Explore Conservation at UCL
Widely recognised as a leading course for aspiring nature conservation professionals, this interdisciplinary UCL Geography course offers first-hand experience of practical conservation challenges.
About this course
This MSc takes a holistic, interdisciplinary approach, teaching you to address ecological, social and political conservation challenges.
- Prepares you for a career in conservation or academia
- Includes residential field courses to experience real-world conservation issues
- Builds a strong scientific foundation for evidence-based assessments and research
Find out more
Discover full course details, fees, and entry requirements in the UCL Prospectus.
View in ProspectusWho is this course for?
Do
Have a relevant background
Apply if you have a degree in subjects such as environmental science, geography, or biology.
Plan for a conservation career
Consider this MSc if you want to enter the conservation sector or are already working in it and seeking further training.
Think about further research
Use this course as a foundation for academic research or progression to a PhD.
Don't
Worry about being an expert already
You don’t need to be a conservation professional before joining — the MSc provides the training you’ll need.
MSc Open Event
Hear more about the course from Professor Jan Axmacher:
Academic Staff
Course Convenor
Thais isan environmental scientist devoted to understanding the socio-ecological systems in tropical environments and the Global South, with research on biodiversity governance, sustainability, and people-centred conservation. Her work focuses on integrating local ecological knowledge (LEK) into biodiversity monitori
Helen's research interests are in aquatic ecology and palaeoecology with a focus on freshwater diatoms. She is interested in the scientific application of lake management and conservation, particularly the EU Water Framework Directive. Her publications include around 70 academic articles and over 80 research reports and she is a peer reviewer for numerous international scientific journals and funding bodies. She has supervised more than 20 Master's and PhD students.
Helene is the Head of the UCL Department of Geography. The central aim of her research is to explain coastal behaviour, system dynamics and mechanisms of forcing over decades and centuries. In particular, she is exploring the relative importance of intrinsic system control versus external climate forcing on the geomorphology and morphodynamics of coastal sedimentary systems.
Jon directs the Coastal and Estuarine Research Unit. His research interests extend across coastal, estuarine and lacustrine environments and mainly concern the dynamics of coupled natural, socio-economic and engineered infrastructure systems and their resilience to geohazards and climate change. He has expertise in hydrodynamic and physical process modelling, data-driven 'machine learning' methods, and behavioural system modelling.
Jonathan is the Director of the Environmental Change Research Centre. His research is concerned with the reconstruction of late Pleistocene and Holocene climates using lake sediments, abrupt climate change, human–climate interactions and data-model comparisons. He has authored over 100 publications and supervised/co-supervised over 20 PhD students.
Sam's research interests are at the interface of business, science and the environment, with a particular focus on weather and climate. His recent research focuses on the development of 19th-century weather-related insurance and histories of climate policies.
Carl is the leader of the UCL Geography Pond Restoration Research Group and convenes the MSc in Aquatic Conservation, Ecology and Restoration. His research focuses on the ecology, palaeoecology conservation and restoration of aquatic ecosystems and the conservation of rare aquatic species planning plants, invertebrates and fish. Carl also leads several conservation projects including the River Glaven Conservation Group and the Norfolk Ponds Project.
Julian's research includes the investigation of hydrological functioning and numerical modelling in wetland environments. This has predominantly, but not exclusively, involved freshwater ecosystems. His work has focused on the wider catchment hydrological context and the links between wetland hydrology and ecology. In addition, his research investigates the impacts and associated uncertainties of climate change and anthropogenic activities on wetlands, river basins and water resource
Funding opportunities
Student success
Previous MSc Conservation students have successfully obtained funding from The Mercers' Company and The Percy Sladen Memorial Fund.
UCL Department of Geography – MSc ConservationApplicants may qualify for studentship awards supported by:
- The British Hydrological Society
- JBA Trust
- Environment Agency
Funding opportunities
Explore details of MSc Studentship Awards, eligibility criteria, and how to apply.
Find out moreTestimonials
RB Smith, MSc Conservation
Meet RB, a student on our MSc Conservation programme.
31 Dec 2024
Nelanie Dilchand, MSc Aquatic Conservation, Ecology and Restoration
Meet Nelanie, a graduate from our MSc Aquatic Conservation, Ecology and Restoration course.
07 Mar 2024
Cassandra Dummett, MSc Conservation
Meet Cassandra, a graduate from our MSc Conservation course and a Research Fellow with us looking at protection of the Congo Basin peatlands.
29 Feb 2024
News from MSc Conservation
Eloise Marais addresses UN panel on environmental impacts of satellite re-entry
Professor Marais spoke at a UN event in Vienna on the environmental impacts of satellite re-entry, highlighting risks to the atmosphere, climate and ozone layer from increasing space activity.
09 Mar 2026
Dr Jian Chen passes PhD viva with thesis hailed as ‘tour de force’ in environmental governance
UCL Geography congratulates Dr Jian Chen on his successful PhD viva. His research on China’s marine protected areas offers fresh insights into social-ecological resilience and governance.
05 Feb 2026
Planning reforms in England threaten nature and biodiversity protection
UCL Geography researchers warn that recent planning policy changes in England could undermine nature protection, threaten biodiversity, and put the UK’s international conservation commitments at risk.
04 Feb 2026
Got questions? Get in touch.
Contact us if you have any questions about studying Geography at UCL.

