Master's Programme in Animal Behaviour
Stockholm, Sweden
MSc
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
15 Jan 2026
EARLIEST START DATE
31 Aug 2026
TUITION FEES
SEK 280,000 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* EU/EEA/Swiss citizens are not required to pay fees
Key Summary
This programme offers you a solid grounding in the field of animal behaviour as well as deeper insight into the latest research on the subject. The evolution, genetics and function of behaviour form the foundation. You will gain skills and experience in research methods and analytical techniques, which open up a wide variety of career possibilities.
You will study how animals communicate and solve conflicts, the social structure of animal communities, pair formation and reproduction in animals, and how competition and cooperation can develop. How behaviour develops during the life of the individual and how learning and experience influence patterns of behaviour are discussed. Moreover, the genetic background, evolution (both at the micro- and macroevolutionary scale) and function of behaviour are discussed. Knowledge of animal behaviour is important in many fields of biology. These fields include ecology, evolutionary biology, neurobiology and conservation biology. Animal behaviour also has applications outside of the scientific sphere. For instance, one important application for animal behaviour concerns the requirements of ethical treatment of animals and animal well-being.
Reasons to choose the Master in Ethology:
- Broad education in Animal Behaviour suitable for diverse careers involving animal behaviour
- Excellent opportunities for practical studies in the laboratory and at the Tovetorp research station
- Flexible program allows you to create your direction based on your interests
The compulsory courses within the Master’s program in Animal Behaviour will give you a strong foundation in Animal Behaviour, including mate choice, animal cognition, and human behaviour.
The elective and optional courses create flexibility in the program allowing you to adapt your studies to your chosen career path. You are required to choose at least 15 credits of the elective courses listed below (updated each year). You can also include at least 15 credits of optional courses, these are any course that is not compulsory or elective and can be in other subjects or taken at another university.
During the compulsory independent project, the degree project, you will apply the knowledge and skills you have developed, in conducting a scientific study within ethology.
Year 1
Compulsory courses
- Sensory Biology and Animal Communication
- Statistics for Biologists II
- Animal Cognition
- Animal Social and Sexual Behaviour
Elective courses
- Ecological and evolutionary responses to climatic variation
Elective courses offered by the Department of Psychology
- Trends in cognition
- Human Development – Positive Psychological Functioning and Adaptation in Youth
- The Psychology of Leadership
Year 2
Compulsory courses
- Degree project in Ethology (instructions apply for all degree projects at the department)
Elective courses
- Evolutionary Ecology
Elective courses offered by the Department of Psychology
- Emotion psychology and affective neuroscience
Independent project
Degree projects, which are 30, 45, or 60 credits, are carried out within ongoing research projects at the Department of Zoology, within the current broad research projects within Ethology: adaptive colouration, animal personality, brain evolution, cognition, collective behaviour, foraging decisions, sexual selection, and social behaviour. It is also possible to conduct the degree project externally, at a research institute, organization, or company.
A Master's degree in Animal Behaviour opens up a diverse range of career opportunities. Completion of the Master’s program gives you eligibility for PhD studies.
Beyond being an important academic subject, an Animal Behaviour degree is highly relevant in careers where an understanding of animal behaviour is important, including animal parks and zoos, animal husbandry and within animal welfare and environmental agencies.