We’ll provide you with an insight into the many and varied ways in which humans think about and interact with other animals in a range of cultural, historical and geographical contexts
Suitable as Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for those with existing professional and personal commitments eg. vets and conservationists
Studying via distance learning enables you to fit your studies around your existing professional and personal commitments
You can choose an optional residential module where you attend a three-day residential at the University providing a unique opportunity to engage with other postgraduates and academics
Based on research rated 4* + 3* in REF 2021. Our research in Sociology, Philosophy, Anthropology and Criminology was returned to this UoA.
Top 10 in the UK for Anthropology
9th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026
Internationally recognised for work in philosophical anthropology and the sociology of culture
Optional residential module
Entry requirements
We will consider applicants with a 2:2 Honours degree or above (or equivalent). We welcome students from any academic background.
Also, as this is a specialist and multi-disciplinary programme, students who do not meet the general admissions requirements but who have substantial professional or personal experience which is directly related to the programme will be considered.
Students who wish to be considered on the basis of professional or personal experience should submit a detailed personal statement outlining their relevant experience. Students who do not fulfil the general admissions requirements may also be required to attend an interview and/or complete an assignment in order to assess their academic ability.
The MA in Anthrozoology will be of interest to anyone who would like to investigate the many and varied ways in which humans perceive, engage, compete and co-exist with non-human animals in a range of cultural contexts.
The distance learning MA Anthrozoology is especially relevant in terms of Continual Professional Development for individuals who are involved with the care of non-human animals in a professional capacity (e.g. vets, veterinary nurses/technicians, animal trainers, dog wardens, zoo keepers, conservationists, charity workers etc.), as well as for students who have completed social science undergraduate degrees or who have a science background and would like to expand their research interests into the social sciences. The distance learning format is sufficiently flexible to enable you to fit it in around your existing professional and personal commitments.
Programme Director, Professor Samantha Hurn, is the author of a ?on anthrozoology.
The modules below provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.
Please note that the module information displayed here is subject to change.
120 credits of compulsory credits and 60 credits of optional credit.
60 credits of optional modules, up to 30 of which may be taken in appropriate modules from other programmes within the institution.
Compulsory modules
Code
Module
Credits
Compulsory
Anthrozoology: Theory and Method
30
Applied Anthrozoology
30
Dissertation
60
Optional modules
Code
Module
Credits
Optional
The Animal Mirror: Representations of Animality
15
Animals, Health and Healing
15
Humans and Wildlife: Conflict and Conservation
15
Animal Criminology
15
Animal Ethics
15
Animals and Religion
15
Fees
2026/27 entry
UK fees per year:
£12,650 full-time; £6,325 part-time
International fees per year:
£25,550 full-time; £12,775 part-time
Scholarships
The 樱花动漫 offers a wide range of scholarships to support your education, with ?7 million available for international students applying to study with us in the 2026/27 academic year, including our prestigious Exeter Excellence Scholarships. We also provide awards for sport, music and other achievements, as well as regional and partner scholarships with organisations such as Chevening, The Beacon Trust and the British Council. For more information on scholarships and other financial support, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page.
樱花动漫 Alumni Scholarship
We are pleased to offer the 樱花动漫 Alumni Scholarship, a scholarship for 樱花动漫 alumni beginning a standalone postgraduate programme in 2026/27 with us a scholarship worth 20% of the cost of your first year tuition fees.
This is a distance learning programme, and as a result you will be expected to take responsibility for your own learning.
Exeter’s Virtual Learning Environment
For every module you will be provided with access to the module page on Exeter's Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) where you will find detailed module descriptions, online discussion forums where you can share your thoughts with fellow students and the module tutors, audio lecture podcasts with accompanying PowerPoint presentations and links to required and supplementary reading material.
Teaching and Learning
You will also be given the opportunity to participate in regular Skype, e-mail or phone tutorials (whichever is most convenient for you) with the module tutor where you can discuss particular issues and seek clarification on points of concern or interest. Some modules also require you to participate in practical activities including fieldwork. You will be given plenty of guidance on how to conduct fieldwork and will remain in regular contact with your tutor throughout the fieldwork process (which may be anything from a day to several weeks depending on your chosen project).
Formative Exercises
You are also required to complete a range of formative (non-assessed) exercises which are designed to monitor your academic development and understanding of the subject matter. These formative assessments also help you to think through complex theoretical ideas and to plan your assessed assignments. They also enable you to interact with your peers and module tutors, participate in lively discussions and feedback on the work produced by other students. These activities create a sense of community between students studying at a distance, and helps to alleviate the sense of isolation which studying away from the campus can create.
Assessment
The different modules on the MA are assessed by a range of assessment types. These include:
Head of Sociology, Philosophy and Anthropology (SPA)
Professor Samantha Hurn
Programme Director
Samantha is a social anthropologist, but her research falls under the umbrella category of anthrozoology or multi-species ethnography (in other words, how humans think about and engage with nonhuman or more-than-human animals in a range of cultural contexts).
She has conducted ethnographic fieldwork across South Africa and Europe looking at issues such as rhino poaching primate conservation and human-wildlife conflict as well as domesticated animals and animals in agricultural production systems.
Samantha is Director of the?Anthrozoology as.
Professor Mike Michael
Head of Sociology, Philosophy and Anthropology (SPA)
Mike is a sociologist of science and technology. He joined SPA in 2017, having previously worked at Lancaster University, Goldsmiths, University of London, and the University of Sydney. ?His research interests have included: the relation of everyday life to technoscience; biotechnological and biomedical innovation and culture; the public understanding of/engagement with science; and process methodology. His teaching has covered such areas as social theory, microsociology, environmental sociology, science and society, animals and society, sociologies of everyday life, and qualitative methodology.
Careers
A programme tailored to your career aspirations
Several modules require you to undertake independent research on a topic of your choosing. These assignments can be approached strategically, with career aspirations or professional development in mind. For example, if you wish to pursue a career in the zoo sector, you could focus your assignments on different issues relating to zoos and wildlife parks.
The module Applied Anthrozoology is devoted to the practical application of anthrozoological knowledge. You will explore the ways in which academic research can and does inform the treatment of animals on the ground, along with the theoretical, ethical and methodological issues associated with such activity.
Career paths
Current MA Anthrozoology students and graduates work in the following areas:
Wildlife conservation
Veterinary nursing
Animal behaviour
Teaching and university lecturing
Dog training
Fundraising and PR for national and international animal charities
Zoo keeping
Many also utilise their anthrozoological knowledge and skills working with a range of organisations (in both paid and voluntary capacities) including the Guide Dogs Association, Battersea Dogs Home, the Blue Cross and the PDSA.
Further study
On successful completion of the MA you will have the research skills to pursue a PhD
Career support
The College's Employability Officer works with our central Career Zone team to give you access to a wealth of business contacts, support and training, as well as the opportunity to meet potential employers at our regular Careers Fairs.
The majority of students are based at our Streatham Campus in Exeter. The campus is one of the most beautiful in the country and offers a unique environment in which to study, with lakes, parkland, woodland and gardens as well as modern and historical buildings.
Located on the eastern edge of the city centre, St Luke's is home to Sport and Health Sciences, the Medical School, the Academy of Nursing, the Department of Allied Health Professions, and PGCE students.
Our Penryn Campus is located near Falmouth in Cornwall. It is consistently ranked highly for satisfaction: students report having a highly personal experience that is intellectually stretching but great fun, providing plenty of opportunities to quickly get to know everyone.
