Postgraduate Course: International Animal Welfare Dissertation (AWAB11035)
Course Outline
| School | Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies |
College | College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
| Course type | Dissertation |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 60 |
ECTS Credits | 30 |
| Summary | The dissertation project involves the completion of an analytical paper where students are expected to carry out a formal academic study of their chosen topic. While analytical papers can vary in composition, all final pieces should comprise of an analytical literature review in the area of study, and a complete research paper. |
| Course description |
This course is designed to further develop the student's scientific skills and ability to utilise scientific theory. The dissertation project is designed to advance the student's understanding of the processes and planning involved in undertaking research and to develop their scientific written communication skills; research ethics; statistics; and the principles of good research practice.
The dissertation project involves the completion of a literature review and an analytical paper in which students are expected to carry out a formal academic study of their chosen topic within the broader field of Animal Welfare, Animal Ethics, or Animal Law. This will be presented in the format of a dissertation thesis containing a review of the literature and a paper as if to be published in the appropriate field. Students will also present their research to academics and peers.
The dissertation course is largely self-directed, with support provided by an allocated supervisor, and experienced researchers in the wider programme team.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2026/27, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Full Year |
| Course Start Date |
21/09/2026 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
600
(
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 12,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
588 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Assessment of this course will include written work (e.g., essays, reports, research proposals), presentations, and group activities. Assessment briefs will be published on Learn at the beginning of the course. Please contact the programme team for more details. |
| Feedback |
Feedback is defined as information to students which allows them to review what they know, understand and can do in their studies. Feedback is also important to identify areas for improvement. A formative task is provided which provides feedback early in the dissertation process to help the student shape their skills prior to the student submitting their first piece of assessed course work.
Written or oral feedback for formative assignment(s) and smaller summative assessment(s)swill be returned to students within 3 weeks of assessment due date (excluding holiday periods whereby the University is closed)Written feedback and marks for the thesis will be returned after ratification at exam board.
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| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate extensive, detailed and critical knowledge and understanding of the principal theories and concepts in Animal Welfare, Animal Ethics, or Animal Law.
- Make an innovative contribution to the field of Animal Welfare, Animal Ethics, or Animal Law through the planning and execution of a significant research project using a range of specialized skills, techniques, and practices.
- Develop creative solutions to problems and issues in Animal Welfare, Animal Ethics, or Animal Law through critically reviewing, consolidating, and extending knowledge, skills and practices.
- Communicate effectively with specific audiences on a topic in Animal Welfare, Animal Ethics, or Animal Law.
- Demonstrate substantial autonomy and initiative while taking responsibility for own work.
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Reading List
| Reading list will be available via University of Edinburgh resource lists |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Knowledge and skills will include:
A. Research and Enquiry
Graduates of the University will be able to create new knowledge and opportunities for learning through the process of research and enquiry. This may be understood in terms of the following:
- be able to identify, define and analyse problems and identify or create processes to solve them
- be able to exercise critical judgment in creating new understanding
- be ready to ask key questions and exercise rational enquiry
- be able to critically assess existing understanding and the limitations of their own knowledge and recognise the need to regularly challenge all knowledge
- search for, evaluate and use information to develop their knowledge and understanding
- have an informed respect for the principles, methods, standards, values and boundaries of their discipline(s) and the capacity to question these
- understand economic, legal, ethical, social, cultural and environmental issues in the use of information
B. Personal and Intellectual Autonomy
Graduates of the University will be able to work independently and sustainably, in a way that is informed by openness, curiosity and a desire to meet new challenges. This may be understood in terms of the following:
- be independent learners who take responsibility for their own learning, and are committed to continuous reflection, self-evaluation and self-improvement
- be able to make decisions on the basis of rigorous and independent thought, taking into account ethical and professional issues
- be able to use collaboration and debate effectively to test, modify and strengthen their own views
- be intellectually curious and able to sustain intellectual interest
- be able to respond effectively to unfamiliar problems in unfamiliar contexts
C. Communication
Graduates of the University will recognise and value communication as the tool for negotiating and creating new understanding, collaborating with others, and furthering their own learning. This may be understood in terms of the following:
- make effective use of oral, written and visual means to critique, negotiate, create and communicate understanding
- use communication as a tool for collaborating and relating to others
- further their own learning through effective use of the full range of communication approaches
- seek and value open feedback to inform genuine self-awareness
- recognise the benefits of communicating with those beyond their immediate environments
- use effective communication to articulate their skills as identified through self-reflection
D. Personal Effectiveness
Graduates of the University will be able to effect change and be responsive to the situations and environments in which they operate. This may be understood in terms of the following:
- appreciate and use talents constructively, demonstrating self-discipline, motivation, adaptability, persistence and professionalism
- be able to manage risk while initiating and managing change
- be able to flexibly transfer their knowledge, learning, skills and abilities from one context to another
- understand social, cultural, global and environmental responsibilities and issues
- be able to work effectively with others, capitalising on their different thinking, experience and skills
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| Keywords | Research,Review,Design,Presentation,Critical Analysis,Evaluation |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Sarah Brown
Tel:
Email: sbrown13@exseed.ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mr Stephen Mitchell
Tel: (0131 6)51 7112
Email: stephen.mitchell@ed.ac.uk |
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