MSc in Biodiversity, Conservation and Management

at University of Oxford

The course content is rooted in our established strengths in conservation biogeography, governance and planning, in global change and in research design. The course design also responds to the rise of market-based conservation including engagements with enterprise and the transformative potential of new technologies.

The specific course objectives are to develop your abilities to:
 

• critically engage with concepts and theory in biodiversity science and management from interdisciplinary perspectives;
• describe by whom and by what space and territory is designated and governed for conservation over time;
• critically assess the modes through which conservation builds and extends power and describe in detail the factors that explain the emergence and performance of different types of governance
• appreciate the role of ethics, values and societal norms in producing culturally attuned and effective conservation interventions;
• evaluate the implications of emergent technologies for the future of biodiversity science and management; and
• link hypothesis, theory, methods, data and field work to identify and develop advanced research questions and design.

The objectives are assessed through three themes; Biodiversity science, Conservation ethics and values, and Biodiversity policy and management, delivered through eight core modules: conservation landscapes, conservation biogeography, conservation governance, species responses to climate change, conservation and society, economics of the environment, global change and the biosphere and biodiversity technologies. Teaching for the core modules takes place through lectures, seminars, workshops, field trips and study days. There is also a skills-based module to develop research and professional skills.

Alongside the core modules in the first two terms, you will choose two elective modules. The elective modules offer a tutorial-style teaching environment with smaller groups, based on a suite of contemporary research themes that reflect the specific interests of core faculty and visiting research associates. The teaching aim is to foster discussion and debate between academic staff and students. In the final term of the course, you will undertake an independent and original research project.

Proven and potential academic excellence

Degree-level qualifications

As a minimum, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve the following UK qualifications or their equivalent:
 

• a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in any discipline.

For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA sought is 3.7 out of 4.0.

GRE General Test scores

No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.

Other qualifications, evidence of excellence and relevant experience
 

• Applicants should demonstrate an interest in interdisciplinary thinking and action in the area of conservation science and policy. In particular research and/or work experiences (including internships) in the areas of environmental governance, applied conservation, enterprise, management and/or activism.

• You are not required to submit publications.

English language proficiency

IELTS Academic     

7.5  

TOEFL iBT, including the 'Home Edition'

110

Home    
£21,570

Overseas    
£29,100

Graduate destinations

The aim of the course is to train future leaders in biodiversity, conservation and natural resource management. Thus the course teaches conservation as a dynamic discipline integral to all the major areas of human concern - social and environmental governance, political economy, spatial planning, agriculture, population growth, livelihoods, human and institutional capacity, investment and markets, in addition to the hard science of biodiversity.

Past graduates have gone on to obtain positions in a range of leading conservation and academic organisations and enterprises. Examples include policy positions in government departments, such as the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), management positions in global conservation NGOs, such as Conservation International and WWF, technical positions in sustainability consultancies, and expert roles in international bodies such as IUCN. A significant number of students also use the course as a gateway to start DPhil (PhD) research.

The department's Alumni Office helps alumni keep in touch with each other and organises alumni events.