MSc Marine Vertebrate Ecology and Conservation

at University of Exeter

Delivered by internationally-recognised experts with global reputations in marine ecology and conservation, this programme will provide you with a diversity of skills that will equip you for a range of sectors of work and further study of marine vertebrates.

Through workshops and field trips you will develop identification and survey skills and an appreciation of the conservation and management of marine vertebrates. Research seminars will see you interacting with a wide range of our renowned academics and their research. This will mean that you will be exposed to many of the research topics being offered by staff for research projects.

You will undertake a marine vertebrate research project within the research groups of our world leading academics. These projects will be in the UK or abroad and many will be in conjunction with our extensive network of partner organisations in the UK and around the world.

The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.

Compulsory Modules

• Research Project
• Statistical Modelling
• The Art of Science
• Marine Vertebrate Ecology and Conservation
• Skills in Marine Vertebrate Ecology and Conservation

Normally a 2:1 degree of 65% or above in a relevant science subject* is required, although we will consider all applications with a 2.1 where there is evidence of exceptional performance in modules relevant to the programme of study (research and/or numerical skills), and/or significant relevant work experience of 2+ years.

*Relevant subjects include: Biosciences, Ecology, Geography, Marine Biology, Marine Sciences, Natural Sciences, Zoology.

Entry requirements for international students

English language requirements

• IELTS

Overall score 6.5. No less than 6.0 in any section.

• TOEFL

Overall score 90 with minimum scores of 21 for writing, 21 for listening, 22 for reading and 23 for speaking.

2022/23 entry

UK fees per year:
£14,500 full-time; £7,250 part-time

International fees per year:
£25,500 full-time; £12,750 part-time

This programme will provide you with a diversity of skills that will equip you for a range of sectors of work and further study of marine vertebrates. Skills will include:

• GIS and marine spatial planning
• marine mammal rescue
• post-mortem techniques
• Marine Mammal Observer qualification
• use of passive acoustic monitoring
• bycatch mitigation
• and animal tracking.