MSc Conservation

The UCL MSc Conservation is widely recognised as the leading programme for aspiring nature conservation professionals and those wishing to pursue an academic career. This successful, interdisciplinary degree Programme engages with the environmental, social and policy dimensions of conservation. More than 75% of our graduates have gone on to secure posts related to nature conservation.

In our teaching, we focus on the principles (conservation biology and ethics), policy (socio-economics, law and governance) and practice of conservation. These aspects are explored at UCL and in the field, putting them into the wider context of the inter-related driving forces of globalisation, demographic trends, invasive species, climate change, habitat degradation and the loss of biodiversity that is resulting from these forces.

You can complete this Programme full time over one year, taking four core conservation modules in Term 1 and the choice of four modules in Term 2.

The following modules will be available for 2018/19. Please note these may be subject to change.

COMPULSORY MODULES (Term One)

OPTIONAL MODULES (Term Two)

* The two Changing Landscapes modules are taught jointly during an overseas residential field-class over a period of 2 weeks, normally scheduled in the Easter break.

MSc Conservation students also undertake a piece of original research leading to a dissertation of up to 12,000 words (60 credits) with the support of an academic supervisor. The dissertation period normally lasts from late April or May to the end of August. The Department enjoys strong links with the conservation sector, and projects are often carried out in collaboration with organisations outside the University.

Information on fees and funding can be found on the main UCL website.

1. Fees*
2. Scholarships

*Please note that optional choice modules in Term 2 may incur additional costs for accommodation and transport associated with residential field classes or fieldwork.
Sources from which UCL MSc Conservation students have secured funds in the past include, the Laurence Attwell Charity, the Ian Karten Charitable Trust, the Mercers' Company, the Richard Newitt Fund, the Radley Trust, the Percy Sladen Memorial Fund and the Sir Richard Stapley Educational Trust.

You can apply for a place on this Programme via UCL Admissions.

Potential applicants are expected to have a First or Upper Second-class Honours degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. Environmental Science, Geography or Biology) from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Applications with relevant professional experience in conservation or environmental management will also be considered. The Department currently requires a good level of English demonstrated by a recent IELTS Academic or equivalent qualification. If you have any more questions about this programme, you can email the Department or make an appointment to come and meet staff. It is possible to take the MSc part time. Please contact the programme convenor if you require details of the part-time structure.

More than 75% of our graduates are known to have gained a post in the conservation sector or in conservation-related research. Many potential employers have themselves graduated from the course over the last 50+ years.

The following list provides some examples of initial MSc Conservation student destinations:

• DEFRA (Project Support Officer, Environmental Permitting Programme; Policy Advisor, Marine & Freshwater Biodiversity Division)
• Natural England (Government and Conservation Adviser)
• Environment Agency (Planning Technical Assistant)
• Local Boroughs and Councils (e.g. Conservation Park Ranger; Biodiversity Project Officer; Environmental Information Support Officer)
• Local Wildlife Trusts: (Project Officer, Living Landscapes Programme; Design for Biodiversity Officer
• Wildlife Protection Society of India (Projects Manager)
• ECOMAR (Brazilian marine conservation NGO) (Executive Director)
• Blue Ventures, Madagascar (Science Intern, Marine Conservation Project Coordination; Research Development Manager)
• Environmental consultant, Dubai (EIAs for marine oil and gas projects)
• IUCN (Internship, Freshwater Biodiversity Unit)
• UNEP-WCMC (United Nations Environment Programme - World Conservation Monitoring Centre) (Internship, developing rare species (crocodile) database)
• CIFOR (Center for International Forestry Research) (initially Internship, Project Research Assistant, subsequently Project Research Officer
• ZSL (Zoological Society of London) (e.g. Development and Events Coordinator; various Internships)
• Kew Gardens (Internship, Sample Red List Index Project; botanical horticulturalist)
• RSPB (Communications Officer)
• Various ecological/conservation/sustainability consultancies (Consultant Field Ecologist; Consultant Ecologist; Graduate Ecologist; Administrator)
• Waste Watch NGO (recycling advisor)
• Broadview Energy Ltd (assistant project manager on wind farm projects)