Program Overview

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Animal Biology MPhil/PhD

Overview

We welcome applications to undertake research towards MPhil and PhD degrees in Animal Biology.

Key Features

• Offered on a full-time or part-time basis (maximum of 6 years)
• Students are allocated an appropriate study pathway, based on their research experience and background
• All students are offered a wide range of optional training workshops throughout the programme
• Our staff have expertise in comparative zoology, ecosystem modelling, conservation, invertebrate biology, animal behaviour, physiological and behavioural ecology, animal welfare, ecological monitoring and modelling techniques
• You will be able to apply to our Research Student Support Scheme for some funding for this purpose

Entry Requirements

For MPhil

• First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree or an approved equivalent award
• Research or professional experience which has resulted in appropriate evidence of achievement

For PhD

• Postgraduate Masters Degree in a discipline which is appropriate to the proposed programme of study
• First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree or equivalent award in an appropriate discipline
• Research or professional experience at postgraduate level which has resulted in published work, written reports or other appropriate evidence of achievement

International Applicants

International applicants will be required to demonstrate that they have the appropriate level of written and spoken English.

For MPhil/PhD this is an IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum score of 6.0 in every component.

Programme Structure

PhD Year by Year

After receiving your application, we try to establish if we have the necessary expertise to supervise your project and we begin to form a supervisory team for you. This will normally consist of a Director of Studies (DoS), who will be your lead supervisor, and at least one other supervisor, who will offer you additional support and guidance throughout your studies.

First Year

You will have submitted a draft research outline with your application. In your first year, you will be working towards submitting a more complete research proposal. You will be aided in your research by meeting with your supervisory team to discuss your progress. You will also be supported through your first year by engaging with a series of three modules as part of our Researcher Development Programme:

• RSDP4001: Developing as a Researcher
• RSDP4005: Approaches to Research
• RSDP4004: Planning Your Research Project

At the end of each year, beginning with your first year, you will reflect on and formally review your progress with your supervisory team and MPhil/PhD Course Leader. We call this annual meeting an Annual Progress Review (APR).

Second Year

In your second year, you will be collecting data and working on your research project under the supervision of your supervisors through regular meetings. You may at this point have research papers ready to publish and you may wish to attend conferences to present your research to other experts in your field. You will be able to apply to our Research Student Support Scheme for some funding for this purpose. Students normally undergo Transfer from MPhil to PhD towards the end of their second year. This will be part of your Annual Progress Review for this year.

Third and Fourth Year

In your third and fourth year, you will be writing up your thesis and preparing for your viva voce examination. This is an oral exam with two examiners and a chair. You can also request that your supervisor be present at the exam. The exam will take place after you have submitted your final thesis. After the exam, it is not unusual for the examiners to ask that some amendments be made to your thesis before the final award is confirmed and you will have additional time to do this. It is possible to complete the course in three years, but we have found that the majority of students do take four years to complete the course. At the end of each year of your registration, you will go through an Annual Progress Review.

Resources

• Access to the University of Worcester’s virtual resources and its state-of-the-art library facilities.
• The Animal Biology team at Worcester have an excellent range of resources available to support your learning and your research project, including a number of laboratories equipped with a range of analytical equipment, a wildlife and conservation area and a greenhouse, access to a Motion Research Laboratory, access to a horse livery yard, a pool of eminent visiting lecturers, and a selection of skeletons.

Programme Specifications

For comprehensive details on the aims and intended learning outcomes of the course, and the means by which these are achieved through learning, teaching and assessment, please download the latest MPhil programme specification or PhD programme specification documents.

Part-Time Students

Part-time students follow the same structure as full-time students but normally complete the PhD over a period of five to six years. Part-time students take two modules in each of their first two years, and will normally transfer to PhD in their fourth year.

Research Areas

Supervisors

• Dr Kate Ashbrook: Expertise: behavioural ecology; ecological modelling; population monitoring and conservation management.
• Dr Chris Brown: Expertise: animal biology (especially birds); animal behaviour, animal physiology, ostrich biology
• Dr Susanne Prankel: Expertise: veterinary medicine, animal behaviour, animal welfare , ethics in the veterinary field; canine hydrotherapy and animal movement; cadmium in the environment and the human food chain; use of drama in science education.

Careers

All students engage with our Researcher Development Programme (RDP). The RDP aims to develop and enhance the skills, both generic and specific, that you will need to complete your research degree but also to become an effective researcher. The RDP is organised around thematic clusters, consisting of modules, and workshops, delivered face-to-face by subject specialists from across the University and the dedicated Researcher Development Team, or online through our virtual learning environment.

As part of the RDP, you will complete a Postgraduate Certificate in Research Methods (PG Cert). All students must complete the PG Cert in order to progress on their MPhil/PhD Programme. The PG Cert is strongly focused on developing your programme of research, starting from establishing your development needs, and preparing you for the planning and subsequent delivery of your programme of research.

Full-time students will complete the PG Cert in 12 months and part-time students in 24 months.

Fees

The current fees can be found within the tuition fees document on our figure out finances page.

Accommodation

Finding the right accommodation is paramount to your university experience. Our halls of residence are home to friendly student communities, making them great places to live and study. We have over 1,000 rooms across our range of student halls. With rooms to suit every budget and need, from our 'Traditional Halls' at £131 per week to 'Ensuite Premium Halls' at £228 per week (2025/26 prices). For full details visit our accommodation page.