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Introduction
Why choose this course?
Overview
Our MRes in Primatology and Conservation is a research-intensive course. It combines the expertise of anthropologists and biologists.
You will develop the skills, knowledge and confidence to help stop and reverse the devastating destruction of natural habitats. And the loss of the species that live in them.
You will be part of an international and multidisciplinary forum. Our aims are to:
 understand ecology, evolution and conservation issues
 promote effective action
 make leading advances in research topics.
Whether working in the lab, with zoos, museums or NGOs, or in the field, you will find yourself in a collaborative and supportive environment. You'll work with international scholars in primatology, biological anthropology and primate conservation. And gain the experience to develop advances in the fields of primatology and primate conservation.
You will have regular contact with tutors and feedback from assessed coursework. And we'll encourage you to to raise issues for discussion and consider the views of others.
Modules
Compulsory modules
• Primate Diversity and Conservation: Theory, Methods and Practice (20 credits)
You’ll review the variety of primate species, together with their distribution, ecology and conservation status. You’ll develop your understanding of the differences between primate species and the factors that make them more or less vulnerable to extinction. You’ll explore methods of population viability assessment, and find out about successful conservation projects
• Supervised Independent Study – Primatology and Conservation (20 credits)
This is a great opportunity to undertake a study of your own choosing, related to primate behaviour, ecology, welfare and conservation, both in situ and ex situ. The major component of this module is developing methodological skills that you will use in your final research project through a literature review and gaining practical experience.
Optional modules
People-Primate Interactions (20 credits)
You’ll receive an overview of the many ways that humans and wildlife (both primates and other animals) interact with and impact each other. You’ll consider examples of interactions between humans and wildlife in relation to crop raiding, hunting, biomedical research, tourism, and the design and management of national parks and wildlife reserves.
You’ll learn about the diverse attitudes of different cultures or levels of society towards primates, and the way that these attitudes influence primate conservation initiatives.
Conservation Education (20 credits)
What are the best ways to inform people about environmental decline? How can primates be used to promote public understanding of conservation? You will explore environmental and conservation education with particular reference to threatened species, and consider the theories behind and ways to measure the effectiveness of different strategies. You’ll discover a variety of techniques for presenting and disseminating information about conservation, particularly using digital technology and methods. We’ll make use of case studies to introduce you to planning, conducting and evaluating educational projects.
Advanced Study of People and Other Animals (20 credits)
Humans and other animals have a long history of interacting with each other. In this module we use ideas from biological and social anthropology to examine the complexities and contradictions evident in people–animal relationships. We’ll explore these through topics such as animals as food, animals as entertainment, companion animals and animals as 'nature'. You’ll develop an advanced understanding of the many roles and diverse meanings that animals have for different groups of people.
Advanced Study of Primate Adaptation and Evolution
You’ll explore similarities and differences between humans and other primates. You'll use a broad comparative approach to examine:
 structure
 physiology
 evolutionary history.
You’ll look at humanity’s emergence; against a background of detailed knowledge of other species. While engaging with the questions of What? When? and Where? To trace our history of inheritance and to explore the reasons for our unique specialisations. Asking the questions of How? And Why?
You'll work within a theoretical framework - that builds on first principles of science to interpret the emergence, history and modern diversity of humanity and our closest living relatives.
International Legislation, Humans and Wildlife (20 credits)
Many species and communities are threatened by exploitation, globalisation and international wildlife trade resulting from development and competition for space and resources.If biodiversity is to be maintained, we need a thorough understanding of the causes and consequences of these human activities. We must also analyse ways of resolving these consequences on an international scale. In this module, you’ll analyse the importance and roles of legislation, international treaties, and conflict resolution in resolving the biodiversity crisis.
Final project
Compulsory modules
• Research project (120 credits)
In order to complete the MRes, you’ll undertake a significant research project that runs over the second semester and summer. We encourage you to build on your strengths and interests throughout the course, culminating in a research project that is useful to the broader public and the primatological and/or conservation community. Your project will have a written component to integrate and explain the work. This work will normally be written up in the form of one or more articles/chapters for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
Entry Criteria
ENTRY REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Home Office Share Code
For EU students only.
IF no Qualification
Please provide CV with at least 2 years of work experience, and employee reference letter.
Entry requirements
Specific entry requirements
You will normally be required to have, or be expecting, a good honours degree in anthropology, biology, ecology, psychology or an acceptable related discipline.
If you are not a graduate, or if you have graduated in an unrelated discipline, you will be considered for entry to the course if you can demonstrate in your application, and at an interview, that you are able to work at an advanced level in the discipline. You may also be asked to write a short essay and/or present evidence of original work in support of your application.
We will consider appropriate credits obtained elsewhere. Accreditation of prior learning (eg a conversion course or an advanced research training course) will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the course manager. Accreditation of prior experiential learning (APEL) will similarly be considered. However, it must be advised that, because the taught aspect is a key component of the course, credit for prior learning will only be given in exceptional cases.
Our standard entry requirement is three A-levels or equivalent qualifications. In some cases, courses have specific required subjects and additional GCSE requirements. In addition to A-levels, we accept a wide range of other qualifications including:
 the Welsh Baccalaureate
 the Access to Higher Education Diploma
 a BTEC National Certificate, Diploma or Extended Diploma at a good standard and in a relevant subject
 the International Baccalaureate Diploma
 the European Baccalaureate Diploma
 Scottish qualifications – five subjects in SCE with two at Higher level or one at Advanced Higher level, or three subjects in Scottish Highers or two at Advanced Higher level
 a recognised foundation course
 T-levels*.
 * T-levels are a relatively new qualification but are already included in the UCAS tariff. We welcome prospective students who are taking this qualification to apply. For some programmes with specific required subjects, particular subject areas or occupational specialisms may be required.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 with 6.0 in reading, writing, listening and speaking.
The entry requirement for your course will be expressed as an IELTS level and refers to the IELTS Academic version of this test. We are now also accepting the IELTS Indicator test, you can find out more about the test on the IELTS Indication site. The University however does accept a wide range of additional English language qualifications, which can be found below.
The university’s English language requirements in IELTS levels are as follows:
Course IELTS level
All other undergraduate courses 6.0 overall with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking
Law, Architecture, Interior Architecture, English Literature (including combined honours), English Literature and Creative Writing 6.5 overall with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking
Health and Social Care courses 6.5 or 7.0 overall with 6.5 or 7.0 in all components (see individual entries for course details)
Nutrition BSc (Hons) 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each component
Built Environment Foundation,
Computing Foundation,
Engineering Foundation 6.0 with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking
International Foundation Business and Technology,
International Foundation Arts, Humanities and Law 5.5 overall with 5.5 in all skills
International Foundation Diploma 5.0 overall with 5.0 in all skills
If you need a student visa you must take an IELTS for UKVI test.
International Foundation Diploma (Extended pathway) 4.5 overall with 4.5 in all skills
If you need a student visa you must take an IELTS for UKVI test.
Assessment
ASSESSMENT METHODS
1. INTERNAL ENGLISH TEST if you don't have an English accredited certificate
2. Academic Interview
Learning and assessment
You will gain background knowledge in primatology and conservation during the first semester. This includes the theories, methods, and practices used in the contemporary study of primates and their environments. You will use your knowledge through an extended research project during the second part of the course.
If you choose to take the Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) in Primatology and Conservation, you will take three compulsory modules, and choose one elective module.
Learning and teaching
We use a range of teaching methods.
Lectures introduce you to relevant:
 main themes
 key theoretical approaches
 significant research findings.
Tutorials give you the opportunity to discuss recent developments in the relevant fields with your lecturers.
Seminars and workshops allow you to:
 engage in discussion with tutors and peers
 further develop your knowledge and understanding of the module content
 apply ideas and develop a range of transferable skills.
Laboratory-based classes are a common feature for primate diversity modules.
You'll receive individual help or personalised feedback on your progress throughout the year. These are usually in one-to-one sessions with your tutors during ‘office hours’. Contact time may also take a virtual rather than face-to-face form, through email, email discussion groups, virtual learning environments and other technology-aided means.
Assessment
Assessment methods include:
 written essays
 critical reviews
 short reports
 annotated bibliographies
 individual presentations
 group presentations.
You will receive feedback on your work prior to formal assessments. This includes:
 one-to-one assessment guidance
 feedback on outline plans for coursework essays
 assessment preparatory activities.
An on-going feedback dialogue forms an essential component of the research project module.
You may be assigned regular tasks on topics critical to each module. Round-table and small group discussions will give you an opportunity to share perspectives. These enable closer examination of conservation issues.
Research
Our vibrant research culture is driven by a thriving and collaborative community of academic staff and students.
Staff in the department work on a wide range of taxa, including:
 African and Asian great apes
 gibbons
 Neotropical primates
 Old World monkeys
 African and Asian lorises
 the lemurs from Madagascar.
All lecturers are active in research and publish in a wide range of journals. Over 50 students have published the results of their research in scientific journals. We aim for a significant proportion of our MRes students to be able to submit the results of their research to international scientific journals.
Our research is recognised internationally for excellence and we host the following research groups:
 the Nocturnal Primate Research Group
 the Oxford Wildlife Trade Research Group
 ACCEnD (the Anthropological Centre for Conservation, Environment and Development).
Career Opportunities
Career prospects
You will be joining a supportive global network of former students working across all areas of conservation. Our graduates work in a range of organisations, from the BBC Natural History Unit through to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
They work in roles from keeper and education officer in zoos across the UK and North America to paid researcher at institutes of higher education. Some of our students have gone on to run their own conservation-related NGOs.
Typically about ten to twenty percent of our MSc graduates continue their studies by enrolling on a PhD programme in the UK or abroad.
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