Living Planet with Ecological Applications MSc

Ecological Applications
  • Postgraduate taught
  • MSc

Living Planet with Ecological Applications

Receive theoretical and hands-on training in the application of ecological and evolutionary science.

Receive theoretical and hands-on training in the application of ecological and evolutionary science

Develop your expertise alongside external partners and leading researchers in the field

Apply your research skills to real world problems on an extended project

Course key facts

  • Qualification

    • MSc

  • Duration

    1 year

  • Start date

    September 2025

  • Study mode

    Full-time

  • Fees

    • £15,800 Home

    • £34,250 Overseas

  • Delivered by

  • Location

    • Silwood Park

Minimum entry standard

  • 2:1 in a science subject

View full entry requirements

Course overview

Receive broad training in the application of ecological and evolutionary theory on this Master's course.

You'll acquire the practical, quantitative and analytical skills required for a successful career in ecological research and apply your skills to real-world problems.

Taught in partnership with leading organisations, which may include CABI, Surrey Wildlife Trust, and Syngenta, this course will enable you to forge close links to industry and nongovernmental organisations.

Through this work, you’ll develop the expertise required for further study at PhD level or for a career in applied ecology and conservation.

At the beginning of the course you will have the option to choose between focusing on developing your computational or field skills. You’ll carry out two group projects with external partners before applying your knowledge to an individual research project.

You'll also evaluate the ecological principles of population and environmental management and control, and consider the social and economic dimensions of related policy.

MSc Living Planet programme

Our MSc Living Planet course will equip you to tackle the great environmental challenges facing the world, providing training on the transferrable research skills you’ll need to develop science-based understanding and interventions. All our MSc Living Planet streams are available in full-time or part-time modes.

You may wish to consider if another stream is right for you according to your career aims and background:

MRes Living Planet course

We also offer an MRes in Living Planet course with the following streams:

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 complete all the following core modules.

  • Statistics in R
  • Introduction to Ecological and Evolutionary Data Science
  • Environmental Microbiology
  • Agroecosystems
  • Managing Carbon

You'll choose one of the following optional modules.

  • Silwood Field Course and Basic Computing
  • Biological Computing Bootcamp

You'll complete a scientific research project, culminating in a written and oral report suitable for potential publication in your chosen area of specialisation.

This project typically lasts five months and can include external placements.

Teaching and assessment

Balance of teaching and learning

Key

  • Lectures and practicals
  • Independent study
  • Individual research project

  • 20% Lectures and practicals
  • 30% Independent study
  • 50% Individual research project

Teaching and learning methods

  • Person at lectern giving speech
    Lectures
  • Four students sitting in a tutorial
    Tutorials
  • Seminars and formal presentations
  • People collaborating and completing practical work.
    Practical classes
  • Field work
  • Workshops
  • Case studies
  • A group of people interacting
    Group work
  • Computer-based work
  • Blackboard virtual learning environment
    Virtual learning environment
  • Recorded lectures available online
    Lecture recordings
  • Taxonomy e-diary exercise
  • Individual research project
  • A person studying independently
    Independent study

Assessment methods

  • Person completing coursework
    Coursework
  • A person completing a written exam
    Examinations
  • Research project

Entry requirements

We consider all applicants on an individual basis, welcoming students from all over the world.

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

Tuition fees

Home fee

2025 entry

£15,800

Overseas fee

2025 entry

£34,250

How will studying at Imperial help my career?

Hand holding a branch of three leaves

Learn the techniques you need to succeed in a career in ecology and conservation.

Computer monitor showing data

Data retrieval, experimental design and statistics, modelling, and field and laboratory data collection are all included.

Acorns and oak leaves

Several leading wildlife organisations partner with the programme.

Person holding a briefcase climbing steps

Your close links to industry and non-governmental organisations will enable you to further your career goals as an applied ecologist or conservationist.

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.

Read our terms and conditions

You can find further information about your course, including degree classifications, regulations, progression and awards in the programme specification for your course.

Programme specifications