International Wildlife Conservation Practice PgDip
University of Oxford
Key Course Facts
Course Description
The Recanati-Kaplan Centre Postgraduate Diploma in International Wildlife Conservation Practice is an eight-month, full-time course for early-career wildlife researchers.
The course is designed to enhance the skills of conservation science practitioners by teaching field survey techniques, data analysis methods, and reporting techniques commonly used in the study of terrestrial mammals. The course aims to help ecologists and field biologists in the developing world to implement effective conservation research and action.
The course is delivered by the Department of Biology’s Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU), which has been active in conservation research and practice for more than three decades. The course is made possible by a donation from the Recanati-Kaplan Foundation, and is jointly managed with the Department for Continuing Education.
The focus of the course is on methods commonly used in the study of large mammals, and especially carnivores, in the developing world. The curriculum consists of modules on wildlife ecology, monitoring and survey techniques, GIS and habitat assessment, population management and statistics, as well as two reports which together complete an independent research project. The mode of teaching in the modules consists mostly of lectures, group discussions, technical practicals on the use of computer software, field sessions, tutorials and (group) workshops.
The independent research project concentrates on the organisation, analysis and reporting of previously collected data that you bring with you or is provided by WildCRU researchers. There is no time to undertake primary data collection in country or abroad during the course duration. The project is divided into two phases: Phase One consists of a literature and methods review and a section containing data exploration; Phase Two builds upon this but also includes the full data analysis and discussion of results. Unifying threads running through the course are the global and human dimensions of biodiversity conservation. You will learn both the theory and practical aspects of field techniques, so that you can confidently adopt them in the future, as well as critically evaluate other projects.
Within the eight-month course the first month will consist of mostly self-paced distance learning, then a three month phase which consists predominantly of taught material, while the remaining four months is a mix between taught material and independent work on projects.
Up to eight students are accepted each year and applications are particularly welcomed from conservationists working in economically less-developed parts of the world, for whom need-based scholarships are available. Suitable candidates are early-career field conservationists, working with government agencies or NGOs, who will implement and disseminate their skills to their home countries.
Please note that the course is not suitable for individuals who are not currently working in an ecology or conservation research role. For entry-level ecology and wildlife conservation courses, please see the Short and Online Courses in the natural sciences run by the Department for Continuing Education.
Entry Requirements / Admissions
Requirements for international students / English requirements
IELTS academic test score (similar tests may be accepted as well)
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- 6.5
- Graduate Degrees
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- 7.0
- Undergraduate Degrees
- (no subscore less than 6.0)
Costs
Average student cost of living in the UK
Rent | £518 |
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) | £50 |
Supermarket shopping | £81 |
Clothing | £35 |
Eating out | £33 |
Alcohol | £27 |
Takeaways / food deliveries | £30 |
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) | £24 |
Holidays and weekend trips | £78 |
Transport within city | £17 |
Self-care / sports | £20 |
Stationary / books | £13 |
Mobile phone / internet | £13 |
Cable TV / streaming | £7 |
Insurance | £51 |
Other | £95 |
Average student cost of living | £1092 |
London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.
University Rankings
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About University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a prestigious research university located in Oxford, England, and is the oldest English language university in the world. It is made up of 39 partly autonomous constituent colleges, six private halls, and a variety of academic departments which are split into four divisions: Humanities, Mathematical, Physical & Life Sciences, Medical Sciences, and Social Sciences.
List of 389 Bachelor and Master Courses from University of Oxford - Course Catalogue
Student composition of University of Oxford
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Total number of students enrolled at University of Oxford by level Academic year 2021/22 - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on February 2022
- undergraduates:
- 12425
- postgraduates:
- 9785
- Total:
- 22210
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Number of students enrolled in courses of subject “Biodiversity Conservation”: Academic year - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on February 2022
Where is this programme taught
Similar courses
Program | University | Student satisfaction | Unemployed | Dropout | Tuition (UK) | Tuition (International) | UCAS Tariff | City | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wildlife and Conservation Management HND | Scotland's Rural College University | - | - | - | £7000 | £16000 | - | Edinburgh | On campus Full-time | |
Wildlife and Conservation Management PgDip | Scotland's Rural College University | - | - | - | £3200 | £6000 | - | Edinburgh | Blended Part-time | |
Wildlife and Conservation Management HNC | Scotland's Rural College University | - | - | - | £7000 | £16000 | - | Edinburgh | On campus Full-time | |
Biodiversity, Wildlife and Ecosystem Health MSc | The University of Edinburgh | - | - | - | - | - | - | Edinburgh | online Part-time | |
Biodiversity and Taxonomy of Plants MSc | The University of Edinburgh | - | - | - | - | - | - | Edinburgh | On campus Full-time | |
International Wildlife Conservation Practice PgDip | University of Oxford | - | - | - | - | - | - | Oxford | On campus Full-time |