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Biodiversity and Global Change MSc

London, Bloomsbury

Gain a firm grounding in the science required to tackle the biodiversity crisis on this one-year MSc, delivered by a network of leading researchers across UCL, the Institute of Zoology and the Natural History Museum.

UK students International students
Study mode
Full-time
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
£20,500
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
£36,500
Duration
1 calendar year
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

A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard in a relevant subject such as biology, environmental science, or other science subject that has a strong quantitative element.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 2

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

The programme is a collaboration between three globally renowned organisations in biodiversity research – UCL's Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, the Natural History Museum and the Institute of Zoology. Working alongside leading academics from each, you’ll have access to a vast array of research into topics of critical importance for a sustainable future.  

A strong skills focus means you’ll emerge ready to address pressing ecological issues using the most up-to-date tools, platforms and technologies in data analysis, coding, ecological modelling, remote sensing and geographic information systems.  

Learn through a mix of fieldwork, lectures, seminars, discussion classes and group work, and develop advanced independent research skills while growing your network as part of the next generation of conservation professionals.

Who this course is for

This master’s is for students with a science-based background who want to gain a foundation in both fundamental and applied ecology and biodiversity science. Excellent preparation for a conservation-focused career in academia or for work in government agencies, scientific journalism, conservation charities or consultancies.

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

What this course will give you

Climate change, human population growth and agricultural intensification are just a few of the factors contributing to today’s alarming trends of biodiversity loss. This full-time MSc offers a scientific study into how we monitor the changes, understand what’s causing them – and decide what action is needed to prevent further decline.  

What you will gain from this course:  
 

  • Study within UCL's Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment working with globally renowned academics. UCL is ranked 6th in the world for biological sciences.
  • Benefit from our partnership with the Zoological Society of London and the Natural History Museum, giving you insights into globally-significant research in areas like the ecological basis of zoonotic disease, wildlife health, field-based conservation and sustainable food supply for humans, as well as access to vast museum collections.
  • Get hands-on training in the science of biodiversity and biodiversity change, and the fundamental knowledge that underpins conservation decisions. 
  • Spend six months on taught modules, learning the science behind biodiversity patterns and biodiversity change, computational and analysis methods, and the application of biodiversity science to real-world conservation decisions – and build your programme to match your interests with optional modules in areas like behavioural ecology, plant evolution and AI for the environment.
  • Spend the second half of your year immersed in your own research project, building your investigative, analytical and presentation skills with close supervision and mentorship from a leading academic.
  • Learn to collect, manipulate and perform statistical analysis on field courses at Blakeney Point in Norfolk.
  • Benefit from studying within UCL’s diverse postgraduate community.
  • Leave well equipped to pursue a PhD, or to advance the work of government agencies, conservation charities and consultancies, or sustainability-aware organisations in the private sector. 
Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

You could use it to carve out a career in environmental policy and management, applied conservation, environmental charities, NGOs or scientific journalism.  

Your specialist scientific foundation could also be a launching point to academic roles or a PhD.

Employability

Your suite of technical and analytical skills, together with in-depth biodiversity knowledge and independent research experience, will equip you to play your part in the conservation work needed to secure a sustainable future. Graduates will be able to find employment in conversation, policy work, NGOs, government, education, and many other fields.

Networking

You’ll have regular opportunities to connect, collaborate and build professional contacts as part of your master’s.  

  • Network with students and academics from within and beyond the faculty at divisional, departmental and other research seminars.
  • Take part in seminar series at the National History Museum and the Zoological Society of London.
  • Join regular social events organised by the three partner institutions.
  • Take part in careers events through UCL Careers during the academic year, and enhance your CV writing and interview skills.  
  • Meet alumni to hear about their experiences and how the course has helped them progress in their careers. 

Teaching and learning

You will learn through a mixture of lectures, seminars, discussion classes, and group work, as well as undertaking personal reading and research for your dissertation under the supervision of at least one expert in the field. 

Assessment is through essays, project reports, presentations and practicals. The research project is assessed by dissertation and a poster presentation.

In terms one and two, there are typically around 15 hours per week of taught classes. Term three onwards is devoted to the Research Project. When considering contact hours and self-study hours together, each 15 credit module requires 150 learning hours in total and so the 90 credit project is therefore expected to require 900 learning hours.

Modules

Term one consists of two compulsory modules (30 credits total) and one optional module (15 credits total).

Term two consists of two compulsory module (30 credits total) and one optional module (15 credits total).

Term three and the summer period consists of working on a research project (90 credits total).

The project is non-condonable. The taught modules are condonable.

Compulsory modules





Biodiversity dynamics on a changing planet


Optional modules












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 comprising compulsory modules of 135 credits and optional modules of 45 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Biodiversity and Global Change.

Fieldwork

Students undertake a field trip to Blakeney Point, Norfolk. Taking place towards the beginning of term one, students are introduced to field techniques and experimental design

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.

Visit us

All open days and events

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Study Ecology and Biodiversity

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Join us at our information sessions to find out about our range of Ecology, Biodiversity and Conservation programmes and what makes them stand out. You will meet the course leads for each of our MSc and MRes programmes, and you will have the opportunity to ask questions about the programmes and life at UCL. You can also find out about studying at our Bloomsbury campus and our UCL East campus.

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Study Ecology and Biodiversity

—

Join us at our information sessions to find out about our range of Ecology, Biodiversity and Conservation programmes and what makes them stand out. You will meet the course leads for each of our MSc and MRes programmes, and you will have the opportunity to ask questions about the programmes and life at UCL. You can also find out about studying at our Bloomsbury campus and our UCL East campus.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time
Tuition fees (2025/26) £20,500
Tuition fees (2025/26) £36,500

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.

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

Students should have access to a laptop which can run R. 

We organise and pay for travel, and supply accommodation and food on the field trip. Students are asked to bring warm and waterproof clothing as well as suitable footwear and a sleeping bag.

Students may take optional modules at UCL East, so they will have to pay for travel to the campus in Stratford. There are compulsory modules at the Natural History Museum and the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), so students will have to pay for travel to these sites. 

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

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

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 Biodiversity and Global Change at graduate level
  • Why you want to study Biodiversity and Global Change at UCL
  • What particularly attracts you to this programme
  • How your academic and professional background meets the demands of this programme
  • 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

Division of Biosciences
Division of Biosciences

biosciences_pgt_admissions@ucl.ac.uk

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