MSc Conservation Science and Practice

Learn to lead conservation programmes to tackle global biodiversity challenges based on evidence-based practice.

How effective are the world’s protected areas at saving our species and how can we improve them? How does conservation impact people? If these critical biodiversity questions and challenges inspire you, this course is for you. 

This unique course provides world class inter-disciplinary training while developing future conservation leaders and savvy evidence-based conservation practitioners. You’ll learn how to manage, deliver and evaluate the impacts of conservation programmes, and deploy cutting edge technology, tools, and frameworks to tackle complex conservation problems effectively, thoughtfully, and ethically. This course trains you to understand conservation issues as complex problems, that require social and ecological sciences for great decision-making.  

Our programme provides flexibility and accessibility through diverse, innovative teaching practice, a mixture of online and in person teaching, and the option of studying full or part time. This course consists of two intensive in person teaching periods at the Centre for Environmental Policy in South Kensington, featuring seminars, practicals, fieldtrips, one-to-one mentoring and insights from conservation scientists and practitioners. The rest of the course is delivered through interactive remote sessions, offering a unique opportunity to engage with and be taught by current conservation leaders working in research, policy and practice all over the world. Our blended programme allows us to decolonialise conservation narratives and provide our students with truly global conservation insights. 

How will studying MSc Conservation Science and Practice help my career? 

• Learn with global expertise and cutting-edge research from social and ecological scientists, economists and engineers across Imperial and within the CEP.
• Develop the skills to understand and apply evidence from across disciplines to conservation problems, to become scientific leaders, savvy conservationists and solve the biodiversity crisis.
• Study with flexibility and accessibility around your life and location with blended (in person and online) teaching and the option of full-time or part-time mode.
• Undertake seminars and workshops, in-depth conservation strategy practicals, field trips, and career development panels with conservation leaders.
• Meet our alumni, learn about their career journeys and follow in their footsteps to become academic researchers at top universities, conservation practitioners at NGOs, policy advisors in governments, or consultants in the ecological survey, sustainability and green finance industries. 

For in-depth information about the course structure and content, see the handbook for current students. Note that this information is subject to change. Find out more about potential course changes.