Clinical Animal Behaviour (Online Learning) MSc, PgDip (ICL), PgCert (ICL), PgProfDev

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

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.

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.

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.