Wildlife Conservation & Management

The MSc Wildlife Conservation and Management is suitable for students who wish to undertake further studies in pursuit of a career in the agricultural and environmental sciences, with a particular emphasis on the sustainable management of wildlife resources within rural landscapes. This is a unique programme dealing with the principles of population management and zoonotic diseases associated with wildlife and conflict resolution.



This MSc enables students to specifically focus their studies on global wildlife conservation and management. For those with an inquiring mind, a deeper understanding of scientific principles relevant to solving agri-environmental food security concerns is provided, which in combination with understanding effective policy-making, leads to sustainable management practice.



The MSc Wildlife Conservation and Management uniquely integrates the principles of wildlife conservation and zoonotic epidemiology, to underpin the effective management of wildlife populations and ecosystem health.



The programme aims to facilitate the development of students to enable them to provide natural science solutions within a theoretical and social context. Students graduate with a range of skills and experience that makes them highly employable as they develop the ability to problem solve in multiple situations.



Students have the opportunity to visit current conservation and management projects in Ireland, to acquire applied field skills. Students also receive contributions from national and international experts in wildlife conservation and management.



This MSc is set within the UCD One Health paradigm in an agricultural context as approximately 60% of land use in Ireland and 50% of the globes land use is devoted to farming. The vision of UCD One Health is to maximise the health and well-being of humans, animals and the environment through academic excellence, collaborative research, education and outreach.



What Will I Learn?

• Demonstrate the significance and application of population genetics in the sustainable conservation and management of threatened species

• Devise and interpret agri-environmental studies/evaluations involving the collection, appropriate analysis and reporting of resulting observations

• Evaluate the critical role of conflict resolution in wildlife protection and conservation

• Integrate and apply understanding of wildlife ecology, zoonotic disease and its impact on human health including One Health

• Understand and apply the principles and practice of wildlife protection and management

• Understand and interpret the wider environmental issues and challenges of food production and security, and appreciate the objectives of national, EU and international policy

• Understand the use of core lab, field and IT (GIS) skills in scientific study and evaluation

• Value the functional benefits of biological diversity and natural ecological processes within managed ecosystems.

Module/Trimester/Credits



Stage 1 Core Modules

AESC40150 Wildlife Conservation Autumn 5

AESC40360 One Health Autumn 5

AESC40390 Human Impact on the Environment Autumn 5

AESC40440 Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Autumn 5

AESC40700 Communication for Research Autumn 5

FOR30430 Geographic Information Systems Autumn 5

AESC40180 Data Analysis for Biologists Spring 5

AESC40190 Habitat Evaluation Spring 5

AESC40200 Conservation Genetics Spring 5

AESC40470 Practical Research Skills Spring 5

AESC40690 Ecosystem Monitoring Spring 5

ZOOL40280 Biological Invasions Spring 5

AESC40370 Research Project (AESC) 2 Summer 30

• Applicants must hold hold the equivalent of a minimum Lower Second Class Honours Degree (NFQ Level 8), or international equivalent, in a Biological Science, Environmental Science, Animal Science, Equine Science or Veterinary Medicine degree programme from a recognised higher education institution.

• Applicants from other disciplines may be considered if they include strong evaluation, analytical and communication skills and have experience of working in the area.

• Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent.

• Students meeting the programme’s academic entry requirements but not the English language requirements, may enter the programme upon successful completion of UCD’s Pre-Sessional or International Pre-Master’s Pathway programmes. Please see the following link for further information http://www.ucd.ie/alc/programmes/pathways/

• These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes.



You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information at: https://www.ucd.ie/registry/prospectivestudents/admissions/rpl/ Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

Online Application



Who Should Apply?

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes

International (Non EU) applicants: Yes

1 year full-time. Delivery: On Campus.

D027: Master of Science in Wildlife Conservation and Management Full-Time

Commencing September 2026

Graduate Taught

Career & Graduate Study Opportunities

There are a range of potential employment opportunities for graduates from this programme including government departments, local authorities, county councils, environmental protection agencies and a range of national and international NGOs. In addition, suitable candidates may progress to PhD study.



Graduate Roles:

• Environmental Consultant

• Conservation Officer

• Ecological Advisor

• Policy Officer

• Conservation Manager

• Park Ranger

• Research officers

• PhD and Further research