University College London (UCL)
Conservation MSc
London, United Kingdom
MSc
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
The Conservation MSc program provides a comprehensive overview of key issues in environmental conservation and sustainable development. It covers a wide range of topics, including the science of ecosystems, biodiversity, climate change, and the social and political factors that influence conservation efforts. Students learn to apply practical skills in areas like geographic information systems (GIS), research methods, and policy analysis, preparing them to work effectively across different sectors. The course emphasizes critical thinking and problem-solving to address real-world conservation challenges.
The program also encourages students to develop a global perspective on conservation practices. It incorporates case studies and project work, allowing learners to gain hands-on experience and work collaboratively on issues such as habitat preservation and resource management. Students can explore various specializations within the field and have opportunities to engage with industry professionals. The curriculum aims to equip graduates with the knowledge and skills needed to make a positive impact in conservation roles worldwide, whether in policy, research, or practical application.
UCL Scholarships
There are a number of scholarships available to postgraduate students, including our UCL Masters Bursary for UK students and our UCL Global Masters Scholarship for international students. You can click the link below to search via the scholarships finder for awards that you might be eligible for. Your academic department will also be able to provide you with more information about funding.
External Scholarships
Online aggregators like Postgraduate Studentships, Scholarship Search, Postgraduate Funding and International Financial Aid and College Scholarship Search contain information on a variety of external schemes.
If you have specific circumstances or ethnic or religious background it is worth searching for scholarships/bursaries/grants that relate to those things. Some schemes are very specific.
Funding for disabled students
Master's students who have a disability may be able to get extra funding for additional costs they incur to study.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through lectures, seminars, computer practicals, and field studies, including a residential field class to Norfolk.
Assessment is through coursework, essays and the dissertation, which includes a presentation of dissertation results.
Each 15 credit module involves 150 hours of learning, including lectures, practicals, pre-recorded lectures, independent study, peer-to-peer learning, tutorial support, and assessment and assessment preparation. This will be supplemented by voluntary in-person activities including research seminars and assessment and feedback hours.
For full-time students, this is typically around 12 hours per week contact time. Outside of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials, you will typically study the equivalent of a full-time job, using your remaining time for self-directed study and completing coursework assignments. Approximately one further week will be taken up with field work. Additionally, you will be expected to complete a dissertation, worth up to 60 credits. You will have regular contact with your supervisor(s) who will guide and support you throughout your work.
Modules
Full-time
You will take eight taught modules and undertake a research dissertation.
Term One:
- You will take 4 compulsory modules one of which contains residential field-work elements. See below for further details.
Term Two:
- You will take 4 optional modules from a range of Geography modules available. Depending on availability, choices may include residential field classes based in the UK or overseas.
Students can select from a range of optional modules such as GEOG0160 Rewilding, GEOG0179 Field Evidence of Environmental Change, GEOG0035 Environmental GIS, GEOG0084 Politics of Climate Change or GEOG0179 Designing and Managing Citizen Science.
Term Three:
- While some dissertation planning often commences in term one, the main research and writing are conducted in term three and over the summer. Some of our field-based modules are also scheduled to run in the 3rd term.
Part-time
Year One:
- In term one you will take 2 compulsory modules.
- In term two you will take 2 optional modules.
Year Two:
- In term one you will take the 2 remaining compulsory modules.
- In term two you will take 2 optional modules.
- In term three and over the summer you will complete the research dissertation.
Compulsory modules
- Research Project and Dissertation
- Scientific Basis for Freshwater and Coastal Conservation
- Tropical Futures
- Conservation and Environmental Management
- Environmental Data Acquisition and Analysis
Optional modules
- Politics of Climate Change
- Coastal Geohazards
- Environmental GIS
- Lakes
- Aquatic Macrophytes
- Biological Indicators of Environmental Change
- Climate Proxies
- Introduction to Citizen Science and Scientific Crowdsourcing
- Rewilding
- Field Evidence of Environmental Change
- Designing and Managing Citizen Science
Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Conservation. Upon successful completion of 120 credits, you will be awarded a PG Dip in Conservation. Upon successful completion of 60 credits, you will be awarded a PG Cert in Conservation.
Fieldwork
Planned fieldwork includes a residential field study to a coastal site in Norfolk, as well as the option to join a residential field class, either in the UK or at an overseas destination.
What this course will give you
The Conservation MSc is run by UCL Geography, which enjoys an outstanding international reputation for its research and teaching. The Department ranked 7th in the QS World Rankings by Subject 2024, which also highlighted its high employer reputation.
The programme is unique not only on account of its long history and extensive alumni network, but also due to its vocational orientation, its integration of natural and social science aspects of the discipline, and the active involvement of nature conservation professionals in the delivery of degree material.
Research groups contributing to this MSc include those concerned with recent environmental change and biodiversity; environmental modelling and observation; and environment, politics and society. The programme also benefits from the participation of staff from a variety of external conservation and environmental organisations.
The foundation of your career
Conservation MSc graduates have been very successful in securing employment with prestigious organisations like:
- Natural England
- ZSL
- Kew Gardens
- A wide range of conservation organisations across the world
We are extremely proud that the current Chair of Natural England and the CEO of the Wildlife Trusts are both alumni of the programme.
According to the Graduate Outcomes survey 2017-2022, our students have also gone on to work in sectors like:
- Scientific research and development
- Consultancy
- Energy, natural resources and environment agencies
- Academic research and Higher Education
- Policy and government
Employability
The programme caters to both vocational and academic careers. It is designed to strongly enhance career prospects by training our students in transferable skills attractive to employers across the conservation sector, and in associated fields, such as:
- Ability to design and carry out original research.
- Critical analysis and interpretation of data.
- Creation of scientific outputs in a range of different forms.
You will also learn to solve problems and issues and to build positive working relationships.
Networking
Students will benefit from the expertise of our world-class researchers and due to the interdisciplinary nature of our work, you can develop your knowledge across subjects, learning from academics not only in Geography but the wider UCL community as well. The department also hosts annual careers events where alumni share their experience of post-graduation training and employment across the wide variety of opportunities available to geography graduates.