Ecological Survey Techniques (Taught)

The information provided on this page was correct at the time of publication (November 2025). For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas.

The Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) in Ecological Survey Techniques is a part-time taught course combining online and field-based learning to develop skills in biodiversity monitoring, data analysis, and ecological field survey design across taxa.

The course can be completed in one year (though two years is possible), and uses a mixture of online, face-to-face and experiential learning, including an independent field survey project, and is led by experienced academics and practitioners.

The PGCert provides the high standard of training needed to design, plan and implement effective ecological field surveys from beginning to end, including handling data and reporting results. The course supports research and professional development in the field, providing students with the skills needed to effectively assess and monitor biodiversity and ecosystems across all biomes.

Course structure
The PGCert comprises one five-day core face-to-face module consisting of classroom and field-based teaching, two online core modules and a choice of two out of four online option modules. You will also undertake a core field project which consists of preparation time (one month), fieldwork (one-two weeks full-time or equivalent) and project writing for submission in September (one month)

The face-to-face week in September includes classroom and field work based teaching, as well as practical exercises including the use of GIS software, this is followed by core and option modules taught online and an independently-researched project with field work.

For the option modules, tutors usually engage online for 6 hours per week distributed across each week and will focus on particular topics, questions and activities. There are only a couple of live lectures per module to accommodate students in different time zones.

You are expected to spend around 15-20 hours per week during the run of a module to participate in online learning and 5-10 hours per week on private study and field project preparations when modules are not running. This may require careful scheduling at times to fit in with your other commitments. Good organisational and time management skills should contribute to successful completion of the course.