Wildlife Conservation (MRes)

You’ll need a 2:1 degree In a relevant subject, such as Biology, Ecology, Environmental Sciences, Geography or Zoology.

Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

The master’s in research is 33% taught and 66% research led. The taught elements of the course ensure you’re fully prepared to start your independent research. 

You'll shortlist 3 research projects when you apply, take a look at the research projects by downloading the research project briefs for 2023-2024.

Semester 1 overview

You'll look at key issues affecting:

• individual animals
• populations
• re-introductions
• ecological restoration
• anthropogenic sources of conflict 

Species integrity 

You’ll consider the role of a species’ life history, how individual differences affect the selective process in human-led environments. As part of this, you’ll look at locations like zoos and protected areas to understand how species preservation is managed. 

You'll evaluate what you’re conserving while considering what is important, from either the species itself or the process that produces them. 

You’ll learn about the biological components of species integrity, including: 

• molecular genetics 
• morphology 
• behaviour  
• interactions with environment 
• ecosystem functioning 

Fieldwork techniques

You'll learn how to monitor and survey wildlife using the facilities at Marwell Wildlife and grow your understanding of modern techniques to capture relevant data. 

In the later part of semester 1, you’ll put your new-found knowledge and research skills to use on a 10-day trip to Kenya. The trip to Kenya is a unique opportunity to get hands-on experience in a new and different environment. You’ll be treated as a real-life researcher as you collect data and report and present your findings back to stakeholders. As your knowledge and experience grows, you’ll track your professional and personal development through a reflective project.   

Semester 2 overview

In semester 2 you’ll complete your independent research project. All students will have the continued support of a research expert at Marwell Zoo and a personal tutor throughout your research project. 

Semester 2 continues through until September and the end of the course. 

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Learning

During the taught element of the course, you’ll learn through a combination of lectures, seminars and practical sessions, including:

• field trips in the UK and Kenya 
• computer workshops 
• group tutorials 
• reflective project during the trip to Kenya 
• lectures and interactive workshops

Recognising conservation issues will be a key part of your studies, ranging from individual animals, through to populations, reintroductions, ecological restoration and anthropogenic (human impact) sources of conflict.

The chance to spend independent study time familiarising yourself with the items and becoming competent and confident in their use will form a vital part of your learning.

Activities will depend on the modules that you take.

Assessment

We'll assess you through a combination of the following methods:  

• practical exercises 
• stakeholder presentations in Kenya 
• research project report 
• assignments 

Explore course modules for full details of learning and assessment.

Dissertation

You’ll complete a research project assessed by examiners from the University of Southampton and Marwell Wildlife. Past projects have included:

• assessing holistic grazing as an effective management strategy in African Savannas
• examining ecosystem resilience by determining the functional response of below-ground invertebrates to a grazing pressure gradient
• identifying candidate species for re-introductions using habitat approaches
• effectiveness of post-release monitoring strategies for Partula snails

Academic Support

You'll be assigned a personal tutor and a mentor to help you during your research project. You'll also have access to support from the University throughout your studies, consisting of a project supervisor and a researcher at Marwell Wildlife.

Our graduates from this course go on to become conservation biologists or PhD students. The emphasis on professional skills and exposure to real-life research projects in the UK and Africa will increase your chances of employment after the course.

A number of students go on to complete a PhD. You'll experience what it's like to work within a team of conservation biologists and you'll develop a clear understanding of what's required to complete an intensive and focused research project.

Careers services at Southampton

We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV/resume and interview skills workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:

• our dedicated start-up incubator, Futureworlds
• a wide variety of enterprise events run throughout the year
• our partnership in the world’s number 1 business incubator, SETsquared

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £13,000.
• EU and international students pay £28,900.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

Deposit

If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of you tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.

Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.

Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and all examinations.

Your fees will get you access to Marwell Wildlife where you can a vast range of equipment to help conduct research. Unlike other courses, you won't have to pay additional costs for borrowing research equipment.

The 10-day trip to Kenya is covered within your fees, this includes flights, accommodation and equipment used.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice

Extra costs you might have to pay

The cost of jabs and vaccinations are excluded from the fees for Kenya, you'll need to arrange and pay for these yourself.

Your choice of research projects will incur additional costs, you can see the costs associated with different research projects by downloading the research projects brief.

These costs are estimates required to cover the following things:

• local and international travel
• accommodation
• travel
• subsistence
• clothing
• visas
• vaccinations
• printing
• small equipment and consumables

During semester one you will work with your project supervisor to produce a detailed budget. These costs are exempt from the tuition fees because student's previously found it easier to manage their budget independently, rather than waiting for funds to be permitted.

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.

Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)

This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.

Funding your postgraduate studies

A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

You can apply directly through our online form by using the apply button on this page.

If all places are not filled there may be a second deadline later in the summer – but this is not guaranteed.

On your application, please highlight your top three project choices from the document listing projects.  

We also require that candidates selecting projects from Section 3 as a first choice, also select at least one other project from either Sections 1, or 2. This is to allow for added flexibility if travel and fieldwork restrictions are still in place as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Explore our 2023-24 Research projects.

Application deadlines

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course. 

You’ll need to include information about: 

• your knowledge of the subject area
• why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
• how you intend to use your qualification

You'll also need to send 2 academic references. 

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

What happens after you apply

After the application deadline has passed (either April or July), applications are shortlisted for interview, using an applications matrix.

If your application is not shortlisted we will inform you. If your application is successful you will be invited for an interview.

If you are successful you'll receive an offer, which will include details of your project.

If we offer you a place, you will need to accept the offer within 30 working days. If you do not meet this deadline, we will offer your place to another applicant.

Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000