Conservation Science

Entry requirements

A first or second class honours degree in Biological Sciences or Conservation or another relevant subject, or a good honours degree in other subjects together with relevant practical experience. In exceptional circumstances we admit applicants without a first degree if their professional career and experience shows academic achievement of a high enough standard.

All applicants are considered on an individual basis and additional qualifications, professional qualifications and relevant experience may also be taken into account when considering applications.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Develop interdisciplinary solutions needed to tackle the global biodiversity crisis. Understand the issues we face when conserving natural habitats and ecosystems upon which human communities depend. Become a member of the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE), which in 2019 received the highly prestigious Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education for its world-leading research and training in conservation science. On our MSc programme, which is delivered by DICE staff, you will collaborate with world-leading conservation scientists and gain the knowledge, skills and practical experience needed for a successful career in conservation.

You will gain an interdisciplinary perspective on conservation issues, drawing on over 30 years of DICE expertise on what it takes for effective conservation management. You will receive state-of-the-art training across the full breadth of conservation disciplines, learning the approaches needed where local communities also rely on natural resource use, as well as the skills needed to restore threatened species and habitats. You will gain practical and methodological tools you will need to achieve success as a conservation scientist who can operate across the natural and social sciences.

Our Conservation Science MSc course reflects your interests, with the option to take our 'Conservation Science and International Wildlife Trade' pathway depending on the modules you take - meaning your Master's will represent your interests and specialism.

Why study Conservation Science at Kent?

• Learn from DICE staff, all of whom have practical conservation experience from around the world and have published internationally excellent research (we are ranked first in the UK for our research publications).
• Conduct fieldwork anywhere in the world or use outstanding facilities on-campus for your research project, including modern laboratories in molecular genetics and wildlife ecology and the DICE field site to support your research.
• Learn outside the classroom with a residential field course at the Durrell Conservation Academy, based at the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Jersey, and gain insight into cutting-edge population recovery techniques.
• Build your professional network by becoming part of the global DICE alumni network that includes award-winning conservation scientists and practitioners from over 100 countries.
• We provide a rich postgraduate learning environment that spans all areas of conservation, and perfectly reflects the DICE mission of focusing on applied conservation that breaks down the barriers between the natural and social sciences.

Information for international students

Please see our International Student website for entry requirements by country and other relevant information. Please note that international fee-paying students cannot undertake a part-time programme due to visa restrictions.

English language entry requirements

The University requires all non-native speakers of English to reach a minimum standard of proficiency in written and spoken English before beginning a postgraduate degree. Certain subjects require a higher level.

For detailed information see our English language requirements web pages.

Need help with English?

Please note that if you are required to meet an English language condition, we offer a number of pre-sessional courses in English for Academic Purposes through Kent International Pathways

Fees and funding

Please see our funding pages for the most current information.