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Postgraduate Taught
| UCAS code | 1234 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 year full time 2 years part time |
| Entry year | 2025 |
| Campus | Penryn Campus |
| Discipline | Ecology and Conservation |
| Contact |
| Typical offer | Normally at least a high 2:1 Honours degree or equivalent in a relevant science subject |
|---|---|
4th in the world for Ecology
Shanghai Rankings Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2024
90% of our Biological Sciences research is internationally excellent
Based on research rated 4* and 3* in the Research Excellence Framework 2021
Top 20 in the UK for world-leading research in Biological Sciences
REF 2021, based on 4-star research
4th in the world for Ecology
Shanghai Rankings Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2024
90% of our Biological Sciences research is internationally excellent
Based on research rated 4* and 3* in the Research Excellence Framework 2021
Top 20 in the UK for world-leading research in Biological Sciences
REF 2021, based on 4-star research
Normally a 2:1 degree or above in a relevant science subject* is required, although we will consider all applications with a 2.1 where there is evidence of exceptional performance in modules relevant to the programme of study (research and/or numerical skills), and/or significant relevant work experience of 2+ years.
*Relevant subjects include: Biology, Biosciences, Ecology, Geography, Marine Biology, Marine Sciences, Natural Sciences and Zoology.
International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B2. Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.
I've really enjoyed the course and have loved getting a completely comprehensive view of marine vertebrates in all forms. Cornwall is beautiful and absolutely nothing like what I thought England was like. Every day I get the opportunity to see new species of fauna and flora, different weathers and living by the sea is absolutely incredible.
We have had specific lecturers on topics like sensory and historical ecology, things I didn’t know were specific avenues until starting the course, but have proven to be fascinating to learn about. We continue to learn about and focus on each avenue across the broad spectrum of marine vertebrate conservation. We’ve also had virtual coffee breaks where we've been able to speak with lecturers or research scientists in the field on areas that aren't covered in the syllabus if we want to learn more.
Tess
From the USA, studying MSc Marine Vertebrate Ecology and Conservation
Delivered by internationally-recognised experts with global reputations in marine ecology and conservation, this course will provide you with a diversity of skills that will equip you for a range of sectors of work and further study of marine vertebrates.
Through workshops and field trips you will develop identification and survey skills and an appreciation of the conservation and management of marine vertebrates. Research seminars will see you interacting with a wide range of our renowned academics and their research. This will mean that you will be exposed to many of the research topics being offered by staff for research projects.
You will undertake a marine vertebrate research project within the research groups of our world-leading academics. These projects will be in the UK or abroad and many will be in conjunction with our extensive network of partner organisations in the UK and around the world.
The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.
The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme.
You may take optional modules as long as any necessary prerequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows, and if you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module.
150 credits of compulsory modules, 30 credits of optional modules:
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOM4009 | Research Project | 90 |
| BIOM4025 | Statistical Modelling | 15 |
| BIOM4033 | Marine Vertebrate Ecology and Conservation | 15 |
| BIOM4044 | Skills in Marine Vertebrate Ecology and Conservation | 30 |
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BioP MSc MVEC opt 2024-5 | ||
| BIOM4040 | Fisheries Management | 15 |
| BIOM4041 | Protected Areas | 15 |
| BIOM4051 | GIS in Ecology and Conservation | 15 |
| BIOM421 | Conservation Practice and Evidence | 15 |
| BIOM422 | Animal Behaviour and Global Challenges | 15 |
£15,700 full-time; £7,850 part-time
£30,700 full-time; £15,350 part-time
When participating in field courses, you will need to cover the cost of any visas and relevant immunisations, if necessary. You will also need to provide your own specialist personal equipment appropriate to the field course destination, e.g. walking boots, rucksack, mosquito net, sleeping bag, binoculars. Additional costs may be incurred for your research project, depending on what you choose to study.
The University of Exeter has many different scholarships available to support your education, including £5 million in scholarships for international students applying to study with us in the 2025/26 academic year, such as our Exeter Excellence Scholarships*.
For more information on scholarships and other financial support, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page.
*Terms and conditions apply. See online for details.
Image credit: Philip Doherty
Our marine-related research spans the humanities, physical, social and natural sciences. Marine research groups, containing over 350 researchers, can be found in all of our Faculties and Interdisciplinary Research Institutes.
Research is organised into nine major interdisciplinary themes which sees us working collaboratively with a wide range of partners locally, regionally and across the world’s oceans to shape positive changes in practice, policy and innovation. The research groups include:
Within modules there is considerable scope for you to direct your learning towards fields of particular interest, especially through your choice of research project. Research seminars will see you interacting with a wide range of our renowned academics and their research. This will mean that you will be exposed to many of the research topics being offered by staff for research projects.
Postgraduate students join a community of world-leading marine vertebrate ecologists in the UK, with leading researchers working on sharks, marine turtles, seabirds and marine mammals in the UK and around the world.
Staff work with an extensive network of stakeholder organisations to codevelop research projects. Partners have recently included: Archelon, Beneath the Waves, British Antarctic Survey, British Divers Marinelife Rescue, Cetacean Research and Rescue Unit, Cornwall Wildlife Trust, Manta Trust, Marinelife, Natural England, Plymouth Marine Lab, ProDelphinus, Sea Mammal Research Unit, Sea Turtle Conservancy, Seychelles Island Foundation, Shark Trust, Society for the Protection of Turtles, Whale and Dolphin Conservation and Zoological Society of London.
Each student is allocated a personal tutor who is available for advice and support throughout your studies. There is also a postgraduate tutor available to help with further guidance and advice.
Taught modules will be assessed through formal oral presentation, written reports and discussions, during or upon the immediate completion of these modules.
You will become part of Exeter's Graduate School of Environment & Sustainability - a vibrant and supportive postgraduate community based here on our Penryn campus in Cornwall. The Graduate School brings together experts from across the spectrum of earth and life sciences, engineering, humanities, social sciences and business. You will interact with students from other MScs and have the opportunity to explore issues from a range of perspectives, benefiting from a truly interdisciplinary experience. All our programmes are designed with a focus on developing solutions to global challenges and creating a better future for our planet and its people.
We will undertake extensive fieldwork in waters of the UK, including Cornwall. You will become proficient in marine vertebrate identification, become a qualified marine mammal observer (MMO), become a trained marine mammal medic as well as becoming familiar with marine vertebrate necropsy protocols, baited remote underwater video and passive acoustic monitoring. Please note that some field courses may incur additional costs - see the Fees section for more information.
This programme will provide you with a diversity of skills that will equip you for a range of sectors of work and further study of marine vertebrates. Skills will include:
Generic transferrable skills include:
Our careers teams at the Career Zone can help guide you through a wealth of information to match your skills and interests to a career that will suit you. Our staff work with regional, national and international employers to develop new work placement, project and graduate opportunities.
Being part of a large research-intensive department such as Ecology and Conservation means there are multiple extracurricular research seminars per week and frequent on-campus symposia and employability focussed seminars involving invited external stakeholders, offering extensive networking opportunities.
Below are a few examples of initial jobs undertaken by graduates of our Biosciences postgraduate courses. This information has been taken from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) Survey 2016/17. Please note that, due to data protection, the job titles and organisations are listed independently and do not necessarily correspond.
Further study is a popular choice for a number of students following graduation from our Biosciences Masters courses. The MSc Marine Vertebrate Ecology course will equip you with the necessary skills to pursue further study once completing the course.
The biggest highlight of studying at Exeter was that it was a key milestone in my career to broaden my view on biodiversity conservation and ecotourism. The lecturers were very dynamic and the several field trips allowed students to gain significant experience. The University support for overseas students (e.g, support in English for essays, etc) was also very useful.
I enjoyed the dynamism of the course. It was a very intensive year with a lot of learning.
After graduating from Exeter, I came back to Cabo Verde and worked at the National Directorate of Environment. My role was to follow up the management plans of protected areas and species conservation, I was also the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Political Focal Point and Ramsar Convention Focal Point.
I then left the government and founded an NGO called Lantuna. I have been implementing biodiversity conservation projects in Cabo Verde and I also do consultancy services. At the present, I am coordinating the Cabo Verde seabirds project for BirdLife International.
Ana
Centre for Ecology and Conservation graduate
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