Biodiversity and Conservation (MSc)

Award
Master of Science
Typical Offer
2:1 degree View full entry requirements
Duration
1 year
Course Type
Full-time
Campus
Highfield
Next course starts
September 2025

About this course

Prepare for a career as an ecological consultant or conservation manager with our MSc Biodiversity and Conservation master’s degree. This programme draws on our world-class reputation for environmental research and offers an industry-relevant education for highly-skilled environmental scientists. 

This programme will teach you to accurately monitor species diversity, change, population abundance and distribution. You’ll learn how to apply these skills to protect the world’s ecosystems and habitats.

On completing the course, you should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

  • the importance of environmental concepts, terms, principles and methods
  • the value using techniques and ideas in different subject disciplines
  • the socioeconomic context of environmental issues and the legal framework through which environmental regulation is facilitated
  • current issues, paradigms and approaches within a specialist subject area of the environmental sciences
  • the contribution of science, engineering or communication to the identification, understanding of environmental issues and concerns
  • the human causes and consequences of environmental impacts, and responses to such impacts
  • general environmental concerns, which may include: biodiversity; environmental limits to economic or population growth; demand for, and consequences of, water resource utilisation; energy and material production and use, including alternatives; air, land and water pollution; climate change; environmental change

You’ll have the chance to apply geographical information systems, modelling and spatial analysis and acquire the interdisciplinary skills required for effective research project management.

Flexible study

If you prefer, you can apply to study this course as:

  • a part-time master's - study the same course content over 2 or more years

Your modules and fees may vary if you choose a different study option.

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.

Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).

Course lead

Your programme lead is Dr Andrew Phillips, a Senior Teaching Fellow in Environmental GIS who has a professional and academic background in researching environmental issues and sustainable solutions. He now specialises in teaching in these areas at a University level and is passionate about ensuring and delivering a high quality education and experience for students.

Course location

This course is based at Highfield.

Awarding body

This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.

Download the Course Description Document

The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.