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Aquatic Conservation, Ecology and Restoration MSc

London, Bloomsbury

This is the programme information for 2026/27 entry

If you require details of the previous year's programme, Aquatic Conservation, Ecology and Restoration MSc (2025/26), click here

Tackle the urgent challenges facing aquatic ecosystems – from pollution to habitat loss – through the interdisciplinary MSc in Aquatic Conservation, Ecology and Restoration. Combining ecological science with practical conservation and restoration approaches, the course offers extensive fieldwork across UK freshwater and coastal environments, equipping you with the critical knowledge and hands-on skills needed for research, policy, and environmental management careers.

Important notice

Please note that the UCL graduate application portal will be unavailable from 5pm (UK time) on Friday, 5 December until 10am (UK time) on Monday, 8 December. Disruption may occur outside of these anticipated times. Applications through other institutions should remain unaffected. Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused by this interruption of service.

UK students International students

Study mode

UK tuition fees (2026/27)

£21,500

£10,750

Overseas tuition fees (2026/27)

£42,700

£21,350

Duration

1 calendar year

2 calendar years

Programme starts

September 2026

Applications accepted

Applicants who require a visa: 20 Oct 2025 – 26 Jun 2026

Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 20 Oct 2025 – 28 Aug 2026

Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

Normally a minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Applicants with relevant professional experience in aquatic science or environmental management will also be considered.

The English language level for this course is: Level 4

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

This course offers a distinctive, interdisciplinary approach to the study of integrated freshwater and coastal systems, combining aquatic science with conservation and environmental management.

Students explore the interactions between aquatic ecology and hydro-geomorphology, and engage with advanced topics including aquatic landscape ecology, restoration ecology, and rewilding. The curriculum also emphasises the design of aquatic monitoring programmes and the modelling of aquatic system dynamics, providing a strong foundation in both empirical research and predictive methods.

A key part of the course is connecting scientific research with the real world. Students will take part in public engagement, citizen science and science communication, helping to apply what you learn to real environmental challenges. Students also gain specialist skills in the analysis of sediment cores to reconstruct past environmental changes, supporting a deeper understanding of ecosystem dynamics and resilience over time.

By combining scientific rigour with practical application, this MSc enables students to develop a critical and applied understanding of the links between aquatic science, environmental policy, and the implementation of effective conservation and restoration strategies.

Who this course is for

This course is ideal for graduates from environmental science, geography, oceanography, biology, chemistry, engineering or related disciplines who are passionate about aquatic ecosystems. It also appeals to those from other backgrounds with relevant practical experience seeking to develop specialist skills for careers or research in aquatic conservation and ecological restoration.

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

This MSc not only provides you with in-depth scientific expertise but also equips you with practical skills and experiences that enhance your career readiness. You will benefit from:

flexible learning pathways, allowing you to tailor your studies through optional modules and independent research projects aligned with your personal interests and career goals
expert teaching and supervision from internationally recognised researchers within UCL’s Environmental Change & Biodiversity and Environmental Modelling and Observation groups, ensuring access to cutting-edge knowledge and mentorship
strong industry and organisational links with leading environmental bodies such as the Environment Agency, The Rivers Trusts, and Natural England, facilitating networking, internships, and collaborative projects
hands-on opportunities including fieldwork, citizen science initiatives, and public engagement activities, helping you develop essential communication and stakeholder collaboration skills
exposure to emerging fields such as landscape-scale aquatic conservation—the management of ecosystems across entire catchments or regions—and environmental modelling, which uses data and simulations to predict ecosystem responses to environmental change
a vibrant, interdisciplinary academic community composed of students, researchers, and practitioners, fostering collaboration, debate, and lifelong professional connections
a prime location in London, one of the world’s leading centres for environmental science, policy, and conservation, offering extensive access to research institutions, environmental organisations, and career opportunities.

Graduates leave the course well-prepared to contribute effectively to conservation and restoration efforts, environmental consultancy, policy-making, and scientific research both nationally and internationally.

“I highly recommend studying the Aquatic Conservation, Ecology and Restoration course… You have the privilege of learning from world-leading researchers at an academic powerhouse like UCL.” — Nelanie Dilchand, MSc Aquatic Conservation, Ecology and Restoration

Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

Graduates from this course have gone on to work in a range of roles across environmental consultancy, conservation organisations, government departments, and the private sector. Many take up positions as environmental and conservation professionals or in policy and advisory roles, applying their specialist knowledge to real-world ecological and sustainability challenges.

Typical employers include aquatic conservation and environmental protection agencies, the water industry, environmental consultancies, and organisations specialising in stakeholder engagement and citizen science. Others have pursued further study, including PhD research, and now contribute to cutting-edge academic and applied research in aquatic conservation and ecosystem restoration. (Graduate Outcomes survey 2017–2022)

Students benefit from early exposure to a variety of potential employers, including a substantial alumni network, providing valuable insight into career pathways and opportunities within the sector.

Employability

This course is designed to equip graduates with a robust set of transferable skills and applied knowledge suited to a broad range of roles in the conservation, ecology, and environmental management sectors.

You will develop specialist competencies including:

project, survey, and ecological monitoring design
stakeholder engagement and environmental governance
quantitative skills including statistical and numerical analysis
application of GIS, palaeoecological methods, and modelling approaches
design and delivery of science-informed conservation and restoration strategies
field sampling and problem solving in the field
scientific report writing, communication, and dissemination of research findings
species identification and taxonomy across multiple groups
advanced critical thinking and theoretical analysis
ability to design and conduct original, independent research.

Alongside these technical skills, you will strengthen your capacity to solve complex environmental problems, manage projects effectively, and collaborate across interdisciplinary teams. The course’s emphasis on fieldwork and taxonomic skills, as well as close engagement with academic supervisors and practitioners will ensure that you graduate with practical experience, academic rigour, and professional confidence.

Networking

Students will benefit from the expertise of our world-class researchers. Thanks to the interdisciplinary nature of our work, you can develop your knowledge across many different subjects. You will be able to learn from academics, not only in Geography, but from the wider UCL community as well.

The Department also hosts annual careers events, where alumni share their experiences of post-graduation training and employment. Here students can learn more about the wide variety of opportunities available to geography graduates.

Teaching and learning

This course is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, practical classes, laboratory sessions, case studies, debates, and residential field classes. These methods are designed to provide a robust grounding in both theoretical and applied aspects of aquatic ecology and conservation.

Across all modules, emphasis is placed on interactive and research-informed teaching that fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaborative learning.

This variety of methods supports the achievement of the course’s learning outcomes by equipping students with the knowledge, technical skills, and interdisciplinary understanding needed to address contemporary environmental challenges.

Assessment on this course is designed to support students in achieving the learning outcomes through a range of formative and summative methods. You will be assessed via individual coursework. The course culminates in an independent research dissertation, which includes both a written component and a poster presentation of your results.

These assessment types are designed to develop and demonstrate a variety of skills, including critical thinking, data analysis, scientific communication, and the ability to apply ecological knowledge to real-world aquatic conservation and restoration challenges.

Full-time students can expect around 12 hours of contact time per teaching week, covering lectures, seminars, workshops, and tutorials. Outside of lectures, seminars, workshops, and tutorials, full-time students use their remaining time for self-directed study and completing coursework assignments (approximately 20-25 hours).

Fieldwork is an integral part of the course and will usually take up approximately one additional week of study time. Alongside your modules, you will also complete a dissertation, for which you will maintain regular contact with your supervisor(s) who will provide guidance and support throughout your research and writing.

A Postgraduate Diploma - four core modules and four optional modules all 15 credits (120 credits, full-time nine months, part-time two years) is offered. A Postgraduate Certificate - four core modules only at 15 credits each (60 credits, full-time twelve weeks, part-time two years) is offered.

Modules

Teaching takes place across Terms 1 and 2. As a full-time student, you will undertake eight taught modules, consisting of four compulsory modules in Term 1 and four optional modules in Term 2. Dissertation planning begins in Term 1, with research and writing conducted in Term 3 and over the summer.

The course combines lectures, seminars, and practical sessions, with fieldwork forming an integral part of the learning experience.

Term 1:
You will complete four compulsory modules, laying the foundation for your studies.

Term 2:
You will select and complete four optional modules, allowing you to tailor your learning to your interests.

Term 3 and Summer:
You will focus on completing your dissertation, building on your research plan developed earlier in the year.

As a part-time student, you will undertake eight taught modules over two academic years, consisting of two compulsory modules in Term 1 and two optional modules in Term 2 each year. Dissertation planning begins independently in Year 1, with supervised research and writing completed in Term 3 and over the summer of Year 2.

The course combines lectures, seminars, and practical sessions, with fieldwork forming an integral part of the learning experience. We endeavour to be flexible to the needs of part-time students when designing individual study pathways.

Year 1
Term 1: You will complete two compulsory modules, laying the foundation for your studies.
Term 2: You will select and complete two optional modules, allowing you to explore key areas of interest.
Term 3 and Summer: You may begin early dissertation research planning and development.

Year 2
Term 1: You will complete two further compulsory modules to advance your core knowledge.
Term 2: You will select and complete two additional optional modules to complete your taught components.
Term 3 and Summer: You will select and complete two additional optional modules to complete your taught components.

Compulsory modules

Conservation and Environmental Management

Research Project and Dissertation

Scientific Basis for Freshwater and Coastal Conservation

Aquatic Systems and Monitoring with Fieldclass

Environmental Data Acquisition and Analysis

Optional modules

Environmental GIS

Surface Water Modelling

Politics of Climate Change

Wetlands

Lakes

Ocean Circulation and Climate Change

Aquatic Macrophytes

Climate Change Impacts to Hydro-Ecological Systems

Biological Indicators of Environmental Change

Climate Proxies

Introduction to Citizen Science and Scientific Crowdsourcing

Coastal Geohazards

Field Evidence of Environmental Change

Designing and Managing Citizen Science

Rewilding

Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Aquatic Conservation, Ecology and Restoration. Upon successful completion of 120 credits, you will be awarded a PG Dip in Aquatic Conservation, Ecology and Restoration. Upon successful completion of 60 credits, you will be awarded a PG Cert in Aquatic Conservation, Ecology and Restoration.

Fieldwork

The course includes several UK-based field classes designed to develop practical skills and experience across a range of freshwater and coastal habitats and to introduce the contemporary aquatic conservation scene. These include week-long residential field trips to locations such as the North Norfolk Coast and Scottish Highlands, or other British upland regions, and additional optional fieldtrips to Sussex and Dorset. Shorter fieldwork days are also associated with specific modules. Fieldwork activities support core teaching and research training.

Accessibility

The department will endeavour to make reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities, including those with long-term health conditions, neurodivergence, learning differences and mental health conditions. This list is not exhaustive. If you're unsure of your eligibility for reasonable adjustments at UCL, please contact Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

Reasonable adjustments are implemented on a case-by-case basis. With the student's consent, reasonable adjustments are considered by UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services, and where required, in collaboration with the respective department.

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information about support available can be obtained from UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

For more information about the department and accessibility arrangements for your course, please contact the department.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students

Fee description	Full-time	Part-time
Tuition fees (2026/27)	£21,500	£10,750
Tuition fees (2026/27)	£42,700	£21,350

Postgraduate Taught students benefit from a cohort guarantee, meaning that their tuition fees will not increase during the course of the programme, but UCL reserves the right to increase tuition fees to reflect any sums (including levies, taxes, or similar financial charges) that UCL is required to pay any governmental authority in connection with tuition fees.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Where the course is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

For full-time and part-time offer holders with a fee status classification of UK, a fee deposit will be charged at 2.5% of the first year fee.

For full-time and part-time offer holders with a fee status classification of Overseas, a fee deposit will be charged at 10% of the first year fee.

There is no fee deposit required for PG Dip and PG Cert applicants.

Further information can be found in the Tuition fee deposits section on this page: Tuition fees.

Some optional modules may involve fieldwork that incurs extra costs, such as travel, accommodation, and subsistence (approximately £350). These are payable by the student and will vary depending on the location, exchange rates, and travel preferences. Students are advised to contact the Department for further details about optional module costs.

Students are also expected to produce a printed poster for their dissertation presentation. The estimated cost of printing is approximately £20.

For in-person teaching, UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £119.90. This price was published by TfL in 2025. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide.

Funding your studies

Applicants for the MSc Aquatic Conservation, Ecology and Restoration course may be eligible to apply for studentship awards supported by the British Hydrological Society, JBA Trust, and the Environment Agency.

For further details on the MSc Studentship Award Scheme and how to apply, please visit the dedicated webpage.

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

: Aziz Foundation Scholarships in Social and Historical Sciences

Value: Full tuition fees (equivalent to 1yr full-time) (1 year)

Criteria Based on financial need

Eligibility: UK

Next steps

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this course of £90 for online applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application, we would like to learn:

Why you want to study Aquatic Conservation, Ecology and Restoration at postgraduate level
Why you want to study this course at UCL
What aspects of the course particularly attract you
How your academic, professional or practical background has prepared you for the demands of this course
Where you hope to go professionally with this degree

Together with meeting the essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to demonstrate how your motivations align with the aims of the course and how your experiences support your readiness for advanced study in aquatic science and conservation.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate courses (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

This course only requires one reference in support of your application. Your reference should be academic unless you have been out of university education for more than four years. Further information regarding references can be found on this Selecting your references page.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.