Global Conservation MSc

Overview

Our Global Conservation MSc offers a unique education in biodiversity and conservation. It combines training in technical skills, policy and end-user engagement.

This MSc will give you the expertise to understand and inform international conservation policies and address real-world environmental problems.

Key programme highlights

• Real-world engagement: Address current conservation issues by collaborating on projects and assignments designed with organisations like the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and more.
• Policy-relevant skills: Develop your expertise in species conservation, policy writing, and biodiversity assessments.
• Global perspective: Learn about the diverse cultural, ecological, and political contexts crucial for achieving the Convention on Biological Diversity's vision of 'living in harmony with nature'.

You’ll gain in-depth knowledge of the Global Biodiversity Framework and learn about the major challenges and solutions identified by world governments.

This course combines theoretical and practical learning, allowing you to engage with contemporary global issues. You’ll work with our expert staff and prominent national and international organisations.

Research collaborations

Current research includes work with:

• Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
• United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC)
• environment departments in a range of countries
• World Agroforestry (ICRAF)
• DEFRA and Natural England
• NGOs in the UK and overseas

Important information

We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.

Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions

Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

Your future

Further study

This course supports a route into PhD-level study. You’ll develop the research skills needed for advanced study during your course.

Careers

We have a strong focus on career planning and you’ll start planning your career from day one. Our course is designed to help you build career-ready skills and reflect on your professional growth throughout. You'll engage with professionals from research, business and policy during the course, build a portfolio demonstrating your skills and reflect on your development.

Our hands-on approach will prepare you for a career at the science-policy interface. You'll graduate ready for a career where knowledge of how biodiversity science, conservation, and policy intersect and inform each other and where that knowledge matters most. This course supports pathways into:

• biodiversity policy
• species conservation
• sustainable ecosystem management

You’ll be ready for a wide range of careers such as:

• Conservation Scientist
• Policy Advisor for international, government and business conservation bodies
• Wildlife Manager
• Environmental Consultant
• Biodiversity Analyst
• Government and business
• Conservation Manager

Industry links

We have strong industrial links with various organisations central to global biodiversity science and policy. This provides you with many valuable networking opportunities and potential career pathways.

Our Careers Service

Our Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. 

Visit our Careers Service website