for this programme)
  • A copy of the photo page of your passport

You have 42 days to submit your application once you begin the process.

You may save and return to your application as many times as you wish to update information, complete sections or upload supporting documents such as your final transcript or your language test.

For more information about submitting documents or other topics related to applying to a postgraduate taught programme, see how to apply for a postgraduate taught degree

Guidance notes for using the online application

These notes are intended to help you complete the online application form accurately; they are also available within the help section of the online application form. 

If you experience any difficulties accessing the online application, see Application System Help.

  • Name and Date of birth: must appear exactly as they do on your passport. Please take time to check the spelling and lay-out.
  • Contact Details: Correspondence address. All contact relevant to your application will be sent to this address including the offer letter(s). If your address changes, please contact us as soon as possible.
  • Choice of course: Please select carefully the course you want to study. As your application will be sent to the admissions committee for each course you select it is important to consider at this stage why you are interested in the course and that it is reflected in your application.
  • Proposed date of entry: Please state your preferred start date including the month and the year. Taught masters degrees tend to begin in September. Research degrees may start in any month.
  • Education and Qualifications: Please complete this section as fully as possible indicating any relevant Higher Education qualifications starting with the most recent. Complete the name of the Institution (s) as it appears on the degree certificate or transcript.
  • English Language Proficiency: Please state the date of any English language test taken (or to be taken) and the award date (or expected award date if known).
  • Employment and Experience: Please complete this section as fully as possible with all employments relevant to your course. Additional details may be attached in your personal statement/proposal where appropriate.

Reference: Please provide one reference. This should typically be an academic reference but in cases where this is not possible then a reference from a current employer may be accepted instead. Certain programmes, such as the MBA programme, may also accept an employer reference. If you already have a copy of a reference on letter headed paper then please upload this to your application. If you do not already have a reference to upload then please enter your referee’s name and contact details on the online application and we will contact your referee directly.

Application deadlines

September 2025

International & EU applicants

Due to demand for degree places on this programme, the University has an application process with application rounds which recognises that different geographical areas complete and submit their applications at different times of the year. This process aims to ensure fairness and equity to applicants from all geographic regions.

Round 1 application dates: 1 October 2024 to 4 November 2024

All international applications submitted within these dates will be reviewed with no priority given to any geographic region. You will receive our decision on your application by 15 January 2025.

Round 2 application dates:5 November 2024 to 16 December 2024

All international applications submitted within these dates will be reviewed with no priority given to any geographic region. You will receive our decision on your application by 10 March 2025.

Round 3 application dates: 17 December 2024 to 3 February 2025

Priority will be given to under-represented geographic regions. You will receive our decision on your application by 14 April 2025.

Round 4 application dates: 4 February 2025 to 24 March 2025

Priority will be given to under-represented geographic regions. You will receive our decision on your application by 5 May 2025.

Round 5 application dates: 25 March 2025 to 12 May 2025

Priority will be given to under-represented geographic regions. You will receive our decision on your application by 16 June 2025.

Round 6 application dates: 13 May 2025 to 7 July 2025

Priority will be given to under-represented geographic regions. You will receive our decision on your application by 28 July 2025.

All international applications submitted by 16 December 2024 will be reviewed and processed normally with no priority given to any geographic region. From 17 December 2024, priority will be given to applications from geographic areas which have been unable to submit applications before that point.

As we receive a great number of applications, prospective students are only allowed to apply once per year.

UK applicants

  • 22 August 2025
Apply now