Conservation Medicine (Online Learning)
Provided by The University of Edinburgh Medical School
About the course
Conservation Medicine is an established field that continues to evolve as we develop our ability to study 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
- the social sciences
It may be regarded as the application of One Health to the conservation of biodiversity.
How will I learn?
This programme provides veterinarians with the skills, knowledge and global networks required to become effective practitioners of Conservation Medicine.
It 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.
Suitable applicants will be qualified veterinarians with an interest in:
- conservation
- wildlife health
- 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
- captive or free-ranging wildlife conservation projects
You will also be better able to drive the development of novel career pathways as this field continues to evolve in response to the complexity of the conservation challenges we face.
The degree programme is structured to allow sequential progression from individual courses to Certificate, Diploma and MVetSci phases. Students may also exit the programme on completion of each phase.
The programme is designed to be taken part-time over three years at 20 hours per week, with the option to complete in up to six years if required.
The programme is modular in structure, offering a flexible student-centred approach to the choice of courses studied.
The completion times are as follows:
- PgCert: 1-2 years
- PgDip: 2-4 years
- MVetSci: 3-6 years
You may undertake the programme by Intermittent Study (flexible progression route), accruing credits within a maximum time limit of six years for the MVetSci.
Elective courses
There are compulsory courses at each level of study within this programme. In addition, you may tailor your selection of elective courses according to your needs, interests and career ambitions.
These courses can be chosen from across a number of programmes offered across the University of Edinburgh, providing you with a breadth of options.
Postgraduate Professional Development
Postgraduate Professional Development (PPD) 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 from within this degree over two years and gain a University of Edinburgh postgraduate award of academic credit.
It may also be possible to continue your studies after one year and put credits towards a postgraduate Certificate, Diploma or full Master's 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.
Although PPD courses have various start dates throughout a year you may only start a Masters, Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate programme in the month of September.
Find out more about compulsory and optional courses
We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.
Enquire
| Start date | Venue | |
|---|---|---|
| 08 Sep 2025 | Distance learning | Book now |