How we maintain and enhance biodiversity in the face of unprecedented pressure from human activity and climate change is among the most pressing global challenges of our time. This programme will equip you with in-depth knowledge of the primary threats to biodiversity, the potential management solutions to mitigate and reverse biodiversity loss, and the practical skills required for studying animal and plant biodiversity and conservation.

• Taught by leading experts working across diverse aspects of animal and plant biodiversity and conservation
• Intensive training in high-demand skills such as data analysis, ecological surveying, and spatial mapping
• Enjoy access to state-of-the art facilities, including the world-class collections and resources at the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew
• Choice of modules, and the opportunity to join an overseas field course in a biodiversity hotspot
• Six-month research project in a leading research group at QMUL or Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, with opportunities to publish scientific papers.

What you'll study

Learn the skills needed to kick-start your career in this exciting and rapidly-evolving field. This programme balances evolutionary biology, ecology, statistics, and conservation and restoration, with an emphasis on practical applications and training in biodiversity research. Modules cover examples from freshwater, marine and terrestrial ecosystems, and are taught by leading experts based at Queen Mary University of London and the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew.

The programme starts with a set of core modules that are designed to introduce you to concepts and cutting-edge topics in biodiversity research, ecology and conservation. In particular, you will learn about the challenges and possible solutions surrounding biodiversity loss and conservation, including international policies and frameworks. You will also gain critical skills in data handling and statistical analysis, which you will be able to apply in your research project and future career.

You will then have a choice of elective modules that cover themes such as habitat management, ecosystem assessment, spatial analysis, emerging technologies, and conservation policy. By selecting between modules, you will be able to customize the MSc to pursue your personal interests and aims, with the opportunity to focus on restoration ecology or animal-based surveys, or to remain broad.