MSc in Biodiversity and Global Change

Build the skillset and in-depth knowledge you need to address urgent biodiversity issues as a conservation scientist.

Human-driven global changes are having a dramatic and devastating impact on biodiversity. There is a growing need for professionals who can apply advanced scientific tools and understanding to precipitate the fundamental societal changes needed to protect our living world.

This course provides intensive training in the core science, methodologies and hands-on skills needed to address these issues as a professional in a range of possible domains.  It is run as a partnership between three world-renowned research institutions: UCL’s Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research the Natural History Museum, and ZSL, with contributions from other industry partners, giving you access to a huge depth and breadth of experience and expertise. With this support, you’ll build your own expertise and network to forge a conservation-focused career in academia, environmental policy and management or any organisation committed to securing a more sustainable future.

What you can look forward to

• Work alongside leading academics from UCL's Centre for Biodiversity and the Environment, the Natural History Museum and the Zoological Society of London, and access a vast array of research into topics of critical importance for a sustainable future.
• Build your skills in the most up-to-date tools, platforms and technologies in data analysis, coding, ecological modelling, remote sensing and geographic information systems.
• Spend six months on taught modules, learning the science behind biodiversity patterns and biodiversity change, computational and analysis methods, and the application of biodiversity science to real-world conservation decisions – and optional areas like behavioural ecology, plant evolution and AI for the environment.
• Spend the second half of your year immersed in your own research project, building your investigative, analytical and presentation skills with close supervision and mentorship from a leading academic.
• Learn to collect, manipulate and perform statistical analysis on field courses at Blakeney point in Norfolk. 
  

Where the course can take you 

This MSc offers excellent preparation for PhD-level scientific research. You could also apply your expertise and skills to environmental policy and management, to scientific journalism, to the conservation work of NGOs, or to the work of governmental, intergovernmental or private organisations with sustainability agendas.