Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law University of Glasgow

Overview

Key facts

• Accredited by the Royal Society of Biology for the purpose of meeting, in part, the academic and experience requirement for the Membership and Chartered Biologist (CBiol).
• Learn with the Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine (IBAHCM), a grouping of top researchers who focus on combining ecology and evolution with more applied problems in animal health. 
• The  Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law programme of the University of Glasgow is the number 1 in the UK for Veterinary Medicine. Taught by research-active staff using the latest approaches in understanding and responding to animal welfare-related issues, legislation related to use of animals, and both theoretical and applied ethics.                

Develop valuable skills in:  

• quantitative methods

• sequence analysis

• conservation biology

• epidemiology

• practical approaches to assessing biodiversity. 

Our strong ties between veterinarians and ecologists are a unique strength, offering training opportunities spanning both fundamental and applied research.

Experience the opportunity to base your independent research projects at:

• The University field station on Loch Lomond - for freshwater or terrestrial-based projects

• Millport field station on the Isle of Cumbrae - for marine projects

• Cochno Farm in Glasgow - for research based on farm animals

We will also assist you to gain research project placements in zoos or research laboratories, whenever possible.

Gain core skills and knowledge across a wide range of subjects that will enhance your selection chances for competitive PhD programmes. 

Many links with animal welfare-related organisations. We regularly welcome organisation experts to deliver guest lectures to our Animal Welfare students. We also arrange for our classes to visit organisations to obtain a first-hand view of working there is like.

Many organisations provide our students with opportunities to carry out their independent research project within their company.

We have currently the following partners involved in this programme:

• Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Scottish SPCA)

• Highland Wildlife Park, Kingussie

• Blair Drummond Safari Park

• Chester Zoo

• The Aspinall Foundation (Howletts & Port Lympne)

• National Museum Scotland

Career Prospects

Students are exposed to potential work places and can make valuable contacts with professionals in the welfare community.

Where possible this is a two-way exchange in which communities are offered help with any issues they have and for which assistance may be provided in finding a solution (e.g. through independent research projects, supervised by university staff).

This is also an option open to other courses and could benefit the students in the long-term as well as give the university valuable connections with the wider community.

Students from this programme have gone on to a very wide variety of graduate roles in academia and the labour market across the UK and also in Europe.

Job titles include:

• animal technician

• locum vet nurse

• animal carer (horses)

• veterinary meat hygiene inspector

• agricultural officer for regional government

• canine carer

Other graduates have progressed to PhDs in veterinary medicine and science.