COURSE CURRICULUM

The Animal Welfare, Policy and Legislation postgraduate courses provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the scientific, legal, and ethical frameworks that underpin animal welfare policy and legislation. Core modules cover advanced principles of animal welfare, examining biological and social science perspectives on stress, pain, motivation, sentience, and how cultural, religious, and political beliefs influence welfare interpretation. The UK Legal System for Biologists module explores how policy and legislation are developed, enacted, and reviewed, highlighting the role of scientific evidence and the challenges of real-world implementation. For the MSc and PG Diploma, students also study regulating agriculture and food production, captive exotics and wildlife policy and law, companion and working animal regulations, and controls on the use of animals in science, focusing on the management, protection, and ethical treatment of animals in various contexts, including farms, companion animals, equines, exotics, and scientific research. MSc students complete a dissertation, conducting independent research on a topic of their choice within animal welfare, policy, or legislation. Postgraduate Certificate students have the flexibility to select one relevant module to suit their career goals. Successful completion of modules provides academic credits that contribute to the final degree award, with distinctions based on the quality of assessment, research, and practical application.