
Applied Conservation Genetics with Wildlife Forensics (Online Learning) MSc, PgDip (ICL), PgCert (ICL), PgProfDev
Online
DURATION
1 up to 6 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
22 Aug 2025
EARLIEST START DATE
08 Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
GBP 19,100 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
* estimated tuition for applied conservation genetics with wildlife forensics (MSc) | PgCert: £6,370 | PgDip: £12,735
Introduction
Within conservation science, there is increasing recognition of the value of genetic data to support management decisions. However, scientists and managers with the skills and knowledge to apply population genetic theory to conservation practice are lacking.
Within this arena, wildlife forensics is an exciting new field that is attracting increasing global attention in the fight against the illegal wildlife trade.
Theoretical and practical learning
The PPD/Cert/Dip/MSc in Applied Conservation Genetics with Wildlife Forensics aims to provide a blend of theoretical and practical education in applying genetic data to wildlife management and conservation law enforcement.
The programme will cover all essential aspects, from population genetic theory and data analysis to the considerations involved in the interpretation and transfer of scientific findings to management, policy and criminal investigation.
Choice of specialism
You will have the choice to specialise in either applied conservation genetics or wildlife forensics. Both options provide transferable scientific skills relating to:
- Knowledge acquisition and application
- Problem-solving
- Science communication
- Decision making
The overall aim of the programme is to equip current and future wildlife professionals with the knowledge, skills and global networks to address modern challenges in conservation management and law enforcement.
Learn from internationally recognised specialists
The programme is designed as an institutional collaboration between the University of Edinburgh and SASA (Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture), a government facility which houses the UK wildlife DNA forensics laboratory.
Students will have a unique opportunity to learn from internationally recognised specialists in the application of genetic analysis to conservation management and wildlife forensics.
In addition, individual courses will engage several external tutors from local and international organisations with specific expertise in the subject matter. Course materials will be based on actual examples from wildlife management projects and forensic casework.
Online Learning
The University of Edinburgh has been delivering online postgraduate programmes since 2005 and is the largest provider of online programmes in the prestigious Russell Group of universities.
Online learning is aimed at people who want to study for a postgraduate qualification alongside ongoing personal and professional commitments. You can study at times most convenient to you and tailor the timeframe of your studies to suit your needs. Most of our students continue in their employment while they study.
Student support for online students is given as much emphasis as for our on-campus learners. The learning technology is fully interactive, and award-winning and enables you to communicate with our highly qualified teaching staff from the comfort of your own home or workplace.
A dedicated e-learning team ensures the programme runs smoothly and is supported by an experienced team of a programme director, coordinator, administrator and course leaders. Each student is provided with a personal tutor.
Courses are taught and completed entirely online. The varied teaching includes:
- Online lectures
- Tutorials
- Specialist external lectures
- Scientific group discussions
- Case studies
- Problem-based learning scenarios
- Literature-based research
- Computer-assisted learning
- Quizzes
Our online students not only have access to Edinburgh's excellent resources but also become part of a supportive online community, bringing together students and tutors from around the world.
Awards: MSc, PgDip (ICL), PgCert (ICL), PgProfDev
Ideal Students
Who this programme is for
This programme may be for you if you are a wildlife professional interested in learning how DNA analysis can be applied to conservation management, from captive breeding programmes to reintroductions and natural population management.
The programme will also be appropriate if you are working in wildlife law enforcement or wildlife policy sectors and want to understand how genetic data is relied upon to inform conservation decision-making, trade regulation and criminal investigations.
As a comprehensive introduction to the fields of conservation genetics and wildlife forensics, the programme is will also provide a valuable stepping stone if you are seeking to pursue an advanced scientific career in these fields.
Program Outcome
Beyond gaining factual knowledge of the immediate subject matter, programme participation is designed to achieve a series of key learning outcomes:
Knowledge and Understanding
The student will be able to demonstrate a critical understanding of practical and ethical issues relating to the application of conservation genetics and wildlife forensics.
Practice: applied knowledge, skills and understanding
The student will be able to demonstrate how to plan, apply and interpret the outputs of appropriate research and forensic techniques.
Generic cognitive skills
The student will be able to analyse complex issues and identify solutions, even in the absence of complete or consistent information.
Communication, ICT, Numeracy Skills
The student will be able to communicate relevant scientific concepts and results, using appropriate methods, to a range of audiences with different levels of knowledge and expertise.
Autonomy, accountability and working with others
The student will be able to manage complex wildlife conservation and law enforcement issues and make or contribute to informed judgements that address current challenges in these fields.
Career Opportunities
This applied programme should equip students with the knowledge, skills and global networks necessary to use DNA analysis as a tool in wildlife conservation.
As a postgraduate degree from one of the world’s leading universities, it will be recognised as a valuable, hard-earned qualification that demonstrates both scientific acumen and an ability to translate research into conservation management practice.
Curriculum
The degree programme is structured to allow sequential progression from individual courses to Certificate, Diploma and MSc phases. Students may also exit the programme on completion of each phase.
The programme is designed to be taken part-time over three years at 20 hours per week, with the option to complete in up to six years if required.
The completion times are as follows:
- PgCert: 1-2 years
- PgDip: 2-4 years
- MSc: 3-6 years
The programme is composed of 180 credits divided over eight taught courses (6 compulsory and 2 electives chosen from 4) plus a dissertation.
Year 1
- Essential Population Genetic Theory and Techniques (20 credits)
- Introduction to Applied Conservation Genetics Part 1 (10 credits)
- Introduction to Applied Conservation Genetics Part 2 (10 credits)
- Introduction to Wildlife Forensics (10 credits)
- Genetic Data Analysis for Conservation Management and Wildlife Forensics (10 credits)
Year 2
- Applied Conservation Genetics and Wildlife Forensics (20 credits)
- The Role of Wildlife Genetics in Global Conservation Challenges (20 credits)
Elective courses currently offered:
- Quality Management in Wildlife Forensic Science (10 credits)
- Reporting Forensic Evidence (10 credits)
- Population Genetics for Conservation Breeding (10 credits)
- Conservation Genetics for Reintroductions, Translocations and Population Monitoring (10 credits)
Year 3
- Dissertation Element (60 credits; must be written within 12 months)
Course availability will be dependent upon the number of students and the availability of places on non-programmed-owned courses. We cannot guarantee that all courses will be available to all students, each year.
The programme is designed to be taken part-time over three years (20 hours per week), with an option to complete in up to six years if required.
Students may exit the programme after completing 60 credits (Certificate) or after 120 credits (Diploma) and courses will also be offered as standalone Postgraduate Professional Development (PPD) options.
Programme staff all actively work in applied conservation science alongside their academic posts and include members of the:
- IUCN SSC Conservation Genetics Specialist Group
- Society for Wildlife Forensic Science
- UN, US and UK wildlife forensic advisory groups
Programme Director: Prof Rob Ogden (University of Edinburgh) Deputy Programme Director: Dr Lucy Webster (SASA) Programme Co-ordinator: Dr Silvia Perez-Espona (University of Edinburgh)
Postgraduate Professional Development
Postgraduate Professional Development (PPD) is aimed at working professionals who want to advance their knowledge through postgraduate-level learning, without the time or financial commitment of a full award.
You may take a maximum of 50 credits worth of courses from within this degree over two years and gain a University of Edinburgh postgraduate award of academic credit.
It may also be possible to continue your studies after one year and put credits towards a postgraduate Certificate, Diploma or full Master's degree.
Any time spent taking courses through the PPD scheme will be deducted from the amount of time you have left to complete the higher award.
Although PPD courses have various start dates throughout a year you may only start a Masters, Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate programme in the month of September.
- [IUCN]: International Union for Conservation of Nature
- [SSC]: Species Survival Commission
- [UN]: United Nations
- [SASA]: Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.
Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:
- Borrowing money
- Taking out a loan
- Family support
- Taking out a loan
- Family support
- Personal savings
- Income from work
- Employer sponsorship
- Scholarships
As this is a part-time intermittent programme, also known as invoiced-at-course-level (ICL), it is not eligible for UK government loan funding.
Student Testimonials
Program Tuition Fee
Program Admission Requirements
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