Conservation and Sustainability (MSc)

Entry requirements

Academic requirements A minimum of a second-class honours degree (upper second-class preferred) or equivalent in a relevant subject, such as biology, ecology, conservation and geography, geology, forestry, zoology, botany, or urban and regional planning. Applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant appropriate/relevant work/life experience are encouraged to apply. Other routes of entry If you don't currently meet our academic requirements, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need to progress onto some of our courses. Explore University of Stirling International Study Centre to see the pathway and pre-masters routes available. International entry requirements View the entry requirements for your country. English language requirements If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills: IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill. Pearson Test of English (Academic) 62 overall with a minimum of 60 in each sub-skill. TOEFL exams taken before 21 January 2026: 88 overall with 18 in reading, 17 in writing, 17 in listening and 20 in speaking. TOEFL exams taken after 21 January 2026: 4.5 overall with no less than 4 in any band See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements. Pre-sessional English language courses If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree. Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses .

Course details

You’ll take three modules in each semester followed by a dissertation. Each module is worth 20 SCQF credits at level 11 and the dissertation is worth 60 credits. If you meet the requirements of the taught course you’ll qualify for the Diploma and may proceed to the MSc. This involves completion of a three-month Research Project, often in collaboration with an outside agency. Students frequently choose a topic complementary to their option selection, allowing them to develop a high level of competence in aspects of environmental management relevant to their future employment. Flexible degree pathways You can work towards our core Masters degree, the MSc Environmental Sciences, or opt to specialise in one of the following pathways of study. MSc Environmental Management (Conservation) This Masters pathway in conservation is relevant to graduates who are seeking a career in environmental conservation and management, either in governmental or non-governmental organisations. You’ll have the flexibility to specialise in areas such as: ecosystem services environmental economics conservation conflicts habitat and biodiversity management application of geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing Graduates from this Masters course are knowledgeable in the broad field of conservation science. You will have skills in collecting and analysing relevant data for sustainable decision-making, as well as transferable skills relevant to your future employment at national and international level. MSc Environmental Management (Energy) We need to understand the various environmental costs associated with 21st-century energy technologies, whether renewable or non-renewable, and how these costs can be evaluated, managed and mitigated. This MSc pathway in energy draws on our existing expertise and research strengths in environmental impact assessment, carbon trading, planning and impacts of wind, hydro and nuclear power, as well as our expertise in energy management and environmental economics. The division of Biological and Environmental Sciences, which runs this course, specialises in studies of human interactions with the environment. Their key strengths are in environmental assessment and management. MSc Environmental Management (Informatics) Our ability to tackle some of the world’s most intractable environmental challenges is reliant on policy and decision makers having timely access to actionable intelligence. This Masters pathway mixes Environmental Management with cutting-edge geographical information systems, data science and analytics, and high performance computing. You’ll have the knowledge and skills required to manage, analyse, and visualise environmental datasets so that you can communicate key messages to a variety of stakeholders and audiences. Modules Teaching Research-led teaching is at the core of your learning as our staff conduct world-leading research. The course is taught primarily by staff within Biological and Environmental Sciences, but also by staff from other departments of the University and visiting professionals from outside agencies. Our teaching makes use of both our campus-based teaching facilities and online learning environment. Teaching methods include lectures, on-line materials, practical classes, seminars, and individual and group projects, workshop sessions, field excursions, student-led debates and oral presentations. Fieldwork You'll have the opportunity to take field based modules, where you will learn practical identification, surveying, measuring and sampling skills. Assessment You’ll be assessed via coursework which may include teamwork and presentations. MSc research projects are submitted in early September or December, depending upon when you start the course. Coursework is designed to have real world relevance. Classroom hours Contact hours in all modules will be 27 to 30 hours with three modules taken per semester for full-time students or 1 or 2 modules taken per semester for part-time students. There is an optional residential field course in Cairngorm National Park at the start of October. Course director MSc Environmental Management Professor David Copplestone Professor David Copplestone has over 20 years’ experience directing, leading research and modelling the fate, behaviour and impact of radionuclides in the environment. He is particularly interested in understanding how ecological systems adapt to environmental change. MSc Environmental Management (Conservation) Professor Nils Bunnefeld MSc Environmental Management (Energy) Professor David Copplestone MSc Environmental Management (Informatics) Dr Peter Hunter

Fees and funding

Fees and costs University of Stirling alumni will automatically be awarded a fee waiver for the first year of Masters studies through our Stirling Alumni Scholarship . Applicants from the UK or Republic of Ireland who hold a first-class honours degree or equivalent will automatically be awarded a £2,000 scholarship through our Postgraduate Merit Scholarship . If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees. If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry. For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy . Eligible students could receive a scholarship worth between £4,000-£7,000. See our range of generous scholarships for international postgraduate students. If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees. If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry. For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy . Postgraduate tuition fee loans This course is eligible for a postgraduate tuition fee loan from one of the UK’s governments. See the Scholarships and funding section, below, for more details. Additional costs There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees . Scholarships and funding Funding If you have the talent, ability and drive to study with us, we want to make sure you make the most of the opportunity – regardless of your financial circumstances. Learn more about available funding opportunities or use our scholarship finder to explore our range of scholarships. Postgraduate tuition fee loans Scottish students may be eligible to apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for loans of up to £13,900 to cover tuition fees and associated living costs. English students can apply for a loan of up to £12,858 each year as part of the Postgraduate Masters Loan Scheme . Welsh students can apply for financial support of up to £19,255 as a combination of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales . Northern Irish students can apply for a postgraduate tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 from Student Finance NI . International students may be able to gain additional funding from loan providers. Cost of living If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income. International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support. Find out about the cost of living for students at Stirling Payment options We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay

After you graduate

As an Environmental Management graduate, you’ll be equipped with the skills to make a real impact in a variety of industries. Your expertise is in high demand across organisations such as: environment protection agencies, major conservation bodies, local authorities, environmental consultancies, waste management companies. Graduates often step into roles such as: Environmental Consultants Environmental Protection Officers Scientific Advisers Environmental Managers within local authorities, national industries and trusts The average salary for an Environment Manager is £53,926 per year (source: Glassdoor 2025). Stirling Environmental Management graduates have gone on to shape the industry in roles including: Senior Environmental Consultant Environmental Manager Carbon Projects Co-ordinator GIS and Data Officer Consulting Associate in Hydrology Organisations that our graduates work for include: Caledonian Climate ERM Forestry and Land Scotland Siemens Energy The Wildlife Information Centre