University of Southampton

Wildlife Conservation (MRes)

University of SouthamptonHighfield and Marwell Wildlife, Southampton

Course overview

MRes Wildlife Conservation is globally unique as the only Master of Research run collaboratively with a conservation organisation. It includes a 4-week independent research project with real-world conservation impact. You'll gain experience working with Marwell Wildlife, while studying for your master’s.

Our master's in wildlife conservation is designed to give you the skills to be a 21 st century conservation biologist. Many of our graduates have progressed to PhD study and 80% are working in the conservation sector. Your research project will be part of the work being carried out by Marwell Wildlife.

During your studies, you’ll join the conservation biology team, based at the Science and Learning Centre at Marwell Zoo. This wildlife conservation degree also includes a 10-day trip to Kenya, which is covered as part of the course fees. You’ll collect data and report your findings to stakeholders giving you real experience of a conservation biologist working in Africa.

You’ll undertake

Key highlights

  • Only Master of Research run jointly with a conservation organisation
  • Research project contributes to Marwell Wildlife's conservation work
  • Based with conservation biology team at Marwell Zoo's Science and Learning Centre
  • 10-day Kenya field trip included in course fees
  • Collect field data in Africa and report findings to stakeholders
  • Many graduates progress to PhD; 80% work in conservation sector

Entry requirements

  • Degree: 2:1 — You’ll need a 2:1 degree In a relevant subject, such as Biology, Ecology, Environmental Sciences, Geography or Zoology.

Scholarships

  • Biological Sciences Global Impact Scholarship

    Scholarships of £5,000 and £3,000 off tuition fees are available to international students studying an eligible postgraduate master’s in biological sciences.

  • Chevening Scholarships

  • Environmental and Life Sciences Global Impact Scholarship

    £5000 is available to international students studying for a MSc in Geographical Information Systems and Remote Sensing.

    Up to £5,000

  • Geography and Environmental Science Global Impact Scholarship

    Scholarships of £5,000 and £3,000 off tuition fees are available to international students studying an eligible postgraduate master’s in geography and environmental science.

  • Global Excellence Scholarship

    The £3,000 is available as a tuition fee reduction on the first year of study.?

    Up to £3,000

  • Health Sciences Global Impact Scholarship

    Scholarships of £5,000 and £3,000 off tuition fees are available to international students studying an eligible postgraduate master’s in health sciences. The scholarship will apply to the first year of study.

  • Medical Technology, Innovation and Design Master’s Scholarship

    £3000 is available to international students studying MSc Medical Technology, Innovation and Design.

    Up to £3,000

  • Nursing Global Impact Scholarship

    Scholarships of £5,000 and £3,000 off tuition fees are available to international students studying an eligible postgraduate master’s in nursing. The scholarship will apply to the first year of study.

  • Ocean and Earth Science Global Impact Scholarship

    Scholarships of £5,000 and £3,000 off tuition fees are available to international students.

  • Presidential Bursaries

    The scholarship funds the difference between UK and international level tuition fees.

  • Southampton Ageing and Gerontology Talent Scholarship

    Two scholarships of £5,000 are available to UK and international students applying to study an eligible postgraduate Ageing and Gerontology programme in 2026.

    Up to £5,000

  • Southampton Business School (MBA) Excellence International Scholarship

    Scholarships are available for 3 different amounts: £13,000, £10,000, £7,000.

  • Southampton Business School (MBA) Future Leader Scholarship

    Five scholarships of £15,000 are available to UK and international students studying Master of Business Administration (MBA).

    Up to £15,000

  • Southampton Business School (MSc) Dean Scholarship (International)

    If you have a 1st or an equivalent qualification in your undergraduate studies you will get £9,000.

  • Southampton Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Postgraduate International Scholarship

    £3000 is available to international students studying an eligible postgraduate master’s in chemistry.

    Up to £3,000

  • Southampton Economic, Social and Political Sciences Postgraduate International Scholarship

    £3000 is available to international students studying an eligible postgraduate master’s in economic, social and political sciences.

    Up to £3,000

  • Southampton Education Civic Scholarship

  • Southampton Education Postgraduate International Scholarship

    £3000 is available to international students studying an eligible postgraduate master’s in education.

    Up to £3,000

  • Southampton Engineering Deans Postgraduate International Scholarship

    £5000 is available to international students studying an eligible postgraduate master’s in engineering.

    Up to £5,000

  • Southampton Faculty of Medicine PGT Talent Scholarship

    Three scholarships of £6,000 off tuition fees are available to UK and international students studying an eligible postgraduate masters’ within the Faculty of Medicine in 2026.

    Up to £6,000

  • Southampton Law Postgraduate International Scholarship

    £3,000 is available to international students studying an eligible postgraduate master’s in law.

    Up to £3,000

  • Southampton MA Holocaust Scholarships

    2 Sayers Family scholarships of £2,000 are available to students applying for the MA Holocaust: History, Experience, Heritage in 2026.

  • Southampton Mathematics Postgraduate International Scholarship

    £3000 is available to international students studying an eligible postgraduate master’s in mathematics.

    Up to £3,000

  • Southampton Medicine Postgraduate International Scholarship

    £3,000 is available to international students studying an eligible postgraduate master’s in medicine.

    Up to £3,000

  • Southampton Photonics Impact Scholarship

    There are up to 3 scholarships available to international students applying to study MSc Optical Engineering. If you are awarded this scholarship, you'll get up to £15,000 off your tuition fees.

    Up to £15,000

  • Southampton Psychology Postgraduate International Scholarship

    Scholarships of £5,000 and £3,000 off tuition fees are available to international students studying an eligible postgraduate master’s in psychology.

  • Southampton Social Statistics and Demography Chris Skinner Postgraduate International Scholarship

    Two scholarships of £5,000 are available to international students studying for an eligible master’s degree in social statistics and demography.

    Up to £5,000

  • Southampton Sociology and Criminology Postgraduate International Scholarship

    2 scholarships of £5,000 off tuition fees are available to international students.

    Up to £5,000

  • Southampton Teachers' Postgraduate Scholarship

    We'll issue the 10% discount as a tuition fee reduction on both years of part-time study. For 2025 entry, the 10% discount for year 1 will be £462.50.

    Up to 10% of fees

Careers this course leads to

  • Conservation biologist
  • Conservation officer
  • Ecologist
  • Wildlife researcher
  • PhD researcher
  • Conservation project manager

Cost of study

UK/Home: £13,700 per year | International: £31,200 per year

Admission

Applications are made through AHZ at no cost. Share your transcripts, English test scores and personal statement, and your AHZ Counsellor will review your profile, submit your application to University of Southampton, and guide you through interview, offer, CAS and visa — right up to enrolment.

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