Students can deepen their knowledge of current research issues in the relevant disciplines of the natural sciences and humanities in the research-oriented Master's programme IMHAI. 

These include ethical issues as well as topics in behavioural and cognitive biology, comparative medicine and neuroscience, as well as research questions in the fields of animal welfare, animal husbandry, psychology and philosophy of science.

The programme is offered by the Messerli Research Institute in cooperation with the Institute of Animal Welfare Science, the Domestication Lab as well as the clinics and other institutes of the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, the Medical University of Vienna and the University of Vienna. 

The Master's programme comprises four semesters with a total of 120 ECTS credits. It consists of nine compulsory modules (90 ECTS credits), elective subjects (7 ECTS credits), a Master's thesis (27 ECTS credits) and a Master's examination (3 ECTS credits).

Semester 1

Module 1 – Foundations of Human-Animal Interactions: Animal Perspectives (8,5 ECTS)

Module 2 – Foundations of Human-Animal Interactions: Human Perspectives (8 ECTS)

Module 3 – Ethical and Practical Perspectives on Human-Animal Interactions (10,5 ECTS)

Semester 2

Module 4 – Research Methods in Human Animal Interaction (17 ECTS)

Module 5 – Establishing, Modifying and Debating Human Animal Interactions (10 ECTS)

Module 6 – Interdisciplinary Exchange on Human Animal Interactions I (3 ECTS)

Semester 3 und 4

Module 7 – Research Project (15 ECTS)

Module 8 – Interdisciplinary Exchange on Human Animal Interactions II (6 ECTS)

Module 9 – IMHAI Symposium (5 ECTS)

Electives (7 ECTS)

Master Thesis (27 ECTS)

Master’s examination by commission (3 ECTS)

Curriculum Master's programme in Human Animal Interactions

• PhD-programme

• Innovative research projects and the opportunity to interact with and learn from internationally recognised scientists in the field of Human-Animal Interaction one-to-one

• Interdisciplinary education with simultaneous subject specialisation

• Vetmeduni offers an optimal environment for teaching, research and direct interaction with animals, including an attractive research infrastructure with world-unique labs such as the Clever Dog Lab, the Haidlhof Research Station with Kea Lab, the Goffin Lab, the Comparative Medicine Lab, and the VetFarm with pigs, cows and other farm animals.

• Opportunity to participate closely in the discussion of current research questions and studies in weekly meetings and thus actively experience the local research community.

• Students become part of an internationally connected alumni network after graduation. 

• research and/or teaching at the university and other institutions of higher education

• research institutions in the pharmaceutical and biomedical industries

• NGOs or public institutions with a focus on animal welfare or animal-assisted therapy

• non-university research institutions

• public and private sector institutions (e.g. ministries, agencies, commissions)

• executive functions in institutions with animal husbandry

• expert committees and science journalism

IMHAI Coordinator: Professor Ludwig Huber

Institutes Office: Jennifer Bentlage, MSc.

Contact via email or phone.