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Dr Ambrose Tinarwo - Programme Leader
Ambrose is a Senior Lecturer in Animal Behaviour and Welfare and has worked for animal welfare charities as well as in academia. His interests are in the applications of animal behaviour and how the interactions between humans and animals affects animal welfare. He has experience working with a range of domestic and exotic animals and has a particular keen interest in the welfare of rabbits and reptiles kept as pets.
Academic Staff List Make an EnquiryWelcome to MSc Clinical Animal Behaviour
Clinical Animal Behaviourists work on veterinary referral, helping the owners of companion animals resolve behavioural problems through diagnosis of the problem behaviour and application of individual behaviour modification programmes.
This Master's degree follows an evidence-based approach, which aims to develop students' theoretical knowledge and practical skills for the management of problem behaviour in companion animals. It is headed by a team of experts, including Europe's first veterinary behaviour professor, European and Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons specialist, Professor Daniel Mills.
Teaching is informed by research and practice, and students have the opportunity to gain experience through material used in teaching from real cases seen in the Department of Life Science's veterinary behaviour clinic. The curriculum is closely aligned to the research conducted in the Department's Animal Behaviour Cognition and Welfare Group. Students are encouraged to develop research skills and may have the opportunity to work alongside academics on high profile projects, many of which are funded by research councils, charities, and commercial bodies.
How You Study
The taught sessions for the MSc run on Mondays and Tuesdays throughout the academic year. If you are studying the course full-time, sessions will run on both Mondays and Tuesdays for full days (typically 9am-5pm) with time for a lunch break. Any off-site trips will occur within the typical day and on the same day as the module it relates to.
For students wishing to study part-time, in the first year taught sessions will take place on a Monday. In the second year, taught sessions will then take place on a Tuesday. After completion of the taught sessions in the second year, data collection for the thesis will usually occur. Therefore, the part-time course will take you just over 2 years to complete if you include the taught sessions and the thesis module.
The thesis module (data collection and write up) for full-time students typically takes place between the end of the taught sessions and September of the same year. For those on the part-time route the thesis module (data collection and write up) will run from the end of the taught sessions until January the following year. During the thesis module it is important for you to meet with your supervisor, however, meeting are usually booked at mutually convenient times.
Formal teaching is supported by a range of personally directed study and peer-to-peer activities, which aim to improve practical and cognitive problem-solving skills. Role play workshops are utilised in the delivery of this programme and peer-to-peer discussion is encouraged through the University's virtual learning environment.
Students who enrol on the full-time programme should expect to receive 12 hours of contact time per week for the duration of the taught element of this course. Part-time students should expect to receive six hours per week.
As a general rule we advise allocating at least 15 hours per week for additional study per day you attend taught sessions. Therefore, if you are taking the full-time route, we would advise allocating at least 30 hours of your time away from taught sessions to complete further study (includes reading around the subject and preparing for assignments).
The date of graduation from this course usually depends on the route of study. Typically, those on the full-time route usually go to a January graduation ceremony and those on the part-time route go to an autumn graduation ceremony.
An Introduction to Your Modules
† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.
How you are assessed
There are a variety of different assessment types on the course (spoken and written exams, coursework, and presentations). Assessments take place during both the first and second term. Assessments in the form of exams also take place at the end of each term. For the first term, exams occur towards the end of January/beginning of February. Exams for the second term usually occur towards the end of May/beginning of June, after the completion of the taught element.
The University of Lincoln's policy on assessment feedback aims to ensure that academics will return in-course assessments to students promptly usually within 15 working days of the submission date.
Accreditations and Memberships
This programme has accreditation for the theoretical component of the clinical animal behaviourists certification process from the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.
Application Information
Applications typically open in September and the closing date is advertised on this website. You can apply for the course at any point throughout the year. However, when you apply may influence which year your application is considered for. For example, if you apply in October, your application will be considered for entry the following September/October. If you apply in February, if there are still places available, you will be considered for September/October of the same year.
You should apply online. Current students who are studying at the University can apply through Blackboard. Once you have submitted your application you will then be notified by email that your application has been received. Once reviewed, you will then be notified as to the outcome of your application and if you are being invited to interview.
It is important that this course is right for your career development and also for you as an individual. Studying at Master's level requires a higher level of understanding, development of specialised knowledge, and greater independence in studying compared to undergraduate level.
On this course there is a large emphasis on peer to peer learning throughout. Given the range of different backgrounds and experiences of those who typically enrol on the course there is much opportunity to learn from one another, for example, from sharing of experiences and perspectives on a topic. This means it is essential that those applying for this course enjoy learning from others in this type of environment and have the skills to participate.
Personal Statements
We suggest you cover the following in your personal statement:
- What attracted you to apply for this course in particular, and what specifically do you hope to gain from completing the course?
- What attributes do you feel support your application for studying at postgraduate level?
- Can you give us an example where you have participated in peer to peer learning and how you feel about this type of learning environment.
- Whilst working in the field of companion animal behaviour it is not uncommon to come across individuals who may have conflicting views to you. Tell us what you would do in this type of situation.
- Tell us about when you have taken part in presentations or other activities such as role plays in front of others, and how you feel about these types of activities?
- Explain your understanding of critical evaluation and utilising scientific principles within a situation. Tell us why these are important considerations within the field of clinical animal behaviour.
Enrolment
Enrolment usually occurs in September or October. The first term of taught sessions runs from enrolment through to mid January. The second term of taught sessions then starts in February and runs through until end of May/Beginning of June. The data collection of the thesis module starts in the second term and will run until the end of the summer for full-time students or until December/January for part-time students. This means that for full-time students the course will take around 12 months to complete, and for part-time students, the course will take just over 2 years to complete (including taught sessions and thesis).
Fees and Funding
For eligible students, there are more ways than ever before to fund your postgraduate study, whether you want to do a taught or research course. For those wishing to undertake a Master's course, UK students can apply for a loan as a contribution towards the course and living costs. Loans are also available to those who wish to undertake doctoral study. The University offers a number of scholarships and funded studentships for those interested in postgraduate study. Learn how Master's and PhD loans, scholarships, and studentships can help you fund your studies on our Postgraduate Fees and Funding pages.
Programme-Specific Additional Costs
For each course students may find that there are additional costs. These may be with regard to the specific clothing, materials or equipment required. Some courses provide opportunities for students to undertake field work or field trips. Where these are compulsory, the cost for travel and accommodation will be covered by the University and so is included in the fee. Where these are optional, students will normally be required to pay their own transport, accommodation, and general living costs.
With regards to text books, the University provides students who enrol with a comprehensive reading list and students will find that our extensive library holds either material or virtual versions of the core texts that they are required to read. However, students may prefer to purchase some of these and will be responsible for this cost.
Entry Requirements 2023-24
First or upper second class honours degree in Life Sciences or equivalent experience.
Students do not need an animal related degree in order to apply for this course. A good first degree regardless of the subject is important as this demonstrates ability as an independent learner. However, a good grounding in biology, biological processes, and an understanding of scientific research methods and statistical methods is also important. These skills are often achieved through a science-based degree but can also be obtained through other routes. If you are unsure please contact us.
If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages for information on equivalent qualifications.
https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/entryrequirementsandyourcountry/
Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page.
https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/englishlanguagerequirements/
If you do not meet the above IELTS requirements, you may be able to take part in one of our Pre-session English and Academic Study Skills courses. These specialist courses are designed to help students meet the English language requirements for their intended programme of study.
https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/pre-sessionalenglishandacademicstudyskills/
Career Opportunities
Our graduates are provided the opportunity to develop their practical, critical, and independent thinking skills alongside specialist knowledge of the development, diagnosis, and management of behavioural disorders and conflicts in companion animal species, in particular dogs and cats.
Meet the Graduate
Kate Ellam, MSc Clinical Animal Behaviour
Having gained valuable knowledge and practical skills during her Master's degree in Clinical Animal Behaviour at Lincoln, Kate went on to work for the Dogs Trust before taking a role as Canine Assisted Services Manager at Guide Dogs for the Blind. The additional Master's level qualification enabled Kate to apply for roles she may not have otherwise been suitable for.
You can read more about the success of our graduates on our Alumni Community pages.
Postgraduate Events
Find out more about how postgraduate study can help further your career, develop your knowledge, or even prepare you to start your own business at one of our postgraduate events.
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