MSc Animal Behaviour with a Placement Year
Key details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Science
- Course Length
- 2 years
- Course Start Date
- January 2027
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Gain a competitive edge with a placement year
This course is also available with an integrated placement year, giving you the opportunity to gain valuable UK industry experience alongside your master's degree
Course Overview
Why MSc Animal Behaviour with a Placement Year at UEA?
Develop specialist knowledge of animal behaviour while gaining valuable research skills sought across science, conservation, and environmental sectors. Study within a world-leading research community and access cutting-edge science through the Norwich Research Park.
Why Choose UEA
- Evidence-led teaching: Learn from world-leading researchers
- Broad structure: Study a range of biological skills spanning wet laboratory, computation and field ecology areas
- Research intensive: Design and conduct a year-long research project to advance your knowledge and skills
What is MSc Animal Behaviour with a Placement Year?
Explore advanced concepts in animal behaviour while developing practical research and analytical skills. You'll learn how to design and conduct research, interpret complex findings, and communicate scientific ideas to a range of audiences.
You'll learn from leading experts in the School of Biological Sciences, gaining specialist knowledge from researchers at the forefront of their fields. The course combines academic excellence with hands-on experience, helping you build a strong foundation in animal behaviour and the wider biological sciences.
A highlight of the course is the year-long research project, where you'll investigate a topic that matches your interests and ambitions. Working closely with internationally recognised researchers, you'll gain hands-on experience, develop advanced research skills, and build scientific expertise. In year two, you’ll take part in a placement, gaining valuable real-world skills. By graduation, you'll have the knowledge, confidence, and practical experience to pursue careers in research, conservation, industry, or further study.
Placement Year and Study Abroad
When you choose a Master's course with a placement, the placement becomes a compulsory part of your degree and takes place in your second year. During the first semester of your second year, you’ll take part in a structured employability development programme, which includes an intensive period dedicated to securing a placement.
Your placement will typically last eight to ten months with a UK employer, giving you the opportunity to gain valuable professional experience, apply your learning, and build your career. You'll be supported throughout by our specialist, award-winning placement partner.
You'll take the lead in securing your placement, working closely with our support team to maximise your opportunities and prepare for the recruitment process.
If you don't secure a placement, or don't meet the academic requirements for the placement year, you'll complete three structured employer-led industry projects with different UK organisations, ensuring you still graduate with valuable professional experience.
Whichever pathway you follow, you'll finish your degree with practical workplace experience, enhanced employability, and the confidence to take the next step in your career.
Find out more at Postgraduate Placement Year.
Careers
Career Pathways
With an MSc in Animal Behaviour with a Placement Year, you could launch a career as a:
- Academic Researcher: Contribute to scientific discovery through research in animal behaviour, ecology, and related biological sciences
- Animal Ethics Policy Advisor: Help shape policies and practices that promote animal welfare and ethical decision-making
- Conservation Scientist: Apply behavioural and ecological knowledge to protect species and support biodiversity conservation
- Ecology and Animal Behaviour Educator: Inspire future generations through teaching, training, and environmental education
- Science Communicator: Share scientific knowledge with public, professional, and policy audiences through media, outreach, and engagement activities
Career Support
Your commitment to an extensive research project will support your personal development in animal behaviour. The UK is a world leader in this area and experienced researchers from across UEA and the Norwich Research Park are ready to support your development in this timely and important topic in the Anthropocene era. Throughout your studies, you'll also have access to support from Career Central, including careers advice, CV and application guidance, interview preparation, and resources to help you plan your next steps.
After the Course
You'll graduate with the knowledge, research experience, and practical skills to pursue careers across a wide range of sectors. Career opportunities include animal behaviour research, ecology, conservation, environmental consultancy, education, and science communication. The course also provides an excellent foundation for doctoral study, with many graduates progressing to PhD research in animal behaviour and related fields.
Study and Modules
Structure
This is a one-year MSc course with a heavy focus on research involving data collection and advanced statistical analysis. You'll gain skills and knowledge in animal behaviour, animal cognition, and behavioural ecology.
In addition, you’ll develop valuable transferable skills in time and project management, communication, and written and oral presentations.
Topics covered by research in the different labs include the following examples: animal cognition, social behaviour, human-animal interactions, microbiology and microbiomics, animal movement and migration, sexual selection and conflict, genetics and genomics, conservation, and biodiversity.
You'll be taught data analysis, including genomic data analysis, which is applicable to animal behaviour, as well as other fields of biology.
You’ll study a year-long Employability Skills module which will equip you with the relevant skills you’ll need to seek, secure and undertake your placement. You’ll also benefit from workshops on CV writing, interview practice, and use of LinkedIn. You’ll have one-to-one meetings to plan your application strategy and practise mock interviews. Sessions will be a mixture of online and in-person. This is a pass/fail module, and you need to ensure you meet the attendance requirements to progress to the placement year.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 60)Optional C Modules
(Min Credits: 0, Max Credits: 20)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Structure
In the first semester of your second year, you'll focus on securing your placement, supported by dedicated guidance and in-person workshops to strengthen your applications and build your confidence.
If you aren’t able to secure a placement, you'll complete three employer-led industry projects with organisations across a range of UK sectors, ensuring you still gain valuable professional experience.
At the end, you'll be required to submit the assessment. This will consist of the portfolio of materials relating to your job search and a reflective report on your placement. You’ll highlight skills learnt, increased sector awareness, and development needs for the future. This will be assessed on a pass/fail basis. By the end of the placement, you’ll have enhanced your career confidence, strengthened your CV and professional network, and will be ready for the next stage of your career, whether in the UK or elsewhere.
Compulsory Modules
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning, and Assessment
Teaching and Learning
Our MSc programmes are taught by expert academics who are active researchers in their fields. Teaching is research-led, ensuring you engage with current developments and emerging scientific knowledge.
You'll learn through a combination of lectures, seminars, and workshops.
The research project forms a major part of your course. You'll undertake an independent research project on a topic of your choice, culminating in a written dissertation and presentation of your findings. This project enables you to explore an area of research that interests you while developing practical research skills, critical thinking, and independent learning, supported by an experienced academic supervisor.
Overall, you'll develop a range of transferable skills that support both your studies and future career, including scientific writing, data analysis and visualisation, science communication, and the development of your skills and knowledge through independent learning.
Assessment
Assessment is designed to evaluate both your subject knowledge and research skills. Assessment methods vary according to the module and learning objectives and as such assessments may include examinations, coursework assignments, data analysis exercises, and presentations. Formative assessments and feedback opportunities are embedded throughout the course, helping you monitor your progress and develop your skills before completing summative assessments.
In addition, you'll complete an independent research project on a topic of your choice, which you'll submit as a formal written dissertation. You'll also have the opportunity to present your research findings orally, demonstrating your ability to communicate scientific concepts and results effectively.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors degree - 2.2
Degree Subject
Life or Physical Sciences
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical International Entry Requirments
Degree classification
UK Bachelors degree - 2.2 or equivalent
Degree Subject
Life or Physical Sciences
- English Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
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IELTS: 6.0 overall (minimum of 5.5 in each component).
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept this requirement.
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
If you do not yet meet the English Language requirements for this course, UEA International Study Centre offers a variety of English Language programmes which are designed to help you develop the required English Skills.
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- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
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Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2026/27 are:
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UK Students: £14,450
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International Students: £28,250
We estimate living expenses at £1,171 per month.
If you choose to take this course with a placement year, your tuition fees for the first year will be as shown above. An additional fee of £3,500 will apply for the placement year (see our FAQs page for further details).
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here(opens in a new window).
Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships(opens in a new window); please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see additional course fees for details of course-related costs.
How to Apply
How to apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
To apply please use our online application form(opens in a new window).
Further information
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying, please do contact us:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk(opens in a new window)
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students(opens in a new window) section of our website.