Ecology MRes

Overview

The Ecology MRes is for graduates in the field of environmental and related sciences. You'll gain the skills required to follow successful careers in the environmental and wildlife conservation sectors. You'll also develop the advanced skills and knowledge required for further academic study, or research-focused industry roles. By studying our Ecology MRes you can help support the protection of our planet. The degree will also help you if you:

• want to find sustainable solutions to the world's development challenges
• are keen to join UK and international research teams working on ecological or conservation challenges

The MRes will provide you with advanced training in:

• ecology
• environmental management
• conservation

You'll gain a professionally focussed postgraduate qualification, relevant to the ecology and wildlife conservation sectors.

 

Important information

We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.

Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions

Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2023-24.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

 

Qualifications explained

Find out about the different qualification options for this course.

MRes - Master of Research

An MRes is available in various subject areas. This award combines taught modules, research training and a dissertation.

Find out about different types of postgraduate qualifications.

What you'll learn

The Ecology MRes will enable you to develop:

• advanced knowledge on ecology and wildlife conservation theory, the principles of biodiversity
• practical skills in ecological and environmental data collection, data handling, data analysis, and modelling methodologies
• field skills in wildlife and environmental monitoring, surveying, and GIS
• critical thinking to address UK and global ecology and conservation problems
• advanced research capabilities, project management experience and stakeholder engagement
• advanced knowledge on ecology and wildlife conservation theory, the principles of biodiversity
• practical skills in ecological and environmental data collection, data handling, data analysis, and modelling methodologies
• field skills in wildlife and environmental monitoring, surveying, and GIS
• critical thinking to address UK and global ecology and conservation problems
• advanced research capabilities, project management experience and stakeholder engagement

 

Modules

You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.

Course content changes

Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

Optional modules availability

Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

 

Ecology MRes modules

The modules listed below are for 2023 entry. Details of the modules on offer for 2024 entry can be found in this course regulations document (PDF: 81KB).

Compulsory Modules	Credits
MRes Research Project	120

Optional Modules	Credits
Quantitative Ecological Research Methods	20
Forest Ecology	20
Geographical Information systems and Remote Sensing	20
Dynamics of Coupled Human-Natural Systems	20
Critical Thinking and Analysis for Evidence-Based Environmental Science	20
Facing up to Climate Change: Tackling Climate Change Through Solution Focused Multi-disciplinary Collaboration	20

You take 60 credits from the optional modules above.

How you'll learn

Delivery and teaching methods

The Ecology MRes is delivered by a range of:

• taught modules
• a research dissertation project on a topic of your choice, in collaboration with an academic supervisor

You'll take a range of optional taught modules. These provide a solid foundation in both quantitative and qualitative skills. These skills are essential in modern ecological science.

You will be taught using a range of methods, including:

• lectures
• seminars
• practical lab/workshop sessions
• group work

The majority of modules will be taught in Semester 1. This ensures that you'll benefit from peer-support and reach a high technical standard before starting your Individual Research Project.

Assessment methods

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

• Case study
• Computer assessment
• Dissertation
• Essay
• Oral presentation
• Practical lab report
• Poster
• Problem-solving exercises
• Report
• Research proposal
• Research paper
• Thesis
• Written examination
• Written exercise

Postgraduate student support

Our mission is to help you:

• stay healthy, positive and feeling well
• overcome any challenges you may face during your degree – academic or personal
• get the most out of your postgraduate research experience
• carry out admin and activities essential to progressing through your degree
• understand postgraduate research processes, standards and rules

We can offer you tailored wellbeing support, courses and activities.

You can also access a broad range of workshops covering:

• research and professional skills
• careers support
• wellbeing
• health and safety
• public engagement
• academic development

Our staff

Choosing an academic supervisor for your research project

Our faculty boasts a wide range of active research academics with whom you can choose to carry out your research project with. Please check out the staff pages on the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences to see which academics aligns with your research interests

Your development

You'll learn a variety of in-demand skills from the environmental sector. These include:

• advanced conceptual understanding and detailed factual knowledge on key subjects
• specialised technical and research skills, and professional awareness
• overseas and UK study/field trip opportunities where applicable
• training and case studies including examples from the UK and overseas. These will help you to understand the requirements for international sustainable development

Your future

The Ecology MRes will provide you with a route into PhD level study. It prepares you for a wide range of careers in the environmental and conservation sectors.

We have strong research, industry and business links in the UK and globally. Where possible, we link these to taught modules and research projects. This will enable you to gain direct experience working with stakeholders in the sector. It also provides an opportunity to build on these relationships for your future.

Our Careers Service

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Quality and ranking

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Check the government’s website for more information.

Facilities

The School of Natural and Environment Sciences has an array of facilities. This includes laboratories for you to carry out your research project.

NU Farms is a research, teaching, and engagement platform based across our two local farms: Cockle Park Farm and Nafferton Farm. Ecological facilities include:

• more than 800 hectares of farmland
• polytunnels and greenhouse capacity for plant growth and competition experiments, insect-plant interaction studies

A mere 10 minutes cycle ride from NU campus is Gosforth Nature Reserve. This protected area comprises many habitats and management strategies for carrying out ecological monitoring.

Read more about the Gosforth Nature Reserve

We study live marine animals at our Dove Marine Laboratory in Cullercoats. With a live aquarium on-site, you’ll examine a range of wildlife to study.

Read more about the Dove Marine Laboratory

Our research vessel, The Princess Royal, is a floating laboratory. It is an integral part of your learning experience at Newcastle. Activities on the vessel range from oceanographic characterisation of river plumes to remote camera surveys of offshore habitats.

Read more about The Princess Royal

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2024 entry (per year)

Tuition fee increases

If your studies last longer than one year, your tuition fee may increase in line with inflation.

EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals - tuition fee status

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information. 

What you're paying for

Tuition fees include the costs of:

• matriculation
• registration
• tuition (or supervision)
• library access
• examination
• re-examination
• graduation

Find out more about:

• living costs
• tuition fees

Deposit

If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.

You can check this in the How to apply section.

Funding deadlines

If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.

For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.

Search for funding

Find funding available for your course

Select your country

How to apply

Using the application portal

The application portal has instructions to guide you through your application. It will tell you what documents you need and how to upload them.

You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.

If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.

Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.

Apply Online  

Open days and events

You'll have a number of opportunities to meet us throughout the year including:

• campus tours
• on-campus open days
• virtual open days
• webinars

Find out about how you can visit Newcastle in person and virtually

Overseas events

We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University.

Visit our events calendar for the latest events