Overview
Our MRes in Animal Behaviour has possible applications in:
- conservation
- animal welfare
- biomedical science
- agriculture
The Centre for Behaviour and Evolution at Newcastle University brings together experts in:
- behavioural ecology
- comparative cognition
- neuroethology
- animal welfare
Find out more about The Centre for Behaviour and Evolution
Our suite of MRes courses
The Animal Behaviour MRes is closely linked to a suite of MRes courses that you may also be interested in:
- Ageing and Health MRes
- Biofabricaton and Bioprinting MRes
- Biotechnology and Business Enterprise MRes
- Cancer MRes
- Cardiovascular Science in Health and Disease MRes
- Diabetes MRes
- Drug Delivery and Nanomedicine MRes
- Epidemiology MRes
- Evolution and Human Behaviour MRes
- Immunobiology MRes
- Medical Genetics MRes
- Medical and Molecular Biosciences MRes
- Mitochondrial Biology and Medicine MRes
- Molecular Cell Biology and Cell Signalling in Health and Disease MRes
- Molecular Microbiology MRes
- Neuroscience MRes
- Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cells MRes
- Translational Medicine and Therapeutics MRes
- Transplantation MRes
Experts at Newcastle have discovered that:
- bees learn better when exposed to caffeine
- starlings who were hungry as babies become heavier as adults
- mice have pain faces
You can also be part of this exciting research community. The course is for graduates with a BSc in life sciences, psychology or anthropology. You can complete it as a stand-alone qualification or as an entry route onto a PhD.
You may have opportunities for industry experience and exposure.
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Important information
We’ve highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
Your course and study experience – disclaimers and terms and conditions
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
Qualifications explained
Find out about the different qualification options for this course.
MRes – Master of Research
An MRes is available in various subject areas. This award combines taught modules, research training and a dissertation.
Find out about different types of postgraduate qualifications.
What you’ll learn
You’ll study subject-specific content in animal behaviour research. You’ll add to these modules from a broad range of complementary options. The core module asks questions related to animal behaviour research. It also addresses their associated research methods, including:
- adaptive consequences
- proximate mechanisms
- development
- evolutionary history
Other relevant modules focus on:
- comparative cognition
- sensory systems (including neuroethology)
- applied ethology for animal welfare
You’ll have research-led seminars. Delivery of these seminars is by members of the Centre for Behaviour and Evolution. They cover a wide range of areas including:
- taxa (insects to humans)
- topics (olfaction to cooperation)
- methodologies
Your 24-week research project comprises the major element of the course. You’ll receive supervision from an expert academic researcher in the field.
Modules
You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.
Course content changes
Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
Optional modules availability
Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| The Biological Study of Behaviour | 20 |
| MRes Project | 110 |
| Research Skills and Principles for the Biosciences | 10 |
How you’ll learn
You’ll be taught using a range of methods, including:
- lectures
- seminars
- group work
Depending on your modules, you’ll be assessed through a combination of:
- Case study
- Computer assessment
- Dissertation
- Essay
- Professional skills assessments
- Oral examination
- Oral presentation
- PC examination
- Practical lab report
- Poster
- Report
- Reflective log
- Written examination
- Written exercise
Additional assessment information
You’ll have a range of assessments. These will vary depending on the optional modules you choose to study. Assessment methods may include:
- essay
- critical appraisal
- oral presentation
- written examination
- project design
- graphical abstract or a problem-solving exercise
MRes Research Project
You’ll choose from projects that relate to your MRes title. Proposals of projects are from academic supervisors within the University.
The 24-week research project will begin in your second semester.
You’ll complete guided but independent original research. You’ll develop skills in:
- planning
- executing
- recording research
- data interpretation and analysis
You’ll complete a written dissertation, lay abstract, oral presentation and poster. The project dissertation and poster will be marked internally and by an expert from another Institution.
Previous titles for MRes projects in Animal Behaviour MRes have included:
- Factors affecting nest attendance in Puffins Fratercula Arctica?
- How bad is tail handling for mice?
At the end of each academic year, we hold an MRes poster presentation evening. You’ll showcase your research to your peers and the extended academic community.
Our mission is to help you:
- stay healthy, positive and feeling well
- overcome any challenges you may face during your degree – academic or personal
- get the most out of your postgraduate research experience
- carry out admin and activities essential to progressing through your degree
- understand postgraduate research processes, standards and rules
We can offer you tailored wellbeing support, courses and activities.
You can also access a broad range of workshops covering:
- research and professional skills
- careers support
- wellbeing
- health and safety
- public engagement
- academic development
Your development
You’ll develop a range of research and practical laboratory skills.
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
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
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 170 University – Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
- 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 130 University – QS World University Rankings 2025
- Global Top 170 University – Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
- Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024
- Top 90 for Life Sciences and Medicine – QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Facilities
You’ll work in the Faculty of Medical Sciences. This is part of our city-centre campus.
The Faculty is also home to:
- dentistry
- medicine
- psychology
- pharmacy
It is on the same site as Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary hospital. We are one of the largest integrated teaching/hospital complexes in the country.
Our facilities include:
- individual research laboratories where students carry out their projects
- a dedicated medical library with a wide range of specialist books and journals
- hi-tech computer clusters and study spaces
- dedicated facilities for a range of key bioscience applications. This includes flow cytometry, bioinformatics, imaging, genomics and proteomics
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.
Academic 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
This programme accepts both medical and dental students wishing to take a master’s degree as an intercalation. You will need to have successfully completed your third or fourth year of study.
Practical laboratory work experience is desirable, although not essential. The modules you can study may depend on your academic background.
