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Conservation and Management of Fish and Wildlife MSc with a major in Biology

Would you like to contribute to the sustainable conservation and management of the world’s fish and wildlife resources? This Master’s programme will prepare you for a career in both the public and private sector.
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PROGRAMME INFORMATION

Welcome to a unique programme that covers interactions between fish, wildlife and humans. To be able to preserve biodiversity, we need more knowledge about ecology and ways of conducting animal inventories and measuring biodiversity. By combining both theory and practical methods, this Master’s programme provides you with an extensive knowledge of ecology, management and conservation of fish and wildlife, as well as knowledge of local and international laws and conventions. 

With a Master’s degree majoring in biology, you will be prepared for a career in governmental and non-governmental organisations, as well as being able to continue your studies towards a PhD. The lectures are held by world-leading researchers and the programme attracts a mixture of both Swedish and international students.  

As a student at the program you have the opportunity to apply, in competition, to the exchange program TRANSFOR-M for your second year of program studies. Within TRANSFOR-M, you have the opportunity to study for a year at one of three partner universities; University of British Columbia, University of Alberta or Lakehead University. After completing your studies, you meet the requirements to apply for a double degree, one from SLU and one from the Canadian university.

After graduation, your specialist knowledge will make you an attractive employee in the animal and nature management sector, as well as in the field of conservation. You will also be well-prepared for a career in research.

Would you like to ask questions to a student currently enrolled in the programme? Chat with our Unibuddy, Rebecca, here.

FACTS & REQUIREMENTS

Name: Conservation and Management of Fish and Wildlife (MSc)
Level: Master
Language: English
Programme scope: 2 year, 120 credits
Next start: Autumn semester 2025

Tuition Fees: Citizens of countries outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland are required to pay application and tuition fees.

First semester: SEK 78000
Total: SEK 312000

Application deadline for international students: 2025-01-15
Application deadline for Swedish students: 2025-04-15

Study location: Umeå
Pace of study: Full-time
Teaching form: On-campus
Application code for Swedish students: 81135
Application code for international students: 81136

Selection: Högskolepoäng

Requirements:

To be admitted to the Master’s Programme in Conservation and Management of Fish and Wildlife, the following criteria must be met:
general entry requirements: first-cycle (Bachelor’s) qualification comprising a minimum 180 credits or equivalent degree from a higher education institution abroad;
specific entry requirements: a minimum of 60 credits from specialist study within one of the following subjects or main fields of study:
- Biology
- Forestry Science
- Forest Management
- Forest Science
- Environmental Science
- Natural Resources Governance.
And 15 credits in Ecology
In addition, knowledge equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6 is required. This requirement is met by those holding a Degree of Bachelor (180 credits) from a Swedish higher education institution. There are specific rules for applicants from certain English-speaking countries.

The specific entry requirements stated above can also be met by someone who has obtained equivalent knowledge through a corresponding qualification from abroad, or in some other way.

There are specific entry requirements for each course included in the programme. These are described in the relevant course syllabus.

Degree:

Degree awarded upon completion of the programme

The Master's (120 credits) programme Conservation and Management of Fish and Wildlife leads to a Master of Science with biology as the main field of study. A Degree of Master is a general qualification.

Students who fulfil the qualification requirements for a Degree of Master (120 credits) in the main field of study will be issued a degree certificate on request. The degree certificate will specify the qualification as Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) with a major in Biology. 

Other qualifications may be awarded provided that the requirements for them are fulfilled. See SLU’s system of qualifications.

The programme contains courses which, depending on choice of courses and combination with previous studies in forestry at first-cycle level, may enable students to fulfil the requirements for the professional qualification Degree of Master of Science in Forestry, 300 credits. The outcomes for a Degree of Master of Science in Forestry are stipulated in the Ordinance for the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. The requirements for a Degree of Master of Science in Forestry are defined in SLU’s system of qualifications.

Degree requirements

The Degree of Master of Science with biology as the main field of study will be awarded once 120 credits have been obtained, of which 90 must be from second cycle courses that meet the following requirements:

  • a minimum of 30 credits with biology as the main field of study (A1N; A1F); 
  • a minimum of 30 credits from an independent project (degree project) with biology as the main field of study (A2E).

Additionally, students must have successfully completed a Degree of Bachelor, a professional qualification comprising a minimum of 180 credits, or have an equivalent qualification from abroad.

The Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) may contain a maximum of 30 credits from first-cycle courses, provided these credits were not included in a Degree of Bachelor or its equivalent. All courses included in a degree must be at university level, have been successfully completed and may not overlap/have similar content.

 

Admission: There are two admission rounds for this Master's programme. The first admission round is open to all international applicants at www.universityadmissions.se. SLU strongly encourage all international students to apply in this first admission round.

CONTENT

The programme covers different aspects of fish and wildlife management and conservation. It includes scientific theory and methods, as well as the relevant international laws and conventions. 

The programme is offered by the Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies and is aimed at both Swedish and international students. The department is home to approximately 60 researchers and doctoral students who research in the fields of fish and wildlife management, human dimensions, and biological conservation. 

CAREER

Upon completion of the programme, students can continue onto doctoral studies or establish careers in the fish and wildlife management sector. It is possible to work for local, regional and national authorities responsible for natural resource management, as well as environmental non-governmental organisations dealing with national or international conservation issues.

Graduates of the programme have also established careers within associations of hunters or fishermen, landowner associations, private companies active in natural resource management (e.g., forestry and hydropower companies), and nature tourism enterprises.

Degree awarded

Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) with a Major in Biology.

PROGRAMME COURSES

Year 1

SYLLABUS

Student life

Studying at SLU is not just about attending lectures and seminars. It’s also about newfound friends, sports, fun parties, and exciting experiences. It’s about creating memories that will last a lifetime.

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How to apply

Sweden's unique application system makes it possible to apply for programmes and courses at different universities on the same application.

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Fees and scholarships

Who has to pay application and tuition fees? What is the cost of living in Sweden? Read more about these and other questions regarding tuition fees and scholarships.

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Chat with our students

Connect with our international student ambassadors and explore their blogs for a firsthand glimpse into their journeys as students in Sweden and at SLU.

Students at Campus Uppsala

The Swedish Way

Are you on your way to Sweden and wondering what it’s like to study here? Well, get ready to question the way things have always been done. Studying in Sweden comes with critical thinking, freedom and responsibility.

Meet our students

Curious about what our students think of this master’s programme? Rebecca shares her experiences at SLU in this interview.

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Meet our students

Curious about what our students think of this master’s programme? Ana shares her experiences at SLU in this interview.

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We do our Master’s theses here!

Fieldwork among rhinos in South Africa or perhaps among butterflies in Sweden? We offer the opportunity for students at master's level to do thesis projects in exciting research projects!

 Oskar Lövbom species determines butterflies. Photo.

Meet our students

Curious about what our students think of this master’s programme? Suze shares her experiences at SLU in this interview.

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Let’s connect on Instagram!

Are you curious about life at SLU? Follow our students on Instagram.

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Become a Master of Nature

Our Master's Programme is given at SLU's Faculty of Forest Sciences, world leading in forest research.

Meet our researchers

Francisco Xavier Aguilar Cabezas is a professor of forest economics. Watch the film and get to know him and his work better.

Meet our researchers

Anti Vasemägi is a professor of fish biology. Watch the film and get to know him and his work better.

Watch films with our students

What is it like to electro fish? How did the thesis work go? And why did you choose to study at the Master's programme? Our students share their stories!

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Campus Umeå

SLU’s campus in Umeå is an inspiring and picturesque learning environment. Surrounded by deep green forests, scenic parks and clear, blue lakes, it is easy to see why Umeå is the fastest growing city in Sweden. Umeå is considered a youthful and lively city, and is highly ranked amongst Swedish students.


Contact

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Do you have questions about the university or our programmes? Maybe you can find your answers here. FAQ: Frequently asked questions about studies

E-mail
studyguidance@slu.se

Telephone
+46 (0)18 67 28 00 

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