Postgraduate Studentships - Search for funding opportunities.
Postgraduate Studentships - Search for funding opportunities.
Study Details: MSc 3-4 years
Gain the opportunity to develop relevant skills for employment in the fields of wildlife biology and conservation while studying remotely.
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.
This is a distance learning course, offering you the flexibility to learn at your own pace and place, possibly alongside a role in conservation or while balancing study with work or family life. There is no requirement to come to Edinburgh during the course but, if you are able to, there are options to join us for field trips in Scotland to further develop your field skills and meet fellow students and course lecturers in person.
This distance-learning MSc has run for more than a decade and our graduates have gone on to work for environmental consultancies, government agencies, research institutions and independent wildlife organisations nationally and internationally. For some, this MSc is the beginning of their conservation career and for others it is a route to promotion or PhD.
Typical entry points to this course are in September & January. Please enquire for more information.
A science-based Bachelor (Honours) Degree at 2:2 or above, preferably including some aspects of ecology/conservation/zoology/biology/environmental management/environmental science/countryside management/botany.
We will consider applicants with unrelated degrees, or related degrees at below 2:2, if you have related work/voluntary 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 wish to apply but you do not have qualifications that meet the standard entry criteria above then you will need to follow the Personal Statement Guidance document on our website. Be sure to construct your personal statement according to the format specified, to demonstrate what additional skills and knowledge you have developed.
If you want to get more information on the admission process, please get in touch with the postgraduate admissions team by submitting an enquiry form above.
For fees and funding options, please visit website to find out more
Please see our website for funding opportunities
By studying wildlife and conservation biology at Edinburgh Napier University, you will develop the practical. technical and intellectual knowledge to be able to apply your skills within the field. If you are interested in in conservation, wildlife and the environment, then this might be the right course for you. You will be able to go onto work for a range of different organisations within different sectors, including Government agencies (e.g. Nature Scot, Natural England, British Columbia Fish and Wildlife, Forestry and Land Scotland, US National Parks Service, Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Scottish Government, Defra, other national governments) · Non-governmental agencies and charities (e.g. Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Wildlife Trusts, Marine Conservation Society), Private consultancies (e.g. Jacobs, Atkins, Atmos, Echoes Ecology, RPS, LUC) and Worldwide research institutions including universities and research institutes (e.g. Centre for Ecology and Hydrology), showing that there are a wide range of opportunities available upon graduation.
You may be likely to work as an ecologist, ecological consultant, wildlife ranger, education officer, conservation project officer, wildlife technician, docotoral researcher, scientific adviser or a species licensing officer, as examples.
Our Alumni also visit regularly to share their work experience and advice with current students and have emphasised the importance of the skills gained from this course in their subsequent success.
Below are just some of the roles you could go into with an MSc in Wildlife and Conservation biology:
What does a conservation project officer do?
As a conservation project officer, you will be responsible for implementing and overseeing conservation projects. You will coordinate activities which are aimed at preserving wildlife and natural habitats, as well as ecosystems. This may include carrying out habitat restoration, biodiversity conservation and sustainable resource management.
You will have strong problem solving and communication skills to work effectively within the field, and will be able to manage conservation plans, field surveys, and collaborate with government, local authorities and stakeholders.
Daily tasks and responsibilities within this role may include:
What does an ecological consultant do?
As an ecological consultant, you will be responsible for advising on human activities and development, and how they interact and impact the environment. You will aim to maintain sustainable development and environmental conservation through collaborative problem solving. In this role, you will be expected to be an excellent communicator and team player. You will likely work for the government, local authorities, environmental organisations or within the private sector.
Daily tasks and responsibilities within this role may include:
What does a biodiversity officer do?
As a biodiversity officer, you will be responsible for raising awareness of nature conservation and ensuring that regulations and legal requirements relating to biodiversity are adhered to within projects relating to infrastructure developments, for example. You will develop strategies and conduct field surveys in order to promote sustainable practice, meaning strong teamworking and communication skills are required. This is a dynamic role which requires fieldwork, office tasks and community engagement. You will likely work with organisations such as the government, environmental agencies or the private sector.
Daily tasks and responsibilities within this role may include:
Many of the types of roles that our graduates go into are listed on the Green Jobs for Nature website and this might give you and idea of the types of careers that you could pursue with your MSc Wildlife Biology & Conservation.
Modules that you will study* as part of this course
* 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.
Whether you want to move up in your career, or onto a new one, our innovative, industry-focused postgraduate courses can give you the skills you need ...
