Take part in case studies using our natural surroundings, including the Lake District
Develop specialist conservation skills blended with broader environmental knowledge
Learn how to take positive action against conservation and biodiversity challenges
The MSc Conservation and Biodiversity will develop you as an environmental science professional with the ability to analyse and address the ecological and conservation challenges facing our planet. Our programme is interdisciplinary – we believe that having the specialist skills to manage habitats and tackle wildlife-human conflict, alongside a broader understanding of global environmental issues, will put you at the forefront of developing successful conservation actions.
The community you will belong to is based in Lancaster Environment Centre (LEC), home to a wide range of active, world-leading researchers making a positive impact in this field. This means that what you learn is truly cutting-edge. The MSc blends theory with practical skills so that you gain a solid foundation in key theoretical issues, such as wildlife population dynamics and conservation biology. You will also develop essential field skills in species identification, sampling and monitoring of populations and utilising geospatial approaches. These skills are valued by employers in the sector.
Those who are passionate about nature and the diversity of life, who want to follow a career developing and implementing approaches for reverting biodiversity loss and promoting a positive human-nature future. You will take the skills gained into the fields of ecology, conservation and environment.
Throughout the programme, you will:
You will study three core and three optional modules, providing you with a good understanding of the key environmental challenges of the 21st century, their impact on society and techniques used in seeking solutions. More specifically, you will gain knowledge of the key ecological principles underpinning the conservation of species and habitats, while developing field and analytical skills to monitor populations and ecosystems.
Lancaster is well situated for outdoor learning. Surrounded by countryside, and with the Lake District World Heritage Site on our doorstep, you will work on case studies in some of the most interesting natural areas in the country.
Finally, your dissertation provides the opportunity to develop a research project with an external partner or organisation. This could include consultancies, NGOs or government agencies. It’s an exciting way to apply your knowledge and skills to make a positive impact.
Study alongside work and other commitments by taking this course on a part-time basis. Running over two years, you can choose from a selection of our modules each year.
We'll liaise with you over your schedule and choice of optional modules, ensuring you successfully balance your commitments alongside our Master’s programme.
Interested in master's-level study with us? Fill in our form and we will keep you up to date with course information, events and open days.
Graduates of the MSc Conservation and Biodiversity move into roles in the environment sector, government, public agencies and charities. Many continue their academic training through a PhD, following a career in research.
Our alumni work as:
We are delighted to offer a selection of scholarships for taught master’s programmes in the Faculty of Science and Technology for 2026 entry. These scholarships are awarded to students studying the programme on a full-time basis.
Students from Bangladesh, Egypt, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey or Vietnam
| Your qualifications | Programme cost without scholarship | International Regional Scholarship or India Scholarship | You pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st class degree | £30,000 | £10,000 | £20,000 |
| 2:1 degree | £30,000 | £10,000 | £20,000 |
International students from other countries
| Your qualifications | Programme cost without scholarship | Science and Technology Excellence Scholarship | You pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st class degree | £30,000 | £9,000 | £21,000 |
| 2:1 degree | £30,000 | £4,500 | £25,500 |
Scholarships will be applied automatically if you meet the criteria. Find out more about the scholarship terms and conditions. We also offer an additional 10% discount on fees for Lancaster University Alumni.
| Your qualifications | Programme cost without scholarship | Science and Technology Excellence Scholarship | You pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st class degree | £14,140 | £4,242 | £9,898 |
Scholarships will be applied automatically if you meet the criteria. Find out more about the scholarship terms and conditions. We also offer an additional 10% discount on fees for Lancaster University Alumni.
Lancaster Environment Centre features state-of-the-art teaching laboratories and specialist facilities, including dedicated spaces for Environmental Chemistry, Noble Gas analysis, plus Water and Soil Science.
We offer a diverse range of research facilities to support your work, from glasshouses and controlled-environment plant growth rooms to solar domes and a weather station at our Hazelrigg field site and telemetered research catchments. Our facilities are complemented by advanced equipment such as our Mass Spectrometry facility, X-ray CT-Scanner and Magnetometer.
Our exceptional local surroundings – ranging from coasts and lakes to forests, farms and urban environments – provide a living laboratory for hands-on learning, helping you develop practical skills with global relevance.
Alongside a range of study areas across campus, our atrium offers a bright, modern environment designed for collaboration and independent work. Filled with natural light and greenery, it’s a welcoming space for students and staff to meet, study and relax.
Dedicated support staff with expertise in GIS, statistics, modelling and programming are on hand to help you build advanced data and digital skills. We also have a cutting-edge data immersion suite that’s used in our teaching.
2:2 Hons degree (UK or equivalent) in Ecology, Conservation, Biodiversity, Biology, Environmental Science, Geography, Biological Sciences, Earth Sciences, Water Management or Zoology.
We may also consider non-standard applicants with extensive work/volunteering experience or training in the ecology and conservation sector. Research experience via a dissertation on ecology or conservation may also be considered.
If you hold a 2:2 degree in a subject not noted above, please contact us for further information.
We require an IELTS (Academic) Test with an overall score of at least 6.5, and a minimum of 6.0 in each element of the test.
We also consider other English language qualifications and if your score is below our requirements, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language programmes.
If you are thinking of applying to Lancaster and you would like to ask us a question, complete our enquiry form and one of the team will get back to you.
We also have more details on our website about:
Delivered in partnership with Lancaster International Study Centre, our one-year tailored pre-master's pathways are designed to improve your subject knowledge and English language skills to the level required by a range of Lancaster University master's degrees. Visit Lancaster University International Study Centre for more details and a list of eligible degrees you can progress onto.
We continually review and enhance our curriculum to ensure we are delivering the best possible learning experience, and to make sure that the subject knowledge and transferable skills you develop will prepare you for your future. The University will make every reasonable effort to offer programmes and modules as advertised. In some cases, changes may be necessary and may result in new modules or some modules and combinations being unavailable, for example as a result of student feedback, timetabling, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes and new research. Not all optional modules are available every year.
Employers in the ecology and conservation sector place significant value on field skills as they are essential for effective, hands-on data collection and analysis. You will gain knowledge of identification of plants and animals to different taxonomic level depending on the group. The module also focuses on practical methods of sampling populations, monitoring habitats and assessing biodiversity and ecosystem services, which are crucial for understanding ecosystem health and supporting conservation efforts. You will also develop sampling protocols, collect data from the field and use analytical techniques to address ecological questions. The module has a strong field component taking advantages of the natural habitats both in campus and the protected landscapes near Lancaster.
Develop your understanding of the ecological principles of habitat management for biodiversity conservation and how these can be applied to manage a range of priority habitats in the UK. Looking at a range of habitat types you will critically examine the construction of their habitat management plans. Following this you will gain experience in writing such a plan with specified conservation objectives, threats identified and management actions defined. You will learn how to take into account the dynamic nature of ecosystems and conflicts of interest in land use. The module is taught by a mix of lectures and workshops on campus and excursions to local nature reserves where you will interact with reserve managers and take part in field activities.
This field-based, interdisciplinary module puts you at the heart of environmental sustainability case studies right on our doorstep in Lancaster. These may include:
With each case study, our academic and research staff work alongside external stakeholders in the identification, assessment, and remediation of environmental challenges.
Our most pressing environmental sustainability challenges include biodiversity loss, climate change, waste and pollution management, uncertain food security and dwindling resources. There is an ever-increasing demand for graduates versed in these complex issues, whose critical thinking and original, creative problem-solving can make a difference.
You’ll gain both first-hand knowledge relevant to careers in environmental sustainability, and experience in effective communication that cuts across disciplinary boundaries and brings together the University, the private sector, and the wider public.
The dissertation allows you to conduct an independent research project that is at the forefront of the discipline, focusing on a specific topic relevant to your degree programme and interests. Throughout, you will receive one-to-one support from an academic.
This is the largest piece of work that you will complete during your degree and depending on your subject area, will enable you to develop skills including:
You will be expected to present your findings in an extensive report akin to a research paper. In this, you will demonstrate your ability to conduct rigorous, independent research whilst working effectively with others, attributes valued by future employers.
Global food security means ensuring that everyone, everywhere, always has access to an affordable supply of safe and nutritious food. Today, up to a billion people remain undernourished, while many others face health issues linked to over-consumption. This interdisciplinary module explores the wide range of local and global factors that influence food availability, accessibility and utilisation. You’ll examine what makes a diet healthy and how access to key nutrients can be improved, for example through fish consumption or crop biofortification. The module also looks at how climate change affects food production, by influencing key biological processes like photosynthesis and reproductive development. You’ll explore the complex interplay between food, water and energy security, and assess the environmental footprint of the global food system, recognising the diverse needs and priorities of local communities who depend on food-producing regions.
Discover research advances in the field of ecology and conservation that provides key skills for working in the era of big data. You will be taught by world-leading researchers who are experts in biodiversity from coral reefs to tropical forests and freshwater lakes, ensuring deep understanding of how data science can generate actionable insights for global conservation. Throughout the module, you will understand the principles behind data science tools and techniques at the forefront of developing both fundamental understanding of the natural world and urgent solutions to the global biodiversity crisis.
Explore in-depth aquatic ecology, focusing on both freshwater and marine ecosystems. You will examine key ecological concepts such as species interactions, energy flow, nutrient cycling and ecosystem functioning across different aquatic environments. The module will explore how physical, chemical and biological factors shape the structure and dynamics of both marine and freshwater habitats. Through case studies, fieldwork and practical applications, you will investigate the ecological processes in lakes, rivers, coastal zones and oceans and develop skills in data analysis, biological monitoring and conservation strategies. Special attention will be given to the conservation and management of aquatic habitats, with a focus on sustainable practices. You will develop a broad understanding of aquatic ecology and the skills required to address contemporary challenges in both freshwater and marine environments.
This module will introduce you to the increasingly holistic approach to conservation, emphasising the interplay between ecological and social systems, that recognises human behaviours, economic pressures and cultural values alongside biological factors.
You will discover how conservation is as much about human behaviours and values as it is about species and biological diversity. You will also begin to understand that conservation science has come to recognise the complex nature of environmental challenges, requiring a blend of knowledge from various disciplines. While the foundations of conservation are still in traditional biology, the incorporation of social sciences, economics and law are increasing.
You will explore the need for collaboration across diverse stakeholders. Through case studies, you will learn to apply interdisciplinary frameworks to real-world scenarios, to recognise and engage with the often-conflicting values and priorities. On completion of the module you will be prepared for careers in conservation organisations, government agencies and research institutions, empowering you to become effective agents of environmental change.
Develop a critical understanding of the core concepts, tools and strategies used in managing natural resources and the environment. This module places strong emphasis on tackling the complexity, uncertainty and conflict that often characterise real-world environmental challenges. You’ll explore a range of management approaches suited to rapidly changing or ‘turbulent’ conditions and examine contemporary environmental issues through both academic and policy lenses. By engaging in constructive debate, you’ll refine your ability to evaluate competing arguments and evidence, and demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of alternative management frameworks.
How do we make the decisions that will stop climate change, reverse the biodiversity crisis, keep our rivers clean and cope with a host of other environmental issues while providing the jobs, houses, renewable energy and other things we need for a high quality of life? This module will introduce you to the fast-moving world of environmental decision making through Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and the new approach of Environmental Outcome Reports (EORs). We take a practical approach, including site visits, to see how information is gathered and processed on plans, programmes and projects that may have a significant effect on the environment, and we explain the process, law, and key players right through to a decision. This practical approach helps you to gain confidence so that you’re ready to create and present a case either for or against a scheme.
We introduce you to the fundamental principles of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing and demonstrate how these complementary technologies may be used to capture/derive, manipulate, integrate, analyse and display different forms of spatially-referenced environmental data. We blend theory-led lectures with hands-on practical sessions using state-of-the-art software. Alongside core subject knowledge, you'll build transferable skills in synthesising geographical data, developing problem-solving strategies, managing your time effectively and presenting analysis through innovative graphical formats.
Explore fundamental soil processes, from the physical, to the chemical and biological, the value of sustainable soil management, and the challenges faced by soils in the light of global change.
You will gain an advanced understanding of the research that underpins our knowledge of soil formation, soil structure and soil chemistry, together with the cycling of nutrients, water and carbon within soils.
You will additionally examine soil biology and biodiversity, and the interaction between soil microbes, and soil biota and plants with respect to soil processes. Finally, you will critically assess the role of soils in addressing sustainability challenges, such as climate mitigation.
| Location | Full Time (per year) | Part Time (per year) |
|---|---|---|
| Home | £14,140 | £7,070 |
| International | £30,000 | £15,000 |
There may be extra costs related to your course for items such as books, stationery, printing, photocopying, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits. Following graduation, you may need to pay a subscription to a professional body for some chosen careers.
Specific additional costs for studying at Lancaster are listed below.
Lancaster is proud to be one of only a handful of UK universities to have a collegiate system. Every student belongs to a college, and all students pay a small College Membership Fee which supports the running of college events and activities. Students on some distance-learning courses are not liable to pay a college fee.
For students starting in 2025, the fee is £40 for undergraduates and research students and £15 for students on one-year courses.
To support your studies, you will also require access to a computer, along with reliable internet access. You will be able to access a range of software and services from a Windows, Mac, Chromebook or Linux device. For certain degree programmes, you may need a specific device, or we may provide you with a laptop and appropriate software - details of which will be available on relevant programme pages. A dedicated IT support helpdesk is available in the event of any problems.
The University provides limited financial support to assist students who do not have the required IT equipment or broadband support in place.
There is no application fee if you are applying for postgraduate study starting in 2026.
For some of our courses you will need to pay a deposit to accept your offer and secure your place. We will let you know in your offer letter if a deposit is required and you will be given a deadline date when this is due to be paid.
The fee that you pay will depend on whether you are considered to be a home or international student. Read more about how we assign your fee status.
If you are studying on a programme of more than one year’s duration, tuition fees are reviewed annually and are not fixed for the duration of your studies. Read more about fees in subsequent years.
Find all fees and funding information for students at Lancaster University.
You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status and course. You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.
Unfortunately no scholarships and bursaries match your selection, but there are more listed on scholarships and bursaries page.
If you're considering postgraduate research you should look at our funded PhD opportunities.
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|---|---|---|
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We also have other, more specialised scholarships and bursaries - such as those for students from specific countries.
Browse Lancaster University's scholarships and bursaries.
The information on this site relates primarily to the stated entry year and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.
The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.
More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.
We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. Find out more about our Charter and student policies.
