Conservation Diploma Course

Course structure of the The Graduate Diploma in Conservation and Project Administration

Course components:

For the 2009 – 2010 academic year the taught modules will be:

• Biodiversity Conservation and Human Society (20 credits);
• Science Communication (20 credits);
• Analyses in Biology (20 credits) and
• Conservation Project Administration (60 credits).

The following information relates to the 60 credit Conservation Project Administration module, the work placement undertaken at World Land Trust (WLT).

Assessments:

The assignments for the Conservation Project Administration module are varied and interesting and are designed to maximise your experience of using different communication styles. Assignments include:

• An essay;
• A literature-based project;
• A portfolio;
• Presentations;
• Executive summaries;
• An oral exam and
• A report on the overseas research trip.

The portfolio is an opportunity to record all the skills, experiences and knowledge gained while on the work placement at WLT. It is an evidence building exercise, ongoing throughout the course.

Learning at WLT:

Working with the WLT team, diploma students have the opportunity to work within most areas of the World Land Trust operation. By working alongside, and shadowing, senior members of staff  you will experience and explore many more aspects of the organisation than a purely academic course could allow.

• Within the Projects Team you will work on a potential project going through the selection process, writing fundraising letters,  sitting in on meetings and taking notes for the Projects Team.
• You will learn about the organisation of a charity and give a presentation to the WLT Board of Trustees. There will be opportunities for in-house training; this may involve members of WLT staff or outside consultants.
• Other experiences at the WLT office will include:
  • Building general office and team working skills (essential for a career with a conservation NGO);
  • The opportunity to complete tasks in Education/Web/Communications – which may range from organising and delivering a school visit to writing a press release or fundraising materials.
• As part of the course you will undertake a 2 week research project with a project partner of WLT, at an overseas location. Past students have visited Belize, Paraguay and Venezuela. Students will plan all aspects of their trip, including organising a fundraising event to contribute towards costs.

Fundraising

Previous students have organised live music gigs and last year’s students had a mince pie and hot spiced apple stall during the Christmas period, and also organised a University social event serving a selection of authentic South American food dishes which they made.

Previous students have organised live music gigs...

...and sold home-made mince pies at Christmas.

Making an application:

• You need to make your application to University of East Anglia, and you will then be interviewed by WLT before being offered a place on the course.
• There is a 3 week induction at WLT, starting on the 1st September 2009, before the start of term.
• We highly recommend that you submit your application before the 17th of August 2009, in order to allow time for it to be processed before the beginning of the course.
• The minimum requirement for the academic side of this course is a degree in a science related subject, but you will need a proven interest in conservation to be seriously considered.
•  Full details on the diploma can be found on the UEA website, where you will find information on entrance requirements and how to apply.

For an overview to the course and to see what some of our previous students have to say, see Study Conservation and Project Administration.