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Ecology and Environmental Biology (Research)

  • MRes
  • 12 Months
  • Full-time
  • 09/2025
  • Postgraduate
Gilmorehill (Main) Campus
More about University of Glasgow

Course options

2025-20262026-2027
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Course summary

Our Master of Research (MRes) programme in Ecology and Environmental Biology provides specialised research training ideal for preparing for a PhD programme or a career in ecological science.

WHY THIS PROGRAMME

-Accredited by the Royal Society of Biology for the purpose of meeting, in part, the academic and experience requirement for the Membership and Chartered Biologist (CBiol).

-This unique programme draws on the research interests of a large number of university staff in the Institute of TOP 100 UNIVERSITYBiodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine. It allows you the chance to obtain experience in a wide range of modern research techniques.
Glasgow offers considerable expertise in this area of biology, especially in:
ornithology
fish biology
aquatic ecosystems
epidemiology
modelling
physiological, molecular and evolutionary ecology.

On-campus facilities are complemented by excellent research and teaching facilities available at the Scottish Centre for Ecology and the Natural Environment (SCENE) and Cochno Farm and Research Centre.

Tailor the MRes Ecology and Environmental Biology programme to your own specific requirements and interests from the courses and projects offered.
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
Royal Society of BiologyThe MRes consists of a taught component and a laboratory or field-based research project in ecology and environmental biology.

The emphasis is on research experience and training with two-thirds of credits devoted to project work, compared with one-third for a dissertation in an MSc programme.

The taught courses consist of core research skills and specialist options in ecological modelling and analysis, molecular techniques, identification and sampling methods.

You will carry out an extended two-part research project, chosen to reflect your own interests and the skills you wish to acquire.

The MRes Programme also strongly benefits from research opportunities in terrestrial and aquatic ecology at the University of Glasgow’s Scottish Centre for Ecology and the Natural Environment.

A total of 180 credits are required, with 20 flexible credits in the second term.

Projects:
MRES ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY PROJECT 1 (terms 1 and 2)
MRES ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY PROJECT 2 (Summer)

Term 1 Core course :

KEY RESEARCH SKILLS
Term 2: Optional courses

INFECTIOUS DISEASE ECOLOGY AND THE DYNAMICS OF EMERGING DISEASE
SPATIAL ECOLOGY
ANIMAL ETHICS
BIOLOGY OF SUFFERING
BIODIVERSITY INFORMATICS
PRINCIPLES OF CONSERVATION ECOLOGY
SINGLE SPECIES MODELS
ANIMAL LEGISLATION AND SOCIETAL ISSUES
CONSERVATION GENETICS
HUMAN DIMENSIONS OF CONSERVATION
SOCIETAL ASPECTS OF AMR
INTRODUCTION TO BAYESIAN STATISTICS
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS FOR ECOLOGISTS
PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT
ANIMAL WELFARE ASSESSMENT
MULTI SPECIES MODELS
MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND PHYLODYNAMICS
CARE & ENRICHMENT OF CAPTIVE ANIMALS
VERTEBRATE IDENTIFICATION
GENETIC AND GENOMIC ASPECTS OF ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE
ECONOMIC TOOLS FOR CONSERVATION
INVERTEBRATE IDENTIFICATION

Find out about MRes research funding at The Scottish Centre for Ecology and the Natural Environment (SCENE).

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Gilmorehill (Main) Campus

Study options

  • MRes • Full-time • 12 Months

Start dates

  • 09/2025

How to apply

International applicants

International applicant information can be found via gla.ac.uk by searching for 'international'.

This course has a subject classification which requires students whose nationality is outside the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland to have an ATAS certificate, irrespective of country of residence at the point of application.

Further information can be found on the UK Government's website: www.gov.uk/academic-technology-approval-scheme

Open days

Chat to student ambassadors

Discover what it's like to study Ecology and Environmental Biology at University of Glasgow: insights on the course, making friends, personal statement tips, uni prep, and recommended books, podcasts, and videos.

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    Hi there! I'm a third-year Common Law student at the University of Glasgow, originally from New Delhi, India. It's been quite a journey from the bustling streets of my hometown to the historic campus here in Scotland! When I'm not immersed in my legal studies, I enjoy spending my free time playing football or movies. These activities provide a perfect escape from the rigors of studying case law and help me relax after intense academic sessions. My passion for law has only grown stronger since I started my degree. I'm particularly fascinated by international law and how it shapes our global society. Choosing the University of Glasgow was one of the best decisions I've made. The university's stellar reputation in the legal field was a major draw, but what really sealed the deal was the unique opportunity to study Scots law alongside English law in the Common Law degree. Plus, the chance to experience life in a vibrant city like Glasgow was too good to pass up! If you're considering Glasgow, feel free to ask me anything about life as an international student, the Common Law program, or just how to balance studies with a good football match. I'm here to help!

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    Hi! I'm Anna, I'm 23 years old, I'm Scottish and I study Portuguese and Spanish at the University of Glasgow! Currently I am on my Year Abroad in Sintra, Portugal, at a school participating in a traineeship, which is very exciting🤩. In the future, I would like to learn more languages such as Russian and Arabic and work in translation and interpretation, maybe even as a news reporter! However, I also adore music and even write my own, so of course the dream has always been to tour around the world! But we'll see where life takes us🫣... I am also gluten and dairy intolerant (possibly allergies😱!) so I have had to learn to cook and bake to satisfy my dietary requirements and under a budget! As well as find the best places to eat to suit my needs to...

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  • Arwa

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    My long-term career plans? Well, let’s just say I’m aiming for somewhere between a lab genius discovering the next big breakthrough and a science communicator who makes pharmacology sound cooler than it is (and trust me, it’s pretty cool). I am passionate about science and how it can change lives in such meaningful ways and my end goal is to make medicine a bit more accessible than it is today. Outside of academics, you’ll probably find me on the basketball court or volunteering—I love working with kids and finding ways to make learning fun for them (yes, teaching can be fun!). I also juggle a few roles like being a Class Rep and basketball convener so I’m pretty familiar with what it takes to balance the chaos of uni life. Spoiler: it’s a lot of caffeine and a lot of to-do lists.

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Entry requirements

A Second-class Honours degree or equivalent (e.g. GPA of 3.0 or above) in a relevant scientific subject. Professional experience may be taken into account.
Please also include the following with your application:
CV,
one reference and
personal statement.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

All fees are published on the University of Glasgow website.

https://www.gla.ac.uk/postgraduate/feesandfunding/

Sponsorship information

Sponsorship and funding information can be found via gla.ac.uk by searching for 'scholarships'.

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