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MSc Ecological Survey Skills with Placement

University of Reading

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Course options

  • Qualification

    MSc - Master of Science

  • Location

    Whiteknights Campus

  • Study mode

    Full time

  • Start date

    14-SEP-26

  • Duration

    1 Year

Course summary

Gain industry-relevant knowledge and practical skills with this hands-on degree that includes a six-month paid placement with one of our ecological consultancy partners. This course will provide all you need to work in the competitive consultancy and conservation sectors. To achieve this, the School of Biological Sciences has teamed up with ecological consultants at RSK Group Ltd since 2011, and more recently with Aspect Ecology, to deliver a course that provides the skills and knowledge demanded by these industries. This programme was previously named MSc Species Identification and Survey Skills and has been renamed to better reflect learning outcomes. It's taught by experienced ecologists with visiting lecturers from our partner consultancies – many of whom are alumni from the programme. In fact, more than half of all credits on this programme are overseen by consultants, making this course unique in the UK. You’ll participate in hands-on and field-based training with all of your assessments being skills-based and fit-for-purpose, with no written examinations. You'll gain a thorough grounding in the skills needed for ecological surveying and species identification, including specialised report-writing and hands-on activities such as species translocation. In addition to the taught component of your degree, you will be expected to take a six-month paid work placement with a leading ecological consultancy to apply your learning in the workplace. This will involve working as a field ecologist alongside consultant ecologists planning and undertaking on-site surveys and completing ecological survey reports. The salary is covered by the employer, is at the market rate, and is taxable. In addition, any travel and accommodation while on surveys with the consultancy are covered as expenses by the employer following their expenses procedures.

Application deadline

01/08/2025

Tuition fees

Students living in United States
(International fees)

£ 26,450per year

Tuition fees shown are for indicative purposes and may vary. Please check with the institution for most up to date details.

University information

University of Reading

University of Reading

  • University League Table

    36th

  • Campus address

    Whiteknights Campus, Henley Business School, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading, RG6 6UD, United Kingdom

The University of Reading is an international community with more than 26,000 students from around 160 countries. 
Reading is a lively town just 22 minutes from London Paddington by train, and 45 minutes from Heathrow Airport by coach. Windsor and Oxford are also close by.
Reading supports undergraduate, master’s and doctoral students to maintain, improve and develop their academic English.

Subject rankings

  • Subject ranking

    15th out of 23

  • Entry standards

    / Max 201
    124 62%

    20th

  • Graduate prospects

    / Max 100
    62.0 62%

    16th

    10
  • Student satisfaction

    / Max 4
    3.31 83%

    1st

    13

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