Search

Chat With Us

    Animal Welfare Science, Ethics & Law
    Go to University of Glasgow
    University of Glasgow

    Animal Welfare Science, Ethics & Law

    University of Glasgow

    University of Glasgow

    flag

    United Kingdom, Glasgow

    University RankQS Ranking
    78

    Key Facts

    Program Level

    Master by Course Work

    Study Type

    Full Time

    Delivery

    On Campus

    Campuses

    Gilmorehill

    Program Language

    English

    Start & Deadlines

    Next Intake Deadlines19-Sep-2026
    Apply to this program

    Go to the official application for the university

    Duration 12 month(s)
    Tuition Fee
    GBP 31,050  / year
    Next Intake 19-Sep-2026

    Animal Welfare Science, Ethics & Law

    About

    Watch the latest Ask Your Academic webinar to find our more about this programme. Watch now.

    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.

  • 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

    Our IPhD allows you to combine your Masters degree with a PhD in the College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences.

    • Only one visa required
    • 1 + 3 + 1 study format
    • Become a subject matter expert

    The IPhD is your passport towards changing the world. Learn more about the Integrated PhD opportunity.

    ---

    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.

    Requirements

    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 Program Requirements

    For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

    International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic and Academic Online (not General Training)

    • 6.5 with no subtests under 6.0
    • IELTS One Skill Retake Accepted
    • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

    Common equivalent English language qualifications for entry to this programme

    TOEFL (ibt, mybest or athome)

    • 90 overall with Reading 20; Listening 19; Speaking 19; Writing 21
    • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements, this includes TOEFL mybest.

    Pearsons PTE Academic

    • 59 with minimum 59 in all subtests
    • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

    Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)

    • 176 overall, no subtest less than 169
    • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

    Oxford English Test

    • 7 overall with no subtest less than 6
    • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

    LanguageCert Academic SELT

    • 70 overall with no subtest less than 60
    • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

    Password Skills Plus

    • 6.5 overall with no subtest less than 6.0
    • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

    Trinity College Tests

    • Integrated Skills in English II & III & IV: ISEII Distinction with Distinction in all sub-tests
    • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

    University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses

    • Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.

    Alternatives to English Language qualification

    • Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
      • students must have studied for a minimum of 2 years at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have completed their degree in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.
    • Undergraduate 2+2 degrees from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
      • students must have completed their final two years study in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.

    For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.

    Pre-sessional courses

    The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We would strongly encourage you to consider the pre-sessional courses at the University of Glasgow's English for Academic Study (EAS) Unit. Our Pre-sessional courses are the best way to bring your English up to entry level for University study. Our courses give you:

    • direct entry to your University programme for successful students (no need to take IELTS)
    • essential academic skills to help you study effectively at University
    • flexible entry dates so you can join the right course for your level.

    For more detail on our pre-sessional courses please see:

    We can also consider the pre-sessional courses accredited by the below BALEAP approved institutions to meet the language requirements for admission to our postgraduate taught degrees:

    • Heriot Watt
    • Kingston Upon Thames
    • Middlesex University
    • Manchester University
    • Reading University
    • Edinburgh University
    • ST Andrews University
    • UCL
    • Durham.

    For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office using our enquiry form

    Career

    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.

    Fee Information

    Tuition Fee

    GBP 31,050 

    Application Fee

    GBP  
    University of Glasgow

    Animal Welfare Science, Ethics & Law

    University of Glasgow

    [object Object]

    United Kingdom,

    Glasgow

    Similar Programs

    Other interesting programs for you

    Find More Programs
    Wishlist