MSc in Primate Conservation
Oxford Brookes University
Key Information
Campus location
Headington, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
12 - 24 months
Pace
Full time, Part time
Tuition fees
GBP 15,700 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
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* UK students full-time: £8,350 | International/EU students full-time: £15,700
Scholarships
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Introduction
Focus on the area of Primate Conservation that you’re passionate about - and learn directly from internationally renowned conservation researchers.
In this course, you’ll gain a deep knowledge of conservation biology and primates. You’ll shape your learning experience around your interests - whether that’s habitat loss, the illegal wildlife trade or population management. You’ll collaborate on meaningful conservation projects and you’ll undertake fieldwork on a topic you care about - within our network of field sites in over 40 countries.
You’ll work directly with internationally acclaimed tutors who carry out world-leading research across Asia, South America and Africa, including Madagascar. Your tutors have unparalleled expertise on primates, and you can specialise in the topic of your choice within species like:
- Great apes
- Gibbons
- Asian, African and American Monkeys
- Lorises and galagos
- Lemurs
- Tarsiers
You’ll emerge with the skills to start or accelerate your career in conservation biology.
Gallery
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Curriculum
Study modules
For the MSc Primate Conservation trajectory, it may be possible in exceptional circumstances for students to do an independent study module in lieu of another module only with staff approval.
Semester 1
Compulsory modules
Primate Diversity and Conservation: Theory, Methods and Practice (20 credits)
You’ll review the variety of primate species, together with their distribution, ecology and conservation status. You’ll develop your understanding of the differences between primate species and the factors that make them more or less vulnerable to extinction. You’ll explore methods of population viability assessment, and find out about successful conservation projects.
Optional modules
People-Primate Interaction (20 credits)
You’ll receive an overview of the many ways that humans and wildlife (both primates and other animals) interact with and impact each other. You’ll consider examples of interactions between humans and wildlife in relation to crop raiding, hunting, biomedical research, tourism, and the design and management of national parks and wildlife reserves.
You’ll learn about the diverse attitudes of different cultures or levels of society towards primates, and the way that these attitudes influence primate conservation initiatives.
Conservation Education (20 credits)
What are the best ways to inform people about environmental decline? How can primates be used to promote public understanding of conservation? You will explore environmental and conservation education with particular reference to threatened species, and consider the theories behind and ways to measure the effectiveness of different strategies. You’ll discover a variety of techniques for presenting and disseminating information about conservation, particularly using digital technology and methods. We’ll make use of case studies to introduce you to planning, conducting and evaluating educational projects.
Semester 2
Compulsory modules
Primate Conservation Research Methods (20 credits)
You’ll gain a basic understanding of how to conduct a field study of primates in the wild, in captivity or in a museum. You’ll learn about the best ways to collect and analyse data for different kinds of research or investigation that are suitable for your final project. You will have the chance to compare the methods available and learn about their strengths and weaknesses.
You’ll learn about research planning, data collection, analysis and interpretation of results, and you’ll receive training in programs such as SPSS, DISTANCE, Ranges and QGis. You’ll take part in visits to one or more collaborating institutions, to learn practical techniques such as museum studies, behavioural observation techniques in zoos and botanical sampling in situ.
Optional modules
Captive Management and Rehabilitation (20 credits)
In this module, we review good practices in the management and welfare of captive primates and the implications for the survival of declining populations in the wild. You’ll study the effects of the captive environment on behavioural traits (stereotypy, genetic selection), welfare and breeding success. You’ll consider factors such as
- veterinary care
- nutrition
- housing and enclosure design
- environmental enrichment.
We’ll also discuss the pros and cons of reintroducing and rehabilitating primates into the wild.
Genetics and Population Management (20 credits)
You’ll gain an understanding of applied conservation genetics, as well as demographic management of small captive populations and those that have become isolated in the wild. We will present the foundations of population and molecular genetics, which we will place in a practical and conservation management context. You’ll learn about genetic techniques that allow us to assess relationships between individuals, populations and species. You will have the chance to apply these skills in a biochemistry lab setting and explore the relevance of genetics to animal conservation.
Final project
Final project (60 credits)
We’ll encourage you to build on your strengths and interests throughout the course, culminating in a final research project that has an outcome of use to the broader public and conservation community. All projects are accompanied by a written component to integrate and explain the work including in the form of a traditional thesis.
We aim for you to produce work that has a lasting impact. Examples include:
- the production of a film or exhibition
- one or more articles/chapters for publication
- a broadcasting project
- an education handbook
- design of a practical project relating to primate conservation (eg eco-tourism, habitat management or conservation education).
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
You’ll graduate with the skills and knowledge to launch or accelerate your career in animal conservation - as a practitioner, advocate or researcher.
You’ll benefit from our close links with conservation organisations and NGOs, in the UK and globally, including:
- Borneo Nature Foundation
- Monitor
- Twycross Zoo
- Sumatran Orangutan Society
Our graduates progress to careers ranging from starting their own NGOs to Education Officers in zoos or researchers at universities. And during your course, you’ll be able to connect with leading specialists and alumni from organisations like the BBC Natural History Unit, Great Apes Survival Partnership, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
When you finish your course, you’ll join a supportive network of Oxford Brookes graduates who work across all areas of conservation. You’ll also have the option to continue your studies by enrolling on our own PhD programme, or others in the UK or globally.