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people · publications · collaborators · site map · contact · news · linksAbout the Master of
Conservation Biology
The Master of Conservation Biology (MConBio) can be completed in one calendar year, through two five months blocks, one taken at each university. The New Zealand component is taught January-June, the Australian component July-December. Students may enter the program at the beginning of either period. The degree is taught and conferred jointly by the two universities.
The degree program provides:
- An understanding of the practical processes of conservation biology in New Zealand and Australia, and of the problems faced and techniques used by Australian and New Zealand conservation scientists and managers;
- skills in experimental design, collection and analysis of scientific data, and presentation of research results related to conservation, ecology and biodiversity.
The program is designed to attract both full-time and part-time students.
Click here to view the MConBio Brochure (283K) 
Who will benefit from the program?
- Senior government or corporate personnel seeking to maintain or update skill levels in one or more areas of conservation biology, particularly in new and developing areas;
- recently graduated students seeking employment through a relevant postgraduate qualification in conservation biology;
- international students wishing to undertake the study of conservation biology in unique environments.
- students who wish to gain an overview of current conservation issues, conservation technology, and the opportunity to explore particular issues in conservation biology at both local and international levels;
- students who wish to gain a deeper understanding of a conservation topic of interest to them, achieve first hand experience in current research techniques and a chance to plan, carry out, analyse and write up a piece of original research.
Program structure and content
Note that UNSW and VUW have different weighting systems for courses. 90 VUW points is equivalent to 24 UNSW units of credit.
New Zealand component (January-June):
School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington
Students undertake three courses (90 points) including two core courses and one elective.
| Core Courses: | |
| BIOL 420 | Conservation Ecology |
| BIOL 424 | New Zealand Conservation Practice |
| Elective Courses: | |
| BIOL 422 | Ecology |
| BIOL 425 | Biodiversity |
| BIOL 440 | Directed Individual Study |
| ERES 525 | Ecological Restoration |
| ENVI 505 | Maori Environmental and Resource Management or another course approved by the Head of School of Biological Sciences. |
Note that individual courses may not be available in any given trimester.
Australian component (July-November):
School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales
Students undertake two core courses (12 units of credit) and electives (12 units of credit).
| Core Courses: | |
| BIOS 9211 | World Conservation Biology |
| BIOS 9221 | Conservation and Management of Australasian Mammals |
| Elective Courses: | |
| BIOS 9231 | Conservation project (12 units of credit) or any two of the following 6 units of credit courses: |
| BEES 5001 | Topics in Biological Science |
| BEES 5002 | Topics in Ecological Science |
| MSCI 5005 | Topics in Marine Science |
| BIOT 7081 | Environmental Biotechnology |
| GEOS 9012 | Remote Sensing Applications |
| GEOS 9021 | Image Analysis of Remote Sensing |
| BENV 7721 | Planning and Land Policy |
| SESC 9761 | Environmental Auditing |
| SESC 9751 | Introduction to Environmental Science |
| IES 5001 | Frameworks for Environmental Management |
| IES 5002 | Tools for Environmental Management |
Admission requirements
Students entering the program will in general have comprehensive training in Biological Sciences. However, anyone with a strong academic record and/or wide experience in biological conservation could also gain entry.
Application and enrolment
Students can begin the program either in January (VUW) or in July (UNSW).
International students apply for admission to the university where they wish to begin the program. After receiving proof of admission from the 1st university, an application to the 2nd university must be submitted as soon as possible. The latter is a formality which will ensure that you are appropriately enrolled in both universities and will allow you to apply for student visas from both countries. The two universities will automatically accept students who are admitted by the sister institution .
Student visas must be obtained as soon as possible after receipt of proofs of admission due to visa processing time. Visa processing time varies depending on the student's nationality. Relevant government websites will have more information about how to obtain a student visa and visa processing times. Note that the offer of a place does not guarantee a visa to the other country.
Local students, ie. students with an Australian and New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency, are covered by an Exchange Agreement between the two universities which allows prospective students to submit one application only: New Zealand students apply to VUW, Australian students apply to UNSW. The two universities will automatically accept students who are admitted into the program at the sister institution.
All students need to enroll in individual teaching units on arrival at each university.
Closing dates for applications
For studies starting in mid-January (VUW): October 15.
For studies starting in late July (UNSW): May 30. Late applications will be considered.
The closing dates are the same for local and international students.
UNSW enrolment information and application forms are available here. UNSW has an online application system, Apply Online, which allows both international and local applicants to submit an application over the Internet. The program code for MConBio is 8745. The application fee for an online application is AUD50.00.
Victoria University enrolment information and application forms are available here. Victoria University does not charge application fees.
Semester dates
New Zealand component (January-June): The semester starts in the last week of January and ends in the last week of June. This includes pre-semester field trips associated with BIOL 424 and an examination period at the end of the semester.
Australian component (July-November): Face-to-face classes/seminars go from the last week of July to the second week of November. Final deadlines for written work will typically be in late November/early December.
International students
Comprehensive information for international students about application and admission procedures, English language proficiency requirements, student visa, customs regulations, housing, airport-pickup, orientation, student services, sport clubs etc. can be found on the International Office websites at the two universities, UNSW International, and VUW International.
Tuition Fees
Local students
Tuition fees are paid to the home institution. A separate VUW field trip fee (BIOL 424 Conservation Practice) will be payable for all students at the beginning of the New Zealand semester. Local students include students with an Australian or New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency.
International students
Tuition fees are paid in two batches and separately to each institution. The BIOL 424 field trip fee is paid in addition to the VUW International fee at the beginning of the New Zealand semester.
Tuition fees do not include accommodation, textbooks, transport, Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) and general living expenses.
UNSW tuition fees are due at the end of the first week of session. VUW tuition fees are due at enrolment.
| Tuition Fees 2008 | |
| Australian students | |
| Australian citizens and permanent residents | |
| UNSW | AUD 16080 (AUD 335 x 48 units of credit)1 |
| VUW | BIOL424 field trip fee: NZD 1450 (AUD 12802) |
| Total2 | AUD 173602 |
| New Zealand students | |
| New Zealand citizens and permanent residents | |
| UNSW | No course fees |
| VUW | NZD8325 (NZD 46.25 x 180 points)1 BIOL424 field trip fee: NZD 1450 |
| Total | NZD 9775 |
| International Students3 | |
| UNSW | AUD 11640 (AUD 485 x 24 units of credit)1 |
| VUW | NZD 17900 (NZD 198.89 x 90 points)1 BIOL424 trip fee: NZD1450 |
| Total2 | AUD 28715, NZD 32542, USD 25462, Euro 17306 |
1 Note that UNSW and VUW have different weighting systems for courses: 24 UNSW units of credit are equivalent to 90 VUW points.
2 Exchange rates as per December 2007.
3 Except international students who are attending VUW under an exchange agreement; these students pay domestic fees for the New Zealand component.
Other Fees
University of New South Wales
The Student Activity Fees are voluntary and include subscriptions to the UNSW University Union, the UNSW Sports Association and the UNSW Student Guild. Membership of these bodies provides students with a number of benefits, including access to social, sporting and other activities on campus.
Victoria University of Wellington
A Student Assistance Levy, the VUW Students' Association Subscription Fee, the Student Services Levy and an amenities levy are compulsory. This fee is calculated based on point load, and will be approximately NZD 387.40 for most MConBio students in 2008..
Fee enquiries
Australian students
All enquiries about fee payments should be directed to the UNSW Admissions Office.
New Zealand students
All enquiries about fee payments should be directed to VUW's Student Fees Co-ordinators.
International Students
All enquiries about fee payments should be directed to the International Offices at the two universities, UNSW International, and Victoria International.
Accommodation
University of New South Wales
The University Housing Office assists students to find accommodation while they are at UNSW. A range of different housing opportunities is available both on-campus and off-campus.
The International Student Housing Assistance (ISHA) operates as a personalized service to make it easier for new arrivals to find accommodation in Sydney. ISHA will give advice on what to look for in private housing, how to use UNSW Housing Office's listing service and guidance on choosing appropriate accommodation. The International Office also offers an airport pick-up service from Sydney International Airport to pre-arranged accommodation. Click here for more information.
Victoria University of Wellington
Assistance in finding accommodation in Wellington for all non-New Zealand students is available from the VUW Student Services.
Further information
Enquiry form
People (for individual contacts)
Scholarship opportunities
Victoria University of Wellington (for studies starting in January)
VUW General student information
VUW Admission and enrolment
University of New South Wales (for studies starting in July)
UNSW General student information
UNSW Admission and Enrolment
Enquiry Form
Frequently Asked Questions
Content Last Modified: Friday, 14th December 2007.
