Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Research
  • Postgraduate taught
  • MRes

Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Research

Obtain the interdisciplinary research skills required to succeed in the fields of ecology, evolution and conservation.

Apply detailed understanding of the essential facts, concepts, principles, and theories relevant to your project specialisation and harness this knowledge to tackle outstanding issues.

Gain industry expertise working alongside international experts from leading conservation organisations and research institutes

Apply your knowledge across two extended research projects

Course key facts

  • Qualification

    • MRes

  • Duration

    1 year, 2 years

  • Start date

    October 2023

  • Study mode

    Full-time, Part-time

  • Fees

    • Full-time: £14,300
      Part-time: £7,150 per year Home

    • Full-time: £28,300
      Part-time: £14,150 per year Overseas

  • Delivered by

  • Location

    • Silwood Park

Minimum entry standard 2023

  • 2:1 in a science subject

View full entry requirements

Course overview

Gain broad and interdisciplinary research training in ecology, evolution and conservation on this Master's course.

Offered full-time or part-time and taught by internationally recognised experts, this programme provides you with first-hand experience in conducting high-quality research.

You'll be taught by active researchers throughout the department and have the opportunity to join research groups as you develop your expertise in areas, such as iecological and evolution theoryy, biological computing and genomics, meta-analyses, modelling and statistics, experimental biology and evolution, microbiology, field ecology, and more. 

You'll build interdisciplinary skills and benefit from international connections and collaborations with leading institutions and organisations . Your science will have relevance to practical conservation.

The course begins with six weeks of taught modules to develop core skills. 

You can then apply these techniques to two five-month research projects on topics of your choice.

 

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.

Prior to starting your research projects, you’ll start with six weeks of modules that provide core skills.

You'll undertake your first five-month project starting mid-November.

Research is carried out either in the group of an Imperial Research Leader, or can be with another institution in the UK or abroad. 

The project concludes in the spring with the submission of a report in the format of a journal manuscript, as well as a oral presentation and viva defending your work.

 

 

Your second project starts around mid-April. 

It also involves the submission of a project report in the format of a journal manuscript in late summer/early autumn. 

Your work will be assessed by an oral presentation and viva given in the following weeks, with the presentation part of the annual Frontiers in Ecology, Evolution & Conservation Symposium (FrEECS; a conference style meeting) held at Silwood Park.

This project should be conducted with a different supervisor to the winter project. 



 

Teaching and assessment

Teaching and learning methods

  • Research seminars
  • A person studying independently
    Independent research projects

Balance of assessment

Key

  • Winter research project
  • Summer research project

  • 50% Winter research project
  • 50% Summer research project

Assessment methods

  • Individual research project reports
  • Checklist for a practical examination
    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

Apply online

You can submit one application form per year of entry. You can choose up to two courses.

Application deadlines – Round 3 closes on Friday 31 March 2023

Tuition fees

Home fee

2023 entry

£14,300

Overseas fee

2023 entry

£28,300

Your future career

Person with magnifying glass over head

Be equipped with the necessary skills to proceed to a PhD and establish a career in academia.

Research screen

You will be well placed to pursue a research position with government and non-governmental organisations that seek to protect biodiversity.

Man standing under a sign pointing different directions

Life Sciences graduates from Imperial are also highly sought after in a variety of employment sectors outside of academia.

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