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Solar panels on a roof.

Graduate Certificate in Conservation Biology

Overview

Advance your knowledge of conservation, ecology and biodiversity to find effective solutions in securing the world's biological diversity.

Learn from some of the world’s leading conservation biology researchers, many of whom are part of the Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science and the Centre for Marine Science.

This program is suitable for botany, ecology, evolution, or zoology graduates seeking further education in conservation issues.

Deepen your understanding of all aspects of biodiversity and conservation, environmental philosophy, national and international conservation policy, and systematic conservation decision-making processes.

Discover how to use science to support conservation strategies and policies with a focus on the problems of restoring and maintaining viable populations of animal and plant species, and natural and managed ecosystems. 

You'll graduate ready to confront complex conservation problems.

Location
St Lucia
Duration
Half Year (or part time equivalent)
Start Semester
Semester 2 (28 Jul, 2025)
Program Code
5550
AQF
Level 8
Location
St Lucia
Fees
A$26880
Duration
Half Year
Start Semester
Semester 2 (28 Jul, 2025)
Semester dates for 2026 are yet to be confirmed
Program Code
5550
CRICOS Code
105698K
AQF
Level 8

Program highlights

Program highlights

  • Learn from UQ’s experts and industry leaders and apply these theories during interactive classes.
  • Gain a comprehensive education in the ecosystems and evolutionary potential of the world's flora and fauna.
  • Take advantage of innovative opportunities for marine and terrestrial research and field- and lab-based learning.

1 in Australia for environmental sciences

QS World University Rankings 2024

18 in the world for environmental sciences

QS World University Rankings 2024

How you'll learn

Your learning experiences are designed to best suit the learning outcomes of the courses you choose.

  • Lectures
  • Research experience
  • Laboratory work
  • Fieldwork
  • Workshops

What you'll study

At UQ, degrees are called 'programs' and subjects are called 'courses'. Here's a sample of the courses you could study in this program:

  • Conservation & Wildlife Biology
  • Sampling Design and Analysis in Conservation Science
  • Environmental Philosophy

Career possibilities

Postgraduate study can take you anywhere. Here are some of the careers you could be on your way to:

  • Endangered species ecologist
  • Biodiversity educator
  • National parks and wildlife officer
  • Natural resources manager
  • Policy developer
  • Agribusiness consultant
  • Zoologist
  • Bush regeneration consultant
  • Ecotourism manager
  • Environment and sustainability consultant

Average annual salary range

Ecologist

$90K-$110K

seek.com.au

Average annual salary range

Zoologist

$95K-$115K

seek.com.au

Next steps after graduation

Once you've completed this program you may be able to progress to the Master of Conservation Biology program.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

To be eligible for entry, you'll need:

  • a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline (see below).
You must have a grade point average (GPA) of 4.5 on a 7-point scale in your previous qualification.

  • a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline (see below).
You must have a grade point average (GPA) of 4.5 on a 7-point scale in your previous qualification.

Relevant disciplines for previous qualifications

Relevant disciplines include botany, conservation, ecology, environmental studies, evolution, mathematics or statistics, marine science, and zoology. Advice on other relevant disciplines is available from the Faculty by contacting enquire@science.uq.edu.au.

Related programs

English language requirements

IELTS overall 6.5; reading 6; writing 6; speaking 6; listening 6. For other English Language Proficiency Tests and Scores approved for UQ

TOEFL iBT (including Paper Edition) - Overall 87, listening 19, reading 19, writing 21 and speaking 19.

PTE Academic - Overall Score of 64 and 60 in all sub bands.

BE - A minimum overall grade of 4 plus a minimum grade of C in all macro skills.

CES - Overall 176 and 169 in all sub bands.

OET is not accepted.

 

There are other ways to meet the English language requirements. For some programs, additional conditions apply.

Learn how to meet the English language requirements

Student visas

International students who are accepted into full-time study in the Graduate Certificate in Conservation Biology are eligible to apply for an Australian student visa (subclass 500).

There are a number of requirements you must satisfy before a visa is granted, including the Genuine Student (GS) requirement.

Learn more about student visas

Fees and Scholarships

Indicative annual fee

Approximate yearly cost of tuition (8 units). Your fees will vary according to your selected courses and study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.

$5,705

2025

$5,705

2025

Learn more about postgraduate fees

Approximate yearly cost of tuition (8 units). Your fees will vary according to your study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.

AUD $26,880

2025

AUD $26,880

2025

Learn more about postgraduate fees

Government assistance

Financial aid

As an international student, you might be eligible for financial aid – either from your home country, or from the Australian Government.

Learn more about financial aid

HECS-HELP

Domestic places in the Graduate Certificate in Conservation Biology are Commonwealth Supported. This means the cost of your education is shared between you and the Australian Government.

Instead of tuition fees, Commonwealth Supported students pay what are called student contribution amounts.

HECS-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme to assist eligible students with the cost of their student contribution amounts.

Learn more about HECS-HELP

Centrelink support

Scholarships

You may be eligible for more than 100 scholarships, including:

How to apply

Important dates

The closing date for this program is:

  • To commence study in semester 2 - April 30 of the year of commencement.

To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.

Important dates

The closing date for this program is:

  • To commence study in semester 2 - May 31 of the year of commencement.

To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants

For support with applying – or if you have any questions about university life – get in touch with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit.

Contact the ATSIS Unit

Explore other programs

Conservation Biology

Master of Conservation Biology

St Lucia
1 Year full-time (or part-time equivalent)1 Year full-time
Environmental Management

Graduate Certificate in Environmental Management

St Lucia, External
Half Year full-timeHalf Year full-time
(or part time equivalent)
Animal Science

Graduate Certificate in Animal Science

Gatton
Half Year full-timeHalf Year full-time
(or part time equivalent)
Geographic Information Science

Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Science

St Lucia, External
Half Year full-timeHalf Year full-time
(or part time equivalent)

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