BSc (Hons) Applied Animal Behavioural Science and Welfare
"Hadlow College stood out to me, as the degree courses are affiliated by the University of Greenwich."
Verna Vilppula - Accepted for a Master’s Degree in Ethology at the University of Stockholm
I chose to change the course I was on, as I wanted to move to London and live with my partner. I was also interested in the animal welfare emphasis. Meeting the programme leader Mark Beeching sealed my decision. Mark's lectures are really good; he is a great lecturer (one of the best I've seen) and person. Also, the broad selection of subjects on the course suited me.
I really enjoyed carrying out tests on animal intelligence in practice, and training more unusual species, such as fish and birds.
I’ve recently been accepted for a Master’s Degree in Ethology at the University of Stockholm, Sweden. Alongside this, I will also continue working on a funded horse personality research project in which I started last summer. I conducted the pilot of the study as my Honours project and my Masters project will form part of it as well.
I’ve had an established business in training animals and lecturing on horses for ten years now, having done an equine degree in the past. Last summer, I started lecturing on horse ethology to private and organisational audiences and will continue this, as well as lecturing in educational institutions on different levels. An applied university and a vocational institution have already ordered a lecture series from me for the coming year.
I’ll also be working as a consultant for different organisations around animal and equine welfare, with one working committee project already agreed. I also aim to do equine welfare assessments (possibly training as an AWIN auditor at some point) and consultations for private people and companies. This will involve working both in Finland - my home country - as well as internationally.
The advice that I would give to current/future students is to learn the rules of the scientific method and writing process as early as you can, it will make everything a lot easier (after all, that is half of what you are actually studying on the undergraduate level). YouTube has very good scientific videos on all manner of subjects and they make revising for exams easier. Overall, try to find the themes and animals that interest you the most. Then try to find, connect and apply as many perspectives on those specific subjects as you can. This will give you depth in your knowledge and a unique expertise. An interdisciplinary approach is the best way forward, in my opinion.