The MSc Wildlife Biology and Conservation programme at Edinburgh Napier University has become the first Distance Learning route to be accredited by the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management.
The CIEEM Degree Accreditation Scheme celebrates undergraduate and postgraduate courses that equip students with the knowledge, practical experience, and field skills most valued by employers.
Accredited degrees combine strong ecological and environmental theory with hands-on field experience. “We believe that real-world practice is essential to building the skills employers are looking for,” reported CIEEM’s assessors.
They also highlighted that the “enthusiasm and dedication of the teaching staff is exemplary. Teaching materials are of excellent quality; covering the most up to date and extensive topics which ensures graduates will be excellently placed to enter the ecological profession at a graduate and even higher level of employment. The flexibility of learning (part time, in the learner’s own time, ability to pause studies, and mix and match number of modules in any academic year) are also excellent and provides the opportunity for learners who may otherwise be unable to access postgraduate studies.”
Jay Mackinnon, the programme leader for the distance learning Masters at Edinburgh Napier said: “This is a first by CIEEM. There hasn’t been an accredited distance programme before, and because CIEEM’s focus is very much on technical competencies and practical fieldwork it was quite a bold move on our part. We are delighted that the high level of accomplishment demonstrated by our students and graduates is recognised with CIEEM accreditation of the distance learning MSc.
“We share with CIEEM a commitment to inclusion and developing high-level, relevant professional competencies in learners and being able to study an accredited programme by distance learning means that it doesn’t matter where you are, it’s what you achieve that counts.”
The distance learning programme is open for applications for January 2026 >>>
Wildlife Biology & Conservation MSc Distance learning | Edinburgh Napier University
The campus-based full-time MSc Wildlife Biology & Conservation holds prior accreditation from CIEEM.
