12 months full-time, 29 months part-time
September 2023
Brayford Pool
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.
Takes an evidence-based approach
Led by a team of experts including Professor Daniel Mills
Accredited by the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour
Informed by research and practice including real cases
Complete an MSc thesis under the guidance of experienced researchers
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).
† 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.
We want you to have all the information you need to make an informed decision on where and what you want to study. In addition to the information provided on this course page, our What You Need to Know page offers explanations on key topics including programme validation/revalidation, additional costs, contact hours, and our return to face-to-face teaching.
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.
Postgraduate Application Support
Applying for a postgraduate programme at Lincoln is easy. Find out more about the application process and what you'll need to complete on our How to Apply page. Here, you'll also be able to find out more about the entry requirements we accept and how to contact us for dedicated support during the process.
How to Apply
Applications typically open in September each year. 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 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 are many opportunities 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.
We suggest you cover the following in your personal statement:
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).
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/
You will need to have funding in place for your studies before you arrive at the University. Our fees vary depending on the course, mode of study, and whether you are a UK or international student. You can view the breakdown of fees for this programme below.
| 2023/24 Entry* | |
|---|---|
| Home | £9,000 |
|
Home |
£7,650 |
| International | £16,300 |
| International (Including International Alumni / Global Postgraduate Scholarship £2,000 reduction)** |
£14,300 |
| Part-time Home | £50 per credit point |
| Part-time International | £91 per credit point |
* Academic year September - July
** Subject to eligibility
A Postgraduate Master's Loan can help with course fees and living costs while you study. Individuals** will be able to borrow up to £12,167 for the purpose of completing an eligible postgraduate Master's qualification. The amount available will depend on the start date of your course.
As a postgraduate student you may be eligible for scholarships in addition to those shown above.
To complete a standard Master's Taught programme, you must complete 180 credit points.
Full time students will be invoiced for the programme in full upon initial enrolment.
For part-time students, tuition fees are payable each credit point enrolled. To calculate your part-time fees, multiply the part-time fee per credit point by the number of credits you intend to complete within that academic year. This is usually between 60 and 90 credit points per year.
For example, if the fee per credit point for your programme is £51, and you enrol on 60 credits, the tuition fee payable for that academic year will be £3,060.
Tuition fees for additional activity are payable by the student/sponsor and charged at the equivalent £ per credit point rate for each module. Additional activity includes:
- Enrolment on modules that are in addition to the validated programme curriculum
- Enrolment on modules that are over and above the full credit diet for the relevant academic year
- Retakes of modules as permitted by the Board of Examiners
Exceptionally tuition fees may not be payable where a student has been granted a retake with approved extenuating circumstances.
Postgraduate Funding Options
Find out more about the optional available to support your postgraduate study, from Master's Loans to scholarship opportunities. You can also find out more about how to pay your fees and access support from our helpful advisors.
Explore Funding Options
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.
Postgraduate study is an investment in yourself and your future. It can help you to further or completely change your career, develop your knowledge, enhance your salary, or even prepare you to start your own business. Postgraduate students at the University of Lincoln benefit from inspirational teaching combined with high-quality facilities and learning spaces, great industry links, and unique research opportunities, all of which are designed to help you stand out from the crowd and make the most of your time with us.
For more information about this course, please contact the Programme Leader.
Dr Ambrose Tinarwo
ATinarwo@lincoln.ac.uk
To get a real feel for what it is like to study at the University of Lincoln, we hold a number of dedicated postgraduate events and activities throughout the year for you to take part in.
Upcoming Postgraduate Events