Conservation Science and Practice
Learn to lead conservation programmes to tackle global biodiversity challenges based on conservation science practice
Learn to lead conservation programmes to tackle global biodiversity challenges based on conservation science practice
Gain practical experience and insights through fieldwork and field trips
Complete an independent research project in an area of your choice in the UK or abroad
Course key facts
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Qualification
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MSc
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Duration
1 year, 2 years
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Start date
September 2025
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Study mode
Full-time, Part-time
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Fees
£16,200 Home
£33,100 Overseas
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Delivered by
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Location
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Online
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South Kensington
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Minimum entry standard
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2:1 in any subject. Science, engineering or social science subjects are preferred. Relevant industry experience may also be considered.
Course overview
How effective are the world’s protected areas at saving our species and how can we improve them? How does conservation impact people? If these critical biodiversity questions and challenges inspire you, this course is for you.
You’ll balance engaging online activities alongside intensive in-person work to learn the fundamentals of biodiversity conservation, how to manage, deliver and evaluate the impacts of conservation programmes, and deploy tools and frameworks to tackle complex conservation problems effectively, thoughtfully, and ethically.
This course consists of two intensive in person 3-week periods at the Centre for Environmental Policy in South Kensington (one during the first and one during the second term), where students will benefit from seminars, practicals and fieldtrips. The rest of the course is delivered remotely and online, this offers students flexibility and a fantastic opportunity to interact and be taught by world leaders in conservation science and practice from all over the world. Fieldtrips and coursework will give you the opportunity to put your theoretical skills and knowledge into practice, whilst you will also get the chance to conduct an independent research project in an area of your interest in the UK or abroad. Part-time students complete their project in their second year.
The course will help equip you with the skills to be a pioneer within the next generation of conservation scientists and practitioners, able to solve sustainability and environmental problems in a range of academic, research, governmental and non-governmental organisations.
Structure
This page is updated regularly to reflect the latest version of the curriculum. However, this information is subject to change.
Find out more about potential course changes.
Please note: it may not always be possible to take specific combinations of modules due to timetabling conflicts. For confirmation, please check with the relevant department.
You'll take all of these modules. First year part-time students will undertake all core modules alongside full-time students.
Core modules
Gain an understanding of the critical concepts of conservation science, how they developed and how they are used in international conservation efforts.
Consider social and ecological processes, system dynamics and feedback loops at local, regional and global scales. Explore how these influence the effectiveness of potential solutions to environmental problems.
Discover techniques for effective decision-making within conservation programmes.
Build a solid understanding of concepts and quantitative and qualitative methods that provide the foundation for ecological and social research.
Develop the practical skills to lead, fund, manage and deliver projects to become an effective conservation practitioner and researcher.
Learn techniques to make data analysis and literature reviews reproducible and learn a core set of statistical methods used in social and ecological research.
Critically examine whether conservation actions lead to positive outcomes for both nature and humanity. Explore the importance of monitoring and evaluation to underpinning more effective, evidence-informed conservation.
Complete an independent research project in an area of your interest.
You'll have the opportunity to work with academic research groups or projects supported by external partners, or develop your own projects.
You’ll carry out the project over one-year, full time. On the part-time version of this course, you'll complete this project in your second year after completing the core modules in the first year.
Entry requirements
We consider all applicants on an individual basis, welcoming students from all over the world.
Teaching and assessment
Balance of teaching and learning
Key
- Coursework
- Research project
- 50% Coursework
- 50% Research project
Teaching and learning methods
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Lectures
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Seminars
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Computer-based work
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Field trips
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Group work
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Data analysis
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Virtual learning environment
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Independent research project
Balance of assessment
Key
- Independent research project
- Taught modules
- 50% Independent research project
- 50% Taught modules
Assessment methods
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Group presentations
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Reports
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Individual presentations
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Group discussions
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Coursework
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Individual research project
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How to apply
Apply online
You can submit one application form per year of entry. You can choose up to two courses.
Application deadlines – Round 1 closes on Thursday 16 January 2025
We operate a staged admissions process with several application rounds throughout the year.
Apply by 23.59 (UK time) on the closing date of an application round, to ensure you receive a response on your application by the relevant decision date.
Application rounds
Round 1
- Apply by Thursday 16 January 2025
- Decision by Thursday 6 March 2025
Round 2
- Apply by Thursday 27 March 2025
- Decision by Thursday 1 May 2025
Round 3
- Apply by Thursday 15 May 2025
- Decision by Thursday 17 July 2025
There is no application fee for MRes courses, Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas, or courses such as PhDs and EngDs.
If you are applying for a taught Master’s course, you will need to pay an application fee before submitting your application.
The fee applies per application and not per course.
- £80 for all taught Master's applications, excluding those to the Imperial College Business School.
- £100 for all MSc applications to the Imperial College Business School.
- £150 for all MBA applications to the Imperial College Business School.
If you are facing financial hardship and are unable to pay the application fee, we encourage you to apply for our application fee waiver.
Find out more about how to apply for a Master's course, including references and personal statements.
An ATAS certificate is not required for students applying for this course.
Please note that, as a result of these taught remote sessions, our course is currently classified as a blended learning programme. This means the university will be unable to sponsor a student route visa, and that to undertake the face-to-face elements of this degree you will need to enter the UK on a visitor visa.
Tuition fees
Home fee
Full-time
£16,200
Part-time
£8,100per year
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the university, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
For courses starting on or after 1 August 2024, the maximum amount is £12,471. The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Overseas fee
Full-time
£33,100
Part-time
£16,550per year
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the university, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
If you're a UK national, or EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan from the UK government, if you meet certain criteria.
For courses starting on or after 1 August 2024, the maximum amount is £12,471. The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
How will studying at Imperial help my career?
The Centre for Environmental Policy (CEP) draws on global expertise from social scientists, economists, engineers, and physical scientists.
Be involved in cutting-edge research on environmental sustainability.
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Gain a range of transferable skills required for a conservation career.
Other potential career paths include environment and sustainability roles within academia, research, and governmental and non-governmental organisations.
Further links
Contact the department
- Telephone: +44 (0)20 7594 9347
- Email: enquiries.env@imperial.ac.uk
Course Director: Dr Morena Mills
View the Centre for Environmental Policy website.
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Request info
Find out more about studying at Imperial. Receive updates about life in our community, including event invites and download our latest Study guide.
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Meet us and find out more about studying at Imperial.
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Terms and conditions
There are some important pieces of information you should be aware of when applying to Imperial. These include key information about your tuition fees, funding, visas, accommodation and more.
You can find further information about your course, including degree classifications, regulations, progression and awards in the programme specification for your course.
Programme specifications