International Animal Welfare, Ethics and Law

A fully flexible postgraduate programme designed to address the demand for online animal welfare education suitable for working professionals and others with an interest in studying a range of animal welfare disciplines.

This programme is delivered in collaboration with SRUC (Scotland's Rural College) giving students the benefit of a world-leading teaching team.

Why animal welfare? 

Animals are a hugely important part of our world, relied upon for food, used as research models, companions, working animals, for sport and in recreation. More than 60 billion land animals are raised for meat each year around the world, and with increasing meat consumption in places such as China, these figures are set to rise. Animal welfare is and must be a key priority; understanding and enhancing it is necessary for protecting animal health, human health and environmental protection. 

Why the University of Edinburgh? 

The University of Edinburgh has a long-standing reputation for the delivery of gold standard research-led teaching. The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies has extensive staff expertise in animal health and welfare, which has been strengthened further by the development of the Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education and their continued collaboration with the SRUC Animal and Veterinary Sciences Group, now housed within the Easter Bush Research Consortium. This programme is also affiliated with the University's Global Health Academy. 

The R(D)SVS was the first UK veterinary school to offer an on-campus Applied Animal Behaviour and Animal Welfare Masters in 1990 and has continued to strengthen its partnership with the SRUC to build a team of internationally acclaimed animal welfare specialists to offer his fully flexible online programme. 

Typical student profiles 

Students on the programme come from a variety of backgrounds including: Veterinary science, zoology, biological science, pharmacology and animal/equine science. Students also come from various parts of the world, for example: UK and Ireland, Europe, USA and Canada, South Africa etc. Consequently, an additional strength of the programme is that you will learn from your peers as well as from the lecturers. 

A few good reasons to study with us: 

  • Flexible learning throughout the year to match busy working lives. 
  • Complements the timetable of MSc Equine Science, which allows you to choose elective courses on Equine Behaviour and Welfare. 
  • Build a personal portfolio of clinical and non-clinical skills and knowledge. 
  • Demonstrate commitment to a chosen clinical specialty. 
  • Great mentoring and online discussion from teachers and researchers who are specialists in their field. 
  • Access to high quality interactive online resources/e-journals and online textbooks. 
  • Gain a distinguished postgraduate qualification. 
  • Develop and enhance transferrable technological skills in digital learning environments. 

Virtual open days 

Virtual drop-in sessions are available for prospective postgraduate online students. Please feel free to register for our next session. 


MSc, PGDip, PGCert, PPD


The online, part-time format of our teaching is particularly suited to students with busy lives.  The flexible learning environment can be adapted to suit individual needs and online study allows you to study at a location that is convenient for you.

The School has been teaching online taught postgraduate programmes since 2008 and online learning is treated as seriously as in-person.  Our digital teaching platform has a dedicated e-learning team to ensure the teaching runs smoothly and students have access to support and welfare staff throughout their studies.

This programme will be supported by an experienced team of two programme co-directors, co-ordinator, administrator and course leaders and each student is provided with a professional mentor and student adviser.

Key features of the programme are pre-recorded lectures that you can view at any time, study guides, textbook and journal excerpts and interactive online discussions, enabling students from a range of disciplines to bring their unique perspectives to build a community of online students.


The MSc programme begins in September and runs part-time over a period of 3-6 years. The programme is delivered using a blend of online learning methods, supported by the University’s award-winning online learning environments.  

Students enrolling onto standalone short courses may have start dates throughout the academic year.

The programme is structured to allow sequential progression from short courses* to Certificate, Diploma and MSc phases however, there are several earlier exit points.

Short courses (50 cred up to 2 yrs), PG certificate (60 cred 1-2 yrs), PG diploma (120 cred 2-4 yrs), Masters (180 cred 3-6 yrs)

Students can opt to take time out from learning if work or family life are impacted too much. It is also possible to pay per course** to help spread the cost of your studies.

*also referred to as the Postgraduate Professional Development (PPD) scheme

**The University uses the terminology 'course', and sometimes 'module', to refer to the individual components that make up a degree programme

Certificate and Diploma

The Certificate phase comprises two core courses plus elective options from within the programme (see Content tab). 

The Diploma phase comprises of a further course options from within the programme (see Content tab). 

A selection of elective courses are available which allow students to follow their own interests. Electives can also be taken from within other programmes by arrangement. 

Masters (MSc)

The dissertation element gives students the opportunity to further develop scientific skills and apply scientific theory, in a less structured learning environment. 

The dissertation is designed to advance your understanding of the processes and planning involved in undertaking research and to develop your scientific written communication skills, research ethics, statistics and the principle of good research practice.

This is a self-directed course but you are supported by an allocated subject-specific expert supervisor, statistician and experienced researchers from within the programme team.  You are also encouraged, where appropriate, to work closely with senior staff at your home institution. 


20 credit courses (elsewhere often called ‘modules’) are delivered in 2 blocks of 5 weeks of study plus 1 week of independent study and reflection time in between.

Each 10 credits represents 100 hours of study time and a time commitment of 20 hrs per week.

Years 1-5

Course - coreCredits
International Animal Welfare Science20 credits
Animal Ethics, Policy and Law20 credits
Course - elective Credits           
Welfare of Animals Used for Scientific Purposes20 credits
Production Animal Welfare20 credits
International Cat and Dog Welfare20 credits
Captive and Free-range Wild Animal Welfare20 credits
Course - elective from within another MSc programmeCredits                 
Equine Behaviour, Welfare and Ethics20 credits
Clinical Animal Behaviour20 credits
Anthrozoology20 credits
Equitation Science20 credits
Poultry Behaviour and Welfare in Commercial Systems20 credits
Making Science Relevant to Policy and Decision-Making20 credits

Years 3 - 6 

Students must complete the Dissertation Element in a single academic year by the end of Year 6 of study. 

Course Credits
International Animal Welfare Dissertation60 credits  

In order to progress to the final level to attain the Masters (dissertation element), you will have to: 

  • Pass at least 80 credits of coursework with a mark of at least 50% in each of the courses which make up these credits (including the two core courses) and no mark <40% for any course 
  • Gain a minimum average mark of 50% for the 120 credits 

During the dissertation element of the MSc programme, you will have the opportunity to further develop your scientific skills and utilise scientific theory, in a less structured environment. 

The Dissertation is a written assignment of 10-13,000 words. This will allow you to analyse and present relevant research data that you have already collected during the course of your own work. 

Alternatively, you may wish to undertake a desk study to explore and develop a theme of relevance to your current working environment, or in an area of interest that has arisen during your period of study on the MSc. 

This feature will require a high level of commitment and application from you and provides a valuable exercise in the writing and presentation of information to a standard that engages appropriately with academic conventions in relation to style, tone, structuring and referencing. 

Supervision for this element of the MSc will be provided by existing research staff and subject experts currently employed by the University of Edinburgh. You will also be encouraged, where appropriate, to work closely with senior staff at their home institutions. 

Course availability 

Although all courses are offered, we will not be able to guarantee that all courses will be available to all students, each year. This will be dependent upon numbers of students and availability of places on non-programme owned courses. 


The Postgraduate Professional Development (PPD) scheme is aimed at working professionals who want to advance their knowledge through postgraduate-level learning, without the time, or financial commitment, of a full award.

You may take a maximum of 50 credits worth of courses over two years and gain a University of Edinburgh postgraduate award of academic credit.  Please note International Animal Welfare, Ethics and Law only offer 20 credit courses, so the maximum credits you can achieve from within this programme is 40. 

You can also choose to continue your studies after one year and put credits towards a postgraduate Certificate, Diploma or full Masters degree.  Any time spent taking courses through the PPD scheme will be deducted from the amount of time you have left to complete the higher award.

To view the International Animal Welfare, Ethics and Law short courses available within the PPD scheme and details on how to apply, please visit:


We have a number of internationally recognised experts in their field contributing to the teaching of this programme.


The programme is intended for high calibre students with a biological background. 

A degree in the following would be advantageous: 

  • Veterinary science 
  • Biological sciences 
  • Zoology 
  • Animal/Equine Science 
  • Pharmacology/Pharmacy 

However, candidates with a relevant background and alternative qualifications may be accepted onto the programme, and are encouraged to contact us for further details. 

 

English language requirements 

If English is not your first language, we will also need to see evidence of your English language proficiency before we can offer you a place. 

English language requirements 


Programme fee 

For further information on fees, please see the link below. Please note that each yearly fee can be paid in instalments. 

Tuition fees for online learning

Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding

The University of Edinburgh subscribes to a funding database specifically for those looking for funding to support postgraduate studies.  The guide contains a huge database of funding opportunities, comprehensive guidance and tools to help you prepare a winning grant application including.

The Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding Online

Scholarship information 

It is recommended that you conduct your own research on this, but you can refer to the University Scholarship website to view suggestions on Scholarships: 

Scholarship and student funding services 

However, we are delighted to announce that our Masters is eligible for 2 scholarships, which are: 

The Edinburgh Global Online Distance Learning Master's Scholarships - which allows you to apply for one of the 6 Master's scholarships - each scholarship will have a total value of £5,000 which will be deducted from the tuition fee for the entire part-time programme of study. For more details, please view: 

Edinburgh Global Scholarships   

The Edinburgh Global Academy Online Distance Learning Master's Scholarships - which will allow you to apply for one of the 4 Master's scholarships - each scholarship will have a total value of £9,000 which will be deducted from the tuition fee for the entire part-time programme of study. For more details, please view: 

Edinburgh Global Academy Scholarships  

 

A variety of other scholarships are also potentially available to you, and we have listed three here: 

1. ILA Scotland. ILA Scotland is a Scottish Government scheme that helps you pay for learning that you can do at a time, place, pace and in a way to suit you. It’s for people who have an income of £22,000 a year or less, or who are on benefits. The University of Edinburgh is an approved Learning Provider for the ILA500 scheme and students enrolled on this programme, who meet the ILA requirements, are eligible to apply for this support. Please note that forms must be signed and verified by Registry and should be submitted to ILA Scotland no later than one month after the start date of this programme. More information can be found at: 

ILA Scotland 

2. The University of Edinburgh Graduate Discount Scheme. The University of Edinburgh offers a 10% discount in postgraduate tuition fees for all alumni who have graduated with an undergraduate degree from the University of Edinburgh. The Graduate Discount Scheme applies to both home and overseas students, and applies to the self-funding element of the postgraduate tuition fee. 

Graduate discount scheme 

3. The University of Edinburgh Scholarships website. Details of other funding opportunities are available at: 

Scholarships and loans 


Online application form 

Applications must be submitted through the University’s online application service, EUCLID. Offers cannot be made without a fully completed online application. 

Apply for this degree

Before submitting your application, please download and read the following guide for uploading documentation: 

Guide to uploading documents (13.04 KB PDF) 

You can also register interest in the programme via this web form: 

Register interest

Contact details for general enquiries and advice on applications. 

For general enquiries please email:


The University has a strong and long-standing commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and to promoting a positive culture which celebrates difference, challenges prejudice and ensures fairness.


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