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University of Bristol: Global Wildlife Health and Conservation
| Institution | University of Bristol View institution profile |
|---|---|
| Department | Bristol Veterinary School |
| Web | https://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/postgraduate |
| wildlife-msc@bristol.ac.uk | |
| Telephone | +44 (0) 117 928 9653 |
| Study type | Taught |
MSc
Summary
This unique programme is taught in collaboration with Bristol Zoological Society (https://bristolzoo.org.uk/bristol-zoological-society) and includes practical experience, field trips and mentoring from global experts. It prepares you for a career as a wildlife professional with the skills and knowledge to handle the practical situations that professional wildlife biologists face daily.
Unique content with diverse topics
The programme covers the conservation and health of wildlife in situ, and ex-situ (both temporarily for rehabilitation and long-term captive breeding programmes). You'll learn a wide range of theoretical concepts and practical skills, including:
-
Animal capture and handling techniques and optimal care of wildlife during rehabilitation.
-
Surveillance, diagnostics, risk analysis and other tools and methods of controlling wildlife diseases.
-
Effects of human activities and climate change on the health of wildlife populations;
-
Assessment, stabilisation, and transportation of injured animals.
-
Preventive medicine and interventions to maintain the health of captive wild animals.
-
Animal behavioural principles and welfare science to predict and tackle wildlife management problems.
-
Ethics and legislation affecting wildlife care.
-
Factors associated with successful endangered species breeding programmes and reintroductions to the wild.
The curriculum covers surveillance, epidemiology, and control of wildlife diseases, and the ‘One Health’ approach, integrating animal, human, and environmental health which are key to tackling emerging diseases and preventing pandemics.
You will learn ecological surveying techniques and how to use new technologies, such as GIS, remote sensing, and Species Distribution Models to address wildlife conservation issues. Additionally, you'll be introduced to effective conservation principles and practices to combat biodiversity loss and climate change.
You’ll develop advanced research skills that may be used to progress to a PhD and/or academic career, if you choose to do so.
Global networking opportunities
We emphasise global wildlife health and conservation. You'll learn through our experts through guest lectures, workshops, and seminars by specialist researchers, conservationists, and wildlife veterinarians, offering valuable networking opportunities. Field visits to key wildlife sites near Bristol are also included.
You’ll receive support to design and carry out a research project in your chosen area. Our students have worked with academic and charity partners worldwide, with many projects published in journals.
Our Global Partners:
-
Bristol Zoological Society
-
Cheetah Conservation Fund, Namibia
-
University of Western Australia
-
Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust
-
National Wildlife Management Centre
-
RSPCA West Hatch Wildlife Centre
-
Secret World Wildlife Rescue
-
Colobus Conservation
This programme is available as an intercalated degree for current undergraduate medicine, dentistry or veterinary students from the University of Bristol or other universities. Find out more about our intercalated degrees and eligibility criteria: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/health-sciences/courses/undergraduate/intercalate/
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | YYou will typically need an upper second-class honours degree (or international equivalent) in a Veterinary or Science degree with A-level Biology at grade C (or international equivalent) or above. If you are currently completing a degree, we understand that your final grade may be higher than the interim grades or module/unit grades you have achieved during your studies to date. We will consider your application if your interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements and may make you an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so you would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of your degree. We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement. If you have at least one of the following, please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply, showing details of your relevant qualifications: Evidence of at least two years relevant work experience in the fields of: • wildlife conservation, wildlife rehabilitation, international wildlife research or working for NGOs on wildlife-related projects. • a postgraduate qualification. See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/international/countries/ |
| Location | Langford Campus Langford House Langford Bristol BS40 5DU |
Fees
| England | 16300 GBP for Year 1 |
|---|---|
| Northern Ireland | 16300 GBP for Year 1 |
| Scotland | 16300 GBP for Year 1 |
| Wales | 16300 GBP for Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | 16300 GBP for Year 1 |
| EU | 32900 GBP for Year 1 |
| International | 32900 GBP for Year 1 |
Summary
This unique programme is taught in collaboration with Bristol Zoological Society and features varied practical experience, field trips and mentoring from global experts. The programme will equip you for a career as a wildlife professional with the skills and knowledge to deal with a variety of practical situations that professional wildlife biologists face on a day-to-day basis.
Unique content with diverse topics
The programme covers the conservation and health of wildlife in situ, and ex-situ (both temporarily for rehabilitation and long-term captive breeding programmes). You'll learn a wide range of theoretical concepts and practical skills, including:
-
Animal capture and handling techniques and optimal care of wildlife during rehabilitation.
-
Surveillance, diagnostics, risk analysis and other tools and methods of controlling wildlife diseases.
-
Effects of human activities and climate change on the health of wildlife populations;
-
Assessment, stabilisation, and transportation of injured animals.
-
Preventive medicine and interventions to maintain the health of captive wild animals.
-
Animal behavioural principles and welfare science to predict and tackle wildlife management problems.
-
Ethics and legislation affecting wildlife care.
-
Factors associated with successful endangered species breeding programmes and reintroductions to the wild.
The curriculum covers surveillance, epidemiology, and control of wildlife diseases, and the ‘One Health’ approach, integrating animal, human, and environmental health. These concepts are vital for tackling emerging diseases and preventing pandemics.
You will learn ecological surveying techniques and gain knowledge in using new technology, such as GIS, remote sensing, and Species Distribution Models, to address wildlife conservation issues. Additionally, you'll be introduced to effective conservation principles and practices to combat biodiversity loss and climate change.
You’ll develop advanced research skills that may be used to progress to a PhD and/or academic career, if you choose to do so.
Global networking opportunities
We emphasise global wildlife health and conservation. You'll benefit from our experts and guest lectures, workshops, and seminars by specialist researchers, conservationists, and wildlife veterinarians, offering valuable networking opportunities. There are also field visits to important wildlife locations near Bristol.
You'll be supported in developing and conducting a research project in your area of interest. Our students have collaborated with charity and academic partners worldwide, with many projects published in academic journals.
Our Global Partners:
-
Bristol Zoological Society
-
Cheetah Conservation Fund, Namibia
-
University of Western Australia
-
Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust
-
National Wildlife Management Centre
-
RSPCA West Hatch Wildlife Centre
-
Secret World Wildlife Rescue
-
Colobus Conservation
This programme is available as an intercalated degree for current undergraduate medicine, dentistry or veterinary students from the University of Bristol or other universities. Find out more about our intercalated degrees and eligibility criteria.
| Level | RQF Level 7 |
|---|---|
| Entry requirements | You will typically need an upper second-class honours degree (or international equivalent) in a Veterinary or Zoology subject. Other subjects will be accepted, provided they contain a minimum of 50% relevant Biology content; this can be demonstrated with modules related to Whole Organism Biology, Anatomy or Physiology. Relevant modules could include: - Anatomy /Animal Taxonomy If you do not meet the module requirement, we will also consider your application if you have studied Geography, Neuroscience or Psychology with A-level Biology at grade C (or international equivalent) or above. You should show evidence of completing a research project as part of your degree. If you are currently completing a degree, we understand that your final grade may be higher than the interim grades or module/unit grades you have achieved during your studies to date. We will consider your application if your interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements and may make you an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so you would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of your degree. Specific module requirements would still apply. We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement. If you have at least one of the following, please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply, showing details of your relevant qualifications: Evidence of at least two years relevant work experience in the fields of: - wildlife conservation, wildlife rehabilitation, international wildlife research or working for NGOs on wildlife-related projects. Specific module requirements would still apply. See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website. |
| Location | Langford Campus Langford House Langford Bristol BS40 5DU |
Fees
| England | 16300 GBP for Year 1 |
|---|---|
| Northern Ireland | 16300 GBP for Year 1 |
| Scotland | 16300 GBP for Year 1 |
| Wales | 16300 GBP for Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | 16300 GBP for Year 1 |
| EU | 32900 GBP for Year 1 |
| International | 32900 GBP for Year 1 |
Discover the University of Bristol
Founded in 1876, the University of Bristol is one of the UK’s top 10 universities (QS World University Rankings 2026), with a global reputation for world-leading research and academic excellence. As a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities, Bristol also ranks top five in the UK for research (THE analysis of REF 2021).
With its independent and pioneering spirit, the University has a reputation for doing things differently. Bristol was the UK’s first institute of higher education to admit women on an equal basis with men. In 2019, …
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