Ecology, Evolution and Conservation with AI Methods MRes
Obtain the interdisciplinary research skills required to succeed in the fields of ecology, evolution and conservation.
Course key facts
Qualification
MRes
Duration
1 year, 2 years
Start date
October 2027
Study mode
Full-time, Part-time
Delivered by
Location
-
Silwood Park
-
Course overview
Gain broad, interdisciplinary training in ecology, evolution and conservation on this Master's programme.
Available full-time or part-time, the course is taught by internationally recognised researchers who will give you first-hand experience of conducting high-quality scientific research.
Throughout the programme, you'll learn from active researchers and have the opportunity to join research groups as you develop expertise in your chosen area.
You'll gain a strong foundation in R, Python, statistics, and the use of AI and machine learning to analyse text, image, and sound data in the life sciences. The course is designed to be accessible to students without substantial prior experience in computing who wish to become literate in use of AI and machine learning tools in the field.
An independent research project allows you to apply your skills to a real scientific question. Projects can address fundamental or applied topics, including practical conservation challenges, and may be carried out with our own researchers or with external collaborators including Zoological Society of London (ZSL).
By combining rigorous scientific training with interdisciplinary perspectives and international collaborations, you'll graduate with the skills to tackle some of the world's most pressing environmental challenges.
Living Planet courses at Silwood Park
This course is part of the "Living Planet" family of courses based at Silwood Park.
- MSc Biodiversity, Carbon and Nature-Based Solutions
- MSc Computational Ecology and Evolution
- MRes Ecology, Evolution and Conservation
- MRes Ecology, Evolution and Conservation with AI Methods (this course)
- MSc Ecology, Evolution and Conservation
- MSc Ecology, Evolution and Conservation with AI Methods
- MSc Sustainable Agriculture and Technology
We can discuss which course is the best fit to you at the interview stage of your application. It is normally possible to transfer to a different living planet course at that stage if you wish.
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 will complete the following core modules:
- Silwood Field Programme and Basic Computing
- Statistics in R
- Ecological and Evolutionary Data Science
- Planning Research Projects
You will conduct a long research project on almost any topic within the remit of ecology, evolution and conservation that can come under the broader area of environmental science.
Projects normally involve the collection of new data, and can be developed through the university, with national and international collaborators, with external institutions and companies, or be based on the application of science to practical conservation through working with conservation organisations and research institutes.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching and learning methods
-
Research seminars
-
Independent research projects
Balance of assessment
This is an example of how assessments are usually divided, based on a typical pathway through the course. The actual breakdown may be different depending on the modules you choose.
Key
- Lectures and practicals
- Research project
- 33% Title 1 goes here
- 67% Title 2 goes here
Assessment methods
-
Individual research project reports
-
Practical assessments
-
Oral presentations
-
Oral exams
Entry requirements
We consider all applicants on an individual basis, welcoming students from all over the world.
How to apply
Applications open on Wednesday 30 September 2026.
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.
Round 1
Business School courses only.
Round 2
- Applications open on Wednesday 30 September 2026
- Applications close on Wednesday 6 January 2027
- Decision by Wednesday 3 March 2027
Round 3
- Applications open on Thursday 7 January 2027
- Applications close on Wednesday 10 March 2027
- Decision by Wednesday 5 May 2027
Round 4
- Applications open on Thursday 11 March 2027
- Applications close on Wednesday 28 April 2027
- Decision by Thursday 1 July 2027
We recommend applying as early as you can – we cannot guarantee that places will be available, or that courses will remain open, in later rounds.
If you are applying for a Master’s course, you will need to pay an application fee before submitting your application.
The fee applies per application and not per course.
The application fees for postgraduate courses are:
- £90 for all Master's applications, excluding those to Imperial Business School
- £125 for MSc applications to Imperial Business School
- £150 for MBA applications to Imperial Business School
There is no application fee for Postgraduate Certificates, Postgraduate Diplomas, or courses such as PhDs and EngDs. This includes MRes and PhD combined (1+3) courses with the Centre for Doctoral Training.
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.
When are applicants invited for an interview?
Applicants will be invited for an interview should their written application pass an initial review.
How long is the interview and what purpose does it serve?
This interview lasts about 10-20 minutes. It serves as an opportunity for a two-way conversation between the interviewer and the applicant to ask questions and probe further. There are several elements that are being explored, including the applicant's motivations, academic ambitions and their suitability for our courses.
When does it take place?
Interviews will usually be scheduled approximately 3-4 weeks after the application round deadline that you applied to, and we aim to inform applicants of the confirmed schedule approximately 1 week in advance.
How is the interview going to be conducted?
Regardless of whether you are in the UK or overseas, the interview will be conducted through an online meeting via Microsoft Teams.
Unless you are from an exempt nationality, you will need an ATAS certificate to obtain your visa and study this course.
Nationals from the following countries are exempt: Switzerland, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, USA and EEA members.
Use this information when applying for an ATAS certificate to study this course:
- CAH code: CAH03-01-03
- Descriptor: ecology and environmental biology
- Supervisor name: Professor Daniel Davis
Get guidance and support for obtaining an ATAS certificate.
Fees and funding
Home fee - AI Methods new course
Full-time
Not set
A guide is not available as this course is new for 2027-28 entry.
2 years, part-time
Not setper year
A guide is not available as this course is new for 2027-28 entry.
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.
The maximum value of the loan is £13,206 if your course starts on or after 1 August 2026.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Please note that the loan is only available if you’re studying a full Master’s course from the start. If you start on a Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) or Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) and later move on to the Master’s, you won’t be eligible for this loan.
Overseas fee - AI Methods new course
Full-time
Not set
A guide is not available as this course is new for 2027-28 entry.
2 years, part-time
Not setper year
A guide is not available as this course is new for 2027-28 entry.
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.
The maximum value of the loan is £13,206 if your course starts on or after 1 August 2026.
The loan is not means-tested and you can choose whether to put it towards your tuition fees or living costs.
Please note that the loan is only available if you’re studying a full Master’s course from the start. If you start on a Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) or Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) and later move on to the Master’s, you won’t be eligible for this loan.
Scholarships
View all scholarshipsHow will studying at Imperial help my career?
Be equipped with the necessary skills to proceed to a PhD and establish a career in academia.
.svg){kind=icon}
You will be well placed to pursue a research position with government and non-governmental organisations that seek to protect biodiversity.
Life Sciences graduates from Imperial are also highly sought after in a variety of employment sectors outside of academia.
Further links
Contact the department
Email: pgt.silwood@imperial.ac.uk
Course director: Dr Emma Cavan
Visit the Department of Life Sciences website.
/fit-in/1440x9999999/prod01/channel_3/media/study---restricted-images/170912_savolainen_genomics_lab_silwood_029.jpg)
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.
/fit-in/1440x9999999/prod01/channel_3/media/study---restricted-images/Newsletter.jpg)
Events, tasters and talks
Meet us and find out more about studying at Imperial.
/fit-in/1440x9999999/prod01/channel_3/media/study---restricted-images/UG---Events.jpg)
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