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Ecology and Environmental Biology (Research)

  • MRes
  • 12 Months
  • Full-time
  • 09/2026
  • 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) in Ecology and Environmental Biology provides specialised research training in preparation 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 staff in the School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine. The MRes provides experience in a wide range of modern research techniques, supported by expertise in: wildlife biology; terrestrial & aquatic ecosystems; epidemiology; and spacial 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.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

The 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 120/180 of credits devoted to project work. You will carry out an extended research project, chosen to reflect your own interests and the skills you wish to acquire. For comparison MSc Programmes provide a dissertation of 60/180 credits.

Taught courses consist of core research skills and specialist options in a variety of ecological methods.

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 (SCENE).

A total of 180 credits are required, with 20 credits from Semester 2 optional courses.

Projects
MRes EEB Research Project 1 (Semester 1 and 2)
MRes EEB Research Project 2 (Summer)

Semester 1 core course
Key Research Skills (40 Credits)

Optional courses
Animal Ethics and Law
Animal Identification
Assessment of Animal Well-Being
Biodiversity Informatics
Care & Enrichment of Captive Animals
Conservation Genetics
Conservation in Practice
Dynamics of Populations
Economic tools for conservation
Fundamentals of programming and data generating processes
Geographic Information Systems for Ecologists
Infectious Disease Ecology and the Dynamics of Emerging Disease
Modern Inference Methods for Ecology
Molecular Epidemiology and Phylodynamics
Principles of Conservation Ecology
Societal Aspects of Antimicrobial Resistance
Spatial Ecology

CAREER PROSPECTS

You will be provided with excellent training in preparation for a PhD programme or entering work in:

  • conservation sectors

  • ecological consultancy

  • a governmental agency

The MRes also serves as a valuable introduction to UK research for overseas students. There are considerable opportunities to undertake research work in the UK and overseas.

MRes projects in the past have involved fieldwork in some of Scotland’s most important natural environments and in a variety of countries across the world.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Gilmorehill (Main) Campus

Study options

  • MRes • Full-time • 12 Months

Start dates

  • 09/2026

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

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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! 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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  • Amenah

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    Currently a second year common law student. After completing my studies I am hoping to find career in either corporate or commercial law down south. Studies can be a bit of stress sometimes, but I try to balance my studies with my social life, and definitely make sure to do the things I love. My experience of UofG has been so far great, and I am sure it will be fun further on with my studies. If you have any question regarding studies, or anything else I am happy to answer any queries. 🙂✨
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Entry requirements

2.1 Hons (or non-UK equivalent) in Environmental Sciences, Zoology, Marine and Freshwater Biology, Animal Biology, Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, Environmental Biology, Conservation Biology, Botany, Plant Sciences, Genetics, Entomology, or Fisheries Science, with modules in each of Ecology and Statistics at an average grade of pass.

We may also accept degrees in Agriculture, Forestry, and Geography.

We may also accept applicants with relevant work or research experience who do not hold a relevant degree.

All applicants must submit a personal statement which references their motivation for choosing to study Ecology and Environmental Biology and a desire to pursue a career in this field.

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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