Course summary

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.