Program Overview

MSc/Postgraduate Diploma/Postgraduate Certificate Applied Wildlife Conservation

The MSc/Postgraduate Diploma/Postgraduate Certificate Applied Wildlife Conservation is a postgraduate program designed to provide students with practical skills, experience, and knowledge to protect the world's most vulnerable species, habitats, and ecosystems.

About

This course is not just theoretical; it's designed to give students practical experience of advanced contemporary techniques for conserving biodiversity in a rapidly changing world. Delivered in collaboration with the internationally renowned Bristol Zoological Society (BZS), the course is unique in the way it prepares students for practical conservation.

Hands-on Conservation Experience

Teaching is delivered via a series of four-day, face-to-face teaching blocks, combined with online distance learning. Students will experience first-hand conservation in practice with fieldtrips to landmark conservation projects, including a four-day residential trip to Somerset.

Accreditations and Partnerships

The program has partnerships with major conservation organizations, including Natural England and the Wildlife Trusts.

Entry

Entry Requirements

To be eligible for the program, students will need:

• A good honours degree (minimum 2:2) in a subject that contains a core grounding in conservation, ecology, and environmental science.
• Equivalent qualifications from a recognized overseas institution.
• At least three years' experience of working in the environmental sector, specifically in areas related to biodiversity conservation.
• If English is not the first language, students will be required to meet the UK Border Agency and Universities minimum English Language requirements.

English Language Support

If students meet the academic requirements but require additional support to take their language skills to the required level, they may be able to attend one of the pre-sessional English courses.

Structure

Content

The course comprises five compulsory taught modules and an extended individual research project. The modules include:

• Advanced Ecosystem Conservation in Practice
• Advanced Species Conservation in Practice
• Communication for Conservation
• Innovation and Enterprise in Conservation
• Conservation Science Project
• Conservation Research Methods

Learning and Teaching

Course delivery consists of a series of intense, four-day face-to-face teaching blocks delivered on site at Frenchay Campus, Bristol Zoo, the Wildplace Project, and distance-learning activities delivered online.

Study Time

Following a six-day induction block, students will engage in eight four-day teaching blocks spread throughout the year.

Assessment

Each module assessment is designed to develop students' practical skills and understanding, while increasing their employability once they graduate. Assessments will usually take the form of mini-projects, including presentations, portfolios, and reports. There are no formal written exams.

Fees

Full-time Course

• Home Award Fee: ｣11,500
• Home Module Fee (15 Credit): ｣958
• International Award Fee: ｣17,250
• International Module Fee (15 Credit): ｣1,438

Part-time Course

• Home Module Fee (15 Credit): ｣958

Features

Fieldwork

The program includes fieldtrips to local sites, and students will complete a four-day residential field trip as part of their Ecosystem Conservation module.

Study Facilities

Students will use study facilities at the Institute of Conservation Science and Bristol Zoo Project, including classrooms, a laboratory, IT facilities, a library, and a student common room.

Careers

Careers/Further Study

The course has been developed with a wide range of stakeholders from the ecological consultancy and charity sectors. On completion of the course, students will be well-placed to seek work in national and international conservation organizations and ecological consultancies, government agencies, or even to set up their own non-governmental organization (NGO). Students may also choose to continue their conservation research or go on to doctorate-level studies.