MSc Conservation Project Management

Course information

The first MSc programme to be designed specifically around the Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation, equipping students with the essential skills in conservation project design and management, conservation funding and communications: skills which have been identified by employers in the sector as essential, but lacking from most graduates within traditional zoology or wildlife conservation degrees.

Students have full access to Conservation Career Kick-Starter course and largest online conservation job board through Conservation Careers. Working with expert instructors, students produce a professional development plan and access professional training that meets their bespoke career development needs.

A UK-based residential field course gives students the opportunity to experience field work first-hand and evaluate existing conservation projects. Alternatively, students may elect to enrol on the optional international field course module, which provides students the opportunity to gain more international conservation experience (subject to additional costs).

Face-to-face teaching will take place at the Newquay University Centre campus, situated within easy access of stunning terrestrial, coastal and marine field study sites and will make use of both long-term and newly developing partnerships and contacts with the conservation community.

The future prosperity, health and welfare of human populations is fully dependent on the continued health and functioning of ecosystems and the services they provide. This has long been recognised by conservationists, but it is, perhaps, only more recently that this delicate interdependence has become mainstream thinking. International agreements such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) set ambitious and binding targets for governments to achieve. Meeting these targets is only possible through a multidisciplinary approach, emphasising the need for climate change, sustainability and conservation to be woven into the fabric of everything that we do moving forward. As a result, demand for graduates with an understanding of conservation issues is a rapidly growing area.

However, effective conservation requires more than just an understanding of the issues, it requires effective project management skills to ensure that limited funds are invested wisely and that outcomes are maximised. Therefore, increasingly, employers are looking for graduates with skills not always fully developed through traditional zoology, ecology and conservation degrees. These skills can be developed organically, through work experience, but getting a job without the required experience demanded by the role is difficult and often seen as a ‘catch 22’ and barrier to entering the workforce at the desired level after graduation. Similarly, those already working withing the conservation sector may not feel that they have fully developed the project management skills they need to be fully effective in their role or to progress within their chosen career path.

The MSc Conservation Project Management has been designed in recognition that employers are looking for highly skilled graduates with not only a strong understanding of environmental and conservation theory, but the ability to lead and manage projects in an effective way using industry standard approaches. The programme is underpinned by the Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation (commonly referred to as the Conservation Standards), which is an internationally agreed set of principles of best practice for managing conservation projects with a reflective and adaptive approach.

The programme has been designed in collaboration with Conservation Careers the number one careers advice centre for conservationists. In recognition that successful conservation projects need funding and public support, knowledge of fundraising, conservation marketing, communication and human behaviour change are also core elements of the programme.

Specific aims of the programme include:

• Develop an understanding of the Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation as best practice for designing and managing conservation projects.
• Develop an awareness of the main funding mechanisms for conservation
• Gain experience of effective communications for conservation projects utilising a range of strategies to engage with stakeholders and target audiences.
• Promote self-motivated and targeted professional development. Learners will identify and access bespoke training aimed at maximising their effectiveness and employability within their chosen area of the conservation sector.
• Encourage professional networking opportunities for learners and collaboration with conservation organisations through external training, assignments, field trips and completion of an independent conservation project.
• Develop critical thinking and analysis skills which can be applied to all aspects of professional conservation practice.
• Foster an ethos of reflective practice, with learners understanding its importance for the management of projects as well as their own continuous professional development.

What You Will Learn

Core Modules:
CORN4000 Conservation Standards for Project Management (20 credits)
CORN4001 Professional Development in Conservation (20 credits)
CORN4002 Conservation Funding (20 credits)
CORN4003 Communicating Conservation (20 credits)
CORN4004 Research Methods for Conservation (20 credits)
CORN4007 MSc Conservation Project (60credits)

Optional Modules (pick one)
CORN4005 Conservation Field Trip (UK) (20 credits)
CORN4006 International Conservation Field Trip (20 credits) - additional costs apply

Entry Requirements

All applicants must have a relevant level-6 BSc (Hons) qualification (or equivalent) at 2.2 classification or higher. Applicants falling below this level but who have significant industry experience may also be considered on an individual basis.

Work Experience

Face-to-face teaching will take place at the Newquay University Centre campus, situated within easy access of stunning terrestrial, coastal and marine field study sites and will make use of both long-term and newly developing partnerships and contacts with the conservation community

Assessment

Assessment is aligned to the University of Plymouth Assessment Policy and designed to be a valid, reliable and practical assessment of knowledge and understanding, critical thinking and professional attributes – with the intention to support the development of reflective, life-long learners who are able to assess their own performance. Content and modules are sequenced so that students can put into practice knowledge and skills which they have learnt earlier in the programme in subsequent modules and assessments. For example, students will learn the principles of designing a conservation project using the Conservation Standards during the first semester. They will then apply this knowledge to design their own conservation project and reflect and communicate on this in their final MSc project report. Students will be encouraged to reflect on their own professional development as well as the outcomes of the projects they deliver during the course. This will be achieved by including reflective essay elements as well as traditional and multimedia reports.

Progression

Students will complete a professional development plan at the start of the course to identify their ideal career trajectory, next steps in that progression (after completing the course) and specific skills they need to develop/enhance during the course. Students will then be supported in identifying and accessing additional training which they will undertake in parallel to the delivered programme. Each student will have access to a personal training grant to be spent (in agreement with their tutor/programme lead) on suitable training which will help them fulfil their PDP. All students will have access to the Conservation Careers job site and online community for help accessing jobs and structuring their CV and applications.

Newquay University Centre Cornwall College

Newquay University Centre Cornwall College

Newquay University Centre Cornwall College is a small but vibrant campus specialising in university level courses focussing on the environment. For over 20 years, we have inspired hundreds of students to make that all-important difference, using their passion as a guide. Our dedicated higher education campus is home to the marine science, zoology and surf stars of the future.

Championing #generationrestoration, this campus may be small, but its students and staff have a big impact on our planet and its future wellbeing. Likeminded individuals come together to undertake international, award-winning research, meaning when their incredible time at Newquay is done, they move onto fantastic and important careers.

It’s why you should definitely consider Newquay University Centre Cornwall College for your #careercollege experience.

Find out more about studying at Newquay

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