Ecology and Conservation with Integrated Master's - MSci drafted draft
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-09-26 | 2023-06-01 |
| 2024-01-23 | 2023-10-16 |
Program Overview
Course overview
Our Ecology and Conservation with Integrated Master's offers an advanced understanding of ecology, conservation biology, conservation practice and environmental management to address the ecological and conservation issues facing our planet.
With a strong emphasis on applied learning, the programme includes fieldwork opportunities - such as day activities and residential field courses during each year of your studies. Integrated Master's are highly valued by employers as you will graduate with an enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge and a range of advanced skills and competencies needed for particular specialist roles in the field.
Year one
The first year of the programme is carefully designed to bring together the diverse learning experiences across the cohort, enabling common understanding of ecology and conservation issues. Core first year modules examine topics such as approaches to conservation in policy and practice, the diversity of animals in the world and ecology and plant biology.
To help you develop the appropriate skills needed to succeed in this field, you will study a 'core skills' module. This will provide you with a suite of study skills and subject-specific practical skills in areas such as:
Throughout your studies you will have the opportunity to choose from a variety of optional modules. This will add breadth and depth to your learning and enable you to personalise your degree towards your career aspirations and interests.
Year two
During your second year, you will develop an understanding of more advanced topics in the field - such as environmental biology. From carrying out research in the real world through an environmental impact assessment, to spending time gaining work experience in a relevant industry - our curriculum offers multiple opportunities to apply your learning to environments similar to those you may encounter within your career.
Year three
During year three, you can unleash your creativity and apply the techniques you have acquired during your studies to a variety of projects. You will tackle a real-world ecological consultancy project, complete a final year dissertation, use Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to solve real-world problems and critically evaluate a specific green production system.
To align your degree to your career aspirations or interests, you can also choose from a wide variety of optional modules such as behavioural ecology and clean technology.
Year four
Your final year will include an extended research project, a conservation placement, conservation research design and modules in applied ecology and conservation and biodiversity skills.
Fieldwork
From examining main rock types and their physical structures to geological mapping, fieldwork is embedded into core modules throughout your studies to ensure you graduate with key geological observation and interpretation skills.
Fieldwork activities may include:
Enhance your employability
Opportunities for you to enhance your employability is at the heart of our curriculum and we aim to equip you with the necessary tools and practical experience to support your graduate journey.
Our year two employability module offers a variety of work relevant experiences. From project-based learning to research opportunities - you will learn about and experience a variety of career paths and identify skills that are essential in these roles. Between years two and three of your degree, you can also spend a year gaining work experience with an ecologically-focused company or organisation. This will benefit you by providing familiarisation with the professional working environment and the opportunity to apply the skills and theories you have learnt.
International year
In between years two and three of your studies you can choose to spend a year studying abroad. This exciting opportunity enables you to experience different cultural perspectives and to establish international networks. It also shows you have the personal attributes to embrace new experiences which can enhance your employability. We offer exchange opportunities with a wide variety of partner institutions.
Student support
We offer a multi layered student support structure to help you meet your academic and personal needs. Our open-door policy enables you to engage with us directly, meaning you can seek support, gain feedback or discuss any matters related to your course on a regular basis. You will also benefit from the support of an assigned academic mentor and a member of staff from Keele's Student Experience and Support team.
Societies
We have a wealth of student-led societies which cover a diverse range of interests. Joining a society related to the field is a great opportunity to continue to develop your skills away from your studies. This is another excellent way of demonstrating your genuine interest for the area and can be beneficial when it comes to applying for graduate roles. It’s also a great way to meet like-minded people, make friends and share interests with fellow students.
Program Outline
Modules
Modules for Ecology and Conservation with Integrated Master's
The module details given below are indicative, they are intended to provide you with an idea of the range of subjects that are taught to our current students. The modules that will be available for you to study in future years are prone to change as we regularly review our teaching to ensure that it is up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods, as well as student voice. The information presented is therefore not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules available in any given year.
Year 1
Compulsory Modules
Nature, Conservation & Society
Animal Biology
Studying the Environment
Academic, Professional and Fieldwork Skills
Ecology and Plant Biology
Optional Modules
Why Politics Matters
Introductory Environmental Chemistry
Greening Business: Employability and Sustainability
Climate Change: The Scientific and Societal Context
Year 2
Compulsory Modules
Optional Modules
Year 3
Compulsory Modules
Optional Modules
Year 4
Compulsory Modules
Optional Modules
Your future career
95% of our students are in employment or further study within 15 months of finishing their studies (HESA Graduate Outcomes, 2019/20)
Studying Ecology and Conservation at Masters level will develop your critical thinking and research skills, and prepare you to for progression onto related postgraduate degree courses, and in particular PhD study.
You will graduate with a broad subject knowledge that crosses the traditional natural science-social science divide and a strong set of transferable skills.
Key transferable skills include:
Relevant job sectors include:
Career opportunities include:
Enhance your employability
Keele’s Careers and Employability team (Shortlisted for Best University Careers Employment Service - National Undergraduate Employability Awards, 2021), offers a variety of personal and career development opportunities to enhance your employability. From mock interviews, careers guidance and CV advice, to careers fairs, alumni mentoring and networking events, along with helping you find part-time and graduate employment - the team will support you throughout your studies and beyond.
Find out more about our careers and employability services, including career planning, alumni mentoring, jobs, internships, starting your own business and much more.
Teaching, learning and assessment
We offer a personalised learning experience in an environment where you can feel part of a community. Our small class sizes will enable you to gain individual attention from your lecturers, forge close connections with other students and study in a focused environment. To ensure you receive a high-quality learning experience, teaching will be delivered through a diverse range of methods. Some classes are taught in workshop format integrating both lecture and practical material.
Fieldwork provides a deep, immersive learning experience that puts geological processes and their products into their four-dimensional context.
Methods of teaching include:
Assessments
The programme includes a range of assessments to develop both academic and employability skills.
These include:
Entry requirements
Keele strives to be a place where learning, living and working is a positive experience for our entire community, and we're committed to ensuring equality of opportunity to all our applicants with the potential and motivation to succeed, regardless of background. That's why we operate a range of 'alternative offer' schemes with clear eligibility criteria, including contextual offers, offers for those studying within the Keele region, and recognising a range of additional qualifications in your offer.
The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the likely offer or range of offers which would be made to candidates along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate's application.
A Level requirements
GCSE requirements
BTEC
International Baccalaureate
Access to HE Diploma requirements
If you don't think you'll meet the entry requirements specified, you may be able to gain entry to this course via a Foundation Year.
Preparation programmes for international students
International students who do not meet the direct entry requirements for this course have the opportunity to study an International Foundation Year programme.
These courses are designed to prepare international students to enter into Keele University undergraduate degrees.
