Human-Animal Interaction with Psychology

Course overview

Understand the fascinating and essential human-animal bond and the science behind it. Explore the role of animals as pets, in zoos, on farms, in therapy and in conservation.

Our Human-Animal Interaction degree is the first of its kind in the UK. Animals play a central role in our lives and we have a huge impact on their wellbeing, as they do on ours.

You’ll explore this relationship and learn how to manage, protect and promote our mutual bond to enhance people’s lives, animal welfare and the environment. Our 70-species Animal Collection will provide opportunities to interact with different animals and observe this relationship first-hand.

You’ll explore the human-animal bond in terms of human psychology, and consider the complexities of our interactions with animals; which range from using animals as resources to improving our mental and physical wellbeing. You’ll study the fundamentals in animal health, behaviour and welfare, to understand the needs of animals.

The human-animal bond is key to success in so many industries, and so your career options are excitingly diverse.

Graduates can confidently apply their knowledge of psychology, animal behaviour, and anthrozoology to the ethical and sustainable practice of interactions between humans and animals from small scale practical management through to wider impacts on both people and animals within society.

What you'll study

This course is comprised of both compulsory and optional modules, which you'll be able to choose from to suit your interests and career goals.

You’ll gain an in-depth understanding of the key topics in the field of human-animal interaction. Core subjects will range from psychology, animal behaviour and welfare, and anthrozoology, to biology and animals in society.

Optional modules change each year in line with student, industry and research demands - you'll find recent topics studied below. You can attend introductory sessions for optional modules before deciding which ones to study.

Level four (year one)

Your first year will give you a fundamental understanding in a wide range of areas, including animal behaviour and welfare, health and disease, animal biology and human psychology. Having this foundation will help you to succeed in your studies.

Level five (year two)

You’ll explore how animals are used in different human-animal interactions and how their wellbeing can be ensured. You’ll delve deeper into human psychology and start to consider research ideas for your final year dissertation. Choose optional modules that match your interests and goals, whether that’s the use of animals in the classroom, their training, or the nuances of equine behaviour.

Integrated placement year (optional)

An optional integrated placement year between your second and final years allows you to put your knowledge and skills into practice and gain valuable industry experience. You could work within a zoo, rescue centre or laboratory, to learn more about how humans and animals interact.

You’ll also spend time working on your dissertation project. It’s a substantial research project exploring a topic of your choice. Placement opportunities within schools are often utilised to work collaboratively on projects relating to your dissertation.

If teaching is your goal, you’ll also use this year to start applying for teaching training routes, including PGCE’s. We’ll run a mock-PGCE interview day to support you through this process. You can also use this year to tailor your studies to suit a career outside teaching, if that’s what you prefer.

Level six (final year)

Your final year allows you to focus on areas of particular interest for your future career. You’ll undertake a research dissertation project, which enables you to experience being responsible for planning, implementing and reporting on a specialist topic. You’ll be exposed to contemporary challenges in the field of anthrozoology, build on your understanding of psychology, and can opt to study animal psychology.

Please visit our document library for more module information.

How you'll study

We're committed to supporting you to fulfil your unique potential.

Your support network

You'll benefit from a strong support network from day one to be the best you can be. This will range from your personal tutor and specialist academic support team (our Achievement and Success Centre) to dedicated wellbeing and employability (Innovation, Careers and Enterprise) centres.

Your learning experiences

You'll experience a range of teaching methods to strengthen your digestion of topics, including lectures, workshops and practical sessions, as well as supported work placement learning as part of many courses.

Your career

Each year of your course will be made up of two semesters, within which you’ll study compulsory and optional modules on different industry-focused topics, enabling you to develop your own unique portfolio of knowledge, skills and experience, ready for your career.

Further details

Field trips and guest lecturers

Field trips and industry professionals in lectures form an important part of your learning, enabling you to experience different businesses, careers and best practices.

Recent field trips have included  places such as Guide Dogs for the Blind, Sequani Research Facility, Jamie’s Farm, Dogs for Good as well as others. Several field trips do not come with associated costs but there are some optional visits which do – please see the fees tab.

Recent guest lecturers have included conservationists, dog training professionals and zookeepers as well as those working within research in the field of Anthrozoology.

Study Internationally

Our Study Abroad programme means you can make the most of the opportunities to study a semester or full year of your degree at one of our partner institutions, while achieving credits towards your degree.

Graduate destinations

As a Human-Animal Interaction graduate, you may go on to work in zoos, aquariums, wildlife parks, rescue, conservation or welfare centres. You’ll also have the transferable skills you need for other graduate careers. Our careers team can support you to find and prepare to secure your perfect role. Recent graduate destinations have included:

• Working within the charity sector for organisations such as Guide Dogs.
• Working with education as lecturers or supporting staff.
• Working within the zoo and wildlife sector as animal keepers.
• Working within pet and related industries in animal welfare roles.
• Working within allied veterinary industries.
• Studying a master's degree.

Tuition fees and financial support

Please visit our student finance page for information on tuition fees and student loans, as well as non-repayable grants, bursaries and scholarships, eligible to different groups, to support with study costs.

Below, you'll find extra costs associated with studying this course.

Clothing and footwear (circa £100)

You’ll need to purchase appropriate clothing and footwear before you enrol, or during enrolment week. We’ll let you know exactly what you need to purchase in your enrolment guide – everything is available from our supplier’s online shop for approximately £100.

Optional field trips (up to circa £150)

Many of the additional learning opportunities are included in the course fees. However, there are some modules where additional cost will be occurred.

• Final year optional module, Wildlife and Zoo Management, offers an optional residential trip to a UK zoo costing around £150.

Accommodation and living costs

Please visit our student accommodation page for details.