Conservation Management MSc

Learn the skills, techniques and theories to manage our planet’s ecosystems on our award-winning MSc Conservation Management course. Put knowledge into action with over 25 days of fieldwork on this degree accredited by the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management.

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Overview

Course length:	1 year full-time 2 years part-time
Start dates:	October 2025
Location:	Edge Hill University
Subject(s):	Biology and Biosciences
Faculty:	Arts and Sciences
Department:	Biology

Four students conduct fieldwork in woodland near the University.

Our MSc Conservation Management degree has won Higher Education Programme of the Year 2023 in the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) awards, recognising the course’s ability to inspire the next generation of conservationists.

How do we repair ecological damage? What’s the best way to protect our environment for future generations? Study the skills and theory you need at the level your career demands.

You’ll develop professional field skills and expertise on our conservation management course. Immerse yourself in the ecological theory behind habitat management and restoration. Learn to identify and survey plants, vertebrates and invertebrates to a professional standard.

We make sure you become confident in safe and ethical professional working practices with over 25 days of fieldwork including our week-long residential course.

We’ll also help you find a 2-4 week work placement with a conservation organisation or ecological consultancy. You’ll have the chance to put your knowledge into practice and make industry connections.

An award-winning degree

Our MSc Conservation Management degree won Higher Education Programme of the Year 2023 in the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) awards, recognising the course’s ability to inspire the next generation of conservationists. The degree is accredited with CIEEM and you’ll be eligible for free student membership with CIEEM while you study. CIEEM student membership comes with a range of benefits, from access to publications and local events to an online professional development tool and discounted rates on training and conferences.

Course features

Fieldwork
International students can apply
Professional accreditation
Work placement opportunity

What you'll study

Laboratory skills. Fieldwork. Ecosystem expertise. You’ll gain the scientific knowledge and project management skills for a career in conservation management.

Our conservation management course prioritises fieldwork. You’ll learn to carry out habitat surveys and identify plants, invertebrates, mammals and birds. You’ll also develop mapping skills in geographic information systems (GIS) and use your findings to assess the management needs of a site.

In the laboratory, you’ll learn microscopy to identify bryophytes and invertebrates, and train in soil analysis techniques.

You’ll apply everything you’ve learnt to a unique research project and work adhering to professional scientific standards. Plan the project. Analyse risks and ethics. Carry out data handling and statistical approaches. You’ll discover how to write up your findings in a concise scientific style ready to share, and undertake assessments with real-world relevance.

Compulsory modules:

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Invertebrate Ecology explores the diversity of terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates, examining their life cycle, basic physiology, importance to ecosystem functioning and the range of services they provide to society. Through field and laboratory work, you will gain a sound knowledge of taxonomy for a variety of groups such as aquatic insects, butterflies and moths, and spiders and beetles, gaining the identification, preservation and museum-standard presentation skills that are vital for employment in the sector. Scientific communication will be developed through oral presentation to your peers on an invertebrate of conservation interest. You will be assessed through a specimen identification test.

Module code: MCM4013

Credits: 20

Assessment

50% Coursework

50% Practical

Research Project provides the opportunity to undertake an original piece of research within an inspiring habitat or on a fascinating species of conservation interest. You will experience the complete research process through project planning, design, implementation, interpretation and write-up. The project will examine a real-world problem associated with an aspect of conservation, often involving close working with site managers. You will develop the key skills of project planning, time management, advanced statistical analysis, scientific communication (written and oral), and risk and ethical assessments as you prepare a proposal, scientific paper and oral presentation. You will also gain an excellent knowledge of survey and identification techniques used in your study. Previous projects have included conservation management for the Scotch Argus butterfly, the impact of grazing on bryophyte diversity in upland habitats, and bird conservation in plantation forests. A recent project on the impact of hay meadow restoration on bumblebees, as well as a study of open dune habitat regeneration in pine plantation canopy gaps, has been published in the Conservation Evidence journal. An exploration of stress responses in deer to increased human encounters also appeared in Nature Conservation.

Module code: MCM4001

Credits: 60

Assessment

85% Coursework

15% Practical

Restoration and Conservation Planning incorporates the latest developments in applying ecological theory to restoration and management planning for conservation. The module recognises that the restoration of habitats is fundamental to global conservation efforts. A sound understanding of the ecological theory underpinning restoration, including its application in a variety of management settings, is essential for a career in conservation management. You will develop the skills and experience to write a management plan of a given site and apply key concepts in restoration ecology to a real-world setting. The module focuses on management planning, including site evaluation and the setting of objectives for conservation, as well as exploring how restoration techniques are applied across a variety of habitats and settings. You will be asked to produce a management plan, a key skill for any conservation site manager, and develop a public information poster aimed at a local wildlife site.

Module code: MCM4015

Credits: 20

Assessment

100% Coursework

How you'll study

Fieldwork is an integral part of many modules and is used to provide a multitude of experiences across species, habitats and conservation issues. A variety of local sites are used including dunes, meadows and forests. The programme includes a residential field course. All field trip costs are included within course fees.

In small classes, lecture-style sessions and practical work are designed to develop subject-specific skills, clarify concepts, raise questions and collect data. Follow-up seminars may consider analysis, data presentation, qualitative observations, elucidation of trends, and integration with theoretical ideas.

If you are studying full-time, you will typically attend classes for two full days per week. If you are studying part-time, you will typically attend either one full day or two half days per week depending on the semester, with an additional full day occasionally required for field trips. Some modules will be taught daily for one or two week periods. You will also spend 20 days undertaking a conservation placement over a three-five month period in addition to the above commitments.

You can read about student Natalie’s experience of the conservation placement, which she chose to undertake at Ainsdale Sand Dunes National Nature Reserve at www.edgehill.ac.uk/scrubneversleeps.

You can expect to receive your timetable at enrolment. Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day or evening of the week.

How you'll be assessed

The course has a variety of assessment methods which are designed to develop the full range of skills and expertise relevant to the subject. These include a research thesis, scientific reports, voucher specimen collections, vegetation portfolios, field-based management plans and examinations.

Who will be teaching you

Edge Hill University has over 30 years’ experience in delivering field biology degrees and has a wealth of experienced tutors, technical staff and field equipment to support the study of conservation and ecology on this programme.

The course is taught by a small friendly team who have considerable teaching and research experience in the area. All staff are research active which means that they are up-to-date with current developments in their areas of interest and pass this knowledge onto their students. Staff expertise includes forest and grassland conservation, habitat restoration and sustainable management of ecosystems, including ecosystem functioning and using mapping approaches in ecology.

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

You should have a degree equivalent to UK first-class or second-class honours (2:2 or above). No specific subjects are required.

English language requirements

International students require IELTS 6.5, with a score no lower than 6.0 in each individual component, or an equivalent English language qualification.

If your current level of English is half a band, one band, or one-and-a-half bands lower, either overall or in one or two elements, you may want to consider our Pre-Sessional English course.

How to apply

There is an online application process for this course.

Please see our international student pages for further information about how to apply as a prospective international student.

Should you accept an offer of a place to study with us and formally enrol as a student, you will be subject to the provisions of the regulations, rules, codes, conditions and policies which apply to our students. These are available at www.edgehill.ac.uk/studentterms.

Facilities

Our BioSciences building incorporates modern teaching and research laboratories which support practical work. A dedicated research laboratory provides facilities for MSc students to complete invertebrate and plant identifications alongside departmental researchers using high powered microscopes, appropriate identification guides and museum reference specimens.

A number of the best nature reserves in the country are in close proximity to the campus. You will be taught within a short travelling distance of impressive field sites such as one of the finest saltmarsh and dune systems in Europe, restored mires of international importance, hay meadows and limestone woodlands. The University also has extensive grounds including meadows which serve as a useful area for demonstrating sampling techniques.

Where you'll study

BioSciences

Finance

Tuition fees

£9,250

for the course

£51 per credit

for 180 credits

£17,000

for the course

EU/EEA and Swiss students who have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, as well as Irish nationals, may be eligible for the UK tuition fee rate.

Financial support

Please view the relevant Money Matters guide for comprehensive information about the financial support available to eligible UK students joining postgraduate courses at Edge Hill University.

Money Matters

EU/EEA and Swiss students who have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme may be eligible to apply for financial support. Irish nationals can ordinarily apply to Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). If you are an EU student who does not have settled or pre-settled status, or are an international student from a non-EU country, please see our international student finance pages.

Your future career

Your conservation management Masters opens doors to careers with major conservation bodies and consultancies. Our graduates now work for:

Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)
National Trust
Natural England
Atkins UK
Jacobs
Avian Ecology

Some of our graduates go into conservation research, working for the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology and at various universities.

As an accredited degree with the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM), this MSc will equip you with the knowledge and skills required for a successful career in conservation or ecological consultancy. You’ll be eligible for free student membership of the CIEEM while you study.

As well as enhancing your CV, CIEEM student membership comes with a range of benefits, from access to publications and local events to an online professional development tool and discounted rates on training and conferences. You can find more information at cieem.net.

Course changes

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this information, however our courses are subject to ongoing review and development. Changing circumstances may necessitate alteration to, or the cancellation of, courses.

Changes may be necessary to comply with the requirements of professional bodies, revisions to subject benchmarks statements, to keep courses updated and contemporary, or as a result of student feedback. We reserve the right to make variations if we consider such action to be necessary or in the best interests of students.

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Conservation Management

Conservation Management MSc