Turn your passion for animals into a career in zoo conservation, with a masters course in collaboration with Chester Zoo.
Zoos play a crucial role in animal conservation. Whether they’re carrying out important research into animal behaviour and welfare, taking part in breeding programmes, educating the public or advising policymakers, they are important players in international conservation.
By studying our masters in zoo conservatio...
1 year full-time
2 years part-time
The MSc Zoo Conservation Biology programme is run in close collaboration with Chester Zoo and is designed to produce graduates who would like to develop careers in the research and conservation of captive populations. The course features a strong numerical and research-oriented approach – highly specialised and sought-after skills as you embark on your career.
The core Zoo Conservation unit is studied at Chester Zoo and features guest lectures from Zoo practitioners. There is also an option to choose between a field course or placement unit. You can choose between field courses in Europe (eg the Białowieża forest in Poland or the Mediterranean environment in France), Turkey or Tanzania in East Africa. If you choose the placement unit, you can carry out a 3-month placement at a UK Zoo or aquarium which we’ll help you secure, ensuring it is best suited to your career and research aspirations.
The course benefits from its unique partnership with Chester Zoo and is taught by a large community of research active staff and zoo professionals. This ensures that our course content is relevant to current conservation practices and helps to grow your professional network; enhancing not just your specialist knowledge, but your future career prospects as well.
Furthermore, we are home to one of the UK’s only university-based Amphibian Conservation Research Facilities which works with zoos nationwide to determine the best way to conserve amphibians in captivity and halt their ongoing decline. So, even when studying on our Manchester Met campus, you’ll work alongside world-leading researchers to answer some of the most pressing questions in conservation. These on-site facilities make it easy for you to put theory into practice, a career-focused approach that gives you unrivalled real-world experience.
MSc student research projects
Most students carry out their research projects at a zoo, aquarium or similar institutions. The projects are often directly aligned with staff research projects or topics may be suggested by the host institutions. They may cover aspects of animal welfare, ecology, behaviour, genetics, anatomy and physiology.
There may also be the possibility of carrying out your project overseas. For example, several students have been working on captive bear welfare and management in Cambodia.
Whether you've already made your decision about what you want to study, or you're just considering whether postgraduate study is right for you, there are lots of ways you can meet us and find out more about postgraduate student life at Manchester Met.
We offer:
Your studies are supported by a department of committed and enthusiastic teachers and researchers, experts in their chosen field.
We often link up with external professionals too, helping to enhance your learning and build valuable connections to the working world.
You’ll need a UK honours degree – normally a 2:2 – or the international equivalent, in a relevant subject. We might also consider your application if you have several years’ professional experience in a related field.
Overseas applicants will require IELTS with an overall score of 6.5 with no less than 5.5 in any category, or an equivalent accepted English qualification. See accepted English qualifications.
Full-time fee: £11,500 per year. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of your course providing you complete it in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).
Part-time fee: £1917 per 30 credits studied per year. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of your course providing you complete it in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).
Full-time fee: £21,000 per year. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of your course providing you complete it in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).
Part-time fee: £3500 per 30 credits studied per year. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of your course providing you complete it in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).
A masters qualification typically comprises 180 credits, a PGDip 120 credits, a PGCert 60 credits, and an MFA 300 credits. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of study provided the course is completed in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).
Optional estimate: £2500
Students who decide to take the Field Course unit will attend a residential field trip in Europe or Turkey which is included in the cost of the of the course fees. The residential field trip to Tanzania incurs an additional fee (approx. £2500). There may however be some additional costs for all overseas trips, such as the costs associated with getting travel visas.
For your research project, you may decide to carry out fieldwork overseas - this would also incur additional costs.
Optional estimate: £50
On this course, you can choose between either a three-month work placement at a UK zoo or aquarium, or a field course. Students who decide to take the Placement Unit will be supported by the provision of a placement preparation training, the cost of which is included in the course fees.
Manchester Met provides free travel insurance for students, in most cases, when they travel in connection with their programme of study, for example, placements, field trips, exchanges etc. However, students should also take out personal insurance cover for belongings as items such as mobile phones are not covered by this policy (may range between £20-50 depending on length and country of travel).
Optional estimate: £28.50
Students are encouraged to become student members of the Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment (IEMA). Student membership fees are currently £28.50 Application fee and year 1 membership fee - £28.50 Annual renewal fee (23/24)
Compulsory estimate: £10
Optional estimate: £700
Students often choose to buy a laptop, and occasionally a printer, (prices may range from £200 - 700 depending on choice) but there are drop-in computer labs and printing facilities on campus and laptops for loan in the library. Students will be expected to print out some assessments such as posters (c. £10 per year).
This is a course that can pave the way to a wide range of career paths and professional possibilities – including study at PhD level – and provides a route into animal management within captive populations.
Some of our graduates have gone into roles at organisations that include the Peak District National Park, BBC, RSPCA, Blackpool Zoo, Chester Zoo, Dallas Zoo in the USA and many more.
Careers support is available from the moment you join us, and for up to three years after you finish your course. Dedicated careers and employability advisors in the department and the University Careers Service will help you find the role that’s right for you.
Please contact our course enquiries team.
Get advice and support on making a successful application.
You can review our current Terms and Conditions before you make your application. If you are successful with your application, we will send you up to date information alongside your offer letter.
Programme Review
Our programmes undergo an annual review and major review (normally
at 6 year intervals) to ensure an up-to-date curriculum supported by the
latest online learning technology. For further information on when we
may make changes to our programmes, please see the
changes section of our Terms and Conditions .
Important Notice
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