Close

Conservation Ecology

MSc or PGDip or PGCert

Start dates: September 2025 / September 2026

Full time: MSc: 12 months, PGDip: 8 months, PGCert: 8 months

Part time: MSc: 24 months, PGDip: 20 months, PGCert: 8 months

Location: Headington

Department(s): School of Biological and Medical Sciences

Overview
Course details
Careers
Entry requirements
How to apply
Tuition fees

Find a course

Expand

Overview

Global ecosystems are battling for survival. For decades, human activity has caused our planet untold damage. But there’s hope. We believe that a different kind of human activity can save it. 

Our MSc Conservation Ecology degree gives you the skills to tackle the urgent global ecological crisis. Our lecturers, with their real-world experience, will prepare you for a rewarding career that requires strong species identification, ecology, technology, and communication skills.

Conservation needs a diversity of passionate, innovative and motivated people. So this course welcomes those with a science background and those looking for a career change. You are also welcome if your background is in:

  • the medical profession
  • journalism
  • business
  • social sciences
  • humanities; or other areas.

You’ll have the opportunity to gain translatable skills that can make a valuable contribution to conservation. 

Join us and be the change you want to see in the world. 

Attend an open day or webinar Ask a question Order a prospectus

student-in-the-field-examining-plant-features-using-a-hand-lens

Why Oxford Brookes University?

  • Research excellence

    We offer opportunities to conduct outstanding and inspiring research. 95% of our research in Biological Sciences is internationally recognised.

  • CIEEM accreditation

    This accreditation by the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management shows that the course promotes the highest standards of practice. Successful completion of this course makes you eligible for graduate membership to CIEEM. 

  • Strong industry links

    We have strong links with domestic and globally significant conservation and ecological organisations.

  • Access to outstanding environmental sites

    You'll have access to a variety of natural and managed landscapes including the exceptional habitats of the world-renowned Wytham woods.

  • Extensive networking opportunities

    You will engage with external organisations to fulfil curricula and project activities. You will have the opportunity to be involved with natural history museums, botanic gardens, recording schemes, government and charity organisations, including our network of land managers and practitioners. 

  • Accreditation(s)

    CIEEM

    • CIEEM Accredited Degree Pathway

Course details

Course structure

Our masters’ has two pathways – conservation within the UK/EU or internationally.

The core modules for both pathways are:

  • Ecology for Conservation 
  • Research Skills for Conservation Ecology
  • Research Project.

The UK/EU pathway core includes: 

  • Taxonomy and Identification
  • + 3 optional modules.

The International pathway core includes: 

  • International Legislation, Humans and Wildlife
  • + 3 optional modules

Your optional modules can include:

  • Any of the above listed modules not already studied
  • Any of the listed optional modules.

We also offer a postgraduate diploma and postgraduate certificate options. These can stand alone as a qualification or serve as a step towards the full master’s.

The course structure supports working professionals. Your modules are clustered to reduce the number of days you will be on campus.

students-conducting-vegetation-surveys-in-the-field

Learning and teaching

You will be taught with a variety of methods, including:

  • field visits and exercises
  • lectures
  • directed reading
  • workshops
  • seminars
  • practical exercises
  • laboratory sessions
  • project work.

Teaching focuses on current issues in conservation associated with:

  • environmental change
  • species identification
  • survey techniques
  • the key theoretical underpinning of conservation ecology
  • national and international wildlife legislation
  • GIS
  • human-wildlife conflicts
  • biodiversity assessment
  • environmental impact assessment.

Assessment

You will be assessed using a variety of methods including:

  • scientific reports
  • verbal presentations
  • mock grant applications
  • critiques of published work and reports
  • taxonomic collections
  • dissertation, covering your research topic.

You will be assessed separately for the different subject areas relating to conservation through assignments, presentations and project reports.

We give you detailed feedback on all your submissions and provide opportunities for formative feedback.

Field Trips

The course has a large practical component, developing survey and assessment methods as well as identification skills. We use the varied landscape of Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire as our natural laboratory. This landscape is used to illustrate major conservation issues as well.

Most of this field work is conducted as part of your modules during semesters. But we also have a field skills based period at the end of the taught component of the course. We also offer opportunities to work towards gaining specialist licences, which are invaluable for consultancy work.

There are no extra costs associated with the fieldwork components of this MSc.

Study modules

The modules listed below are for the master’s award. For the PGDip and PGCert awards your module choices may be different. Please contact us for more details.

EU/UK conservation pathway

Compulsory modules

  • Ecology for Conservation (20 credits)

    This module introduces appropriate theory and methods together with examination of areas of controversy and best practice for habitat and species conservation and monitoring.

  • Research Skills for Conservation Ecology

    This module looks at the practical aspects of scientific work, such as designing and analysing experiments and presenting proposals for research and results to prospective employers.

  • Taxonomy and Identification (20 credits)

    This module develops taxonomic skills by asking you to focus on the processes of identification of species and recognition of key characteristics of selected taxonomic groups. Skills are learned through practical studies in the field and the use of collections and appropriate taxonomic tools.

Optional modules

Ecosystem Degradation and Management (20 credits)

This module considers the nature and extent of ecosystem degradation resulting from human activities and the methods for conserving and restoring degraded ecosystems.

International Legislation, Humans and Wildlife (20 credits)

This module examines the role of international legislation in wildlife conservation and trade, and standard methods for assessing the status of species and habitats, together with a consideration of the role of human-wildlife conflicts in conservation.

Geographical Information Systems and Spatial Analysis (20 credits)

This module looks at the practical application of GIS and other computer-based techniques and models as tools to assist in environmental decision making.

Advanced molecular techniques (20 credits)

Effective and Proportionate Environmental Impact Assessment (20 credits)

Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (20 credits)

This module introduces the methods and practices of biodiversity assessment at large spatial scales and examines the essential role the components of biodiversity have in providing services for humankind.

Conservation Education and Outreach (20 credits)

This module provides the knowledge base required for effective conservation action. This module centres on practical ways of conveying information about environmental decline and how public understanding is essential for effective conservation.

Genetic and Population Management (20 credits)

This module leads to an advanced understanding of the genetic and demographic management of both small captive populations and those that have become isolated in the wild. Principles of molecular and population genetics are placed in a practical context, and the skills of DNA sequencing and the use of micro-satellites and random sequencing techniques to assess genetic relationships are developed.

Independent Study (20 credits)

International pathway

Compulsory modules

  • Ecology for Conservation (20 credits)

    This module introduces appropriate theory and methods together with examination of areas of controversy and best practice for habitat and species conservation and monitoring.

  • Research Skills for Conservation Ecology (20 credits)

    This module looks at the practical aspects of scientific work, such as designing and analysing experiments and presenting proposals for research and results to prospective employers.

  • International Legislation, Humans and Wildlife (20 credits)

    This module examines the role of international legislation in wildlife conservation and trade, and standard methods for assessing the status of species and habitats, together with a consideration of the role of human-wildlife conflicts in conservation.

Optional modules

Ecosystem Degradation and Management (20 credits)

This module considers the nature and extent of ecosystem degradation resulting from human activities and the methods for conserving and restoring degraded ecosystems.

Advanced molecular techniques (20 credits)

Taxonomy and Identification (20 credits)

This module develops taxonomic skills by asking you to focus on the processes of identification of species and recognition of key characteristics of selected taxonomic groups. Skills are learned through practical studies in the field and the use of collections and appropriate taxonomic tools.

Effective and Proportionate Environmental Impact Assessment (20 credits)

Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (20 credits)

This module introduces the methods and practices of biodiversity assessment at large spatial scales and examines the essential role the components of biodiversity have in providing services for humankind.

Geographical Information Systems and Spatial Analysis (20 credits)

This module looks at the practical application of GIS and other computer-based techniques and models as tools to assist in environmental decision making.

Genetic and Population Management (20 credits)

This module leads to an advanced understanding of the genetic and demographic management of both small captive populations and those that have become isolated in the wild. Principles of molecular and population genetics are placed in a practical context, and the skills of DNA sequencing and the use of micro-satellites and random sequencing techniques to assess genetic relationships are developed.

Conservation Education and Outreach (20 credits)

This module provides the knowledge base required for effective conservation action. This module centres on practical ways of conveying information about environmental decline and how public understanding is essential for effective conservation.

Independent Study (20 credits)

Placement

Optional modules

Work placement and professional recognition

We encourage you to conduct your research project with conservation organisations or with one of our research groups. We have good links with a range of national and local conservation organisations and ecological consultancies. On successful completion of this MSc, you will be eligible to apply for graduate membership of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management. With an additional two years' work experience, you will be eligible to apply for associate membership.

Final project

Compulsory modules

  • Research Project (60 credits)

    This module is required for the MSc. It involves an individual research study on a selected topic in Conservation Ecology.

Please note: As our courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, the modules you can choose from may vary from those shown here. The structure of the course may also mean some modules are not available to you.

Research

Our Centre for Ecology, Environment and Conservation is developing the use of mobile applications for data collection and processing in the field.

Research in the following areas is undertaken via the Centre for Ecology, Environment and Conservation:

  • invertebrate ecology and biogeography
  • evolutionary developmental biology
  • spatial ecology and land use
  • evolution of animal development and morphology.
Student researching on a laptop

Careers

This course is a vocational, work-ready master’s designed to fulfil the current requests from industry. As a graduate of this degree, you’ll be highly prized by employers in the ecological monitoring and conservation industry. Your unique skill set of national and international policy, statistical and mapping tools, identification, and ecological monitoring will be invaluable to different types of organisations. 

Popular job roles include:

  • conservationist
  • ecologist
  • environmental consultant
  • field trial officer
  • researcher
  • geospatial analyst
  • biosecurity officer
  • environmental educator
  • collection manager
  • teacher
  • lecturer.

Graduates have gone on to work for environmental consultants, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), Natural England, the Environment Agency, DEFRA, natural history museums, wildlife parks, forestry organisations, NGOs, or created their own consultancies.

Student profiles

George Lewis

"We were exposed to conservation in the real world, not only through habitat and species identification, but also current habitat management and restoration best practices."

Read more about George
Left
Right

Entry requirements

International qualifications and equivalences

How to apply

Application process


Apply now

Tuition fees

Please see the fees note
Home (UK) full time
£9,750
Home (UK) part time
£4,875
International full time
£17,350
Home (UK) full time
£10,150
Home (UK) part time
£5,075
International full time
£17,750

Questions about fees?

Contact Student Finance on:

financefees@brookes.ac.uk

Tuition fees

2024 / 25
Home (UK) full time
£9,750
Home (UK) part time
£4,875
International full time
£17,350
2025 / 26
Home (UK) full time
£10,150
Home (UK) part time
£5,075
International full time
£17,750

Questions about fees?

Contact Student Finance on:

+44 (0)1865 534400

financefees@brookes.ac.uk

Fees quoted are for the first year only. If you are studying a course that lasts longer than one year, your fees will increase each year.

The following factors will be taken into account by the University when it is setting the annual fees: inflationary measures such as the retail price indices, projected increases in University costs, changes in the level of funding received from Government sources, admissions statistics and access considerations including the availability of student support.

How and when to pay

Tuition fee instalments for the semester are due by the Monday of week 1 of each semester. Students are not liable for full fees for that semester if they leave before week 4. If the leaving date is after week 4, full fees for the semester are payable.

  • For information on payment methods please see our Make a Payment page.
  • For information about refunds please visit our Refund policy page

Financial support and scholarships

For general sources of financial support, see our Fees and funding pages.

Additional costs

Please be aware that some courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. Specific additional costs for this course are detailed below.

Programme changes:
On rare occasions we may need to make changes to our course programmes after they have been published on the website. For more information, please visit our changes to programmes page.