Information
The focus of the course is on methods commonly used in the study of large mammals, and especially carnivores, in the developing world. The curriculum consists of modules on wildlife ecology, monitoring and survey techniques, GIS and habitat assessment, population management and statistics, as well as two reports which together complete an independent research project. The mode of teaching involves lectures, group discussions, technical practicals on the use of computer software, field sessions and tutorials.
The independent research projects concentrate on the organisation, analysis and reporting of previously collected data that you bring with you or is provided by WildCRU researchers. There is no time to undertake primary data collection in country or abroad during the course duration. The project is divided into two phases: Phase One consists of a literature and methods review and a section containing data exploration; Phase Two builds upon this but also includes the full data analysis and discussion of results. Unifying threads running through the course are the global and human dimensions of biodiversity conservation. You will learn both the theory and practical aspects of field techniques, so that you can confidently adopt them in the future, as well as critically evaluate other projects.
Assessment is through the two project reports and four assignments. The project reports will be a maximum of 7,000 words, and each worth 30% of your final mark. The assignments will be up to 2,000 words, and each worth 10% of your final mark. Most module assignments will be short-answer questions, presenting data to be analysed, scientific research to critique, a problem for which you will design solutions, or information to be synthesised into a brief report/recommendation.
Up to eight students are accepted each year and applications are particularly welcomed from conservationists working in economically less-developed parts of the world, for whom need-based scholarships are available. Suitable candidates are early-career field conservationists, working with government agencies or NGOs, who will implement and disseminate their skills to their home countries.
Graduate destinations
Graduates of the course continue to build on their role as field biologists and conservation practitioners, working within national wildlife management and protected area systems, for NGOs or as independent practitioners. Many graduates further their academic studies within two or three years of completing the course. An online forum offers alumni networking opportunities with each other and the course tutors.
The International Wildlife Conservation Practice diploma ticks all the boxes: high standards in terms of content and teaching (including interactions with prestigious local and visiting researchers and conservationists); supports emerging conservation biologists from developing countries (including scholarships), it is practical training and a springboard for conservation leaders. As Diploma Tutor I met every cohort of diploma students so far; I can vouch for their levels of satisfaction. They form a growing network of conservation leaders across the world -the conservationists of the future!
A best course to learn – (no comparable course I have known like this in the field of wildlife conservation) focussing on some tools of wildlife research/monitoring such as capture recapture model, basic learning of QGIS, and statistical software R. Students learn scientific paper writing skills through two projects which is very useful. WildCRU is a core expert team, this team has vast experience in wildlife conservation and research, however their involvement in teaching needs to be increased. If few practical courses can be added, students could be benefitted.
It is an excellent course on wildlife conservation, especially relevant to people who want to do research and conservation of canivores and preparing for a PhD in this area. Tutors and guest lecturers, visiting professors are experienced wildlife researchers and members of world conservation working groups, who are knowledgeable of the world consercation issues, which are very helpful. Weekly presentation at the WildCRU will enrich your knowledge with variety of conservation researches and issues. I strongly recommend this course to anyone who wants to prepare for conservation career.
For the students who major in other subjects, not ecology, probably cannot have a systematic training in ecology via this short-term course. However, this course indeed lay a foundation, because it includes some cutting-edge knowledge and technology (e.g., R, Distance, Occupancy, SECR, etc.). Meanwhile this course is a good means of expanding outlook as there’s many presentations made by guests and visiting scholars from some universities and NGOs. As a stepping stone for further study for the aspiring, young conservationists, this course is recommendable.
This is a diploma but actually has the level of a Masters. It is totally worth attending this course as they teach you a little of everything that you need to know for conservation. And then, you focus on a topic you want to learn more.
It is a perfect environment to learn as all professors are highly qualified and cooperative.
Moreover, you also learn a lot from your classmates.
Highly recommended.
I attended this training in 2010, therefore I am called as ‘2010 Panther’. Prior attending the course, I have been working for Indonesia’s Kerinci Seblat National Park Management Authority and had been seconded to Kerinci Seblat Tiger Monitoring Programme between 2004 and 2009. During the course, I learned various modules from species management, population management up to human dimension. After completion of the diploma, I returned to Indonesia to my previous post with a confident that I then already equipped with the most up to date skills and knowledge in species and biodiversity conservation. Of which, in 2011-12 led me to develop the first national park authority-owned tiger monitoring project. Within period of 2012-14, after having more that a decade of field experience, and was trained in WildCRU, I was then seconded to Zoological Society of London Indonesia Programme as the Tiger Conservation Project Manager. Within ZSL, my responsibility was managing tiger conservation and research activities, that included population monitoring and an integrated tiger and habitat protection but also have developed a novel approach in tiger conservation awareness. Now, I am finishing my DPhil at Oxford University. I would say that through attending the Diploma course at WildCRU-University of Oxford, has developed skills in wildlife conservation field, therefore it really boosted to broaden my career paths in wildlife conservation. Second to that, the WildCRU post graduate diploma in International Wildlife Conservation Practice is really the best passage for those who want to advance their career but also helping students from the developing world. The course is very relevant to me professionally as my overarching goal studying at Oxford University (the Diploma and DPhil) is to implement science-based wildlife conservation in Indonesia.
WildCRU’s Postgraduate Diploma was a fantastic experience. The tutors were excellent, knowledgeable and employed a variety of creative teaching methods to ensure we understood the material. The course focused not only on theory needed to work in conservation, but also the practical elements, like writing grants. We learned as much from our tutors as our other classmates, who were also came with a lot of experience from their home countries. We also got to interact with academic visitors to WildCRU. While there, I met several great scientists whose work I’d read before! The PgDip is a very intense but highly rewarding experience that I definitely recommended for anyone interested.
This is an excellent course, designed to cater to the needs of the budding conservationists working in their respective regions all over the globe. The teaching and non-teaching staff are very courteous and well equipped with the knowledge to train the students from different backgrounds. The all-around ambience of the facility is very moving and inspiring as you dwell around some of the best wildlife conservationists this field has to offer.