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 core textbook 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.
The dissertation module provides you with an opportunity to devise and develop an original research project of your choosing. Focussing on a particular aspect of anthrozoology, and conducting your own independent research (either archival/library based, or incorporating empirical data). You will be able to consolidate much of what you have learnt throughout the taught element of the programme, whilst exploring and developing key areas of interest. You can use the dissertation strategically, to investigate a topic which may well open up career opportunities (for example, by conducting a study on behalf of an organisation) or to explore an aspect of anthrozoology which you have found fascinating and would like to know more about. Because the field of anthrozoology is still in its infancy, there is plenty of scope for your dissertation to add original data and analysis and contribute to our growing understanding of the human-nonhuman bond.
The aim of this module is to pursue an individual programme of research, applying appropriate research methodologies and drawing on appropriate materials, to a topic approved by the programme director and under the guidance of an academic supervisor.
ANTM100: The Animal Mirror: Representations of Animality
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS MODULE IS ONLY AVAILABLE VIA DISTANCE-LEARNING.
From the earliest pre-historic cave paintings, to the international popularity of the contemporary Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, in this module you will explore the diverse ways in which animals have been made the subjects and/or objects of aesthetic appreciation. This will include a consideration of the ways 'the human' as subject engages with art as object, together with an exploration of the implications of this relationship in aesthetic and actual terms.
Throughout the history of European colonial activity, the representation of animals has had an important role to play in perpetuating dominant ideologies and normalising power relations. In this module you will consider the documentation of human dominion over 'nature' in hunting trophies, both photographic and 'real' (e.g. taxidermied specimens), as well as the animalisation of native peoples in art, photography and museum exhibits. The module will also enable you to explore the ways specific authors and/or directors and/or artists represent the animal in the human or the human as animal, engaging with or revising contemporary conceptions of the human self. You will explore the way such representations are also informed by, and negotiate with, historical conceptions of the human and the animal and consider what they mean for our conceptions of 'animal' (and human!) today.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS MODULE IS ONLY AVAILABLE VIA DISTANCE-LEARNING.
In this module you will tackle a wide range of human interactions with nonhuman animals which occur in the fields of science and medicine. Nonhuman animals are used extensively in the testing of a wide range of human drugs, but can also be seen to have a therapeutic effect on humans in their own right outside of the laboratory. Due to our close proximity to other animals the issue of zoonotic diseases, i.e. pathogens which can be transmitted across the species barrier, has become particularly pressing, and is another fertile field of anthropological and anthrozoological investigation. Finally, we will consider what is referred to as 'ethnoveterinary medicine', i.e. 'folk' approaches to the health and wellbeing of domestic animals and ask what roles nonhuman animals who self-medicate (a practice known as zoopharmacognosy) have played in the development of human ideas about medicinal plants.
This module provides you with the opportunity to engage in empirical research or a library-based literature review.
You will be provided with the support needed to enable you to synthesise theory and if appropriate, empirical data to produce a research paper which is written in the style of an appropriate academic journal of their choice.
ANTM105: Humans and Wildlife: Conflict and Conservation
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS MODULE IS ONLY AVAILABLE VIA DISTANCE-LEARNING.
The Anthropocene as an epoch in the Earth's history is alleged to have begun some 200 years ago, marked by a widespread technological shift to industrialisation and the associated impact of anthropogenic activity on the planet's geological and environmental stability. Many of the anthropogenic activities which threaten other species also have negative impacts on human communities globally. However, there is no general consensus regarding sustainable and ethical human-animal-environmental relations. Disparate attitudes towards the fate of the natural world and the importance ascribed to wildlife conservation can result in conflicts between human groups because of the contrasting ways in which animals and other 'natural' phenomena are perceived, represented, valued and 'consumed'. This becomes particularly problematic when the animals in question are endangered or protected by law. In this module you will be invited to explore a range of interactions between humans and wild animals, from the hunting of 'pests' to the re-introduction of endemic species and the contested benefits and ethical implications of getting up close and personal with wild animals through eco-tourism ventures.
There are no pre-requisites, and the module would be particularly suitable for students on other programmes, especially those focussing on environmental sustainability and conservation.
This module introduces students to the many ethical questions associated with human interaction with non-human living beings and things. The module will begin with a general introduction to ethics and its relationship with philosophy, incorporating perspectives from cognate disciplines (including anthropology) in such a way that both those with an existing knowledge of philosophy and those from unrelated backgrounds will gain a philosophical as well as interdisciplinary grounding. The module will have at its core the question of non-human animal personhood, what it might mean and what the consequences are of recognising other animals as persons. How should we understand the minds of other animals? Is it possible to consider personhood in other living things, such as plants? How are perceptions of nonhuman others formed and how do they inform subsequent actions and interactions with them?
THIS IS A DISTANCE LEARNING MODULE.
There are no pre-requisites for the module and it is recommended for interdisciplinary pathways.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS MODULE IS ONLY AVAILABLE VIA DISTANCE-LEARNING.
In this module you will examine a wide range of human and non-human interactions that occur within the context of what we call 'religion'. We will review a wide range of traditions and their perspectives and practices as they relate to non-human animals. We will discuss evidence for pre-historic practices in archaeology and anthropology; the belief systems of early and classical civilisations; the place of non-humans in the rise of the Abrahamic traditions; the central presence of non-human animals in subcontinental traditions; and the varied status of many animals in contemporary systems around the world.
There are no pre-requisites, and the module would be particularly suitable for students on other programmes, particularly religious and political studies, psychology, and studies exploring ecology, conservation, and sustainability.
To enable the student to engage with the range of human, animal, and environmental encounters according to the religious, mystical, and supernatural contexts that continue to have significance in the contemporary world.
To engage critically with the concept of religion and its manifestations in different times and places, and to appreciate the complex categorical distinctions and uses of language which shape the way we can and do talk about religion and the place of animals within religion.
To critically evaluate the position of human-animal encounters within the context of religion and in diverse sociocultural schemes globally and historically, and how this shapes the ethical treatment of either specific animal species, or non-human animals generally.
To consider how contemporary representations of animals through religious doctrine and ceremony can inform wider theoretical/philosophical debates such as ecology and conservation, approaches to ethics and animal welfare, and of non-human animal entities as participants in the wider religious and political landscapes.
The University of Exeter 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.
University of Exeter Alumni Scholarship
We are pleased to offer the University of Exeter Alumni Scholarship, a scholarship for University of Exeter 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.
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.
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.
