MSc Animal Behaviour and Evolution

On this one-year MSc course, you’ll explore the interaction between environment, experience, and physiology in the development and dynamics of animal behaviour.  You’ll assess the core theoretical principals of behaviour using innovative lab, research and field techniques to assess why animals act the way they do. Key areas include: 

The programme has a strong theoretical and research-orientated approach. Our Statistics and Research Design module encourages you to build sophisticated skills in scientific enquiry. This prepares you to design, conduct and communicate your own independent research project in your final semester. Working alongside our expert staff and in some cases, industry partners, you’ll delve into a specialist area of your choosing. Our strong and longstanding links with a range of UK and international conservation organisations ensure that your research is both academically rigorous and informed by real-world priorities. 

Whether your focus is ecological fieldwork, conservation policy or data-driven biodiversity analysis, your project can reflect your personal or professional interests. This module is what you make of it and could even see you travel overseas. Previous MSc students have undertaken research in countries such as Greece, Tanzania and Kenya. 

The highlight of this masters is the Field Techniques in Animal Behaviour module, which offers you valuable practical experience in ecological surveying and data collection techniques. You could visit some of the world’s most renowned wildlife sites, allowing you to apply your skills in real-world conservation settings. Destinations include locations in Europe or East Africa, offering a diverse range of ecological contexts and fieldwork experiences.* 

With 100% of our research in ecology and the environment rated world-leading or internationally excellent (REF 2021), the course has a strong global focus and is taught by an active community of researchers. We have expertise across a broad range of ecological and behavioural disciplines, such as the neuroscience of whiskers, bioacoustics and social behaviour in a range of animal species.  

You’ll also benefit from established links with wildlife and animal rehabilitation organisations both internationally and within the UK. 

Overall, this course ensures you graduate with the knowledge, practical skills and international experience that are highly valued by employers in the field.