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Master Degree in Animal Behaviour applied to Global Welfare

The Master's degree entitled Animal Behaviour applied to Global Welfare has as its fundamental areas of training Veterinary Sciences, Social and Behavioral Sciences, as well as Health Sciences.

Objectives

The Master's Degree in Animal Behaviour Applied to Global Welfare aims to contribute to the training of professionals of excellence who are part of the social fabric in areas such as health, education, public administration, companies and socio-cultural animation, providing advanced skills in the field of research and promotion of animal welfare. Animal welfare is a priority, because as science and society increase their understanding of animal sentience, it becomes imperative to consider animal health, human health and the environment as a whole. In this context, the objectives of this master's degree are:
  • To qualify professionals from different areas of health, giving them the scientific and practical knowledge of animal behaviour so that in the exercise of their profession they can apply practices to prevent risks and promote animal, human and environmental health, as a key factor in sustainable development.
  • To train professionals who promote effective communication with all those who care for animals.
  • To provide students with the tools to face the complexities and challenges of their professions in a preventive approach that promotes the quality of life of animals, satisfying the needs and demands of their owners and society in general.
  • To develop research projects within the scope of dissertations that contribute to the advancement of scientific knowledge and the creation of essential tools to promote global well-being (man, animal and environment).
  • Promote the debate of ideas in the learning process, developing a critical spirit and a strong sense of social and ethical responsibility.
This master's degree offers an interdisciplinary programme where animal behaviour is the transversal tool to enable those who work with animals to actively promote well-being in the various contexts in which animals interact with humans and the environment.

Fields of Specialization

  • Specialisation in Animal Assisted Interventions
  • Specialisation in Behavioural Medicine
  • Specialisation in Animal Behaviour and Welfare in Society

Professional Abilities

On completion of the master's degree, students should have acquired a set of knowledge, skills and attitudes, demonstrating the following competences:
  • Apply knowledge of animal behaviour and welfare in real contexts, promoting animal, human and environmental health.
  • Plan and implement projects related to animal behaviour and welfare and animal-assisted activities.
  • Develop research projects in the areas of animal behaviour and animal welfare.
  • Assessing animal behaviour and welfare issues based on scientifically validated grounds.
  • Advising on behavioural, welfare and human-animal relationship problems, drawing up appropriate intervention programmes.
  • Plan and implement preventive actions to avoid animal behaviour and welfare problems.
  • Communicate effectively with animal owners and carers, promoting animal welfare in practice.
  • Adopt appropriate communication strategies for different audiences, acting as an agent of positive social change in the promotion of Global Welfare.

Employment Prospects

The master's degree offers 3 specialisations, each of which opens up various professional possibilities (depending on your basic degree):
1) SPECIALISATION IN ANIMAL ASSISTED INTERVENTIONS: 
Professional opportunities in the areas of health and rehabilitation:
  • Interventionist in Animal Assisted Activities (IAA) - Working with physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychologists or other health professionals to integrate animals into treatments.
  • Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) Interventionist - Facilitating therapy sessions for patients with special needs, emotional disorders, autism, depression, etc.
  • Animal Assisted Activities Facilitator with the elderly and palliative care - Working with animals in nursing homes, hospitals and palliative care centres to improve patients' emotional well-being.
Education and Social Intervention
  • Facilitator of animal-assisted education programmes - Working with children in schools, promoting values such as empathy and responsibility.
  • Social inclusion educator - Using dogs or other animals in programmes for vulnerable populations (e.g. young people at risk, prisoners, people with disabilities).
  • Animal mediation technician in educational contexts - Assisting teachers and psycho-pedagogues in the use of animals in the classroom or in community intervention projects.
Animal Welfare Technician or Consultant
  • Work on implementing good practices in environments that deal with animals for AAA.
2) SPECIALISATION IN BEHAVIOURAL MEDICINE
Behavioural Medicine Therapist
  • Acting in the diagnosis and treatment of behavioural disorders in pets, helping owners to adapt their pets to life in society, in collaboration with vets and trainers.
Veterinarian specialising in Behavioural Medicine
  • Working in the diagnosis and treatment of behavioural disorders in companion animals.
3) SPECIALISATION IN ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR AND WELFARE IN SOCIETY 
Veterinarian specialising in Animal Welfare
  • Working in the prevention and treatment of welfare-related problems in clinics, animal production and Animal Collection Centres, Zoos, Shelters, Animal Rehabilitation Centres, among others.
Animal Welfare Technician or Consultant
  • Working on animal welfare assessments and implementing good practices in environments that deal with animals (clinics, shelters, zoos, shelters, animal rehabilitation centres), promoting responsible adoptions, among others.
Animal Welfare Auditor
  • Working on welfare certification in livestock production, animal transport and trade, ensuring compliance with international legislation and standards, among others.
Biologist or Zoologist in Wildlife Welfare
  • Work on conservation, rehabilitation and management projects for species in captivity (zoos and rehabilitation centres) and in the wild.
Researcher in Animal Behaviour and Welfare
  • Develop studies on stress, environmental enrichment and the adaptation of animals to different environments.
Animal Welfare Educator
  • Develops educational programmes for schools, communities and companies on the human-animal relationship.
Animal Welfare Entrepreneur
  • Possibility of opening businesses such as dog daycare centres, pet hotels with a focus on welfare, behaviour consultancies, creation of innovative services with environmental enrichment. Responsible Ecotourism Promoter - Works on creating tourist experiences that respect the welfare of local fauna, among others.

Information

Course Information:

  • Start of academic year: 15th September, 2025  (to be confirmed later)
  • Schedule: from Monday to Thursday between 6.30pm and 9pm and on Fridays between 2pm and 7pm.
  • Mode of study: In-person
  • Language of instruction: Portuguese
  • Standard Duration of the Course: 2 years (1st year: Curricular year and 2nd year: Master's dissertation or internship).
  • Link: Rules for writing a dissertation
 
Applications link 2025/2026: Deadlines and selection criteria

Applications:

  • 1st phase: 10 vacancies
  • 2nd phase: 20 vacancies
  • 3rd phase: 17 vacancies

Clausus number: 30
Minimum number of students for the cycle of studies to operate – 15


Link: Tuition fees 2025/2026
NOTE:Tuition fees can be paid in two ways:

  • Full payment on enrolment
  • 10 monthly instalments, the first of which is due on enrolment/registration and the others in the months following the start of the academic year, by the last day of each month.

For any queries regarding tuition fees, please consult the tuition fees regulation - document available only in Portuguese.


International Students:
Important information for international students:

International students, find all the information you need to study at the University of Porto at the following links:


Data Protection Policy:
Consult the U.Porto Data Protection Policy here for more information on the processing of your personal data.



 

Contacts

Director of the Master's Degree in Animal Behaviour applied to Global Welfare
Prof. Dr. Margarida Duarte Araújo

Assistant Director:
Prof. Dr. Ana Carrilho

For questions about the dissertation or internship, please contact the master's director or co-diretor by e-mail: mdcma@icbas.up.pt or afcarrilho@icbas.up.pt 

For further information, please contact:

Postgraduate and Continuing Education Unit

Telephone: 220428006

Schedule:

In-Person and Telephone Assistance*

  • Monday and Thursday: 10:00–12:00 and 14:00–18:00

  • Wednesday: 10:00–12:00

  • Tuesday and Friday: 10:00–12:00 and 14:00–15:30

*Due to difficulties in handling all telephone requests, we recommend that if you are unable to reach us by phone, you send your inquiry by email.

E-mail: posgrad@icbas.up.pt


Secretariat to Councils, Directors of Study Cycles and Specialised Commissions: gabsec@icbas.up.pt

General information

Official code: MF40
Director: Margarida Duarte Araújo
Assistant Director: Ana Carrilho
Acronym: MCABEG
Academic Degree: Master
Type of course/cycle of study: Masters Degree
Start: 2025/2026
Duration: 4 Semesters

Study Plan

Involved Organic Units

Certificates

  • Master Degree in Animal Behaviour applied to Global Welfare - Specialization in Behavioural Medicine (120 ECTS credits)
  • Master Degree in Animal Behaviour applied to Global Welfare - Specialization in Animal Behaviour and Welfare in Society (120 ECTS credits)
  • Master Degree in Animal Behaviour applied to Global Welfare - Specialization in Animal-Assisted Interventions (120 ECTS credits)
  • Master's course in Animal Behaviour and Welfare in Society (60 ECTS credits)
  • Master's course in Animal-Assisted Interventions (60 ECTS credits)
  • Master's course in Behavioural Medicine (60 ECTS credits)

Predominant Scientific Areas

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