Conservation and Biodiversity MSc

Program Overview

The University of Exeter's MSc in Conservation and Biodiversity provides students with expertise in both research and practical conservation skills through a combination of taught modules, fieldwork opportunities (including a residential course in Africa), and a substantial research project. The program fosters connections with external agencies, ensuring relevance and employability, and offers a vibrant postgraduate community within the Graduate School of Environment and Sustainability.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• Program Design: Designed in consultation with external agencies to ensure relevant training that maximizes graduate employability and targets both research and practical conservation skills.
• Fieldwork: Offers substantial fieldwork opportunities in the UK and overseas, including a field course in Africa.
A low-carbon alternative program with a UK field course is also available.
• Faculty: Delivered by leading international researchers in Ecology and Conservation.
• Facilities: Offers access to excellent facilities including state-of-the-art research laboratories, greenhouses, and controlled environment rooms.
• Demand: Due to high demand, early application is highly recommended.
Waiting lists or program closure may occur if demand is exceptionally high.

Outline:

• Program Structure: Taught component delivered in the first five months, followed by a research project for the remainder of the academic year.
• Modules:
• Core Modules:
The specific modules may vary depending on staff availability, research interests, new topics of study, timetabling, and student demand.
• Research Project: A significant component of the program, with a wide range of research topics offered by University of Exeter academics in the UK and overseas.
Students can also choose to work with an external collaborating organization as a placement student during their research project, potentially located anywhere in the world.
• Fieldwork:
• Africa Field Course:
A two-week residential course in Africa, visiting some of Africa's largest and most important game reserves. Students will study the behavior of various wild animals, focusing on large mammals, birds, and insects. Travel and subsistence costs are included in the program fee, but additional costs for equipment may apply.
• UK Field Course: A low-carbon alternative field course option available in the UK, focusing on the meaning of "wild" in the UK and exploring the political, regulatory, economic, scientific, ecological, and social aspects of biodiversity conservation in a changing world.
This option offers lower tuition fees.

Assessment:

• Taught Modules: Assessed through formal oral presentations, written reports, essays, and discussions during or upon completion of the modules.
• Research Project: Makes up a significant portion of the assessment and is primarily based on the dissertation write-up.

Teaching:

• Teaching Methods: Seminars, workshops, fieldwork, group discussions, and independent study.
• Faculty: A large number of University of Exeter academics are involved in the program, offering a diverse range of research topics.
• Support: Each student is assigned a personal tutor for advice and support throughout their studies.
• Graduate School of Environment and Sustainability: Students become part of the Graduate School of Environment & Sustainability, a vibrant and supportive postgraduate community based at the Penryn campus in Cornwall.
This interdisciplinary environment allows students to interact with other MSc students and explore issues from various perspectives.

Careers:

• Skills Developed: Scientific writing and poster preparation, grant writing, public speaking, short film production, press release and professional use of social media, data analysis, writing scientific information for a lay audience, use of "R" and GIS.
• Career Destinations: Environmental NGOs, government conservation agencies, ecological consultancy companies in the UK and overseas.
• Career Services: The Career Zone offers guidance and resources to match skills and interests with suitable career paths.
The team works with regional, national, and international employers to develop work placement, project, and graduate opportunities.
• Networking: The program offers extensive networking opportunities through extracurricular research seminars, on-campus symposia, and employability-focused seminars involving external stakeholders.

Other:

• Program Variants: The program offers two variants:
• MSc Conservation and Biodiversity with International Field Course:
Includes the two-week field course in Africa.
• MSc Conservation and Biodiversity with UK Field Course: Includes the low-carbon alternative field course option in the UK.
• Collaborating Organizations: The program collaborates with various organizations, including Cornwall Wildlife Trust, Butterfly Conservation, Marine Conservation Society, Natural England, Plymouth Marine Lab, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), and the Zoological Society of London.
These organizations contribute through guest lectures, field visits, specific training courses, and research project opportunities.
• Student Community: The program fosters a diverse and inclusive community, bringing together students from different backgrounds, nationalities, ages, and interests.
• Program Flexibility: The program offers flexibility in module choices, allowing students to tailor their learning to their specific interests.

2024/25 entry UK fees per year: £15,700 full-time; £7,850 part-time International fees per year: £29,500 full-time; £14,750 part-time MSc Conservation and Biodiversity with UK field course UK fees per year: £14,500 full-time; £7,250 part-time International fees per year: £28,300 full-time; £14,150 part-time