Program Overview

Overview

The Animal Behaviour MRes explores the exciting and theoretically rigorous area of the biological sciences. This course is for graduates with a BSc in life sciences, psychology, or anthropology. It can be completed as a stand-alone qualification or as an entry route onto a PhD.

What You'll Learn

You'll study subject-specific content in animal behaviour research, adding to these modules from a broad range of complementary options. The core module asks questions related to animal behaviour research and addresses their associated research methods, including adaptive consequences, proximate mechanisms, development, and evolutionary history. Other relevant modules focus on comparative cognition, sensory systems (including neuroethology), and applied ethology for animal welfare.

Modules

• Compulsory Modules:
  • The Biological Study of Behaviour (20 credits)
  • MRes Project (110 credits)
  • Research Skills and Principles for the Biosciences (10 credits)
• Optional Modules:
  • Clinical Epidemiology (20 credits)
  • The Biological Basis of Psychiatric Illness & Its Treatment (20 credits)
  • Sensory and Cognitive System Neuroscience (20 credits)
  • Bioscience Research Development and Enterprise (20 credits)
  • Comparative Cognition: Information Processing in Humans and Other Animals (20 credits)
  • Evolution and Human Behaviour (20 credits)
  • Bioinformatics for Biomedical Scientists (20 credits)
  • Theoretical Aspects of Animal Welfare (20 credits)
  • Practical Aspects of Animal Welfare (20 credits)

How You'll Learn

You'll be taught using a range of methods, including lectures, seminars, and group work. Assessment methods depend on your modules but may include case studies, computer assessments, dissertations, essays, professional skills assessments, oral examinations, oral presentations, PC examinations, practical lab reports, posters, reports, reflective logs, written examinations, and written exercises.

Your Development

You'll develop a range of research and practical laboratory skills. The 24-week research project will begin in your second semester, where you'll choose from projects that relate to your MRes title, proposed by academic supervisors within the University.

Your Future

Graduates from our programme have gone on to competitive PhD studentships, as well as jobs in research and in zoos. Our Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers.

Quality and Ranking

• 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
• 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
• Global Top 160 University - Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025
• Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024
• Top 95 for Life Sciences and Medicine - QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025

Facilities

You'll work in the Faculty of Medical Sciences, part of our city-centre campus. The Faculty is also home to dentistry, medicine, psychology, and pharmacy. It is on the same site as Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary hospital, one of the largest integrated teaching/hospital complexes in the country. Our facilities include individual research laboratories, a dedicated medical library, hi-tech computer clusters, and study spaces, as well as dedicated facilities for a range of key bioscience applications.

Fees and Funding

• Tuition fees for 2026 entry (per year):
  • Home students: £12,500
  • International students: £30,700
• Scholarships: We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships.

Entry Requirements

• A minimum of a 2:1 honours degree, or international equivalent, in any biological or behavioural science discipline, including anthropology, psychology, and linguistics, or an MBBS/BDS degree.
• Practical laboratory work experience is desirable, although not essential.
• English Language requirements: IELTS, Pearson, Duolingo English Test, TOEFL, or other qualifications as specified.

How to Apply

• Start Dates: The course starts in September.
• Closing Dates: We suggest international students apply at least two months before the course starts.
• Deposit: If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA, or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you must pay a deposit of £1,500 or submit an official letter of sponsorship.
• ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme): You may need an ATAS clearance certificate before you can get your visa or study on this programme.