THE Subject Rankings 2024
Managing sustainability is one of the most challenging and rapidly growing areas in both the public and private sectors.
With increasing recognition of the impact of a world living beyond its means, the commitment to sustainable development to meet the needs of present generations without jeopardising those of the future has never been more apparent.
There is unprecedented pressure on the environment due to exploitation, habitat degradation and loss, climate change, invasive species, pollution and emerging diseases. Queens University offers a range of Ecological, Conservation and Sustainability Postgraduate Taught degrees so you can be part of something to help address these problems.
Ecological Management and Conservation Biology
The programme has a backbone of taught academic lectures covering the full spectrum of subjects contained within conservation biology and consists of six modules in total with a choice of an academic or work placement research project in the last semester for MSc students.
Each week students will be able to experience either a physical or virtual field trip to observe the practicalities of what you’ve learned in class and to see ecological management application in-the-field.
This MSc will equip you with the knowledge and skills required for a successful career in conservation or ecological consultancy. To date, graduates of the course have been employed by a range of non-governmental organisations (for example ORCA, The Irish Wildlife Trust and Bumblebee Conservation Trust), governmental organisations (NIEA and AFBI) and consultancies (including AECOM, WSP, WYG and RPS). Graduates have also progressed into research at various universities.
Leadership for Sustainable Development
This innovative conversion master’s programme is open to applicants from all disciplinary backgrounds and promotes leadership and embraces action-based, experiential learning, facilitated through a series of lectures, work placements and group projects.
Students carry out two eight-week work-based learning placements in their second semester with the option to choose between a third eight-week work placement, or to undertake a taught module in their third semester. These placements provide experiences of sustainable development and leadership thereof in a wide range of organisations. These aim to help students become sustainable development 'champions' who can identify and address problems of sustainability in innovative ways and further mainstream sustainable development across all sectors and at all levels. The year-long group project requires several students to work with an organisation of their choice to explore sustainable solutions to a specific problem
Whether you're from Northern Ireland or joining us from overseas, Queen’s University Belfast offers dedicated funding opportunities for future sustainability leaders, including the Gibson Trust Bursary for NI-domiciled students and the £5,000 Sustainability Scholarship for eligible international students enrolling on the MSc Leadership for Sustainable Development or MSc Leadership for Sustainable Rural Development.
Internationally Renowned Experts
You will taught by staff with research profiles of international standing, with a wide range of interests in ecological management and conservation biology covering taxa from algae to mammals and environments from marine to terrestrial. Laboratory facilities and access to field facilities are excellent and include a fully equipped Marine Laboratory at Portaferry on Strangford Lough.
Every school in our Faculty is recognised among the global top 200 in the QS World Rankings by Subject 2026.
Ranked 3rd in the UK for Value for Money (StudentCrowd University Awards 2025).
Queen's offers opportunities for work placements, industry-led programmes and ground breaking research projects. Queen’s is first in the Russell Group for employability and further study (HESA Graduate Outcomes, 2022/23).
Be taught by world-leading researchers and experts in their field in state-of-the-art facilities. 21 Queen’s subjects in the top 200 in the world (QS World Rankings by subject 2026)
Leave your details using the registration form above to receive more information.
Get in contact directly by emailing: askmhls@qub.ac.uk
We are now accepting applications for September 2026, you can begin your application online today.
