MSc/Diploma Applied Animal Behaviour and Animal Welfare

Past Students

A short selection:

Matt (2009-2010) I knew this MSc would give me an education in animal behaviour and welfare but I didn’t expect it to make me so aware of the challenges society faces in the future.  Whether it’s reducing climate change, advancing medical science or trying to feed the world sustainably, animal welfare definitely has a role in ensuring solutions are achievable yet acceptable.  This ethical/political dimension is something I never expected to enjoy so much and certainly sparked many interesting, sometimes heated discussions among classmates!  The MSc was definitely a worthwhile, enjoyable and stimulating course, and stretched me personally as well as professionally.  However, I would think seriously about whether doing the MSc is right for you.  It’s a big commitment, is challenging at times and doesn’t guarantee employment in a highly competitive field.  For me, it was 100% the right choice and has helped kick start a career in animal welfare.  Matt currently works at the University of Bristol on a project investigating pet rabbit welfare.

Vicky (2009-2010) I was thrilled to be admitted in the MSc as I always wanted to gain a qualification that would allow me to embark on a career helping animals. As I have a different educational background (Business Administration) than most of my classmates, the past year was challenging for me. At the same time however, the program was extremely stimulating and thought-provoking. I particularly enjoyed the lectures given by guest animal welfare experts from different fields as well as the multitude of trips to farms, the zoo, laboratories and livestock markets that helped give us an overall view of the current challenges and problems in animal welfare. The friendly and efficient administrative staff, the excellent teaching quality, the diversity of the students participating in the program and the fact that one gets to live in the beautiful Scottish capital, made the whole experience even more rewarding! 

Sophie (2009-2010) I thoroughly enjoyed the MSc and I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in pursuing a career in animal welfare. I feel that the course covers a wide range of important topics from broad issues such as animal welfare as a concept to the specific welfare issues affecting different groups of animals with which people interact (e.g. farm, lab etc), and so provides students with a solid grounding in animal behaviour and welfare. I enjoyed meeting like-minded people, and having the opportunity to discuss and debate welfare issues with the other students and lecturers. I believe the course has a good balance of theory and practical research methods, and I especially enjoyed the field trips to see the various types of farms, animal laboratory etc. Finally, Edinburgh is a beautiful city packed full with lots of fun and interesting things to do.

Ketan (2009-2010) Before I joined the course I wasn't sure whether I had done the right thing or not. But I was proven wrong. This course is taught by experts on animal welfare and behaviour who are at the forefront of research and training on the subject. This course taught me what animal welfare truly meant- a subject I was really confused about. The course is well organised with several trips to animal farms around scotland. There is  project in Edinburgh zoo which really teaches us how to do real research on animal behaviour. And, most importantly studying in one of the best universities located in one of the best cities in europe with wonderful and intelligent people from all around the world is truly a blessing. After attending this course I am now certain as to what I really want to do in the future.

Sara (2008-2009) "If anyone is thinking about applying for this course and is unsure, please just go for it!  This course offers an amazing learning experience where you will be taught by excellent lecturers, have the opportunity to meet some of the best researchers in their field, participate in various practicals, and attend exciting seminars and visits!  The course gave me an excellent understanding of the most up to date issues in the area of animal behaviour and welfare.  Furthermore, you will not only gain an amazing education that has a strong international reputation..... you will also live in an amazing city with lots to offer (the cocktail bars and shops are great !) and have a chance to meet young students that come from various different countries around the world!"

Cyril (2007-2008). "It was a dream come true for me to do my masters in Edinburgh, one of the top grade University in UK. Apart from touching upon different views regarding the primary subject 'Animal welfare', this course provided good knowledge on different research models particularly on behaviour studies. The discussion on the subjects like consciousness and holistic research models which challenges the traditional research models, is icing in the cake".

Jen (2007-2008). "I absolutely loved my year completing the MSc. The combination of a taught component and your own personal research project really gave me the opportunity to build both confidence and skills, and opened up the opportunities to meet so many interesting people and experience a wide range of current research and issues. This, added to the fact that students attending were from such an international range, provided me with many different view-points, that I otherwise would never have considered, and challenged any original preconceptions I may have had. I am now undertaking a four year PhD at the Royal Veterinary College, London, looking at 'the development of attitudes to and acquisition of knowledge on animal welfare', with particular emphasis on farm animal welfare, and primary/secondary school education. This is an issue I was already interested in, then further fuelled by my lectures in Edinburgh, and I am certain that completing the MSc was a huge contributing factor to me being given this opportunity".

Tamsin did the MSc in 2006-2007. “I found this MSc to be both challenging and extremely rewarding; an invaluable stepping stone to a career in animal welfare”. Tamsin has just started a PhD at the Scottish Agricultural College, looking at muscle development, behaviour and welfare in sheep.

Claire (2005-2006) “The concept of ‘Animal Welfare Science’ was new for me, and I am glad that Edinburgh opened my eyes to it as it can be used as an effective tool for bettering the lives of animals kept on  farms, in laboratories and zoos. After completing the modules, and particularly after carrying out a dissertation on bears in India, I really do feel more able to make informed and professional judgement on the well-being of animals”. Claire now works at Care for the Wild International and specialises in the commercial exploitation of wildlife.

Laura did the MSc in 2005-2006. "I thoroughly enjoyed the course. It highlighted well the current issues related to animal welfare and the background knowledge needed". Laura is now working for Genesis Faraday Partnership, working between research and industry on animal genetics to help improve farm animal health and welfare.

Paula (2005-2006).  "The MSc programme has provided me with the skills to convey the importance of animal welfare and behaviour based on sound science, which has proven time and time again to carry incredible weight with lead agencies and the general public. I thoroughly enjoyed being surrounded by fellow students with different ideologies on the issues that were presented to us".  Paula is now the Coordinator for the Grand Canyon Wolf Recovery Project, a grassroots non-profit organization in Arizona, USA.  Besides keeping the organization running smoothly, Paula is currently working to make legislative modifications to the current Mexican Gray Wolf Programme through the National Environmental Policy Act.  The amended rule will determine the future of wolves in Arizona and New Mexico.

Sian (2005-2006). "I thoroughly enjoyed the MSc course and the wide variety of topics that it covered. Since graduating in 2006 I have been a research associate at the University of Edinburgh, on a project investigating fatigue in sheep. I am now working for Scottish Agricultural College in the Land Economics and Environment Research Group investigating the economic affects of welfare issues and changes in agricultural policy. This course has given me a diverse background to enable me to go into a variety of occupations."
 

Clare (2005-2006). "Overall there were no aspects of the course I disliked and my favourite part was carrying out my dissertation". Clare is now working for Bristol university  as a research technician on a Cattle lameness project. "I've had a busy start to my second year as a technician on the dairy cattle lameness project at Bristol, just about to start our second round of visits to 222 dairy farms over England and Wales.  We are also busy with training events for vets and farmers to increase their knowledge and awareness of lameness.  I am also involved in data collection for a pig welfare project funded by BPEX which involves visiting various farms over England and collecting welfare and behaviour data on individual pigs, in the hope a higher welfare standard can be achieved.  I am really enjoying my job as it is very hands on and am so glad I did the MSc as otherwise I would not be where I am now!"

Lauren (2005-2006). Lauren now works at Mountain View Breeding and Conservation Society in Canada. She works as a keeper looking after Painted Dogs, a variety of small exotic cats, lemurs, birds (Andean condors, several types of cranes, hornbills, cockatoos), and more recently the northern spotted owl.   All of the animals  are endangered and the centre is involved in "released back into the wild" type of projects.  Regarding the Northern Spotted Owl there are only approx. 16 left in British Columbia.  With this project the centre is presently busy building a facility solely for these birds to begin breeding them so they can be released into the wild. 

Laurence (2005-2006) "I loved it! I learned so much and it was an amazing experience. The classes opened my eyes to many issues I didn't even know about. I would never have gotten my job without this degree! It was great for net working as well". Laurence is now working for International Animal Rescue. She has been asked to open their first office in the USA.

Alaina (2004-2005) "The MSc was a very challenging course, but I absolutely loved it. The MSc provides a great foundation for any animal welfare or behaviour related careers, whether its farm, companion, lab or zoo animals! The course has allowed me to get into two different fields of animal science. My first job is an Education Officer for RZSS and the second is as an online instructor for a Florida college. I teach an MSc course on (Domestic) Feline Behaviour and Treatment."

Heather did the MSc in 2004-2005. "It was a truly fascinating educational experience. The programme was challenging, interesting and provided me with the means to go out and make the world a better place for all animals". Heather is now running her own pet-sitting and dog counselling company in the USA.

Oliver graduated in 2005. "I found the MSc extremely interesting and enjoyed every minute of it not only because of the topics studied but because of the diverse group of people I met. I believe that the MSc secured me the position I have today". Oliver is currently working as an advisor on pet nutrition and general care for a pet food manufacturer.

Panos graduated in 2005. "This MSc was definitely a step forward, putting me in a much better position when applying for jobs. A very good choice of course as long as you are dedicated to animal welfare". After spending a year sailing and working on marine mammals research for the University of Thessaly in Greece, Panos is presently reviewing PhD applications.

Mark graduated in 2001. "I really enjoyed doing the MSc and learned that I was actually a scientist at heart. Oddly, I also learned that animal welfare is far more than what happens in a zoo. Despite starting with gorrillas I ended with pigs.. go figure! After completion I worked at the Scottish Agricultural College (link) for 3 years on the welfare of pigs". Mark now lives in New Zealand and work for Unitec New Zealand. He lectures in animal welfare and behaviour and represents UFAW (link) within the institution. Although contemplating a PhD he is content to work on his own funded research which has included weaning in horses; laboratory welfare; castration of companion animals and recently has expanded into analgesic efficacy in rabbits.

Helle did the MSc in 1998-1999. She then went on doing a PhD at Silsoe Research Institute, and Bristol University on a joint project with the University of Copenhagen. Prior to that she has been working with Pernille Fraas (one of our first students on the course in 1990) investigating the development of behaviour in chicks, and has done some work planning lectures and practical classes in animal behaviour for veterinary and animal science students.

Shirley did the MSc in 1997-1998 and this sparked an interest in both laboratory animal welfare and companion animal behaviour. The MSc led her into a research project on the welfare of horses and ponies at markets and then a PhD on laboratory rabbit housing and welfare (Acrobat PDF file) at Edinburgh University. Shirley then co-edited a cdrom on Companion Animal Behaviour & Welfare. Shirley is now a pet behaviour counsellor, running her own business Animal Behaviour Consultancy. Finally, her MSc and PhD qualifications helped her become a full member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors.

Matt did the MSc in 1995-1996. “I found this course to be invaluable in furthering my career in animal welfare”. The MSc led onto a PhD in laboratory animal welfare at the University of Birmingham with Professor David Morton.  Subsequently Matt has had post-doctoral positions at the University of Bristol looking at laboratory mouse welfare and the welfare issues affecting wildlife in Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. Currently Matt has a post-doctoral position at the University of Newcastle with the Pain Systems Group, which develop methods of assessing pain and distress in a wide range of species.