MSc Biodiversity Conservation

Increasing pressure on land-use across the world has led to a growing demand for postgraduates with environmental surveying qualifications. This course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM). It provides you with the knowledge you'll need to work within the environmental and ecological consulting and conservation professions.

If you have any questions about our Biodiversity Conservation course, you can now chat to our experienced lecturers and course leaders through Unibuddy.

Why choose this course?

• Brackenhurst campus is the perfect environment to develop the expertise required for a career in biodiversity conservation.
• A number of protected species are studied on-site including yellowhammers, great crested newts, badgers and hedgehogs.
• The latest Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking equipment and surveying techniques are employed by students on this course.
• The course provides an industry standard approach to career progression into the ecological and environmental consultancy sector.
• You will have the opportunity to contribute to UK and international research projects currently running within the School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences.

What you'll study

This course combines research and academic skills with field surveying skills, ready for practical application within the ecological consultancy industry. It's designed to meet a rising need for highly skilled conservationists.

Through practical experience, taught sessions and interaction with experienced field ecologists, you'll gain taxonomic expertise. This will enable you to accurately identify a wide range of species and communities; use the appropriate field skills and techniques to carry out biodiversity surveys across different habitat types; and produce reports and assessments to professional standards. You'll also have an additional and distinctive opportunity to be trained in the use of geographical information systems (GIS) - a vital tool in the surveying and management of the environment.

The skills you learn will be underpinned by a thorough knowledge of why some species and communities are conservation priorities in law or policy. You'll be given the chance to become a critical thinker, capable of evaluating what you do, and adept at reporting your findings to the key audiences.

How you’re taught

This course is delivered with a strong practical approach to learning. You'll be taught through a mixture of lectures, seminars, field and laboratory work, and online learning.

Independent learning is required, and you'll undertake high-quality research for the Masters awards. You'll research your chosen topic in depth, then design and implement a relevant research project, before communicating the findings to an informed audience in a comprehensive scientific report.

You'll have the opportunity to take part in field trips to Rutland and Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. There are also opportunities to complete a research project in the UK or abroad.

Careers and employability

This course has been developed with representatives from the ecological consultancy and environmental management sector, and is designed to be vocationally relevant, cultivating expertise and transferable skills to maximise your career potential.

Graduates of the Masters in Science degree have the knowledge and skills required to carry out biodiversity surveying, recording and reporting in the private, public, charity, education or research sectors. Skills development include project management, critical evaluation and communicating to a variety of audiences.