The Masters in Conservation Leadership at the University of Cambridge is a full-time, one-year course, aimed at graduates of leadership potential with at least three to five years of relevant experience. The unique features of this course are its delivery by a partnership between several university departments and internationally renowned conservation organizations that comprise the Cambridge Conservation Initiative, and its focus on issues of management and leadership. Consequently, the course delivers a world-class and interdisciplinary education in Conservation Leadership that is not available elsewhere. The students taking the masters are mature and highly experienced, creating rich opportunities for learning from each other as well as from those teaching the course. There is a strong focus on students from developing countries, and a small class size that allows for the full involvement of all students in a wide range of activities. Students complete a series of taught modules, followed by a 4 month placement in which they work directly with a conservation organisation on a leadership-oriented project.

UNEP-WCMC is a very active partner in the Masters in Conservation Leadership, providing a range of lectures and hosting 2-3 placement projects each year. Dr. Chris Sandbrook, the Lecturer in Conservation Leadership who helps to run the masters, works at UNEP-WCMC.  The course would provide an ideal opportunity for UNEP employees who wish to spend a year enhancing their leadership skills, knowledge of cutting-edge conservation issues and first-hand experience of working with diverse conservation organisations.  Scholarship places for students from highly biodiverse and less-developed countries are available, with an application deadline for October 2012 entry of 30th March 2012.

Course overview: http://www.geog.cam.ac.uk/graduate/mphil/conservation/

Scholarship details: http://www.geog.cam.ac.uk/graduate/mphil/conservation/funding.html

Biographies of current and former students: http://www.geog.cam.ac.uk/graduate/mphil/conservation/students/