I’m just trying to weigh up the cost of an MSc with the career prospects gained from doing it. Jobs in wildlife conservation/ecology/field biology interest me most – all aspects of conservation/environmental management interest me, but wildlife is what I’m most passionate about, especially working with wildlife abroad. I have applied for a few different courses – environmental management, which I don’t think will be suitable, Ecological Impact Assessment, which has a very strong consultancy bias, and then a few in ecology/biodiversity/conservation.

I’ve read that an MSc in the environmental sector does provide a massive advantage, however, the course leader for the Ecological Impact Assessment course said it won’t be the MSc that gets you a job in this sector but having a lot of experience in field skills, something that he said can be gained from voluntary work, I imagine he was referring primarily to consultancy work rather than wildlife conservation but I wondered what people’s opinions were on this was and how much of an advantage having an MSc is? Sorry if that's a little vague.

Thank you very much,
Chris

Hello,

I'm looking into doing an MSc or MRes in conservation and biodiversity (I've already been accepted) but I'm wondering if going straight into a PHd is a better option. I want a career in wildlife conservation and/or some sort of ecological research. I'm just wondering if I'm likely to get one not having a particularly relevant background (I have a BSc in Biomedicine and a little conservation voluntary experience).

My plan was do the masters and then consider a Phd but if I could get onto a Phd without the masters that may be a better option.

Does anyone have any knowledge in this area who may be able to offer some advice?

Thank you very much in advance for any advice you can offer,
Chris