Conservation Medicine

This programme provides veterinarians with the skills, knowledge and global networks required to be effective practitioners of Conservation Medicine.

Close up of an ape in a jungle.

This programme provides veterinarians with the skills, knowledge and global networks required to be effective practitioners of Conservation Medicine.  

What is Conservation Medicine? 

Conservation Medicine is an established field that studies the complex relationships and interactions between animal health, human health and ecosystem health. It emerged in the 1990s as a response to the need for a more holistic and interdisciplinary approach to the conservation of biodiversity. In particular, the importance of health in many conservation issues was widely recognised. With its foundation in the principles of conservation biology, Conservation Medicine incorporates contributions from the health sciences, ecology and the social sciences. It may be regarded as the application of One Health to the conservation of biodiversity. 

Who is this programme for? 

This is an online programme and the flexible and part-time format allows participants to achieve a world-class award while maintaining busy professional and personal commitments. The teaching provides a blend of theoretical and practical education to provide the foundation for a career in conservation. A variety of innovative techniques and approaches to teaching are used including online lectures, case studies, discussion forums and personal or group activities. Participants will have a unique opportunity to learn from internationally recognised specialists, both within the University of Edinburgh and from local and international organisations.  

Suitable applicants will be qualified veterinarians with an interest in conservation, wildlife health and ecological health. It is suitable for veterinarians without any wildlife experience as well as those already working in conservation. Participants will gain enhanced career opportunities in academia, non-governmental organisations, government veterinary positions and captive or free-ranging wildlife conservation projects. 

Careers 

The Conservation Medicine MVetSci Programme places a strong emphasis on developing your Self-awareness as a reflective practitioner and future Conservation Medicine professional. This is achieved through an emphasis on journaling, reflective writing and other awareness-based activities and assignments. Opportunities to work with experienced coaching professionals also exist. This means that over the course of the programme, students are able to develop a deeper awareness of their own potential and future “contribution”, their values, strengths and talents. This awareness can inform the career paths students then go on to develop, explore and pursue. 

There are many and diverse prospects for employment depending on where you want to work. Graduates from this programme will be prepared for employment and be able to explore career opportunities in the following areas: 

  • Conservation and wildlife agencies or organisations 
  • Charities or non-governmental organisations 
  • Zoos and ex-situ conservation programmes 
  • Government veterinary departments 
  • In-situ conservation programmes 
  • National parks and forestry departments 
  • Scientific research in universities or research institutes 
  • Private clinical practice with wildlife species 
  • Other NGOs who recognise that veterinary expertise is increasingly necessary as part of a multidisciplinary approach for wildlife and biodiversity conservation projects

The Programme is currently developing a blog to showcase how past and current students have benefited from the programme.


MVetSci, PG Dip, PGCert, PPD


The online, part-time format of our teaching is particularly suited to students with busy lives.  The flexible learning environment can be adapted to suit individual needs and online study allows you to study at a location that is convenient for you.

The School has been teaching online taught postgraduate programmes since 2008 and online learning is treated as seriously as in-person.  Our digital teaching platform has a dedicated e-learning team to ensure the teaching runs smoothly and students have access to support and welfare staff throughout their studies.

This programme will be supported by an experienced team of two programme co-directors, co-ordinator, administrator and course leaders and each student is provided with a professional mentor and student adviser.

Key features of the programme are pre-recorded lectures that you can view at any time, study guides, textbook and journal excerpts and interactive online discussions, enabling students from a range of disciplines to bring their unique perspectives to build a community of online students.

How online learning works at the University of Edinburgh


20 credit courses (elsewhere often called ‘modules’) are delivered in 2 blocks of 5 weeks of study plus 1 week of independent study and reflection time in between.

10 credit courses are delivered over a period of 5 weeks. The majority of the lecture material is pre-recorded so that it can be watched at any time.

Each 10 credits represents 100 hours of study time and a time commitment of 20hrs per week.

Year 1: Courses for the Certificate 

Course Credits 
Introduction to Conservation Medicine 20 credits 
Ecosystem health and species conservation 20 credits 
Applied epidemiology and surveillance for Conservation Medicine20 credits 

For full details of these courses, including learning outcomes, please visit the Degree Regulations and Programmes of Study page. 

Year 2: Courses for the Diploma 

In Year 2, you need to take the two compulsory courses below (a total of 20 credits).

Course Credits 
Veterinary techniques and interventions for conservation medicine 10 credits 
Wildlife disease management 10 credits 

You also need to choose courses from the following elective modules up to a total of 40 credits. 

Course Credits 
Interventions in Wild Animal Health 20 credits 
Managing and Leading Conservation Projects10 credits 
Species Translocations 10 credits 
Conservation Genetics 10 credits 
Introduction to GIS and spatial data analysis 10 credits 
Invasive non-native species 10 credits 
An introduction to transboundary diseases and their impact on trade and wildlife populations 10 credits 
Technology advances in veterinary diagnostics 10 credits 
The use of artificial reproduction technology (ARTs) in threatened species 10 credits 
The modern zoo 10 credits 
Captive and Free-Ranging Wild Animal Welfare 20 credits 
Introduction to Wildlife Forensics 10 credits 
Zoonotic disease 10 credits 
Wildlife Trade 10 credits 
Scientific Paradigms, Research Approaches and Study Design Across Disciplines *10 credits

*This course is compulsory for students progressing to the dissertation. It is elective for all other Diploma students.

For full details of these courses, including learning outcomes, please visit the Degree Regulations and Programmes of Study page. 

Year 3: Written reflective element 

Written reflective element 60 credits 

​​​​​The written reflective element is an assignment of 10-15,000 words, irrespective of which option is chosen.  The University of Edinburgh's common marking scheme will be used. 

In order to progress to the final level to attain the Masters (written reflective element), students have to: 

  • pass at least 80 credits with a mark of at least 50% in each of the courses which make up these credits and no mark <40% for any course 
  • attain a minimum average mark of 50% for the 120 credits 

The written reflective element will take the form of one of the following: 

  • A written dissertation (current or historical). 
  • A casebook (relating to relevant professional experience. 
  • A personal portfolio of reflective and practical activity. 
  • A short research project. 

Students will be expected to submit a proposal which demonstrates an appropriate level of critical analysis, academic knowledge and reflection, or veterinary practice depending on the choice made, prior to being admitted to the Master's year. 

Please note that although all courses are offered, we cannot guarantee that all courses will be available to all students, each year. 


The Postgraduate Professional Development (PPD) scheme is aimed at working professionals who want to advance their knowledge through postgraduate-level learning, without the time, or financial commitment, of a full award.

You may take a maximum of 50 credits worth of courses over two years and gain a University of Edinburgh postgraduate award of academic credit.

You can also choose to continue your studies after one year and put credits towards a postgraduate Certificate, Diploma or full Masters degree.  Any time spent taking courses through the PPD scheme will be deducted from the amount of time you have left to complete the higher award.

To view the MVetSci Conservation Medicine short courses available within the PPD scheme and details on how to apply, please visit the Credit-bearing standalone short course page.


We have a number of internationally recognised experts in their field contributing to the teaching of many aspects of the programme.


The programme is aimed at providing qualified veterinarians with the skills required to work in the conservation medicine field. 

A recognised veterinary degree is a requirement for entry: 

  • BVM&S or equivalent qualification 

English language requirements 

If English is not your first language, we will also need to see evidence of your English language proficiency before we can offer you a place. 


Tuition fees 

Please note that you can pay for the programme on a course by course basis, ie paying by installments. Each course is 20 credits and the dissertation year is equivalent to 60 credits. 

Tuition fees for online learning

Tuition fee discount for some of our former graduates 

Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding

The University of Edinburgh subscribes to a funding database specifically for those looking for funding to support postgraduate studies.  The guide contains a huge database of funding opportunities, comprehensive guidance and tools to help you prepare a winning grant application including.

The Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding Online

Scholarship information 

It is recommended that you conduct your own research on this, but you can refer to the University Scholarship website to view suggestions on Scholarships. 

Online distance learning scholarships 

ITA Scotland 

Get up to £200 towards the cost of a training course with an SDS Individual Training Account (ITA). 

You could use the money to build the skills you need for a job. Or get some training to take your career to the next level. Whatever you want to do, there is a wide range of ITA approved courses on offer. 

ITA Scotland 

UK government postgraduate loans 

If you are planning to study with us, you could be eligible for a postgraduate loan towards your fees. From this year, online programmes are also eligible for this funding (please note, restrictions apply) 

This funding is available for UK nationals, those with settled status, and in some cases, EU nationals not resident in the UK. 


Online application form 

Applications must be submitted through the University’s online application service, EUCLID. Offers cannot be made without a fully completed online application. 

Apply for this degree

Before submitting your application, please download and read the following guide for uploading documentation: 

Guide to uploading documents (29.5 KB Word) 

Register interest 

If you would like more information before applying for this programme, please link to the form below to register your interest. 

Register interest form 

Poster download


The University has a strong and long-standing commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and to promoting a positive culture which celebrates difference, challenges prejudice and ensures fairness.


The MVetSci programme begins in September and runs part-time over a period of 3-6 years. The programme is delivered using a blend of online learning methods, supported by the University’s award-winning online learning environments.  

Students enrolling onto standalone short courses may have start dates throughout the academic year.

The programme is structured to allow sequential progression from short courses* to Certificate, Diploma and MSc phases however, there are several earlier exit points.

Programme structure diagram

Students can opt to take time out from learning if work or family life are impacted too much. It is also possible to pay per course** to help spread the cost of your studies.

*also referred to as the Postgraduate Professional Development (PPD) scheme

**The University uses the terminology 'course', and sometimes 'module', to refer to the individual components that make up a degree programme

Certificate and Diploma

The Certificate phase comprises three compulsory courses from within the programme (see Content tab). 

The Diploma phase comprises of six courses from within the programme (see Content tab).

Masters (MVetSci)

The dissertation element gives students the opportunity to further develop scientific skills and apply scientific theory, in a less structured learning environment. 

The dissertation is designed to advance your understanding of the processes and planning involved in undertaking research and to develop your scientific written communication skills, research ethics, statistics and the principle of good research practice.

This is a self-directed course but you are supported by an allocated subject-specific expert supervisor, statistician and experienced researchers from within the programme team.  You are also encouraged, where appropriate, to work closely with senior staff at your home institution.  


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