Overview
Our Animal Welfare MRes uses a multi-disciplinary approach that includes:
- animal behaviour
- cognition
- physiology
- neuroscience
- informatics
- social sciences
- law and ethics
It is available to graduates with a BSc in the life sciences or related disciplines. It is also suited to intercalating and qualified MBBS, BDS and veterinary students.
You’ll study a compulsory module in animal welfare. You can also choose from our broad range of further taught modules to develop your bespoke course. You’ll then engage in a 24-week research project in Animal Welfare Research.
Our suite of MRes courses
- Ageing and Health MRes
- Animal Behaviour MRes
- Biofabrication 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
- Human Nutrition 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
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 welfare alongside a broad range of complementary options. Topics include:
- key concepts in animal welfare science
- ethical consideration and legislation relevant to animal welfare science
- the validity, sensitivity and specificity of behavioural, cognitive, physiological and neural welfare indicators
- sentience and welfare of invertebrates
- hypothesis testing and experimental design in animal welfare research
- using R to analyse and visualise welfare data
Your 24-week research project is the core component of the course. Select your project topic from a range of options related to current research. And 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 |
|---|---|
| Theoretical Aspects of Animal Welfare | 20 |
| MRes Project | 110 |
| Research Skills and Principles for the Biosciences | 10 |
Additional optional module information
Surgical Anatomy is only open to intercalating medical students.
Some combinations of modules may not be available due to timetabling constraints. In exceptional circumstances the running of some modules may be determined by student demand.
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
- Design or creative project
- Dissertation
- Essay
- Oral examination
- Oral presentation
- PC examination
- Practical lab report
- Poster
- Problem-solving exercises
- Report
- Reflective log
- Research proposal
- 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.
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.
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
This MRes can be a pathway for a career in scientific research in academia and industry. It is also excellent preparation for a PhD.
Graduates from the Faculty of Medical Sciences MRes at Newcastle have undertaken a wide range of roles. This includes:
- project manager
- research associate
- associate consultant
- senior analysts
- research scientist
- Marie Curie early stage researcher
- clinical research associate
- medical information and patient safety executive
- medical writer
- medical doctor
- research laboratory technician
- sales representative
- immunology development manager
Watch our introduction to Futures in Research.
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 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 2024Â
- Top 90 for Life Sciences and Medicine – QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
Facilities
This Masters is hosted by the Faculty of Medical Sciences but benefits from a collaboration with the Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering. These are part of our city-centre campus.
Our facilities across the two faculties include:
- individual research laboratories where students carry out their projects
- a dedicated library with a wide range of specialist books and journals
- hi-tech computer clusters and study spaces
We have dedicated facilities for a range of key bioscience applications, including:
- an animal facility housing rodents, birds, fish and non-human primates
- imaging facilities for small and large animals
- an animal motion-capture lab
- the Centre for Digital Innovation Applied to Livestock
- a commercial farming operation with dairy, pig and poultry units
- a mobile laboratory for dog behavioural assessment
- an insect laboratory
- bioinformatics, genomics and proteomics facilities
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:
- a life science or a related discipline
- or an MBBS/BDS degree
