MSc Wildlife and Conservation Management (Distance Learning)

This programme encompasses a broad range of topics and land uses. Conservation management, rural land use planning, land use history and more. The course is studied over three years.

Location: Aberdeen
Study mode: Distance learning (3 years)
Subject area: Environment, Conservation and Sustainability, Animal Care
Start date: September 2025
Agency code: Z103

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Course overview

The factors affecting the wider environment are constantly increasing and range from agriculture and forestry to recreation, urban development and population growth. These in turn have knock-on effects such as climate change, water and food shortages, habitat and species loss and the impact of non-native species.

One of the areas where these factors come together is in the field of wildlife and conservation management where the public use of the countryside interacts with professional land managers and can result in conflict.

This programme encompasses a broad range of topics and land uses ranging from conservation management to rural land use planning and interpretation to land-use history.

Applications are accepted from those either with or without specifically related previous qualifications - previous students have included graduates of History, Education, Business Management and Engineering, as well as Biological and Natural Sciences.

Non-graduate entrants have included students with significant experience in aspects such as countryside rangering, town & country planning and ecology.

The MSc/PgDip/PgCert Wildlife and Conservation Management is validated by the University of Glasgow.

Please note: This course may require you to attend two study weekends at our Aberdeen campus.

Virtual Experience

Take a look around the SRUC Virtual Experience for lots of great student videos and examples of what it’s like to study our courses, along with campus and facility tours.

SRUC holds open days regularly. Visit our listings page for details of our up-coming events.

Entry requirements

Applications are accepted from those with at least a 2:2 Honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject area.

We also welcome applications from individuals with degrees in a wider range of disciplines, and/or who have relevant experience, along with clear motivation for the programme.

What you'll learn

There are eight taught modules providing for the development of a range of technical, practical and professional skills. Residential study weekends are also used as a vital tool in delivering some of the practical aspects of the course.

: This module uses technical guidance material to ensure students are trained to industry standards. Students will develop skills in both planning and recommending surveys, whilst also interpreting the significance of the results.
: Interpretation has been identified as an important management tool that contributes to sustainable tourism through enhancing the visitor experience and managing behaviour to protect site resources. Effective interpretation follows a plan incorporating key principle and communicates good practice alongside recognised psychological theories.
: This module will look at the importance of both the historical and cultural heritage of the landscape and the reasons for its designations. This module will consider how sustainability is integral to the planning system and provide an understanding of frontline planning topics, such as natural capital and ecosystem services.
: This module will enable students to understand the potential impacts of a range of agricultural enterprises on different aspects of the environment, comparing systems such as conventional farming with organic farming and High Nature Value Farming. Conflicts and synergy with managing forestry and conservation will also be explored.
: This module will introduce students to the latest advances in cutting-edge research at SRUC and beyond. Much of the work will be undertaken studying research outputs, encouraging research-led teaching. The focus will be on digital intelligence to aid sustainability in the rural sector, rather than the ability of use technology.
: Urban green spaces and rural landscapes are increasingly used as multi-functional resources for education, leisure, recreation, fitness and tourism. Protected areas, in particular, experience both the benefit and cost of their status which makes them highly marketable for tourism that brings economic benefits at all levels. However, the fragility of many such areas renders them extremely susceptible to the varied impacts of such activities. This module examines the various visitor management techniques used to provide an enjoyable visitor experience while not compromising the protection of natural resources.
: In this module students will engage in constructive debates on topical issues in Countryside Management and their impacts on wider society. The module is designed to develop students’ critical and evaluatory skills whilst dealing with complex issues and making informed judgements.
: This module approaches conservation management using multiple scales. This includes species focussed approaches (e.g. protected species management), habitat management and landscape scale projects. Management planning is however not simply a list of activities. By evaluating the importance and constructing work programmes, managers are able to prioritise, budget and control staff and volunteers.

Meet the lecturer

Dr Nick Littlewood

Joint Programme Leader

Nick is joint Programme Leader for MSc Wildlife and Conservation Management, based at the Aberdeen campus. He runs the dissertation year of the course and leads the Advances in Land Management module.

With a wide-ranging interest in wildlife conservation, Nick conducts research on the impact of management on species and habitats. His work spans plant, invertebrate, bird and mammal assemblages and the interactions between these. He uses camera traps and bioacoustics for research and monitoring and is passionate about promoting evidence-based practice in conservation.

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Dr Sarah Marley

Joint Programme Leader

Sarah is joint Programme Leader for the MSc Wildlife and Conservation Management, based at the Aberdeen Campus. She delivers statistics teaching on the Masters.

Sarah is a marine ecologist with a particular research interest in marine mammals, underwater acoustics, and human impacts. She has previously also worked as a field researcher, tour guide, environmental consultant, and science communicator in both the northern and southern hemispheres.

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Dr Helen Anderson

Lecturer

Helen is a Lecturer in Ecology based at the Aberdeen Campus. She delivers teaching on ecological surveying on the Masters course.

Helen is a terrestrial ecologist with a particular interest in plant-herbivore interactions, invasive species, pollinators, and citizen science. She has previously also worked as a research fellow, environmental monitoring officer, and data coordinator.

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Colin Hardacre

Lecturer

Based at SRUC’s Aberdeen campus, Colin delivers the module on Managing the Outdoors for People and the Natural Environment.

Before joining SRUC, Colin worked on a range of upland conservation and access projects. These included moorland regeneration in the Peak District National Park, designing and creating footpaths in spectacular settings around the North York Moors and Brecon Beacons National Parks and upgrading sections of the Pennine Way. He then worked an Interpretation Guide and Ranger in Aberdeen before joining SRUC.

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Dr John Holland

Research Fellow

John is a Research Fellow with the SRUC Hill & Mountain Research Centre. He contributes to the Conservation Management Planning module.

John’s research is on plant-herbivore interactions, with a particular emphasis on grassland, mire, and montane communities. His main focus is on upland ecosystem services, hill grasslands, agri-environmental management, and agroforestry.

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Victoria Pendry

Senior Lecturer

Victoria is a Senior Lecturer based at the Elmwood Campus, where she also leads the HNC Wildlife and Conservation Management.

Victoria delivers teaching on farming and conservation management planning on the MSc Wildlife and Conservation Management, and also acts as a Year Tutor. Victoria is particularly interested in countryside management and environmental values.

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Dr Robin Walker

Senior Lecturer

Based at the Aberdeen campus, Robin has worked at SRUC, and its predecessor, SAC, since 1999. He delivers the Topical Issues in Wildlife and Conservation module.

Robin has over 25 years’ experience in crop and soil systems research, teaching, and knowledge exchange. He is Programme Lead for the MSc Agricultural Professional Practice and has research interests in low-input cropping systems and optimising the integration of crops, grassland, and livestock.

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Anthony Wilson

Lecturer

Tony is a Lecturer in Wildlife and Countryside Management based at the Elmwood Campus, where he is also responsible for teaching rural skills and land-based studies. Tony delivers teaching on forestry and the environment on the MSc Wildlife and Conservation Management.

Tony was previously a countryside ranger in Fife and Tayside for 25yrs. Tony is particularly interested in aspects of forestry, ornithology, and mycology.

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