Program Overview

Gain industry-relevant knowledge and practical skills with our hands-on MSc Species Identification and Survey Skills degree.

This course will provide all you need to work in the competitive consultancy and conservation sectors. To achieve this, the School of Biological Sciences has teamed up with ecological consultants at RSK Group Ltd since 2011, and more recently with Aspect Ecology, to deliver a course that provides the skills and knowledge demanded by these industries.

You’ll participate in hands-on and field-based training and, in addition to the taught component of your degree, you’ll have the opportunity to embark on a six-month work placement with a leading ecological consultancy. A bursary for this period is provided by the employer. Overall, 97% of graduates from Biological Sciences are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation (based on our analysis of HESA data © HESA 2022, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20; includes postgraduate (taught) and postgraduate (research) Biological Sciences responders).

A new feature of this programme is our module on molecular species identification and surveying. On this module, you’ll learn about the molecular methods used to survey and identify species, and you’ll also get practical experience in designing, collecting, processing and analysing environmental samples.

97% of our research outputs are of international standing (REF 2021, combining 4*, 3* and 2* submissions – Biological Sciences).

More than half of all credits on this programme are overseen by consultants when you choose to take a placement, making this course unique in the UK. All assessment is skills-based and fit-for-purpose, with no written examinations.

This course will provide all you need to work in the competitive consultancy and conservation sectors. To achieve this, the School of Biological Sciences has teamed up with ecological consultants at RSK Group Ltd since 2011, and more recently with Aspect Ecology, to deliver a course that provides the skills and knowledge demanded by these industries.

You’ll participate in hands-on and field-based training and, in addition to the taught component of your degree, you’ll have the opportunity to embark on a six-month work placement with a leading ecological consultancy. A bursary for this period is provided by the employer. Overall, 97% of graduates from Biological Sciences are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation (based on our analysis of HESA data © HESA 2022, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20; includes postgraduate (taught) and postgraduate (research) Biological Sciences responders).

A new feature of this programme is our module on molecular species identification and surveying. On this module, you’ll learn about the molecular methods used to survey and identify species, and you’ll also get practical experience in designing, collecting, processing and analysing environmental samples.

97% of our research outputs are of international standing (REF 2021, combining 4*, 3* and 2* submissions – Biological Sciences).

More than half of all credits on this programme are overseen by consultants when you choose to take a placement, making this course unique in the UK. All assessment is skills-based and fit-for-purpose, with no written examinations.