Introduction
Rewilding and Nature Recovery are essential for a biodiverse future. Learn where, why and how we can reverse catastrophic declines in biodiversity through Rewilding and its ambitious nature recovery measures. Our distinctive interdisciplinary programme will equip you to think deeply and critically about Rewilding as a nature recovery and land management strategy while providing the skills and experience of on-the-ground Rewilding essential for your career.
Study Information
At a Glance
- Learning Mode
- On Campus Learning
- Degree Qualification
- MSc
- Duration
- 12 months or 24 months
- Study Mode
- Full Time or Part Time
- Start Month
- September
- Location of Study
- Aberdeen
The MSc in Rewilding and Nature Recovery offers training in the practical elements of rewilding and related nature recovery techniques grounded in a deep exploration of the debates and science behind rewilding. You will explore how rewilding might be the best available approach to halt catastrophic declines in biodiversity and the challenges it faces to achieve this. You will learn from diverse perspectives about how humans have impacted nature (for better and worse) and what rewilding can do to address that in a range of different contexts. Those perspectives will be drawn from around the University and beyond, including ecology, conservation, social science, archaeology, history and other humanities.
The programme takes advantage of Aberdeen’s unique position in northern Scotland, which is at the cutting edge of rewilding, with numerous major rewilding initiatives within a short distance from campus. Fieldtrips and residential fieldwork to these rewilding projects will get you first-hand experience of rewilding in action. This will offer invaluable experience and chances to develop professional networks in rewilding.
This MSc offers distinctive pathways that will guide you towards different career trajectories in Rewilding:
- Sustainable Land Management: for those interested in careers focused on the business and practice of managing land in nature-positive ways. On this pathway, you will learn about the politics and economics of sustainability and nature-positive futures alongside the practical means of how to achieve them.
- Ecology and Biodiversity: for those interested in careers in nature conservation and environmental science. On this pathway, you will learn the ecological science that underpins rewilding and how it can be usefully applied across different conservation contexts.
- Land Management.
What You'll Study
- Semester 1
-
Semester 1: Compulsory Courses
GO5001 - Rewilding: Principles, perspectives and practice (30 Credits)
- Getting Started at the ºÚÁÏÍø (PD5006)
-
This course, which is prescribed for all taught postgraduate students, is studied entirely online, takes approximately 2-3 hours to complete and can be taken in one sitting, or spread across the first 4 weeks of term.
Topics include University orientation overview, equality & diversity, MySkills, health, safety and cyber security, and academic integrity.
Successful completion of this course will be recorded on your Transcript as ‘Achieved’.
Semester 1: Optional Courses
- Contemporary Environmental Challenges (GG5056)
-
15 Credit Points
This course will introduce students to contemporary environmental issues at various temporal and spatial scales, and will explore associated environmental management challenges. Students will learn about different conceptual and theoretical approaches to the study of environmental challenges and they will explore the key drivers of environmental challenges from local to global scales. Lecturers will draw on their own research experience and use case studies to illustrate many of these issues.
- Sustainability Transitions - Challenges and Opportunities (GG5072)
-
15 Credit Points
This course will discuss the theoretical (and historical) evolution of the notion of sustainability, discuss various related concepts such as green growth and the green economy, introduce the topic of sustainability transitions as an interdisciplinary issue, explore the theory of sustainability transitions and discuss various technological, political, economic and socio-cultural challenges which transitions to sustainable forms of production and consumption must overcome to be successful.
- Integrated Water Resources Management (GG5080)
-
15 Credit Points
Water is one of the world's most important natural resources. It is essential for life and for many economic activities. Yet, water is also one of the world's most undervalued and under-managed resources. Integrated water resources management (IWRM) is a holistic approach to managing water resources. It considers all aspects of water resources, including quantity and quality, ecosystem health, and social and economic factors. IWRM is a complex challenge, but it is essential for achieving sustainable water management. This course will introduce you to the principles of IWRM and provide you with the tools and knowledge you need to start implementing it.
- Semester 2
-
Semester 2: Compulsory Courses
GO5502 - Into the Wild (30 Credits)
Semester 2: Optional Courses
EV5522 - Systems Ecology and Resource Management (15 Credits)
- Governance and Political Economy of Sustainability (GG5557)
-
15 Credit Points
This course will provide students with knowledge of theories of governance in the context of sustainable development. It will focus on the political economy of sustainable development and the political and economic tensions between different institutions, levels of administration and sectors of economy. Students will learn about theories of governance pertaining to the natural environment and sustainable development. They will explore the different institutional scales (e.g. local, national, global) of environmental governance and the processes of decision making for environmental governance. The course will also investigate the tensions between social, economic and environmental objectives for sustainable development.
- Partnerships for Sustainability (GG5571)
-
15 Credit Points
Partnerships for Sustainability provides an overview understanding and analysis of the role of partnerships as a means of delivering and governing the Sustainable Development Goals.
- Hydrological Extremes Under Global Change (GG5578)
-
15 Credit Points
Hydrological extremes, i.e. floods and droughts, are the most widespread natural hazards with the largest impact on the environment and society. Increase in frequency and severity of hydrological extremes as a consequence of climate change make it one of the biggest threats to future water security. This course will provide the conceptual basis and practical illustrations of the changing and “wicked” nature of problems of floods, droughts and management responses in context of population growth and increasing demand.
- Semester 3
-
Semester 3: Compulsory Courses
Rewilding and Nature Recovery Dissertation/Work-based Project (60 Credits)
We will endeavour to make all course options available. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page. In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips.
Fees
- UK
-
- Tuition Fees for 2027/28 Academic Year
- £10,000
- Tuition Fees for 2026/27 Academic Year
- £10,000
- Tuition Fees for 2026/27 Academic Year (ºÚÁÏÍø Graduates *)
- £7,000
-
ºÚÁÏÍø graduates are eligible for the Alumni Postgraduate Scholarship, reducing tuition fees to £7,000 - matching the current SAAS tuition loan - See full terms and conditions
- Tuition Fees for 2027/28 Academic Year (ºÚÁÏÍø Graduates *)
- £7,000
-
ºÚÁÏÍø graduates are eligible for the Alumni Postgraduate Scholarship, reducing tuition fees to £7,000 - matching the current SAAS tuition loan - See full terms and conditions
- EU / International students
-
- Tuition Fees for 2027/28 Academic Year
- £22,000
- Tuition Fees for 2026/27 Academic Year
- £22,000
- Tuition Fees for 2026/27 Academic Year (Self-funded Students *)
- £14,000
-
The above fee includes the £8,000 Aberdeen Global Scholarship provided to self-funded international students. Full terms and conditions apply.
- Tuition Fees for 2027/28 Academic Year (Self-funded Students *)
- £14,000
-
The above fee includes the £8,000 Aberdeen Global Scholarship provided to self-funded international students. Full terms and conditions apply.
Fee Information
Scholarships
All eligible self-funded international Postgraduate Masters students will receive an £8,000 scholarship. Learn more about this Aberdeen Global Scholarship here.
To see our full range of scholarships, visit our Funding Database.
How You'll Study
Learning Methods
- E-learning
- Field Trips
- Field Work
- Group Projects
- Individual Projects
- Lab Work
- Lectures
- Peer Learning
- Professional Placements
- Research
- Seminars
- Tutorials
- Workshops
Assessment Methods
Students will be assessed by a combination of three assessment methods:
- Coursework such as essays (including video essays) and reports was completed throughout the course.
- Practical and participatory assessments of the skills and competencies they learn on the course.
- A major research or work-based project.
Why Study Rewilding and Nature Recovery?
- Study in a region where major rewilding programmes are currently being undertaken.
- We have partnerships with major flagship rewilding projects established in northern Scotland, making Aberdeen ideally placed to train the next generation of leaders in rewilding debates and initiatives.
- Gain real-world experience and on-the-ground training in collaboration with ongoing rewilding projects.
- Our interdisciplinary researchers from around the University will guide you through how Rewilding offers enormous hope (and faces major challenges) for nature and people from a range of different perspectives.
- A part of the ºÚÁÏÍø’s Interdisciplinary Institute, with opportunities for wider interdisciplinary learning and research.
- Use the University’s unique access to ongoing major rewilding programmes to lead your own research project on rewilding issues.
- Boost career opportunities with our distinctive pathways focused on the different facets of Rewilding (pathways in Sustainable Land Management and Ecology and Biodiversity available)
Interested in this programme?
Entry Requirements
Qualifications
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the ºÚÁÏÍø.
2:2 UK Honours degree or an Honours degree from a non-UK institution that the University deems equivalent.
Document Requirements
You will be required to supply the following documentation with your application as proof you meet the entry requirements of this degree programme. If you have not yet completed your current programme of study, then you can still apply and you can provide your Degree Certificate at a later date.
- Degree Transcript
- a full transcript showing all the subjects you studied and the marks you have achieved in your degree(s) (original & official English translation)
- Personal Statement
- a detailed personal statement explaining your motivation for this particular programme
Careers
Career opportunities in Rewilding and Nature Recovery are rapidly expanding in the UK, Europe and globally. National and Local Governments, estates, environmental charities and increasingly nature-positive businesses are looking to invest in a new generation of Rewilding and Nature Recovery specialists. Natural capital and new laws like Biodiversity Net Gain represent exciting new potential areas for growth and entrepreneurship for a nature-positive future.
Potential areas for careers include:
- Restoration ecology specialists for conservation organisations and NGOs
- Government environmental agencies
- Land and estate management
- Environmental Consultancy
- Community engagement/outreach
- Research/academia
The skills needed for success in this field will be developed and fostered in this MSc. Everyone on the MSc in Rewilding and Nature Recovery will have opportunities to learn hands-on conservation techniques, as well as being introduced to the wide array of other skills and techniques involved in rewilding, from quantitative ecological science to communication and outreach skills.
The distinctive pathways within the MSc Rewilding and Nature Recovery programme offer you the chance to build career-specific skills.
The Sustainable Land Management pathway will develop key skills and knowledge in:
- Legal and policy frameworks
- Project Leadership and partnerships
- Critical technical skills like GIS and grant writing
Ecology and Biodiversity pathway will develop key skills and knowledge in:
- Ecosystem processes
- Lab and field-based techniques
- Conservation approaches
Career Opportunities
- Community Engagement Officer
- Environmental Consultant
- Habitat Restoration Specialist
- Land Manager
- Nature Conservationist
- Researcher
Our Experts
- Programme Leader
- Dr Michael Stratigos
Information ºÚÁÏÍø Staff Changes
You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
Get in Touch
Contact Details
- Address
-
Student Recruitment & Admissions
ºÚÁÏÍø
University Office
Regent Walk
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX