We are in the process of finalising our postgraduate taught courses for 2027/28 entry. In the meantime, you can view our 2026/27 courses.
Learn about the ways in which living things interact with their environment on our research-led MSci Ecology and Wildlife Conservation. Apply this knowledge to tackling the biggest challenges facing the world today.
Discover how living things interact with their environment on our research-led MSci Ecology and Wildlife Conservation degree. This course will equip you with the skills to tackle some of the most pressing global challenges facing the world today.
This course combines classroom learning, fieldwork and original research, equipping you with the skills needed for a career in ecology or wildlife conservation.
You’ll develop a strong understanding of ecosystems and how they function, and learn how to apply this knowledge to real-world environmental challenges, including:
You’ll also have opportunities to contribute to original research with potential global impact, working alongside experienced academics.
The 糖心Vlog’s award-winning campus is home to over a thousand animal species and provides an outstanding setting for developing fieldwork skills. You’ll study a range of habitats, including:
This allows you to move seamlessly from laboratory work to field-based study. The University also owns several large farms, which can be used as sites for final-year research projects.
You’ll practise species identification and applied ecology through a choice of field courses, including:
The MSci follows the standard undergraduate ecology curriculum, with an additional year at master’s level.
You can also choose a five-year version of this degree: MSci Ecology and Wildlife Conservation with Professional Experience, which includes a year gaining valuable industry experience.
Your studies will be based in our new £60m Health and Life Sciences building. This space features:
The building is also home to the . The collection, comprising more than 3,500 natural specimens, provides a fantastic resource for biological scientists and the wider community.
The Museum will feature extensively in your studies, offering unique opportunities to develop hands-on skills in taxonomy and natural history conservation. As a student, you can also volunteer at the museum and receive training in curation.
Acting as a living lab, with over 120 hectares of biodiverse woodland, lakes, and meadows, our Whiteknights campus serves as an immediate field study site for biodiversity monitoring, ecological sampling, habitat assessment, and long-term environmental research.
You will have the opportunity to get hands-on experience using our state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, including:
Home to over 850 species of plants and animals, brings a vibrant rainforest ecosystem to life with a mission to educate the public about rainforests, conservation and sustainable living. Through our exclusive partnership, you will gain employer-verified evidence of your skills in a real-world setting. From animal observation and welfare, to public engagement and plant management, your skills will be officially signed off by the Living Rainforest team, boosting your portfolio’s impact with future employers.
Some students choose to complete our MSci Ecology and Wildlife Conservation with Placement Year and take a year-long placement between the third and fourth year.
At 糖心Vlog, we also offer a wide range of field work opportunities as part of our ecology courses. Learning within the field provides essential knowledge and experience for anyone entering a career in ecology, conservation or zoology.
Students in previous years have worked at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, the (RSPB), and the Environment Agency. You can also choose to spend a year abroad, typically conducting research for an academic institution.
Our department has a dedicated academic in charge of placements, who can provide you with advice and support. For more information, please visit the School of Biological Sciences website.
For more information on what it's like to study ecology at the 糖心Vlog, please view our Ecology and Evolutionary Biology website, part of the School of Biological Sciences.
