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Conservation and Management of Fish and Wildlife MSc with a major in Biology

Would you like to contribute to the sustainable conservation and management of the world’s fish and wildlife resources? This Master’s programme will prepare you for a career in both the public and private sector.

PROGRAMME INFORMATION

Welcome to a unique programme that covers interactions between fish, wildlife and humans. To be able to preserve biodiversity, we need more knowledge about ecology and ways of conducting animal inventories and measuring biodiversity. By combining both theory and practical methods, this Master’s programme provides you with an extensive knowledge of ecology, management and conservation of fish and wildlife, as well as knowledge of local and international laws and conventions. 

With a Master’s degree majoring in biology, you will be prepared for a career in governmental and non-governmental organisations, as well as being able to continue your studies towards a PhD. The lectures are held by world-leading researchers and the programme attracts a mixture of both Swedish and international students.  

After graduation, your specialist knowledge will make you an attractive employee in the animal and nature management sector, as well as in the field of conservation. You will also be well-prepared for a career in research.

FACTS & REQUIREMENTS

Name: Conservation and Management of Fish and Wildlife (MSc)
Level: Master
Language: English
Programme scope: 2 year, 120 credits
Next start: Autumn semester 2024

Tuition Fees: Citizens of countries outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland are required to pay application and tuition fees.

First semester: SEK 76000
Total: SEK 304000

Application deadline for international students: 2024-01-15
Application deadline for Swedish students: 2024-04-15

Study location: Umeå
Pace of study: Full-time
Teaching form: On-campus
Application code for Swedish students: 81010
Application code for international students: 81063

Selection: Högskolepoäng

Requirements:

To be admitted to the Master’s programme Conservation and Management of Fish and Wildlife, the following criteria must be met:
General entry requirements: first-cycle qualification comprising at least 180 credits or a corresponding qualification from abroad
Specific entry requirements: specialisation comprising at least 60 credits in one of the following subjects/disciplinary domains:
- Biology
- Forestry Science
- Forest Management
- Forest Science
- Environmental Science
- Natural Resource Governance
and 15 credits ecology
In addition, knowledge equivalent of English 6 is required. SLU regulations state that applicants may meet this requirement if they were awarded a first-cycle degree from a Swedish university, or have completed 120 credits at SLU. For applicants from some English speaking countries certain rules may apply.
The specific entry requirements can also be met by someone who has acquired the equivalent knowledge through a corresponding qualification from abroad or in some other way.
For admission to the courses included in the programme, there are specific entry requirements for each course; these are described in the course syllabus.

Degree:

Degree awarded upon completion of the programme

The Master’s programme Conservation and Management of Fish and Wildlife aims at a Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) with Biology as the main field of study, a general qualification.

Students who fulfill the qualification requirements for the Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) will be provided with a degree certificate upon request. The degree certificate will specify the qualification as Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) with a major in Biology (masterexamen med huvudområdet biologi).

Other qualifications may be awarded if the necessary requirements are fulfilled. See the SLU System of Qualifications.

The programme contains courses that, depending on courses taken and combination with previous studies within certain bachelor programmes at SLU, may provide the necessary requirements of 300 credits in total for the professional degree Jägmästarexamen (Master of Science in Forestry). See the SLU System of Qualifications.

Degree requirements

A Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) with a major in Biology is awarded to students who have successfully completed 120 credits, of which at least 90 credits are from second-cycle courses, from the required courses as follows:

  • a minimum of 30 credits from courses with specialised study in biology (A1N, A1F)
  • a minimum of 30 credits from a degree project in biology (A2E).

There is additional requirement of a completed Degree of Bachelor, professional degree comprising a minimum of 180 credits, or a corresponding qualification from abroad.

A maximum of 30 credits from first-cycle courses may be included, provided these credits were not included in a qualifying Degree of Bachelor, or equivalent. All courses included in a degree must be at university level, have been successfully completed and may not overlap/have similar content.

 

Admission: There are two admission rounds for this Master's programme. The first admission round is open to all international applicants at www.universityadmissions.se. The last date to apply is 15 January 2024. SLU strongly encourage all international students to apply in this first admission round.

CONTENT

The programme covers different aspects of fish and wildlife management and conservation. It includes scientific theory and methods, as well as the relevant international laws and conventions. Students will take both compulsory and elective courses and complete a Master’s project.

The programme is offered by the Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies and is aimed at both Swedish and international students. The department is home to approximately 60 researchers and doctoral students who research in the fields of fish and wildlife management, human dimensions, and biological conservation. 

CAREER

Upon completion of the programme, students can continue onto doctoral studies or establish careers in the fish and wildlife management sector. It is possible to work for local, regional and national authorities responsible for natural resource management, as well as environmental non-governmental organisations dealing with national or international conservation issues.

Graduates of the programme have also established careers within associations of hunters or fishermen, landowner associations, private companies active in natural resource management (e.g., forestry and hydropower companies), and nature tourism enterprises.

Degree awarded

Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) with a Major in Biology.

SYLLABUS

Conservation and Management of Fish and Wildlife (MSc)

Programcode:
SM009

Requirements

To be admitted to the Master’s programme Conservation and Management of Fish and Wildlife, the following criteria must be met:

General entry requirements: first-cycle qualification comprising at least 180 credits or a corresponding qualification from abroad

Specific entry requirements: specialisation comprising at least 60 credits in one of the following subjects/disciplinary domains:

  • Biology
  • Forestry Science
  • Forest Management
  • Forest Science
  • Environmental Science
  • Natural Resource Governance

and 15 credits ecology

In addition, knowledge equivalent of English 6 is required. SLU regulations state that applicants may meet this requirement if they were awarded a first-cycle degree from a Swedish university, or have completed 120 credits at SLU. For applicants from some English speaking countries certain rules may apply.

The specific entry requirements can also be met by someone who has acquired the equivalent knowledge through a corresponding qualification from abroad or in some other way.

For admission to the courses included in the programme, there are specific entry requirements for each course; these are described in the course syllabus.

Goals

General objectives

The general learning outcomes for first- and second-cycle courses and programmes are specified in the Higher Education Act (Chapter 1, Sections 8–9).

Qualitative targets

The Annex to the Ordinance for the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences stipulates that for the Degree of Master (120 credits), the student shall have:

Knowledge and understanding

  • demonstrated knowledge and understanding in the main field of study, including both broad knowledge of the field and a considerable degree of specialised knowledge in certain areas of the field as well as insight into current research and development work, and
  • demonstrated specialised methodological knowledge in the main field of study.

Competence and skills

  • demonstrated the ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and analyse, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations even with limited information
  • demonstrated the ability to identify and formulate issues critically, autonomously and creatively as well as to plan and, using appropriate methods, undertake specialised tasks within predetermined time frames and so contribute to the formation of knowledge as well as the ability to evaluate this work
  • demonstrated the ability in speech and writing both nationally and internationally to report clearly and discuss his or her conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which they are based in dialogue with different audiences, and
  • demonstrated the skills required for participation in research and development work or autonomous employment in some other qualified capacity.

Judgement and approach

  • demonstrated the ability to make assessments in the main field of study informed by relevant disciplinary, social and ethical considerations and also to demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work
  • demonstrated insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used, and
  • demonstrated the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and take responsibility for his or her ongoing learning.

Exam

Degree awarded upon completion of the programme

The Master’s programme Conservation and Management of Fish and Wildlife aims at a Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) with Biology as the main field of study, a general qualification.

Students who fulfill the qualification requirements for the Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) will be provided with a degree certificate upon request. The degree certificate will specify the qualification as Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) with a major in Biology (masterexamen med huvudområdet biologi).

Other qualifications may be awarded if the necessary requirements are fulfilled. See the SLU System of Qualifications.

The programme contains courses that, depending on courses taken and combination with previous studies within certain bachelor programmes at SLU, may provide the necessary requirements of 300 credits in total for the professional degree Jägmästarexamen (Master of Science in Forestry). See the SLU System of Qualifications.

Degree requirements

A Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) with a major in Biology is awarded to students who have successfully completed 120 credits, of which at least 90 credits are from second-cycle courses, from the required courses as follows:

  • a minimum of 30 credits from courses with specialised study in biology (A1N, A1F)
  • a minimum of 30 credits from a degree project in biology (A2E).

There is additional requirement of a completed Degree of Bachelor, professional degree comprising a minimum of 180 credits, or a corresponding qualification from abroad.

A maximum of 30 credits from first-cycle courses may be included, provided these credits were not included in a qualifying Degree of Bachelor, or equivalent. All courses included in a degree must be at university level, have been successfully completed and may not overlap/have similar content.

Content and Structure

Programme description

(to be translated)

Programme courses

Main fields of study: BI = Biology, SV = Forestry Science, NE = Economics

Course (main field of study, level)

Year 1
(to be translated)

Year 2
(to be translated)

The range of courses offered may change during the programme. This may result in a new version of the syllabus with transitional regulations. Decisions on the courses offered are taken well in advance of the next academic year.

Each course in the programme has its own syllabus with specific requirements. The SLU student web provides detailed information about when the courses are given.

Some study periods (part of a semester) SLU may offer multiple courses to choose between within the programme. Programme students are guaranteed one of these courses, provided that the entry requrements are fullfilled and that the student have applied in time.

Other Info

General regulations for first- and second-cycle courses and programmes

For more information about semester dates, examinations and credit transfer at first and second-cycle level, see the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Possibilities for further study

Students who complete the MSc in Conservation and Management of Fish and Wildlife and are awarded a degree may continue onto doctoral studies.

Student life

Studying at SLU is not just about attending lectures and seminars. It’s also about newfound friends, sports, fun parties, and exciting experiences. It’s about creating memories that will last a lifetime.

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How to apply

Sweden's unique application system makes it possible to apply for programmes and courses at different universities on the same application.

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Fees and scholarships

Who has to pay application and tuition fees? What is the cost of living in Sweden? Read more about these and other questions regarding tuition fees and scholarships.

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Chat with our students

Connect with our international student ambassadors and explore their blogs for a firsthand glimpse into their journeys as students in Sweden and at SLU.

Chat with our students on Unibuddy

The Swedish Way

Are you on your way to Sweden and wondering what it’s like to study here? Well, get ready to question the way things have always been done. Studying in Sweden comes with critical thinking, freedom and responsibility.

We do our Master’s theses here!

Fieldwork among rhinos in South Africa or perhaps among butterflies in Sweden? We offer the opportunity for students at master's level to do thesis projects in exciting research projects!

 Oskar Lövbom species determines butterflies. Photo.

Let’s connect on Instagram!

Are you curious about life at SLU? Follow our students on Instagram.

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Meet our researchers

Francisco Xavier Aguilar Cabezas is a professor of forest economics. Watch the film and get to know him and his work better.

Meet our researchers

Anti Vasemägi is a professor of fish biology. Watch the film and get to know him and his work better.

Listen to a podcast with master's students

At our Department we have the podcast Wild Research Bites. Every now and then our students show up as guests in the pod - these episodes are gathered here.

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Watch films with our students

What is it like to electro fish? How did the thesis work go? And why did you choose to study at the Master's programme? Our students share their stories!

Become a Master of Nature

Our Master's Programme is given at SLU's Faculty of Forest Sciences, world leading in forest research.

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Campus Umeå

SLU’s campus in Umeå is an inspiring and picturesque learning environment. Surrounded by deep green forests, scenic parks and clear, blue lakes, it is easy to see why Umeå is the fastest growing city in Sweden. Umeå is considered a youthful and lively city, and is highly ranked amongst Swedish students.


Contact

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Do you have questions about the university or our programmes? Maybe you can find your answers here. FAQ: Frequently asked questions about studies

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Telephone
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