Conservation Medicine (Online Learning) MVetSci, PgDip (ICL), PgCert (ICL), PgProfDev
Online
DURATION
2 up to 6 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
22 Aug 2025
EARLIEST START DATE
08 Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
GBP 19,100 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
* estimated tuition for conservation medicine (MSc) | PgCert: £6,370 | PgDip: £12,735
Introduction
Conservation Medicine is an established field that continues to evolve as we develop our ability to study the complex relationships and interactions between animal health, human health and ecosystem health. It emerged in the 1990s as a response to the need for a more holistic and interdisciplinary approach to the conservation of biodiversity. In particular, the importance of health in many conservation issues was widely recognised. With its foundation in the principles of conservation biology, Conservation Medicine incorporates contributions from:
- The health sciences
- Ecology
- The social sciences
It may be regarded as the application of One Health to the conservation of biodiversity.
How will I learn?
This program provides veterinarians with the skills, knowledge and global networks required to become effective practitioners of Conservation Medicine.
It is an online programme and the flexible and part-time format allows participants to achieve a world-class award while maintaining busy professional and personal commitments.
Suitable applicants will be qualified veterinarians with an interest in:
- Conservation
- Wildlife health
- Ecological health
It is suitable for veterinarians without any wildlife experience as well as those already working in conservation.
Participants will gain enhanced career opportunities in:
- Academia
- Non-governmental organisations
- Government veterinary positions
- Captive or free-ranging wildlife conservation projects
You will also be better able to drive the development of novel career pathways as this field continues to evolve in response to the complexity of the conservation challenges we face.
Awards: MVetSci, PgDip (ICL), PgCert (ICL), PgProfDev
Program Outcome
To provide veterinarians with the skills and knowledge required to be effective practitioners of conservation medicine.
In response to the increasing recognition of a need for trained veterinarians in this field, this online learning programme is aimed specifically at veterinarians, to provide them with the skills and knowledge required to be effective practitioners of conservation medicine, and to enable them to assist in the development of solutions to ecological health issues.
The programme aims to:
- Enhance knowledge and understanding of conservation medicines from a global perspective in order to enable effective veterinary participation in this complex interdisciplinary field
- Enhance knowledge and skills relating to the diseases of wild animals and veterinary aspects of the conservation of endangered species
- Assess, assimilate and apply scientific evidence, that may be limited or incomplete, to real-life situations and develop appropriate, timely and adaptable responses and solutions to conservation medicine challenges
- Provide a first-class learning experience, leading to the development of proactive, independent, reflective and life-long learners
Career Opportunities
Graduates can expect to enhance their career prospects in:
- Academia
- Research
- Governmental and non-governmental organisations
- Consultancies
- Government veterinary positions
- Captive or free-ranging wildlife conservation projects
You will be better able to drive the development of novel career pathways as this field continues to evolve in response to the complexity of the conservation challenges we face.
Curriculum
The degree programme is structured to allow sequential progression from individual courses to Certificate, Diploma and MVetSci phases. Students may also exit the programme on completion of each phase.
The programme is designed to be taken part-time over three years at 20 hours per week, with the option to complete in up to six years if required.
The programme is modular in structure, offering a flexible student-centred approach to the choice of courses studied.
The completion times are as follows:
- PgCert: 1-2 years
- PgDip: 2-4 years
- MVetSci: 3-6 years
You may undertake the programme by Intermittent Study (flexible progression route), accruing credits within a maximum time limit of six years for the MVetSci.
Postgraduate Professional Development
Postgraduate Professional Development (PPD) is aimed at working professionals who want to advance their knowledge through a postgraduate-level course(s), without the time or financial commitment of a full Master's, Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate.
You may take a maximum of 50 credits worth of courses over two years through our PPD scheme. These lead to a University of Edinburgh postgraduate award of academic credit. Alternatively, after one year of taking courses, you can choose to transfer your credits and continue to study towards a higher award on a Master's, Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate programme.
Although PPD courses have various start dates throughout the year, currently, you may only start a Master, Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate programme in September. Any time spent studying PPD will be deducted from the amount of time you will have left to complete a Master's, Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate programme.
Admissions
Program Tuition Fee
Scholarships and Funding
Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.
Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:
- Borrowing money
- Taking out a loan
- Family support
- Taking out a loan
- Family support
- Personal savings
- Income from work
- Employer sponsorship
- Scholarships
Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study
As this is a part-time intermittent programme, also known as invoiced-at-course-level (ICL), it is not eligible for UK government loan funding.
The University of Edinburgh offers a small number of scholarships to outstanding candidates. These are very competitive. We publish data on the success rate for scholarship applications to help you understand the level of demand.
Student Testimonials
Program delivery
Online learning
As an online programme, the flexible and part-time format allows participants to achieve a world-class award while maintaining busy professional and personal commitments.
Our online learning technology is supported by our investment in our Digital Education Unit who have extensive experience of pedagogy in today’s age of digital connection. They work closely with the teaching staff to deliver a fully interactive, award-winning experience that enables you to communicate with our highly qualified teaching staff from the comfort of your home or workplace.
Our online students not only have access to the University of Edinburgh’s excellent resources but also become part of a supportive online community, bringing together students and tutors from around the world.
The teaching provides a blend of theoretical and practical education to provide the foundation for a career in conservation. A variety of innovative techniques and approaches to teaching are used including:
- Online lectures
- Case studies
- Discussion forums
- Personal or group activities
Participants will have a unique opportunity to learn from internationally recognised specialists, both within the University of Edinburgh and from local and international organisations.
Program Admission Requirements
Show your commitment and readiness for Grad school by taking the GRE - the most broadly accepted exam for graduate programs internationally.