MSc Global Wildlife Health and Conservation

This unique programme is taught in collaboration with Bristol Zoological Society and features varied practical experience, field trips and mentoring from global experts.

You will be equipped for a career as a wildlife professional with the skills and knowledge to deal with a variety of practical situations that professional wildlife biologists face on a day-to-day basis.

Unique content with diverse topics

The programme covers the conservation and health of wildlife in situ, and ex-situ (both temporarily for rehabilitation and long-term captive breeding programmes). You'll learn a wide range of theoretical concepts and practical skills, including:

• Animal capture and handling techniques and optimal care of wildlife during rehabilitation;
• Surveillance, diagnostics, risk analysis and other tools and methods of controlling wildlife diseases;
• Effects of human activities and climate change on the health of wildlife populations;
• Assessment, stabilisation, and transportation of injured animals;
• Preventive medicine and interventions to maintain the health of captive wild animals;
• Animal behavioural principles and welfare science to predict and tackle wildlife management problems;
• Ethics and legislation affecting wildlife care;
• Factors associated with successful endangered species breeding programmes and reintroductions to the wild.

The curriculum delivers a comprehensive introduction to surveillance, epidemiology and control of wildlife diseases, and to ‘One Health’—an intersectoral approach encompassing animal, human and environmental health. These are all concepts critical to the current challenges for combatting emerging diseases and preventing future pandemics.

You will learn ecological surveying techniques and gain a foundation in the theory and practical use of new technology (for example, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing and Species Distribution Models (SDM)) to help solve applied wildlife conservation problems. You will also be introduced to principles and practices for effective in situ conservation aimed at protecting the Anthropocene from biodiversity loss and climate change.

You’ll develop advanced research skills that may be used to progress to a PhD and/or academic career, if you choose to do so.

Global networking opportunities

We place particular emphasis on wildlife health and conservation on a global scale. In addition to our own community of world-leading experts, you'll benefit from guest lectures, workshops and seminars delivered by specialist researchers, conservationists, and wildlife veterinarians. These provide valuable networking opportunities that will benefit you in your future career. There are also field visits to important wildlife locations near Bristol.

You'll be supported to develop and carry out a research project in an area that interests you most. Our students have undertaken important research in collaboration with our charity and academic partners in the UK and around the globe. Many of these projects go on to be published in academic journals.

Our Global Partners:

• Bristol Zoological Society
• Cheetah Conservation Fund, Namibia
• University of Western Australia
• Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust
• National Wildlife Management Centre
• RSPCA West Hatch Wildlife Centre
• Secret World Wildlife Rescue
• Colobus Conservation

An upper second class honours degree (or international equivalent), in a biological, veterinary, zoology or environmental science programme, or a degree with a minimum 50% relevant biology content including modules such as; Whole Organism Biology, Anatomy and/or Physiology, or evidence of Biology training such as A-level Biology grade C+. A research project is required.

We will consider applicants whose grades are slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements, if they have at least one of the following:

• evidence of significant, relevant work experience;
• a relevant postgraduate qualification.

If this is the case, applicants should include their CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when they apply, showing details of their relevant work experience and/or qualifications.

See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.