About the Course
The MSc Environmental Studies course in Conservation Practice jointly offered byĀ Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE)Ā and TDU, equips natural and social science students with interdisciplinary knowledge, perspectives, and skills to understand and address conservation challenges. This course is curated to create young environmental leaders whose interdisciplinary skills will add value to corporate social responsibility and sustainability offices, development and conservation NGOs, and government line departments dealing with environment and development portfolios. In academic institutions, these leaders will lend a practical edge.
This isnāt just another environmental course, rather it is the environmental course that walks the interdisciplinary talk. Even as environment and ecology degrees in conventional and new liberal arts and science universities experiment with interdisciplinarity, they continue to be research-oriented. Ahead of its time, but just in time, this programme focuses on conservation-skilling backed by rigorous socio-ecological knowledge. What you study matters; but where you study, and practice it, matters more. This course offers students the novel opportunity to interact with faculty who have shunned disciplinary silos over two decades and mixed natural and social science theories and methods to generate conservation and sustainability knowledge for policy and practice stakeholders.
ATREE is Indiaās pioneer in interdisciplinary conservation and sustainability studies, and has consistently ranked in the top 20 environmental policy think tanks since 2014, by the University of Pennsylvania. ATREE has also received the 2019 UNESCO Sultan Qaboos Prize that recognises its contributions to participatory approaches in conservation and sustainability. The degree will be awarded by TDU, a Karnataka Government and UGC-recognised university in health and plant sciences. TDU is a National Centre of Excellence of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (GOI) and aims to transcend academic boundaries and engage with traditional knowledge. The Conservation Practice program is a product of this combination of āinterā and ātransā disciplinary pioneering, novelty and legacy.
Course Eligibility
- For Indian applicants: have a bachelorās degree from a UGC recognised university including but not limited to Traditional Health Sciences, Biomedicine, Life Science, Environmental Science, Design, Architecture, Performing and Fine Arts, Visual Communication, Economics, Geography, Anthropology, Social Work, Political Science, Mass Communication, Engineering and Management. Applicants with a masterās degree in a related field are also welcome to apply.
- For international applicants: have a Bachelorās degree from a reputed University in any branch of the humanities, sciences, engineering or traditional health sciences and a score of 6.5 or higher in IELTS / 90 or higher in TOEFL or equivalent qualifying test for English language and proven writing skills.
- Have secured at least 55% on average in their previous degree (either bachelors or masters)
- Applicants must have secured a fellowship, be sponsored for fees and research expenses, or self-finance their study. A limited number of need based merit scholarships are available for students.
Career Path
Besides foundational knowledge in social and natural sciences, our graduates will accumulate domain knowledge and skills across a spectrum of conservation and sustainability themes and sectors ranging from forests and farms; biodiversity, ecosystems services and human well-being; environmental ethics and social justice; policy, governance and impact assessment; ecological restoration and landscaping; climate change; and field and machine learning technologies.
A wide range of competencies in these fields makes our graduates competitive and sought-after candidates for roles in conservation and sustainability initiatives across the country.
These include,
State and non-state institutions implementing, or investing in, rural and urban conservation programs and schemes can valuably employ graduates of the Conservation Practice Masters.
Corporate social responsibility departments and sustainability offices will value the knowledge and skills that graduates of this program will be equipped with.
Entrepreneurship in conservation and sustainability would inspire, benefit, and boost conservation and sustainability activities at various scales. Graduates of our program will be well-equipped for such initiatives.
Graduates of our program can contribute to global, national and local endeavours by NGOs and think tanks to further the cause of conservation and sustainability.
Environmental management or consulting organisations appreciate the range of knowledge and skills that graduates of the Conservation Practice program have. ā¢
The practical skills offered by the program advance the competencies and lend an āappliedā perspective to graduates who wish to continue in research oriented jobs.
ATREE and TDU are in the process of formalising partnerships with corporate, NGO, government and academic networks; campus placements will be initiated through them.
Contact Name
Mr. Ravi Kumar G
Contact Email
For information on how to apply, please visit our Admissions page.