MSc Conservation Project Management (subject to approval)

MSc Conservation Project Management (subject to approval)

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8pm</strong><br>Join us for a deep dive into mastering conservation
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The first MSc programme to be designed specifically
around the Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation, equipping students
with the essential skills in conservation project design and management,
conservation funding and communications: skills which have been identified by
employers in the sector as essential, but lacking from most graduates within
traditional zoology or wildlife conservation degrees.

Officially partnered with <a href=" href="https://www.conservation-careers.com">https://www.conservation-careers.com"
target="_blank"><strong>Conservation Careers</strong></a>,
giving students direct access to three of their most popular core online
training resources: Conservation Project Management and Design, Communications
for Conservation Projects, and Funding for Conservation Projects. Students
complete these hugely popular online courses as part of this MSc programme which
are integrated into full 20-credit level 7 modules. Uniquely, this also allows
students to complete these modules to gain level 7 credits towards a PGDip or
PGCert, thus, providing an exciting opportunity for professionals wishing to
complete CPD.

Students have full access to Conservation Career Kick-Starter course and
largest online conservation job board through <a href=" href="https://www.conservation-careers.com">https://www.conservation-careers.com"
target="_blank"><strong>Conservation Careers</strong></a>.
Working with expert instructors, students produce a professional development
plan and access professional training that meets their bespoke career
development needs.

A UK-based residential field course gives students the opportunity to
experience field work first-hand and evaluate existing conservation projects.
Alternatively, students may elect to enrol on the optional international field
course module, which provides students the opportunity to gain more
international conservation experience (subject to additional costs).

Face-to-face teaching will take place at the Newquay University Centre
campus, situated within easy access of stunning terrestrial, coastal and marine
field study sites and will make use of both long-term and newly developing
partnerships and contacts with the conservation community.

The future prosperity, health and welfare of human populations is fully
dependent on the continued health and functioning of ecosystems and the services
they provide. This has long been recognised by conservationists, but it is,
perhaps, only more recently that this delicate interdependence has become
mainstream thinking. International agreements such as the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Convention on Biological
Diversity (CBD) set ambitious and binding targets for governments to achieve.
Meeting these targets is only possible through a multidisciplinary approach,
emphasising the need for climate change, sustainability and conservation to be
woven into the fabric of everything that we do moving forward. As a result,
demand for graduates with an understanding of conservation issues is a rapidly
growing area.

However, effective conservation requires more than just an understanding of
the issues, it requires effective project management skills to ensure that
limited funds are invested wisely and that outcomes are maximised. Therefore,
increasingly, employers are looking for graduates with skills not always fully
developed through traditional zoology, ecology and conservation degrees. These
skills can be developed organically, through work experience, but getting a job
without the required experience demanded by the role is difficult and often seen
as a ‘catch 22’ and barrier to entering the workforce at the desired level after
graduation. Similarly, those already working withing the conservation sector may
not feel that they have fully developed the project management skills they need
to be fully effective in their role or to progress within their chosen career
path.

The MSc Conservation Project Management has been designed in recognition that
employers are looking for highly skilled graduates with not only a strong
understanding of environmental and conservation theory, but the ability to lead
and manage projects in an effective way using industry standard approaches. The
programme is underpinned by the Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation
(commonly referred to as the Conservation Standards), which is an
internationally agreed set of principles of best practice for managing
conservation projects with a reflective and adaptive approach.

The programme has been designed in collaboration with <a href=" href="https://www.conservation-careers.com">https://www.conservation-careers.com" 
target="_blank"><strong>Conservation Careers</strong></a>
the number one careers advice centre for conservationists. In recognition that
successful conservation projects need funding and public support, knowledge of
fundraising, conservation marketing, communication and human behaviour change
are also core elements of the programme.

Specific aims of the programme include:

•  Develop an understanding of the Open Standards for the Practice of
Conservation as best practice for designing and managing conservation
projects.
•  Develop an awareness of the main funding mechanisms for
conservation
•  Gain experience of effective communications for
conservation projects utilising a range of strategies to engage with
stakeholders and target audiences.
•  Promote self-motivated and
targeted professional development. Learners will identify and access bespoke
training aimed at maximising their effectiveness and employability within their
chosen area of the conservation sector.
•  Encourage professional
networking opportunities for learners and collaboration with conservation
organisations through external training, assignments, field trips and completion
of an independent conservation project.
•  Develop critical thinking and
analysis skills which can be applied to all aspects of professional conservation
practice.
•  Foster an ethos of reflective practice, with learners
understanding its importance for the management of projects as well as their own
continuous professional development.

What you will learn Entry requirements Work experience Assessment Progression Newquay University Centre Cornwall College

What you will learn

Core Modules:

Conservation Standards for Project Management
Professional Development in Conservation
Conservation Funding
Communicating Conservation
Research Methods for Conservation

Optional Modules (pick one)
Conservation Field Trip (UK)
International Conservation Field Trip (additional costs apply)

On successful completion graduates should have developed:

1) Knowledge and understanding of the Open Standards for Conservation and how to apply them to managing projects
2) Knowledge of the mechanisms by which conservation funding can be obtained and an understanding of successful approaches relevant to each funding type
3) Understanding of how to communicate conservation messages effectively to different audiences
4) Techniques and methodologies for monitoring and evaluating conservation project objectives including quantitative and/or qualitative data analysis

Cognitive and intellectual skills:

1) The ability to understand complex relationships through systems thinking, to identify appropriate conservation targets and critically evaluate the threats and contributing factors in order to design effective theory of change strategies.
2) The ability to demonstrate initiative and originality in problem solving, acting independently to plan and implement a project which addresses an identified conservation need.
3) Critical thinking skills which enable the views of a range of stakeholders to be considered in a fair and unbiased manner during stakeholder communication and negotiation.

Key and transferable skills:

1) Source information effectively using a full range of learning resources.
2) Collate, analyse and interpret data in quantitative and qualitative forms independently and with minimum guidance.
3) Use appropriate information technology, including word-processing, graphics, spreadsheets, presentation packages and specialist statistics programmes.
4) Write engaging copy for the clear and effective communication of key messages to different audiences.

Employment related skills:

1) Effective adaptive project management skills, including the ability to set clear and measurable objectives which are monitored and evaluated regularly to apply an adaptive management approach.
2) Recognition of their own strengths as well as the importance of continued professional development and regular reflection and planning.
3) Ability to communicate effectively using written, verbal and visual media
4) Experience of working as part of a team to deliver project objectives within an agreed deadline

Practical skills:

1) Grant proposal writing and crowdfunding campaign management experience
2) Communication skills - production of effective and engaging communications based on a communications plan
3) Survey techniques and data analysis skills

INDICATIVE MODULES - YEAR 1

• Conservation Standards for Project Management
• Professional Development in Conservation
• Conservation Funding
• Communicating Conservation
• Research Methods for Conservation
• Conservation Field Trip (UK) or International Conservation Field Trip

Entry requirements

All applicants must have a relevant level-6 BSc (Hons) qualification (or equivalent) at 2.2 classification or higher. Applicants falling below this level but who have significant industry experience may also be considered on an individual basis.

Work experience

Face-to-face teaching will take place at the Newquay University Centre campus, situated within easy access of stunning terrestrial, coastal and marine field study sites and will make use of both long-term and newly developing partnerships and contacts with the conservation community

Assessment

Assessment is aligned to the University of Plymouth Assessment Policy and designed to be a valid, reliable and practical assessment of knowledge and understanding, critical thinking and professional attributes – with the intention to support the development of reflective, life-long learners who are able to assess their own performance.

Content and modules are sequenced so that students can put into practice knowledge and skills which they have learnt earlier in the programme in subsequent modules and assessments. For example, students will learn the principles of designing a conservation project using the Conservation Standards during the first semester. They will then apply this knowledge to design their own conservation project and reflect and communicate on this in their final MSc project report.
Students will be encouraged to reflect on their own professional development as well as the outcomes of the projects they deliver during the course. This will be achieved by including reflective essay elements as well as traditional and multimedia reports.

Progression

Students will complete a professional development plan at the start of the course to identify their ideal career trajectory, next steps in that progression (after completing the course) and specific skills they need to develop/enhance during the course. Students will then be supported in identifying and accessing additional training which they will undertake in parallel to the delivered programme.

Each student will have access to a personal training grant to be spent (in agreement with their tutor/programme lead) on suitable training which will help them fulfil their PDP. All students will have access to the Conservation Careers job site and online community for help accessing jobs and structuring their CV and applications.

Newquay University Centre Cornwall College

Newquay University Centre Cornwall College is a small but vibrant campus specialising in university level courses focussing on the environment. For over 20 years, we have inspired hundreds of students to make that all-important difference, using their passion as a guide. Our dedicated higher education campus is home to the marine science, zoology and surf stars of the future.

Championing #generationrestoration, this campus may be small, but its students and staff have a big impact on our planet and its future wellbeing. Likeminded individuals come together to undertake international, award-winning research, meaning when their incredible time at Newquay is done, they move onto fantastic and important careers.

It’s why you should definitely consider Newquay University Centre Cornwall College for your #careercollege experience.

What You Will Learn

Core Modules:

Conservation Standards for Project Management
Professional Development in Conservation
Conservation Funding
Communicating Conservation
Research Methods for Conservation

Optional Modules (pick one)
Conservation Field Trip (UK)
International Conservation Field Trip (additional costs apply)

On successful completion graduates should have developed:

1) Knowledge and understanding of the Open Standards for Conservation and how to apply them to managing projects
2) Knowledge of the mechanisms by which conservation funding can be obtained and an understanding of successful approaches relevant to each funding type
3) Understanding of how to communicate conservation messages effectively to different audiences
4) Techniques and methodologies for monitoring and evaluating conservation project objectives including quantitative and/or qualitative data analysis

Cognitive and intellectual skills:

1) The ability to understand complex relationships through systems thinking, to identify appropriate conservation targets and critically evaluate the threats and contributing factors in order to design effective theory of change strategies.
2) The ability to demonstrate initiative and originality in problem solving, acting independently to plan and implement a project which addresses an identified conservation need.
3) Critical thinking skills which enable the views of a range of stakeholders to be considered in a fair and unbiased manner during stakeholder communication and negotiation.

Key and transferable skills:

1) Source information effectively using a full range of learning resources.
2) Collate, analyse and interpret data in quantitative and qualitative forms independently and with minimum guidance.
3) Use appropriate information technology, including word-processing, graphics, spreadsheets, presentation packages and specialist statistics programmes.
4) Write engaging copy for the clear and effective communication of key messages to different audiences.

Employment related skills:

1) Effective adaptive project management skills, including the ability to set clear and measurable objectives which are monitored and evaluated regularly to apply an adaptive management approach.
2) Recognition of their own strengths as well as the importance of continued professional development and regular reflection and planning.
3) Ability to communicate effectively using written, verbal and visual media
4) Experience of working as part of a team to deliver project objectives within an agreed deadline

Practical skills:

1) Grant proposal writing and crowdfunding campaign management experience
2) Communication skills - production of effective and engaging communications based on a communications plan
3) Survey techniques and data analysis skills

INDICATIVE MODULES - YEAR 1

• Conservation Standards for Project Management
• Professional Development in Conservation
• Conservation Funding
• Communicating Conservation
• Research Methods for Conservation
• Conservation Field Trip (UK) or International Conservation Field Trip

Entry Requirements

All applicants must have a relevant level-6 BSc (Hons) qualification (or equivalent) at 2.2 classification or higher. Applicants falling below this level but who have significant industry experience may also be considered on an individual basis.

Work Experience

Face-to-face teaching will take place at the Newquay University Centre campus, situated within easy access of stunning terrestrial, coastal and marine field study sites and will make use of both long-term and newly developing partnerships and contacts with the conservation community

Assessment

Assessment is aligned to the University of Plymouth Assessment Policy and designed to be a valid, reliable and practical assessment of knowledge and understanding, critical thinking and professional attributes – with the intention to support the development of reflective, life-long learners who are able to assess their own performance. Content and modules are sequenced so that students can put into practice knowledge and skills which they have learnt earlier in the programme in subsequent modules and assessments. For example, students will learn the principles of designing a conservation project using the Conservation Standards during the first semester. They will then apply this knowledge to design their own conservation project and reflect and communicate on this in their final MSc project report. Students will be encouraged to reflect on their own professional development as well as the outcomes of the projects they deliver during the course. This will be achieved by including reflective essay elements as well as traditional and multimedia reports.

Progression

Students will complete a professional development plan at the start of the course to identify their ideal career trajectory, next steps in that progression (after completing the course) and specific skills they need to develop/enhance during the course. Students will then be supported in identifying and accessing additional training which they will undertake in parallel to the delivered programme. Each student will have access to a personal training grant to be spent (in agreement with their tutor/programme lead) on suitable training which will help them fulfil their PDP. All students will have access to the Conservation Careers job site and online community for help accessing jobs and structuring their CV and applications.

Newquay University Centre Cornwall College

Newquay University Centre Cornwall College

Newquay University Centre Cornwall College is a small but vibrant campus specialising in university level courses focussing on the environment. For over 20 years, we have inspired hundreds of students to make that all-important difference, using their passion as a guide. Our dedicated higher education campus is home to the marine science, zoology and surf stars of the future.

Championing #generationrestoration, this campus may be small, but its students and staff have a big impact on our planet and its future wellbeing. Likeminded individuals come together to undertake international, award-winning research, meaning when their incredible time at Newquay is done, they move onto fantastic and important careers.

It’s why you should definitely consider Newquay University Centre Cornwall College for your #careercollege experience.