Conservation Medicine
This programme provides veterinarians with the skills, knowledge and global networks required to be effective practitioners of Conservation Medicine.
This programme provides veterinarians with the skills, knowledge and global networks required to be effective practitioners of Conservation Medicine.
What is Conservation Medicine?
Conservation Medicine is an established field that studies the complex relationships and interactions between animal health, human health and ecosystem health. It emerged in the 1990s as a response to the need for a more holistic and interdisciplinary approach to the conservation of biodiversity. In particular, the importance of health in many conservation issues was widely recognised. With its foundation in the principles of conservation biology, Conservation Medicine incorporates contributions from the health sciences, ecology and the social sciences. It may be regarded as the application of One Health to the conservation of biodiversity.
Who is this programme for?
This is an online programme and the flexible and part-time format allows participants to achieve a world-class award while maintaining busy professional and personal commitments. The teaching provides a blend of theoretical and practical education to provide the foundation for a career in conservation. A variety of innovative techniques and approaches to teaching are used including online lectures, case studies, discussion forums and personal or group activities. Participants will have a unique opportunity to learn from internationally recognised specialists, both within the University of Edinburgh and from local and international organisations.
Suitable applicants will be qualified veterinarians with an interest in conservation, wildlife health and ecological health. It is suitable for veterinarians without any wildlife experience as well as those already working in conservation. Participants will gain enhanced career opportunities in academia, non-governmental organisations, government veterinary positions and captive or free-ranging wildlife conservation projects.
Careers
The Conservation Medicine MVetSci Programme places a strong emphasis on developing your Self-awareness as a reflective practitioner and future Conservation Medicine professional. This is achieved through an emphasis on journaling, reflective writing and other awareness-based activities and assignments. Opportunities to work with experienced coaching professionals also exist. This means that over the course of the programme, students are able to develop a deeper awareness of their own potential and future “contribution”, their values, strengths and talents. This awareness can inform the career paths students then go on to develop, explore and pursue.
There are many and diverse prospects for employment depending on where you want to work. Graduates from this programme will be prepared for employment and be able to explore career opportunities in the following areas:
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Conservation and wildlife agencies or organisations
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Charities or non-governmental organisations
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Zoos and ex-situ conservation programmes
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Government veterinary departments
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In-situ conservation programmes
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National parks and forestry departments
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Scientific research in universities or research institutes
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Private clinical practice with wildlife species
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Other NGOs who recognise that veterinary expertise is increasingly necessary as part of a multidisciplinary approach for wildlife and biodiversity conservation projects
The Programme is currently developing a blog to showcase how past and current students have benefited from the programme.
MVetSci, PG Dip, PGCert, PPD
The programme is aimed at providing qualified veterinarians with the skills required to work in the conservation medicine field.
A recognised veterinary degree is a requirement for entry:
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BVM&S or equivalent qualification
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, we will also need to see evidence of your English language proficiency before we can offer you a place.
To provide veterinarians with the skills and knowledge required to be effective practitioners of conservation medicine.
In response to the increasing recognition of a need for trained veterinarians in this field, this online learning programme is aimed specifically at veterinarians, to provide them with the skills and knowledge required to be effective practitioners of conservation medicine, and to enable them to assist in the development of solutions to ecological health issues.
The programme aims to:
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Enhance knowledge and understanding of conservation medicines from a global perspective in order to enable effective veterinary participation in this complex interdisciplinary field
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Enhance knowledge and skills relating to the diseases of wild animals and veterinary aspects of the conservation of endangered species
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Assess, assimilate and apply scientific evidence, that may be limited or incomplete, to real-life situations and develop appropriate, timely and adaptable responses and solutions to conservation medicine challenges
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Provide a first-class learning experience, leading to the development of proactive, independent, reflective and life-long learners
The MVetSci Conservation Medicine programme is delivered part-time by Online Learning (OL), over a minimum period of three years and a maximum period of six years.
The programme is modular in structure, offering a flexible student-centred approach to the choice of courses studied.
You may undertake the programme by Intermittent Study (flexible progression route), accruing credits within a maximum time limit of six years for the MVetSci which will include a maximum period of 12 months from the start of their written reflective element to it being completed.
For students wishing to study for the Certificate, the maximum time period for this is 2 years and for those undertaking the Diploma as well, the maximum time period for this is 4 years.
In summary, times for completion are as follows:
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Masters in Veterinary Sciences: 36-72 months
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Postgraduate Diploma: 24-48 months
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Postgraduate Certificate: 12-24 months
Each year will consist of three 11-week terms structured into 2 blocks of 5 weeks of study with a week in between for independent study and reflection.
Each 5 week-block equates to 10 credits. The structure is designed to be studied part-time, giving you time to reflect on your learning.
This timetable is consistent with other programmes within the Global Health Academy, to enable sharing of courses across related programmes.
Year 1: Courses for the Certificate
In Year 1, you will take three compulsory courses of 20 credits each.
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Conservation Medicine | 20 credits |
| Ecosystem health and species conservation | 20 credits |
| Applied epidemiology, surveillance and risk assessment | 20 credits |
Year 2: Courses for the Diploma
In Year 2, you need to take the two compulsory courses below (a total of 20 credits).
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| Veterinary techniques and interventions for conservation medicine | 10 credits |
| Wildlife disease management | 10 credits |
You also need to choose courses from the following elective modules up to a total of 40 credits. All courses are 10 credit courses except for the 'Captive and Free-Ranging Wild Animal Welfare' and 'Interventions in Wild Animal Health' courses which are 20 credit courses.
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| Interventions in Wild Animal Health | 20 credits |
| Managing and Leading Conservation Projects | 10 credits |
| Species Translocations | 10 credits |
| Communication and Public Engagement of Conservation | 10 credits |
| Conservation Genetics | 10 credits |
| Introduction to GIS and spatial data analysis | 10 credits |
| Invasive non-native species | 10 credits |
| An introduction to transboundary diseases and their impact on trade and wildlife populations | 10 credits |
| Technology advances in veterinary diagnostics | 10 credits |
| The use of artificial reproduction technology (ARTs) in threatened species | 10 credits |
| The modern zoo | 10 credits |
| Captive and Free-Ranging Wild Animal Welfare | 20 credits |
| Introduction to Wildlife Forensics | 10 credits |
| Zoonotic disease | 10 credits |
| Wildlife Disease Ecology in Livestock Ecosystems | 10 credits |
| Wildlife Trade | 10 credits |
| Scientific Paradigms, Research Approaches and Study Design Across Disciplines * | 10 credits |
*This course is compulsory for students progressing to the dissertation. It is elective for all other Diploma students.
Year 3: Written reflective element
| Written reflective element | 60 credits |
The written reflective element is an assignment of 10-15,000 words.
In order to progress to the final level to attain the Masters (written reflective element), students have to:
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pass at least 80 credits with a mark of at least 50% in each of the courses which make up these credits and no mark <40% for any course
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attain a minimum average mark of 50% for the 120 credits
The written reflective element (10-15,000 words) will take the form of one of the following:
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A written dissertation (current or historical).
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A casebook (relating to relevant professional experience.
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A personal portfolio of reflective and practical activity.
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A short research project.
Students will be expected to submit a proposal which demonstrates an appropriate level of critical analysis, academic knowledge and reflection, or veterinary practice depending on the choice made, prior to being admitted to the Master's year.
Irrespective of which option is chosen the written reflective element is an assignment of 10-15,000 words. The University of Edinburgh’s common marking scheme will be used.
Please note that although all courses are offered, we cannot guarantee that all courses will be available to all students, each year.
Tuition fees
Please note that you can pay for the programme on a course by course basis, ie paying by installments. Each course is 20 credits and the dissertation year is equivalent to 60 credits.
Tuition fees for online learning
Tuition fee discount for some of our former graduates
Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding
The University of Edinburgh subscribes to a funding database specifically for those looking for funding to support postgraduate studies. The guide contains a huge database of funding opportunities, comprehensive guidance and tools to help you prepare a winning grant application including.
The Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding Online
Scholarship information
It is recommended that you conduct your own research on this, but you can refer to the University Scholarship website to view suggestions on Scholarships.
Online distance learning scholarships
ITA Scotland
Get up to £200 towards the cost of a training course with an SDS Individual Training Account (ITA).
You could use the money to build the skills you need for a job. Or get some training to take your career to the next level. Whatever you want to do, there is a wide range of ITA approved courses on offer.
UK government postgraduate loans
If you are planning to study with us, you could be eligible for a postgraduate loan towards your fees. From this year, online programmes are also eligible for this funding (please note, restrictions apply)
This funding is available for UK nationals, those with settled status, and in some cases, EU nationals not resident in the UK.
Learn more about postgraduate loans and submit your application
Funding for Commonwealth students
A small number of scholarships are available to Commonwealth students studying Conservation Medicine at the University of Edinburgh.
Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships – information for candidates
Please note that you will need to apply to the University of Edinburgh and receive an unconditional offer of a place on the MVetSci Conservation Medicine in order to be eligible for funding through this scholarship. You will also need to complete an application for the scholarship through the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission website. Please let the programme team know if you are going to apply for this scholarship by emailing Conservation.Medicine@ed.ac.uk
The University has a strong and long-standing commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and to promoting a positive culture which celebrates difference, challenges prejudice and ensures fairness.
Online application form
Applications must be submitted through the University’s online application service, EUCLID. Offers cannot be made without a fully completed online application.
Before submitting your application, please download and read the following guide for uploading documentation:
Guide to uploading documents (29.5 KB Word)
Register interest
If you would like more information before applying for this programme, please link to the form below to register your interest.
Poster download