Why study MSc Marine Vertebrate Ecology and Conservation at Exeter?
delivered by the , a globally recognised centre of excellence in cutting-edge research and teaching
taught by one of the largest groups of marine vertebrate ecologists in the UK, with world-leading experts working on sharks, marine turtles, seabirds and marine mammals
gain extensive, hands-on skills training designed to fast-track careers in applied scientific research, conservation practice and industry
conduct an immersive research project alongside internationally recognised research teams in collaboration with external partners, including NGOs and government agencies
access our outstanding research facilities & opportunities to study on the beautiful Cornish coastline, which hosts a wealth of coastal and marine biodiversity
Due to the high demand for this programme, we highly recommend that you apply early. Applications can be made from September for entry the following year. If we experience high demand it may be necessary for us to operate waiting lists or close the programme.
Shanghai Rankings Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2025
90% of our Biological Sciences research is internationally excellent
Based on research rated 4* and 3* in the Research Excellence Framework 2021
Top 20 in the UK for world-leading research in Biological Sciences
REF 2021, based on 4-star research
Entry requirements
Normally a 2:1 degree or above in a relevant science subject* is required, although we will consider all applications with a 2.1 where there is evidence of exceptional performance in modules relevant to the programme of study (research and/or numerical skills), and/or significant relevant work experience of 2+ years.
I've really enjoyed the course and have loved getting a completely comprehensive view of marine vertebrates in all forms.?Cornwall is beautiful and absolutely nothing like what I thought England was like. Every day I get the opportunity to see new species of fauna and flora, different weathers and living by the sea is absolutely incredible.
We have had specific lecturers on topics like sensory and historical ecology, things I didn’t know were specific avenues until starting the course, but have proven to be fascinating to learn about. We continue to learn about and focus on each avenue across the broad spectrum of marine vertebrate conservation. We’ve also had virtual coffee breaks where we've been able to speak with lecturers or research scientists in the field on areas that aren't covered in the syllabus if we want to learn more.
From the USA, studying MSc Marine Vertebrate Ecology and Conservation?
Course content
This programme provides a diversity of knowledge, skills and experience that will equip you to work for a range of sectors. Through inspirational teaching and practical, first-hand research experience from our internationally-recognised experts, the course will help you build a transferable skillset and professional network that will act a stepping stone into marine vertebrate ecology, research and conservation-facing careers. The course is based at the University’s internationally-renowned Centre for Ecology and Conservation on our Penryn campus in spectacular Cornwall.
Innovative taught modules
Our core taught modules provide in-depth coverage of the key concepts and practical and analytical skills in marine vertebrate ecology and conservation, delivered through close interaction with leading researchers and practitioners working at the forefront of research and real-world conservation.
Research project
A key strength of the programme is the opportunity to conduct a major independent research project embedded within one of our world-class research groups. This allows students to deepen their technical knowledge, career-facing skills and research experience in the area that excites them most.
The modules below provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.
MSc Marine Environmental Management with UK field course
In line with our commitment to tackling the global climate emergency, we offer this programme with a low-carbon UK field course destination. This allows you to make an alternative choice when applying for this course. This programme also offers lower tuition fees.
The MSc Marine Environmental Management with UK field course offers the alternative field course option and allows you to consider the meaning of the word “wild” in the UK. Topics will include exploitation of the UK’s ecosystems, global policy impact and the behaviour and ecology of the UK’s fauna and flora.
This residential field course will perform a transect through the United Kingdom’s hotspots of marine and terrestrial biodiversity, human-wildlife conflict and ecological restoration. You will see the endangered wildlife of the UK, and meet the people who are stakeholders in their management or their conservation: National Park authorities; farmers; Natural England employees; conservation charity managers; people delivering species translocations; researchers; ecological consultants; tourism operators and the general public.
When participating in field courses, you may be required to provide your own specialist personal equipment appropriate to the field course destination, e.g. walking boots, rucksack.
Fees
2026/27 entry
UK fees per year:
£15,700 full-time; £7,850 part-time
International fees per year:
£31,000 full-time; £15,500 part-time
Additional course costs
When participating in field courses, you will need to cover the cost of any visas and relevant immunisations, if necessary. You will also need to provide your own specialist personal equipment appropriate to the field course destination, e.g. walking boots, rucksack, mosquito net, sleeping bag, binoculars. Additional costs may be incurred for your research project, depending on what you choose to study.
Scholarships
The 樱花动漫 offers a wide range of scholarships to support your education, with ?7 million available for international students applying to study with us in the 2026/27 academic year, including our prestigious Exeter Excellence Scholarships. We also provide awards for sport, music and other achievements, as well as regional and partner scholarships with organisations such as Chevening, The Beacon Trust and the British Council. For more information on scholarships and other financial support, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page.
樱花动漫 Alumni Scholarship
We are pleased to offer the 樱花动漫 Alumni Scholarship, a scholarship for 樱花动漫 alumni beginning a standalone postgraduate programme in 2026/27 with us a scholarship worth 20% of the cost of your first year tuition fees.
Our interdisciplinary research initiative, Exeter Marine, spans the natural sciences, humanities, physical and social sciences. We work collaboratively to nurture future generations of marine scientists through research-led education. By engaging with a wide range of partners locally, regionally and across the world’s oceans we shape positive changes in practice, policy and innovation.
Learning from experts
Postgraduate students join a community of world-leading marine vertebrate ecologists who work on sharks, marine turtles, seabirds and marine mammals in the UK and around the world. Within modules there is considerable scope for you to direct your learning towards fields of particular interest, especially through your choice of research project. Staff work with an extensive network of stakeholder organisations to codevelop research project topics.
Partners have recently included: Archelon, Beneath the Waves, British Antarctic Survey, British Divers Marinelife Rescue, Cetacean Research and Rescue Unit, Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme, Cornwall Wildlife Trust, Manta Trust, Marinelife, Marine Conservation Society, Natural England, Natural History Museum, Plymouth Marine Lab, ProDelphinus, Sea Mammal Research Unit, Sea Turtle Conservancy, Seychelles Island Foundation, Shark Trust, Society for the Protection of Turtles, Whale and Dolphin Conservation and Zoological Society of London.
The course structure includes a range of learning formats:
seminars
workshops
fieldwork
group discussion
independent study
Tutorial support
Each student is allocated a personal tutor who is available for advice and support throughout your studies. There is also a postgraduate tutor available to help with further guidance and advice.
Assessment
Taught modules will be assessed through formal oral presentation, written reports and discussions, during or upon the immediate completion of these modules.
Graduate School of Environment and Sustainability
You will become part of Exeter's Graduate School of Environment & Sustainability - a vibrant and supportive postgraduate community based here on our in Cornwall. The Graduate School brings together experts from across the spectrum of earth and life sciences, engineering, humanities, social sciences and business. You will interact with students from other MScs and have the opportunity to explore issues from a range of perspectives, benefiting from a truly interdisciplinary experience. All our programmes are designed with a focus on developing solutions to global challenges and creating a better future for our planet and its people.
Programme Director, Senior Lecturer in Marine Vertebrate Ecology and Conservation
Professor Brendan Godley
Professor of Conservation Science
Dr Erik Postma
Senior Lecturer
Dr Victoria Hobson
Lecturer
Dr Tomas Chaigneau
Senior Lecturer
Dr Kristian Metcalfe
Associate Professor in Marine Conservation Science
Dr Sarah Nelms
Programme Director, Senior Lecturer in Marine Vertebrate Ecology and Conservation
Dr Sarah Nelms is a Senior Lecturer in Marine Vertebrate Ecology and Conservation. She uses an interdisciplinary approach to understand how human activities impact marine megafauna. She is an internationally recognised expert in plastic pollution research, specifically in understanding the extent and effects of plastic ingestion and entanglement for marine mammals and other large marine vertebrates. She also works on other threats such as cetacean bycatch.
Professor Brendan Godley
Professor of Conservation Science
Professor Godley is a conservation scientist with wide ranging interests in biodiversity conservation. His research largely focuses on the study of marine vertebrates (turtles, mammals, birds and sharks). In the last few years, Professor Godley has spent ever more efforts on interdisciplinary approaches to conservation research, including focusing on the issue of microplastics in our oceans.
Dr Erik Postma
Senior Lecturer
Dr Postma studies the individual and population-level causes and consequences of variation in the traits related to the most important events in an individual's life, including birth, mate choice, reproduction and death. He uses individual-based, long-term data for a range of species, including rodents and humans.
Dr Victoria Hobson
Lecturer
Dr Hobson’s research and professional career has been focused on marine ecology and conservation, concentrating on the how mobile marine species interact with their environments using animal attached technologies, particularly jellyfish, turtles and fish. Dr Hobson has also worked as a marine ecology consultant and is a committee member of the Cornwall Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority.
Dr Tomas Chaigneau
Senior Lecturer
Dr Chaigneau is an environmental social scientist who studies the relationship between the natural environment and peoples’ wellbeing.?This involves understanding how individuals derive wellbeing from the coast but also how their actions can impact their adjacent environment. His research has primarily focused along the coast and has recently explored the links between coastal ecosystem services and wellbeing in East Africa. It has also investigated the social impact of Marine Protected Areas on communities and community support towards these interventions.
Dr Kristian Metcalfe
Associate Professor in Marine Conservation Science
Dr Kristian Metcalfe is an Associate Professor in Marine Conservation Science. He is an internationally recognised expert in the design, management and monitoring of marine protected areas with his research providing the scientific evidence on the current status of ecological communities within MPAs in the United Kingdom and underpinning the creation of 24 new MPAs covering >60,000 km2 across Gabon, Republic of the Congo and Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast).
Fieldwork
We will undertake extensive fieldwork in waters of the UK, including Cornwall. You will become proficient in marine vertebrate identification, become a qualified marine mammal observer (MMO), become a trained marine mammal medic as well as becoming familiar with marine vertebrate necropsy protocols, baited remote underwater video and passive acoustic monitoring. Please note that some field courses may incur additional costs - see the Fees section for more information.
Careers
Employer-valued skills this course develops
This programme will provide you with a diversity of skills that will equip you for a range of sectors of work and further study of marine vertebrates. Skills will include:
GIS and marine spatial planning
Marine mammal rescue
Post-mortem techniques
Marine Mammal Observer qualification
Use of passive acoustic monitoring
Bycatch mitigation
Animal tracking
Generic transferrable skills include:
Scientific writing and poster preparation
Grant writing
Public speaking
Short film production
Professional use of social media.
Careers services
Our careers teams at theCareer Zonecan help guide you through a wealth of information to match your skills and interests to a career that will suit you. Our staff work with regional, national and international employers to develop new work placement, project and graduate opportunities.
Supporting your career
Being part of a large research-intensive department such as means there are multiple extracurricular research seminars per week and frequent on-campus symposia and employability focussed seminars involving invited external stakeholders, offering extensive networking opportunities.
Recent graduates
Below are a few examples of initial jobs undertaken by graduates of our Biosciences postgraduate courses. This information has been taken from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) Survey 2016/17. Please note that, due to data protection, the job titles and organisations are listed independently and do not necessarily correspond.
Recent graduates are now working as:
Conservation Project Officer
Ecologist
Environmental Consultant
GIS and Social Technician
Graduate Research Assistant
King Cobra Telemetry Project Intern?
Marine and Environmental Consultant
Programme Assistant, Conservation Science and Design
Research Leader
Science Researcher
Recent graduates are now working for:
Biosphere Magazine
Blue Ventures
Devon Wildlife Trust
Greengage Environmental LLP
Institute of Zoology
IUCN?John?Wenman?Ecological Consultancy Madagascar Research and Conservation Institute (MRCI)
Oxford Scientific Films
RSPB
Seamarc Environmental Consultancy and Engineering
Thomson Ecology
Further study
Further study is a popular choice for a number of students following graduation from our Biosciences Masters courses. The MSc Marine Vertebrate Ecology course will equip you with the necessary skills to pursue further study once completing the course.
The biggest highlight of studying at Exeter was that it was a key milestone in my career to broaden my view on biodiversity conservation and ecotourism. The lecturers were very dynamic and the several field trips allowed students to gain significant experience. The University support for overseas students (e.g, support in English for essays, etc) was also very useful.
I enjoyed the dynamism of the course. It was a very intensive year with a lot of learning.
After graduating from Exeter, I came back to Cabo Verde and worked at the National Directorate of Environment. My role was to follow up the management plans of protected areas and species conservation, I was also the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Political Focal Point and Ramsar Convention Focal Point.
I then left the government and founded an NGO called Lantuna. I have been implementing biodiversity conservation projects in Cabo Verde and I also do consultancy services. At the present, I am coordinating the Cabo Verde seabirds project for BirdLife International.
The majority of students are based at our Streatham Campus in Exeter. The campus is one of the most beautiful in the country and offers a unique environment in which to study, with lakes, parkland, woodland and gardens as well as modern and historical buildings.
Located on the eastern edge of the city centre, St Luke's is home to Sport and Health Sciences, the Medical School, the Academy of Nursing, the Department of Allied Health Professions, and PGCE students.
Our Penryn Campus is located near Falmouth in Cornwall. It is consistently ranked highly for satisfaction: students report having a highly personal experience that is intellectually stretching but great fun, providing plenty of opportunities to quickly get to know everyone.
