Wildlife Biology & Conservation MSc



Gain the opportunity to develop relevant skills for employment in the fields of wildlife biology and conservation while studying remotely.

Overview

The greatest challenge facing conservation biologists today is the preservation of the world’s biodiversity in the face of considerable human demands on space and resources.

By combining the disciplines of wildlife biology and conservation biology, experienced staff will help you develop and apply both the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required to address this challenge.

Our graduates have gone on to work for environmental consultancies, government agencies and independent wildlife organisations nationally and internationally.

This is a distance learning course, offering you the flexibility to learn at your own pace and place, possibly alongside a role in the conservation industry.

Typical entry points to this course are in January and September. Please enquire for more information.

 
Feral cat in the wild

Mode of Study:

Distance learning (available as Full-time and Part-time)

Duration:

3-4 years

Start date:

Jan

Course details

This course has been designed in conjunction with employers and professional bodies. 

The main focus is on the development of a range of knowledge and skills to equip you to work in this field.

Although it cannot replicate the experience of on-campus students, your attendance and participation on the field course, together with independent field work will help to develop your competence in these essential aspects. 

In addition to studying relevant theory, you’ll have the opportunity to develop:

  • advanced analytical skills for population quantification and management
  • practical skills used in identifying, quantifying and assessing biodiversity
  • transferable skills including communication, IT (GIS, R), problem solving, research and team working

As one of your last taught modules, you'll need to be able to join with full-time students for a two-week intensive field course (usually in early May) based in Scotland to help embed practical skills in sampling, identification (plants, aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates, small mammals, birds) and data analysis. 

Our staff have years of experience working worldwide in wildlife conservation and consultancy and are keen to help you develop your potential. In addition, external speakers from a range of government agencies, charities and consultancies share their experiences and give insights into career options.

Lead academics and short bio 

The core academic team boast a wide range of skills and research interests. Staff include: 

Application guidance

This programme is not designed to be a conversion course. The full-time and part-time programmes are accredited with the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) and consequently carry detailed entry expectations. The part-time nature of the distance learning programme does allow for some entry level flexibility, but you will be expected to cover the same materials and take the same assessments as full-time students, so we look for a science based Bachelor (Honours) degree at 2:2 or above, preferably including aspects of ecology/zoology/environmental management. If you have good experience in data analysis, statistics or Geographical Information Systems (GIS), you may also be considered but you should be able to demonstrate efforts made to gain knowledge and skills across several of the CIEEM criteria since your application will be considered in relation to the CIEEM themes and an assessment of the extent of the gap between your current knowledge and the experience of a student with the relevant degree background. 

If you intend to apply, please consult the Personal Statement Guidance document (PDF) which includes the CIEEM criteria and be sure to construct your personal statement according to the format specified. Failing to do so will result in your application being deemed ineligible. 

 

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    How you’ll be taught

    The course is studied part-time by distance learning utilising a range of online learning materials. We use Moodle as our virtual learning environment and you will be able to engage with the learning resources in your own time. Some modules seek to encourage you to work in a small group (asynchronously if required) and contribute to class data collection. 

    The programme seeks to allow you to study at a pace which fits with your other commitments. For those in full-time employment this is usually the standard rate of 20 credits (typically one module) per trimester, which means that for a September start you would complete your taught modules in three academic years (120 credits = PGDip) and then move on to the research project component. The independent research project for a distance learning student can be completed over two trimesters to suit your geographic location and goals. This may include trimester 3 (May-Aug) which does not otherwise require any study while you are completing the taught components. These ‘free’ summers are a good opportunity to get involved in conservation projects locally and build your networks.

    Note that if you are in the UK and interested in applying for a study loan with SAAS or SFE they will only support a maximum three-year study duration. Our standard rate exceeds that period and is therefore only suitable for those who are self-funding.  It is possible to complete within three years by taking 40 credits in Trimester 2 of either year 1 or 2 of study but this is extremely challenging for those with full-time commitments.

    View the distance learning programme structure document (PDF) for more information. 

    Modules for the part-time distance learning standard study rate:

    Year 1

    Humans and Wildlife (ENV11101)

    Management of Aquatic Protected Areas (ENV11112)

    Year 2 

    Scientific Methods (ENV11109)

    Biodiversity and Conservation (ENV11100)

    Year 3 

    Principles of Wildlife Management(ENV11116) andCase Studies in Applied Ecology (ENV11115)(both 10 credit modules)

    Field and Lab Skills (ENV11108) –attendance required

    Project (ENV11117) (60 credits)

    Year 4

    Project

    A link to the descriptor for each module can be found by using the module code to search on Module Search. Note that info on the learning, teaching and assessment strategy is revealed by clicking on the ‘View Full details’ link within each descriptor.
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    Assessments

    There are no traditional centrally timetabled exams. Instead, you will work on a variety of relevant professional tasks, both written and oral. Assessments include a zoning document, a biodiversity report and a development proposal.

    Taxonomic identification and statistical analysis are key skills which are assessed using time limited online tests. In addition, you will produce several audio-visual presentations including a research proposal pitch.

Modules

Modules that you will study* as part of this course

Humans and Wildlife ( ENV11101 )

Topics include ecotourism, wildlife guiding and environmental education. Aspects of urban ecology, community engagement and social research in conservation relate directly to the challenges of land management in an urban setting which forms one of the assessments. Agricultural ecology and examples of human-wildlife conflict around the world are also studied in relation to wildlife law and economics. The Yellowstone National Park reintroduction of wolves acts as a case study in protected area management.

Further information

* These are indicative only and reflect the course structure in the current academic year. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Disclaimer

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Full information is available in our disclaimer.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

This is not designed to be a conversion course. The FT and PT programmes are accredited with the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) and consequently carry detailed entry expectations. The part-time nature of the DL programme does allow for some entry level flexibility but you will be expected to cover the same materials as FT students so we look for a science based Bachelor (Honours) Degree at 2:2 or above, preferably including aspects of ecology/ zoology/environmental management. If you have good experience in data analysis, statistics, Geographical Information systems (GIS), you may also be accepted onto the programme.

We may consider unrelated degrees if you have extensive related work experience and your personal statement indicates efforts to gain the necessary ecological and analytical skills required to succeed, for example by taking short courses.

If you intend to apply, please consult the Personal Statement Guidance document (PDF) which includes the CIEEM criteria and be sure to construct your personal statement according to the format specified. Failing to do so will result in your application being deemed ineligible. 

English language requirements

If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test and our minimum English language requirements will apply.

This may not apply if you have completed all your school qualifications in English, or your undergraduate degree was taught and examined in English (within two years of starting your postgraduate course). Check our country pages to find out if this applies to you.

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
Entry requirements by country

Please note that international students are unable to enrol onto the following courses:
  • BN Nursing/MSc Nursing (Pre-registration) (Adult, Mental Health, Child, Learning Disabilities)
  • BM Midwifery/MM Midwifery
  • All Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

See who can apply for more information on Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

We’re committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study. 

Our admissions policies will help you understand our admissions procedures, and how we use the information you provide us in your application to inform the decisions we make.

Undergraduate admissions policies
Postgraduate admissions policies

Fees & funding

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.

Tuition fees
Students from 2023/24 2024/25
Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland-Taught modules *£1,050 *£tba
Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland-60credit Dissertation module £620 tba
Overseas and EU-Taught Modules *£2,560 *£tba
Overseas and EU-60credit Dissertation £1,730 tba
Please note tuition fees are subject to an annual review and may increase from one year to the next. For more information on this and other Tuition Fee matters please see Frequently Asked Questions about Fees Click this link for Information of Bursaries and Scholarships
Fees for modules are calculated according to the number of credits (multiples of 20). The rate shown in the table is for 20 credits*. The total fee you will pay is dependant upon the exit award you wish to achieve.
The University offers a 20% discount on Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes to its alumni. The discount applies to all full-time, part-time and online programmes. The discount can only be applied to year one of a full-time Postgraduate degree, any additional years are exempt from the discount. For part time Postgraduate degrees the discount will apply to years one, two and three only and any additional years will be exempt from the discount.
Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2021 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.


Please note:

The discount for Edinburgh Napier alumni can only be applied to year one of a full-time Postgraduate degree, any additional years are exempt from the discount.

For part time Postgraduate degrees the discount will apply to years one, two and three only and any additional years will be exempt from the discount.

Please read our full T&C here

Careers

Returning graduates, who share their experience of the work environment each year, have emphasised the importance of the skills gained from the course in their subsequent success.

Jobs include:

  • Ecologist
  • Wildlife ranger
  • Education officer
  • Conservation project officer
  • Wildlife Technician
  • Species licensing officer

Our network of alumni have developed  careers with organisations such as:

Students amongst green vegetation learning at Edinburgh's Royal Botanic Garden