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Aquatic Conservation, Ecology and Restoration MSc

London, Bloomsbury

Environmental issues such as pollution, habitat degradation, invasive species and climate change threaten the quality and sustainability of our aquatic resources. Responding to these threats, the Aquatic Conservation, Ecology and Restoration MSc equips students with an interdisciplinary scientific and applied understanding of the current aquatic conservation and restoration scene spanning ponds, lakes, rivers, estuaries and shallow seas.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
£18,400
£9,200
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
£36,500
£18,250
Duration
1 calendar year
2 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2025
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 14 Oct 2024 – 27 Jun 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 14 Oct 2024 – 29 Aug 2025
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 programme 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


Students will focus on integrated freshwater and coastal systems. Distinctive features include: 

  • Integration of aquatic ecology with hydro-geomorphology
  • Aquatic landscape ecology, restoration ecology and rewilding
  • Public engagement
  • Citizen science and science communication
  • Analysis of sediment cores for environmental change reconstruction
  • Design of aquatic monitoring programmes 
  • Modelling of aquatic system dynamics. 

Students come away with a sound and critical knowledge of current-day links between aquatic science, legislation and practical conservation and restoration.

Who this course is for

The programme is particularly suitable for students with a first degree in environmental science, geography, oceanography, biology, chemistry or engineering who wish to develop the skills necessary for further research in the field, or for a career in environmental protection and aquatic conservation. Other backgrounds are considered, however, based on recent practical experience.

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

What this course will give you

The Aquatic Conservation, Ecology and Restoration MSc is taught by world-leading researchers specialising in Environmental Change & Biodiversity and Environmental Modelling and Observation and has specialist input from the Thames Estuary Partnership. This degree brings students to the aquatic science cutting edge, while also passing on important practical conservation and restoration knowledge. Students will learn:

  • Practical survey and taxonomic skills
  • Expertise in study design and landscape-scale aquatic conservation and restoration practice and planning
  • Aquatic monitoring and modelling
  • Stakeholder working and public engagement work. 
  • External speakers from environmental organisations lecture on the programme and take part in fieldwork. The mix of students (present and past), researchers and practitioners, creates a vibrant and informal academic environment. It also encourages mutual discovery, ongoing debate and much-associated fun. 

Organisations working with the Department have included:

  • Environment Agency
  • The Rivers Trusts
  • Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust
  • The UK Wildlife Trusts
  • National Trust 
  • Natural England


“I highly recommend studying the Aquatic Conservation, Ecology and Restoration Programme… You have the privilege of learning from world-leading researchers at an academic powerhouse like UCL.” 
Nelanie Dilchand, MSc Aquatic Conservation, Ecology and Restoration graduate, 2024.

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

The foundation of your career

We aim to expose students to a range of potential employers from the outset (including a substantial alumni base). Students will be able to pursue careers in aquatic conservation and environmental protection agencies, the water industry, environmental consultancies and organisations specialising in stakeholder working and citizen science. The MSc is also an ideal platform for further PhD study. 

I highly recommend studying the Aquatic Conservation, Ecology and Restoration Programme… You have the privilege of learning from world-leading researchers at an academic powerhouse like UCL.

Image of Nelanie Dilchand

Nelanie Dilchand

Aquatic Conservation, Ecology and Restoration MSc

Read more

Employability

The programme is designed to enhance career prospects by giving students transferable skills attractive to employers across a wide range of businesses and organisations in the conservation sector. These include:

  • Project, survey and monitoring design 
  • Environmental governance and working with stakeholders
  • Numerical analysis 
  • Theoretical and critical analysis
  • Science report writing and communication
  • GIS, palaeoecology and modelling approaches
  • Design of science-informed conservation and restoration projects
  • Taxonomy and identification of multiple species groups
  • Ability to design and carry out original research.

You will also learn to solve problems and issues and to build positive working relationships. 

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

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, practical classes, laboratory sessions, case -studies, debates and residential field classes.

Assessment is through coursework and the dissertation, which includes a poster presentation of dissertation results.

Each 15 credit module involves 150 hours of learning, including lectures, practicals, pre-recorded lectures, independent study, peer-to-peer learning, tutorial support, and assessment and assessment preparation. This will be supplemented by voluntary in-person activities including research seminars and assessment and feedback hours.

For full-time students, this is typically around 12 hours per week contact time. Outside of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials, you will typically study the equivalent of a full-time job, using your remaining time for self-directed study and completing coursework assignments. Approximately one further week will be taken up with field work. Additionally, you will be expected to complete a dissertation, worth up to 60 credits. You will have regular contact with your supervisor(s) who will guide and support you throughout your work.

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 during terms one and two. You will undertake 8 taught modules, including four compulsory modules in term one and four optional modules in term two. Dissertation planning commences in term 1, but with the research and writing conducted in term 3 and over the summer. Modules include lectures, seminars, and practicals, with fieldwork an integral part of this programme.
 
Programme structure:
Term 1:
You will take four compulsory modules
 
Term 2:
You will take four optional modules
 
Term 3 and summer: 
You will complete the dissertation
 

Teaching takes place during terms one and two. You will undertake 8 taught modules over the course of two years, with 2 core modules in term 1 and 2 optional modules in term 2 each year. Dissertation planning commences, unsupervised, in year one, with the option to start your research from term 3. The supervised research and writing are completed in term 3 and over the summer in year two. Modules include lectures, seminars, and practicals, with fieldwork an integral part of this programme. We endeavour to be flexible to the needs of part-time students in designing their pathway through the degree over two years.
 
Programme structure:
Year 1, term 1:
You will take two compulsory modules
 
Year 1, term 2:
You will take two optional modules

Year 1, term 3:
You may opt to start your dissertation research

Year 2, term 1:
You will take two compulsory modules

Year 2, term 2:
You will take two optional modules

Year 2, term 3 and summer: 
You will complete the dissertation

Compulsory modules







Optional modules




Wetlands









Field Evidence of Environmental Change




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

Planned field classes around the UK include week-long trips to the North Norfolk Coast, Scottish Highlands or elsewhere in the British uplands and Dorset. Other shorter field days also take place.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2025/26) £18,400 £9,200
Tuition fees (2025/26) £36,500 £18,250

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme 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 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.

There are no additional costs for compulsory modules on this programme. Some optional modules carry extra fieldwork costs, payable by the student. The exact cost will depend on the location, exchange rates and the price of travel and accommodation. Please contact the Department for further information on individual modules. 

Additional costs of approximately £20 are also associated with the dissertation poster presentation.

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 £114.50. This price was published by TfL in 2024. 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

For information on the funding available, please visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/geography/study/postgraduate-taught/msc-aquatic-conservation-ecology-and-restoration-further-information

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) (1yr)
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 programme 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
  • why you want to study Aquatic Conservation, Ecology and Restoration at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to this programme
  • how your academic and/or professional background meets the demands of a challenging academic environment
  • where you would like to go professionally with your degree

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

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

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2025-2026

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Geography
Geography

geog.office@ucl.ac.uk

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