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    Overview

    A one-year Postgraduate Diploma in Wildlife Conservation is open not only to graduates in Zoology or Ecology but also to non-graduates with appropriate practical experience.

    For further information see the subject entry for Zoology.

    Choose a study option

    Whether you are advancing your career with our specialised graduate qualifications or pursuing in-depth research and expertise through our postgraduate programmes, Otago is here to support your aspirations.

    Postgraduate qualifications

    Honours, masters’, PhDs, and other advanced degrees for graduates. Just one additional year of study will earn you a valuable postgraduate degree. Or perhaps you want the depth of a full year of research-only time during a master’s or to step up to a PhD.

    Ready to apply?

    Take your expertise to the next level with advanced study.

    Programme details

    Compare programmes for this subject.

    Papers

    The programme shall consist of 120 points comprising:

    • WILD 401 Principles of Wildlife Conservation
    • WILD 402 Techniques of Wildlife Conservation
    • Plus at least 80 points from WILD, ZOOL and other 400-level papers as approved by the Programme Director.
    Notes:
    (i) Must include WILD 404 (or equivalent) if ZOOL 316 has not been passed previously, and must include WILD 406 if 300-level course work in Conservation Biology has not been passed previously.
    (ii) A candidate may be exempted from some of the required papers as prescribed above on the basis of previous study.

    Papers

    The programme shall consist of 180 points comprising:

    • WILD 401 Principles of Wildlife Conservation

    • WILD 402 Techniques of Wildlife Conservation

    • WILD 501 Wildlife Conservation Research Placement

    • Papers worth at least 100 points from 400-level WILD, ZOOL, and other 400-level papers as approved by the Programme Director.

    Note: Every programme of study must include WILD 404 (or equivalent) if ZOOL 316 has not been passed previously, and must include WILD 406, if 300-level course work in Conservation Biology has not been passed previously.

    Papers and Thesis

    Papers

    View a list of all related papers below.

    WILD papers

    Paper Code Year Title Points Teaching period
    WILD401 2027 Principles of Wildlife Conservation 20 points Semester 2
    WILD402 2027 Techniques of Wildlife Conservation 20 points Semester 1
    WILD404 2027 Biostatistics for Wildlife Conservation 20 points Semester 1
    WILD405 2027 Special Topic 20 points Not offered in 2027
    WILD406 2027 Conservation Biology for Wildlife Conservation 20 points Semester 2
    WILD501 2027 Wildlife Conservation Research Placement 40 points Semester 1, Full Year, 1st Non standard period (14 November 2026 - 23 June 2027), 2nd Non standard period (1 January 2027 - 23 June 2027), 2nd Non standard period (1 January

    Contacts

    Email zoology@otago.ac.nz

    This information must be read subject to the statement on our Copyright & Disclaimer page.

    Regulations on this page are taken from the 2026 Calendar and supplementary material.

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