| UCAS code | 1234 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 year full time 2 years part time |
| Entry year | 2025 |
| Campus | Streatham Campus |
| Discipline | Psychology |
| Contact |
| Typical offer | Normally a 2:1 Honours degree |
|---|---|
Overview
- MSc Animal Behaviour at Exeter is uniquely situated within the Psychology department, allowing for a specialised focus on animal decision-making processes and welfare, informed by the depth of research on humans.
- Delve into the mechanisms underlying animal behaviour while gaining extensive training in sought-after disciplines like neuroscience, statistics and data science, equipping you with valuable skills and insights highly relevant to today's job market.
- Contribute to cutting-edge behavioural research by undertaking a substantial research project. Gain skills in formulating research questions, experimental design, data analysis, and research communication.
- Acquire the expertise needed to accelerate your career in diverse fields such as research, education, science communication, animal management, and conservation.
Top 100 in the world for Psychology
QS World University Rankings 2024
11th in the UK for internationally excellent research in Psychology
REF 2021 based on 4* and 3* research, submitted to UoA4 Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience
Top 10 in the UK for Psychology
8th in the Complete University Guide 2025 and joint 9th in the Guardian University Guide 2025
A major centre for cognitive, clinical and neuroscience research
Top 100 in the world for Psychology
QS World University Rankings 2024
11th in the UK for internationally excellent research in Psychology
REF 2021 based on 4* and 3* research, submitted to UoA4 Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience
Top 10 in the UK for Psychology
8th in the Complete University Guide 2025 and joint 9th in the Guardian University Guide 2025
A major centre for cognitive, clinical and neuroscience research
Entry requirements
Normally a 2:1 Honours degree or equivalent in Psychology. A degree in another discipline may be accepted if it included substantial content in Psychology, research methodology and statistics. Due to the nature of the programme we require applicants to have studied and achieved a 2:1 or equivalent in at least two statistics/research methods modules previously. BA Psychology will also be considered if at least two statistics/research methods modules have been studied.
Entry requirements for international students
English language requirements
International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B2. Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.
Course content
The course will give you insights into the varied means of performing animal behaviour research in a wide array of locations with wild and (semi-)captive animals – in field, laboratory, zoo or other human-managed settings.
As part of the taught component you will be exposed to lectures and research talks followed by discussions with speakers. You will boost your knowledge of statistical data analysis and engage in research skill training sessions, helping you to develop skills that are highly sought after in today’s competitive job market. Effective communication of research findings is paramount, and you'll gain hands-on practice of writing for the public through magazine articles and press releases. This practical experience not only enriches your skillset but also prepares you for exciting roles in areas such as scientific media and journalism. We have a strong focus on practical skills, culminating in an environmentally friendly one-week residential field course during the Easter break.
You will be part of the lively, internationally-recognised Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour (CRAB) and will have the opportunity to collaborate with our experienced researchers on a research apprenticeship. A central component of the course, the apprenticeship is a research project that enables you to delve deeper into an area of interest. You will hone your research skills and gain invaluable experience in writing up research findings for potential publication in academic journals. With our extensive network of external research partners, you can also choose to undertake the apprenticeship under the supervision of researchers at various institutions in the UK and abroad.
Studying Animal Behaviour has prepared me for further study as I have had the opportunity to gain a lot of hands-on experience. I did a professional development internship and helped Professor Darren Croft study whale aggression. I have enjoyed the variety of nationalities of students on the course, which means we have internationally and culturally diverse discussions.
During my programme of study I carried out data collection for my dissertation in north Devon. I helped to raise pheasant chicks and conducted psychometric tests. I have found learning about Advances in Methods and Animal Behaviour the most interesting.
I am involved in the post graduate society and the volleyball society. I have enjoyed getting back into volleyball as I used to play back home in the USA. These societies give you a chance to meet like-minded people and volleyball is a great form of stress relief!
Being a student in Exeter is great. I love being close to the beach and within walking distance to town. I like Exeter, the city is small enough to walk around but there is lots to see and do. The quay is lovely, and I have also really enjoyed going to the food festivals in Exeter and at Powderham Castle.
I would say to fellow students considering Exeter to just go for it! It’s not as scary as you think, everyone here is really welcoming.
Kandace
MSc Animal Behaviour
Research apprenticeship
A distinctive feature of all our taught Masters programmes is the Research Apprenticeship. About half of the MSc is spent on the apprenticeship, during which you will develop your research skills by working alongside experienced researchers or practitioners and writing up your research in the form of a dissertation.
Many students undertake their apprenticeship with researchers in the Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour, both in the laboratories and outdoors around the campus, Devon and abroad. Every year choices vary depending on the interests of the researchers, the students and practicalities. Students have previously worked with external research partners, in the UK or abroad.
Examples of previous research projects
Topics include:
- Social behaviour,
- animal welfare and enrichment,
- zoo research,
- animal cognition,
- navigation,
- sensory ecology,
- behavioural and evolutionary ecology,
- ecotoxicology.
Animals include:
- Fish (guppies, sticklebacks, killifish),
- mammals (primates, squirrels, whales, donkeys, dogs, meerkats, coyotes),
- birds (pigeons, chickens, pheasants, magpies, flamingoes, woodland and sea birds),
- invertebrates (crabs, honeybees, bumblebees, desert ants, wood ants).
Locations include:
- Streatham Campus (Exeter),
- Knysna Elephant Park (South Africa),
- Bristol Zoo,
- Budongo Forest (Uganda),
- Torquay Zoo & Aquarium,
- National Wildlife Research Center (Utah, USA),
- Dartmoor (Devon),
- Phana (Thailand),
- Trinidad,
- Newquay & Paignton Zoos,
- Slimbridge Wetland Centre, Kerala (India),
- Algarve (Portugal),
- Veracruz (Mexico),
- Cayo Santiago (Puerto Rico).
External research partners include:
- African Elephant Research Unit (South Africa),
- Bristol Zoo,
- Budongo Conservation Field Station (Uganda),
- Living Coasts (Torquay, Devon),
- National Wildlife Research Center (Utah, USA),
- Natural England,
- Phana Macaque Sanctuary (Thailand),
- University of West Indies,
- Whitley Wildlife Trust,
- Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust.
Fees
2025/26 entry
UK fees per year:
£13,200 full-time; £6,600 part-time
International fees per year:
£28,600 full-time; £14,300 part-time
Scholarships
The University of Exeter has many different scholarships available to support your education, including £5 million in scholarships for international students applying to study with us in the 2025/26 academic year, such as our Exeter Excellence Scholarships*.
For more information on scholarships and other financial support, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page.
*Terms and conditions apply. See online for details.
Teaching and research
How you'll learn
- Lectures
- Research seminars
- Discussion sessions with researchers
- Experiments
- A residential
We encourage students to be proactive in their learning and we foster individual interactions between students and staff throughout the programme. We make full use of a wide range of innovative teaching facilities, such as an online learning platform, various 24/7 computer pools and an audio-visual suite, in order to support our students’ diverse learning preferences and needs.
Learning from experts
Our staff are recognised internationally for their academic excellence, high-quality research and applied output. They actively research the areas of psychology they teach, so their expertise feeds directly into our research-led programmes.
Contact hours
Taught classes take place in the first two terms of the year. We work hard to restrict class times to only four days a week, leaving you a fifth day for preparatory work on your research placement. This arrangement will be different for part-time students, and exact scheduling will depend on the selection of taught modules taken in each of the two years.
Tutorial support
Each student is allocated a personal tutor who is available for advice and support throughout your studies. There is also a postgraduate tutor available to help with further guidance and advice.
Assessment
Given the diversity of students on our course, the diverse range of assessments is comprised mainly of written coursework and in-class presentations with broad remits allowing students to focus on selective topics of their choice within the taught subject area. The Advanced Statistics module is assessed by coursework and a written examination. The other taught modules are assessed by group presentations, quizzes, and written coursework. There is a wide range of written coursework including: group project report, essay, press release, lay summary, magazine article, and thought paper. The Research Apprenticeship requires a research project to be written up either as a dissertation or as a research paper, which are often published in scientific journals.
Facilities
Throughout your study you will use a range of innovative teaching facilities, such as an online learning platform, various 24/7 computer pools and audio-visual suite, 24/7 library, study spaces, animal labs and specialised equipment. There are also extensive research facilities including eye tracking, EEG/ERP and TMS laboratories, audio-visual recording suite and an MRI scanner.
Careers
Employer-valued skills this course develops
The MSc Animal Behaviour course has been designed to help you cultivate a spectrum of skills highly valued by employers. Through training in statistical data analysis, you will develop the ability to extract meaningful insights from complex datasets, a skill in high demand in today's data-driven world. Moreover, our emphasis on developing your research skills will allow you to better plan and conduct research, gain experience with a range of research methods and technical equipment, and learn how to best communicate your research.
Upon graduation, you will have the necessary scientific skills to enable progression into research posts or pursue additional postgraduate degrees; communication skills required for roles in the education, media, animal administration, and natural environment sector; and practical skills needed for working as research or animal technicians or animal keepers.
Careers services
Our careers teams at the Career Zone can help guide you through a wealth of information to match your skills and interests to a career that will suit you. Our staff work with regional, national and international employers to develop new work placement, project and graduate opportunities.
Recent graduates
Below are a few examples of initial jobs undertaken by graduates of our Psychology Masters programmes. This information has been taken from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) Survey 2016/17. Please note that, due to data protection concerns, the job titles and organisations are listed independently and do not necessarily correspond.
Recent graduates are now working as:
- Canine Training and Behaviour Assistant
- Lemur Trust Wildlife and Technology Trainee
- Rehoming and Welfare Assistant
- Research Assistant
- Trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner
Recent graduates are now working for:
- Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre
- CIRCLE/Flamingo Land
- Devon Autism and ADHE Service
- Shanghai Foreign Service Co. Ltd.
- The Wellcome Trust
Further study
Further study is a popular choice for a number of students following graduation from our Masters programmes. Below are a few examples of further study undertaken by recent graduates of our Psychology Masters programmes. This information has been taken from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) Survey 2016/17. Please note that, due to data protection, the subjects of study and institutions are listed independently and do not necessarily correspond.
- PhD Psychology
- Master of Applied Psychology
- MPH Psychology
- PhD Medical Studies
- PhD in Psychology
Since leaving Exeter I have been working for The Donkey Sanctuary and I’m now an Equine Behaviourist. I chose to study at Exeter because the MSc Animal Behaviour programme was focused on acquiring essential skills that would be beneficial within a range of careers.
The programme is unique because it is set within psychology as opposed to biology or veterinary science. It gave me the flexibility to follow a range of careers. I really enjoyed the Lundy field trip and the work on animal husbandry and welfare which took place at Paignton Zoo.
Corinne
MSc Animal Behaviour (2017)
