This Masters in Human Animal Interaction will introduce you to interdisciplinary approaches and a diverse range of methods used to research our relationships with other species. It covers a broad range of topics and looks at human–animal interactions across a wide range of contexts – from pet owning to animal-assisted interventions, zoos, farms and conservation.

You'll learn about the importance of both human and animal behaviour in shaping human animal interaction, and the associated ethical issues, as well as learning to critically evaluate methods for measuring attitudes, interactions and their outcomes.

You'll carry out a practical placement and research project to get direct experience tailored to your individual career goals. You will also learn from our recognised experts in human–animal interaction, whose specialisms include:

• the study of animal behaviour and animal welfare
• animal-assisted activities and interventions
• human and animal coexistence

This Masters course can be studied as an MA or MSc. It depends on whether your focus is on quantitative or qualitative methodologies.  Selected components of this Masters course count as continuing professional development for those already working in this area.

Placements

You’ll carry out a placement and research project to gain direct experience tailored to your individual career goals. You may be able to undertake a placement or conduct data collection for your research project at suitable organisations outside the UK.

We have experience in delivering placement modules and we have excellent links with partners in industry and the third sector. Established partnerships with relevant organisations also offer research projects to students, within the Making the Most of Masters framework.

Career

The course is designed for those going on to do further research in the field of human-animal interaction. It would also suit those who want to pursue careers where it would be useful to understand the theoretical and practical aspects of this field.

The placement and research project enables you to gain direct experience tailored to your individual career aspirations.