Ecosystems and Environmental Change
  • Postgraduate taught
  • MRes

Living Planet with Ecosystems and Environmental Change

Study the latest developments in the conservation of ecosystems and the environment and build interdisciplinary skills.

Study the latest developments in the conservation of ecosystems and the environment and build interdisciplinary skills

Carry out high-level training encompassing various physical, life and social sciences

Understand how research has real-world impact on an extended project

Course key facts

  • Qualification

    • MRes

  • Duration

    1 year, 2 years

  • Start date

    September 2024

  • Study mode

    Full-time, Part-time

  • Fees

    • £15,150 Home

    • £30,600 Overseas

  • Delivered by

  • Location

    • Silwood Park

Minimum entry standard

  • 2:1 in a science subject

View full entry requirements

Course overview

Gain high-level training in the latest developments in the conservation of ecosystems and the environment on this Master's course.

You'll enhance your research skills on this cutting-edge interdisciplinary programme, which spans the physical, life and social sciences.

This course will provide you with a solid theoretical grounding in ecosystems and environmental research, and equip you with skills and hands-on experience required for a career with real-world impact.

Offered full-time or part-time, this course is also suitable for those already employed in a relevant field.

MRes Living Planet programme

Our MRes 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 MRes 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:

MSc Living Planet course

We also offer an MSc 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 the following compulsory modules in the Autumn term, designed to give you the core skills needed to understand, interpret and conduct independent research. This training is conducted in field and computing environments and will introduce you to modern data collection and experimental methods, along with state-of-the-art techniques in data science, geographic information systems (GIS), genomics and bioinformatics, and data interpretation.

  • Statistics in R
  • Introduction to Ecological and Evolutionary Data Science
  • Planning Research Projects

You’ll complete one of the following optional modules:

  • Silwood Field Course and Basic Computing
  • Biological Computing Bootcamp

You’ll conduct a long research project on a topic broadly related to global environmental change. Potential topics range from curiosity-driven, fundamental research on ecosystem function and biogeochemical cycles to policy-oriented analysis of ecosystem and water resources management.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching and learning methods

  • Computer-based work
  • Seminars and presentations
  • A group of people interacting
    Group work
  • Individual research project and dissertation
  • Work placement opportunity
  • Person at lectern giving speech
    Lectures
  • People collaborating and completing practical work.
    Practical classes
  • Field work
  • Blackboard virtual learning environment
    Virtual learning environment
  • Recorded lectures available online
    Lecture recordings
  • A person studying independently
    Independent study

Balance of assessment

Key

  • Lectures and practicals
  • Research project

  • 33% Taught modules
  • 67% Research project

Assessment methods

  • Person completing coursework
    Coursework
  • Person making a presentation
    Presentations
  • Dissertation
  • Briefing paper
  • 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 Thursday 4 April 2024

Tuition fees

Home fee

2024 entry

£15,150

Overseas fee

2024 entry

£30,600

How will studying at Imperial help my career?

Lightbulb above a book

With specialised knowledge, you'll be highly sought after in a range of sectors.

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You'll be ideally suited to work for an international NGO or a small local organisation once you graduate.

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Previous students have gone on to contribute to the work of international organisations such as the UN and World Bank, or advise government policy.

Graduate Cap above rolled Degree

You’ll also acquire the skills to undertake further study at PhD level and pursue a career in academia.

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

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These include business and consultancy, health and social work, banking/finance, education, and manufacturing.

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