Course overview
Human activities are responsible for historical and ongoing damage to our planet and the services it performs for us. As the human population grows, so does the imperative not just to mitigate against further deterioration but to actively seek to restore and recover damaged and destroyed habitats to achieve environmental growth. MSc Ecological Restoration and Environmental Management aims to develop a holistic understanding of the process of restoring degraded sites and ecosystems. You will learn how to identify restoration priorities, engage stakeholders, plan, implement and monitor programmes of restoration, evaluate the success of activities, and plan aftercare.
The course places a particular emphasis on ecological restoration as ‘the process of assisting the recovery of an ecosystem that has been degraded, damaged, or destroyed.’ You will develop a thorough understanding of the theoretical framework underpinning practical techniques together with the project management and employability competencies necessary to lead and contribute to restoration activities in the UK and abroad.
The course is taught at Cornwall’s iconic Eden Project – a world-famous example of the successful restoration of post-industrial land, located within an area of active China clay extraction in the English county with the greatest proportion of ‘derelict’ land. You will have access to unique facilities at Eden – including Europe’s largest indoor rainforest, constructed soils, laboratories, teaching spaces, IT suite and learning centre and you will benefit from access to facilities at other Cornwall College campuses and at University of Plymouth. There is a large emphasis on fieldwork with visits to local restoration sites varying in scale from small nature reserves, through ongoing restoration by companies and government agencies, to large scale EU funded infrastructure projects that have transformed communities.
With case studies and live employer briefs you will have ample opportunity to apply your learning and on graduation be well placed to progress to PhD research or enter an international labour market. Key principles and standards developed by professional bodies including the Society for Ecological Restoration (SER) and Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) are embedded in the programme to prepare you for professional recognition.
We accept a variety of qualifications to include equivalent international qualifications. Mature applicants with relevant experience but without the stated qualifications will be considered individually and are encouraged to apply. All applicants are subject to wider entry requirements.
Cornwall College University Centre at the Eden Project offers a diverse range of higher education courses linked to the natural environment, including Horticulture, Plant Science, Soil Science, Ecology, and Garden and Landscape Design. With expert instruction and degrees awarded by the University of Plymouth, our programmes provide the perfect opportunity to gain both academic knowledge and practical skills.
As part of your studies, you’ll benefit from access to the Eden Project’s unique biomes, where you can apply your learning in tropical and Mediterranean environments, as well as outdoor garden settings. You’ll also work alongside Eden’s specialist horticulturists and gain hands-on experience. In your final year, you'll have the opportunity to conduct original research using these exceptional facilities, exploring industry-relevant topics to enhance your CV.
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