Clinical Animal Behaviour (Online Learning) MSc, PgDip (ICL), PgCert (ICL), PgProfDev
Online
DURATION
1 up to 6 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
27 Jun 2025*
EARLIEST START DATE
08 Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
GBP 19,100 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
* round 1 application deadline: 24 January 2025, round 2 application deadline: 4 April 2025, round 3 application deadline: 27 June 2025
** estimated tuition for clinical animal behaviour (MSc) | PgCert: £6,370 | PgDip: £12,735
Introduction
This programme provides flexible postgraduate study designed to specifically address the demand for online clinical animal behaviour teaching within a supported learning environment.
The programme will utilise an evidence-based approach to explore the potential motivations, management and treatment options for abnormal and/or problem behaviours commonly expressed by companion animal species living within a domestic environment.
The subject involves a multidisciplinary approach, drawing on knowledge and techniques from the fields of:
- Psychology
- Ethology
- Neurobiology
- Pharmacology
- Veterinary science.
This programme will contain teaching and learning that is aimed at your academic preparation for a professional career working with companion animals in a variety of settings, including clinical animal behaviour counselling.
Accreditation
Our MSc in Clinical Animal Behaviour has been validated by CCAB Certification Ltd as delivering the academic elements necessary for an individual to apply for recognition as a Certificated Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CCAB).
Our PGDip in Clinical Animal Behaviour has been validated by the Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC) as delivering the academic elements necessary for an individual to apply for recognition as a Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CAB).
Awards: MSc, PgDip (ICL), PgCert (ICL), PgProfDev
Program Outcome
C1: Knowledge and Understanding
You will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the theoretical, methodological and biological concepts relating to the field of clinical animal behaviour, as well as demonstrate a critical understanding of the relevant professional, legal and ethical issues.
C2: Practice: applied knowledge, skills and understanding
You will be able to apply your knowledge of effective counselling, explore competing explanations for a behaviour problem or issue with the human-animal relationship and devise bespoke behaviour modification programmes or interventions as appropriate.
C3: Generic cognitive skills
You will be able to demonstrate how to critically evaluate the relevant literature, identify areas where research is lacking and design research projects to address these.
C4: Communication, ICT, Numeracy Skills
You will be able to use a variety of different media to effectively communicate relevant scientific concepts, ideas and advice to a range of audiences with varying levels of knowledge and expertise.
C5: Autonomy, accountability and working with others
You will be able to make informed judgements on ethical issues relevant to the field of clinical animal behaviour and will be able to critically reflect on all stages of the behaviour modification process, identifying where information is lacking or alternative actions are required to effect change.
Alongside the subject content, the programme will also enable you to gain a range of transferable skills. These include:
- Computer skills
- Report writing
- Giving online presentations
- Time and project management
Career Opportunities
This programme is designed to equip you with the academic skills necessary to succeed in careers that require an evidence-based approach to clinical animal behaviour and training.
Veterinarians and veterinary nurses will develop their ability and confidence to support and advise clients in the area of companion animal behaviour.
Graduates can also use the qualification to enhance their career prospects in academia, research, non-governmental organisations and animal welfare charities.
Curriculum
The degree programme is structured to allow sequential progression from individual courses to Certificate, Diploma and MSc phases. Students may also exit the programme on completion of each phase.
Please note that every 10 credits represents 100 hours of study time, and a time commitment of 20hrs per week when completing a 5 or 10-week course.
Mandatory course credits
You must complete a sufficient number of course credits to achieve the following awards:
- Postgraduate Certificate: 60 credits
- Postgraduate Diploma: 120 credits
- Master of Science: 180 credits
Intermittent study
You may undertake this programme by intermittent study (flexible progression route), accruing credits within the following maximum time limits:
- Postgraduate Certificate: 12-24 months
- Postgraduate Diploma: 24-48 months
- Master of Science: 36-72 months (this includes a maximum period of 12 months from the start of your dissertation to its completion)
Year 1: Certificate Courses
You will study Principles of Applied Animal Behaviour and Clinical Animal Behaviour along with either Anthrozoology (recommended for those continuing to Diploma/MSc and those wishing to pursue CCAB) or one of two other elective courses.
Year 2: Diploma Courses
You will study Clinical Animal Behaviour in Practice along with the 10 credit Research Methods and Data Analysis (compulsory for those progressing to MSc) and a further 30 credits from a range of 20 and 10-credit elective courses.
Year 3: Masters
The dissertation element of the programme will allow further development of scientific skills and may take the form of a short research project, case studies relating to relevant professional experience or an extended literature review.
Postgraduate Professional Development
Postgraduate Professional Development (PPD) is aimed at working professionals who want to advance their knowledge through a postgraduate-level course(s), without the time or financial commitment of a full master's, postgraduate diploma or postgraduate certificate.
PPD credits and credit transfer
You may take a maximum of 50 credits worth of courses over two years through our PPD scheme. These lead to a University of Edinburgh postgraduate award of academic credit.
Alternatively, after completing one year of courses, you can choose to transfer your credits and continue studying towards a higher award on a master's, postgraduate diploma, or postgraduate certificate programme.
Starting PPD
Although PPD courses have various start dates throughout the year you may only start a master's, postgraduate diploma or postgraduate certificate programme in the month of September.
Any time spent studying PPD will be deducted from the amount of time you will have left to complete a master's, postgraduate diploma, or postgraduate certificate programme.
Admissions
Program Tuition Fee
Scholarships and Funding
Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.
Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:
- Borrowing money
- Taking out a loan
- Family support
- Personal savings
- Income from work
- Employer sponsorship
- Scholarships
Program delivery
Online learning
The University of Edinburgh has been delivering online postgraduate programmes since 2005 and is the largest provider of online programmes in the prestigious Russell Group of universities.
Online learning is aimed at people who want to study for a postgraduate qualification alongside ongoing personal and professional commitments. Most of our students continue to work while they study.
Student support for online students is given as much emphasis as for our on-campus learners. The learning technology is fully interactive, award-winning and enables you to communicate with our highly qualified teaching staff from the comfort of your own home or workplace.
A dedicated e-learning team ensures the programme runs smoothly and is supported by an experienced team of programme directors, coordinators, administrators, and course leaders. Each student is provided with a personal tutor. Courses are taught and completed entirely online. The varied teaching includes:
- Online lectures
- Tutorials
- Specialist external lectures
- Scientific group discussions
- Case studies
- Problem-based learning scenarios
- Literature-based research
- Computer-assisted learning
- Quizzes
Our online students not only have access to Edinburgh's excellent resources, but also become part of a supportive online community, bringing together students and tutors from around the world.