Ecological Management & Conservation Biology

We’re in the middle of a biodiversity crisis; the sixth mass extinction event on Earth driven by man. Wildlife populations have declined by 68% since 1970 while climate breakdown is pushing the Earth beyond safe ecological limits.



There is unprecedented pressure on the environment from overexploitation, habitat degradation and destruction, climate change, invasive species, pollution and emerging diseases. However, you can be part of global and local solutions.

Core Modules

Ecological Management and Conservation Biology (40 credits)

Skills in Ecological Management (30 credits)

Literature Review: Conservation Biology (20 credits)

Environmental Impact Assessment and Management (30 credits)



Optional Modules

Research Project: Ecological Management and Conservation Biology (60 credits)

Professional Development and Work Placement (60 credits)

Entrance requirements

Graduate

A 2.2 Honours degree or above in a relevant area of science, such as any type of biology (including animal science, biological science, environmental science, marine biology and zoology), agriculture or veterinary science and paleoecology or geography degrees are acceptable.



We welcome applications from a diverse range of backgrounds, therefore applicants who do not meet the above academic requirements but hold a degree (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) and can demonstrate appropriate experience, will be considered on an individual basis.



Examples of relevant experience include (but are not limited to); farming, zoo work, conservation charities, environmental consultancy, conservation relevant NGOs, relevant Government Departments and overseas conservation volunteering.



International Students

Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region at https://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/international-students/your-country/



English Language Requirements

Evidence of an IELTS* score of 7.0, with not less than 6.0 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required (*taken within the last 2 years).



International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.



For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.



If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally not later than 31st July 2026. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal prior to the deadline stated on course finder. Notifications to this effect will appear on the application portal against the programme application page.



Please note: A deposit will be required to secure a place on this course.

Continuous Assessment such as coursework and module assignments based on self-driven, independent, study (there are no examinations).


A Postgraduate Diploma (PGDIP) student who achieves 50% or higher in completed modules may be permitted to transfer to the MSc Pathway subject to General Regulations. The MSc will be awarded with Distinction to a student who achieves an average mark exceeding 70% and with Commendation for those achieving a mark between 60-69%.

1 year (Full Time)

Entry Year: Academic Year 2026/27

Career Prospects

Introduction

The course has a mix of students from Ireland, Great Britain and international students (previously from, for example, but not limited to: China, Indonesia, Thailand, Bangladesh, the USA etc.)



If you undertake a Work Placement Project this MSc will equip you with the knowledge and skills required for a successful career in conservation or ecological consultancy. If you undertake a Research project this MSc will qualify you for entering further research e.g. a PhD programme.



Employment after the Course

Graduates have been employed by a range of international non-governmental organisations (NGOs), Government departments and environmental consultancies with some progressing annually into research at other Universities.



International students frequently return to their home country to work on local conservation.



Principal Town & Country Planning Consultant at TC Town Planning



Psychologist, DOE Marine Division



Conservation Officer, The Irish Wildlife Trust



Managing Quantity Surveyor, Faithful & Gold



Survey Team Leader & Wildlife Guide at ORCA



Ecologist at Roughan & O'Donovan



Ecologist at Neo Environmental Ltd



MCO Spatial NI at Ordnance Survey



Outreach Officer Bumblebee Conservation Trust



HSEQ Coordinator & Advisor Remondis Australia



Scientific Officer at AFBI



Scientific Officer at Northern Ireland Environment Agency



Principal Environmental Consultant at Ayre Environmental Consulting



Assistant Ecologist WYG



Consultant Ecologist at AECOM



Network Development Manager (NE) Sustrans



Ecologist at Blackstaff Ecology Ltd



Project Manager for ESGE, Munich



Lab Analyst at Fibertec Environmental Services, Michigan



Freelance Seasonal Ecologist/ Bat Surveyor



Environmental Educator, UNESCO Dublin Bay Biosphere



Conservation Advisor at RSPB



Application Specialist, Exploristics Ltd



Raptor Monitoring Officer at Northern Ireland Raptor Study Group



Environmental Assistant at Northstone (NI) Limited



AES Biodiversity Intern at Ulster Wildlife



Graduate Assistant Ecologist at Ecological Survey & Assessment (ECOSA) Limited



Ecologist at RPS Group



Ecologist at Focus Ecology



Compliance Officer at Norbrook Laboratories ltd



Assistant Ecologist Wild Frontier Ecology Ltd



Graduate Land Consultant at Mouchel



Regulatory Affairs Associate at Genpact Pharmalink



Engineering Technician at McCloy Consulting Limited



Volunteer at Belfast Hills Partnership Trust



Natural Resources Specialist at Equinox Environmental

Consultation and Design, Inc. Ashville



Employment Links

Employers who are interested in people like you:



Environmental consultancies including international organisations like AECOM Ltd., global conservation charities like the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) or Conservation International, government, for example, the Departments of Environment, Agriculture or Fisheries or local conservation groups such as those into fisheries management, stock assessment, habitat or species restoration.



Professional Opportunities

You will be perfectly placed as a site manager on a nature reserve or an environmental education officer. You could equally end up in industry conducting environmental impact assessments on projects such as alternative energy production like windfarms or marine turbines, or infrastructural developments such as airport runway extensions.



After your MSc you might want to travel and gain experience in places like Asia, South America or Africa.



You may even follow in the footsteps of Queen’s alumni like zoologist, wildlife photographer and television presenter Jonathan Scott , who has gone on to film wildlife documentaries for the BBC like Big Cat Diary.

https://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/Undergraduate/careers-and-employability/alumni/