Master of Conservation Biology

Get the scientific expertise you need to work in conservation in New Zealand and around the world with a one-year, professionally-focused Master’s.

Human impact, loss of biodiversity and a growing awareness of environmental change make conservation biology more important every day.

Combine learning in conservation, ecology, biodiversity and sustainability to get a career-ready qualification. Examine internationally renowned examples of conservation best practice in action. Gain advanced skills in experiment design, collecting and analysing data, and presenting research results.

Explore the processes of conservation biology in an international biodiversity hotspot. You’ll have access to a range of land and marine environments. Learn alongside internationally respected scientists, whose research supports the management of New Zealand’s unique animal and plant life.

Get the postgraduate handbook

Fill in the form to find out more about your study options in our Wellington Faculty of Science and Engineering Postgraduate Handbook.

Download the handbook

Scholarships for international students

We are currently offering a NZ$10,000 VUW Postgraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Master’s degree or Postgraduate Diploma programme. Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.

Who can study a MConBio

The MConBio is a great fit if you want to build on your undergraduate degree to develop work-ready skills, or if you are already working in conservation and want to deepen your knowledge.

You can start the programme either in January or July. Applications close in October for the January start date. The July start follows usual university enrolment dates.

What you’ll learn

You’ll take three core courses. One of these (BIOL424) is a field course with one week visiting field sites in the Wellington Region and one week away from Wellington. You’ll also choose from a range of electives to build a programme that suits your interests.

January field course

If you're starting in January, you'll begin with a field course. The course is run outside normal trimester dates, as the timing changes from year to year to allow for tide times. Usual timing for the start of the course is late January/early February and actual dates for the next year are confirmed at least six months earlier.

For this course, you’ll visit key conservation sites around New Zealand to observe management practices and become familiar with the unique plants and animals of New Zealand.

Core courses

If you start in July, you’ll begin with a core course, which involves biosecurity management from both biological and legal perspectives.

Learn conservation techniques from experts in the field

Studying in Wellington, you’ll have easy access to the natural wealth of New Zealand. You’ll gain research experience and learn conservation techniques alongside conservation experts at:

• Zealandia
• Otari-Wilton's Bush
• Matiu/Somes Island
• Taputeranga marine reserve
• Kapiti marine reserve.

Workload

You can study the Master of Conservation Biology part time, in up to six trimesters.

If you are studying full time, you can expect a workload of 40 to 45 hours a week for much of the year. Part-time students doing two courses per trimester will need to do around 20 to 23 hours of work a week. Take this into account if you are balancing other commitments.

Workload

Studying full time, you can expect a workload of 40 to 45 hours a week for much of the year.

You can estimate your workload by adding up the number of [points] you'll be doing. One point is roughly equal to 10 to 12 hours of work.

Future careers

Many scientific roles require applicants to have completed relevant postgraduate study. The skills and knowledge you gain with your Master’s degree could lead to:

• advisory, policy or research roles
• programme or project management roles.

You may find work in:

• government agencies
• city, regional and district councils
• consultancy firms, carrying out contract ecological assessments
• non-government agencies and not-for-profit organisations.

Scholarships

You may be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies.

We have postgraduate scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas.

• Postgraduate and doctoral scholarships
• Search scholarships
• David Day Award.

Join our community

Through postgraduate study you’ll build valuable relationships and networks with peers, University staff, and future colleagues. Make the most of opportunities to attend events, seminars, workshops, and social functions.

The Postgraduate Students’ Association provides a voice for you on campus and information on study at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.

Financial support

You can get support to stay on top of your finances by downloading our money management resources or by meeting with one of our student finance advisers.

We can show you how to manage your student loan or allowance, and help you sort out your budget. For students facing financial difficulties, we can help you apply for support from the Hardship Fund. Depending on your situation, you might also be able to get government or community support. Talk to a student finance adviser Financing your study

Work opportunities

Work as a research assistant

You may be able to work as a research assistant while you study. These are fixed-term, short contracts where you assist an academic on a specific research project.

Work as a tutor

As a postgraduate students in the School of Biological Sciences, you may also get the opportunity to tutor undergraduate courses.

Talk to your supervisor or programme director if you’re interested.