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
October 2023
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Study mode
Full-time, Part-time
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Fees
Full-time: £14,700
Part-time: £7,350 per year HomeFull-time: £30,000
Part-time: £15,000 per year 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 2023
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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.
Being predominantly delivered via remote, live sessions (85% of time), this course offers students flexibility and a fantastic opportunity to be taught by world leaders in conservation science and practice. Students also benefit from practicals, fieldtrips, and seminars delivered during two intensive in-person teaching periods at the Centre for Environmental Policy in South Kensington. 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.
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
How to apply
Apply online
You can submit one application form per year of entry. You can choose up to two courses.
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 MBA applications to the Imperial College Business School
There is no application fee for MRes courses, Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas or research courses, such as PhDs and EngDs.
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.
Tuition fees
Home fee
Full-time
£14,700
Part-time
£7,350per year
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the College, 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 2022-23 entry, the maximum amount was £11,836. 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
£30,000
Part-time
£15,000per year
You should expect and budget for your fees to increase each year.
Your fee is based on the year you enter the College, 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 2022-23 entry, the maximum amount was £11,836. The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Your future 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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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