MSc Wild Animal Health

What is the RVC/ZSL MSc in Wild Animal Health?

Since its inception in 1994 this world-class Masters course has produced hundreds of graduates, originating from dozens of countries.

It provides qualified veterinarians with a critical understanding of the management of wild animals and the epidemiology, treatment and control of wildlife disease. The course provides practical exposure to wild species in a captive setting and an understanding of their health, welfare and conservation. This masters also provides training in research methods relevant to the study of wildlife in both captive and wild settings.

The Masters in Wild Animal Health is taught jointly by the Royal Veterinary College and the Zoological Society of London. Aimed at qualified veterinarians, the course will equip you with an in-depth knowledge of the management of wild animals and epidemiology, treatment and control of diseases. You will benefit from working and studying alongside biology/zoology graduates taking the associated MSc in Wild Animal Biology as well as learning from internationally renowned experts in their field.

Programme delivery

This specialist Masters course is completed over one-year full time study, commencing in the Autumn. The bulk of teaching takes place at The Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, with time also spent at Whipsnade Zoo and Royal Veterinary College, Camden and Hawkshead Campuses.

We deliver the course through two terms of lectures, seminars, tutorials and problem-based learning, with modular examinations.

The MSc includes a research project over the summer months (May-August) prior to final assessment. The course is organised by discipline (eg epidemiology, anaesthesiology, virology) with information relating to specific taxa included in lectures throughout the course.

You will learn the principles of each subject, and taxa-specific lectures are included to exemplify these principles.

Course participants play an active role in lectures, seminars, tutorials and clinical work. There are no part-time or distance learning options available.

The course starts in September each year.

Full Time

Term 1

There is a two-week orientation period that includes an introduction to studying at the Royal Veterinary College and ZSL, followed by four compulsory modules: 

  • Conservation Science (ZSL)
  • Ecosystems Health & Anthropogenic Drivers of Disease Emergence (ZSL)
  • Principles of Epidemiology and Surveillance (RVC)
  • Research Skills and Statistical Analysis (RVC)

Term 2

All students take the following 4 compulsory modules:

  • Health & Welfare of Captive Wild Animals (ZSL)
  • Practical Studies/Rotations (ZSL)
  • Wild Animal Health & Conservation Interventions (ZSL)
  • Wildlife Disease Investigation & Surveillance (ZSL)

Term 3

Research Project

The Research Project runs in Term 3 from end of April/beginning of May through to the end of August. 

To enquire about the exact start date please email admissions@rvc.ac.uk.

What will I learn?

The course provides participants with:      

  • A critical awareness of current problems in wildlife disease with implications for wildlife conservation and welfare. 
  • A new insight into veterinary interventions for the management of captive and free-living wild animal.      
  • A systematic understanding of the biological principles underpinning wild animal conservation and management, and the epidemiology, diagnosis and control of wildlife disease.      
  • Basic competence in veterinary techniques and preventative medicine for wild animals.
  • A conceptual and practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create knowledge in the field of wild animal health.      
  • A comprehensive understanding of scientific skills, including critical review of the scientific literature, and design and analysis of laboratory or field studies.

Upon completion of the MSc in Wild Animal Health, you will have gained the analytical skills, the understanding, the confidence and the language to influence thinking and policy making within a wide range of organisations, such as zoos, national parks, universities, conservation organisations and government departments worldwide.

Useful links

Here are some other useful and interesting veterinary and wildlife-related web sites:

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Academic qualifications

We invite applications from candidates with a first or second class honours Veterinary degree from a recognised veterinary school and at least one year of postgraduate veterinary experience.

We are keen to see some relevant work experience in a zoo, wildlife rehabilitation centre or wildlife hospital.

English language requirements

A good working knowledge of scientific English is essential in order to follow the course. All applicants must have an acceptable English Language qualification:

  • IELTS (Academic) score of 7.0 or above with minimum 6.5 in each component

For those without IELTS, please see our English Language Requirements page for a full list of qualifications we will accept as alternatives.

What will I be able to do with my qualification?

The world-class specialist MSc in Wild Animal Health has produced over 190 graduates since its inception in 1994.

Our graduates have gone on to work with both captive and free-living wild animals as clinicians, pathologists, epidemiologists, academics and senior management in zoological collections, national parks, universities and government departments worldwide.

Others continue to work towards a PhD or DVetMed with either the ZSL or RVC, or at other leading research institutes.

See the ZSL website for detailed career profiles of some recent graduates.

Jessica Quinlan, MSc Wild Animal Health - Graduated in 2023

During the course, I enjoyed gaining new insights into different methods of conservation and understanding wildlife disease from an epidemiological perspective and receiving lectures from many of the top scientists and conservationists in their fields.

I was able to have chances to monitor the general anaesthesia and take blood samples from a variety of species that I have not worked with before, including marmosets and penguins.

One particular highlight of the course is all of the people across the world that you are able to meet, both lecturers and colleagues. The research project was also a particular highlight and provided a lot of fun and experience as well as hard work.

I would recommend this course for biologists and veterinarians who are interested in learning about the epidemiology of wildlife disease, as well as wildlife conservation.

I am currently a practising vet and I am working more with exotic species. I hope to complete a PhD focused on wildlife disease in the future.

María José Duque-Correa, MSc Wild Animal Health - Graduated in 2020

I am currently a Ph.D. student at the Clinic for Zoo Animals, Exotic Pets, and Wildlife at the University of Zurich. My research is about ecological and evolutionary anatomy. Specifically the relationship of diet and other biological factors on intestinal length across vertebrates. I also supervise masters and undergrad students and do some teaching.

Studying at the RVC helped my career in several ways. First, I acquired and improved skills that I use every day now. Critical thinking, data management, and scientific writing, among others. Second, during the year, we had lectures from several invited lectures, which is how I came across the research being done by my current supervisor.

What I enjoyed most about studying at the RVC was the quality of the teaching and variety of subjects covered. It was also good to be in a very international environment and be able to meet people from around the world.


Key academic staff

Co-Course/Deputy Co-Course Directors

  • Dr Maria Diez Leon (RVC)
    María is the co-course director on the MSc WAB and WAH courses and is based at the RVC. María graduated in Biology at the University of Navarra. She went on to pursue an MSc. in Applied Animal Behaviour and Animal Welfare at the University of Edinburgh, followed by a PhD in the same field at the University of Guelph. Along with Chris, her role is to oversee the whole course, ensure that the modules are well integrated, and to ensure that the courses are meeting their objectives. 

  • Chris Yesson (ZSL)
    Chris Yesson is the co-course director on the MSc WAB and WAH courses and is based at ZSL. Chris works in Greenland and other areas, using a range of survey techniques, including a variety of camera surveys, to examine temperate and polar seabed habitats such as kelp forests and cold-water coral fields. 

  • Dr Becki Lawson (ZSL)
    Becki Lawson graduated from the MSc WAH course in 2000 and has lectured and acted as module leader on the MSc WAB and WAH courses in recent years, before becoming deputy co-course director at ZSL. Becki is a wildlife veterinarian whose research focuses on wildlife disease investigation and surveillance of native species in Great Britain.

Module Leaders:

  • Dr Becki Lawson (ZSL)
    Senior Research Fellow

  • Dr Marcus Rowcliffe (ZSL)
    Senior Research Fellow

  • Lewis Rowden (ZSL)
    Zoo Research Officer

  • Dr Tony Sainsbury (ZSL)
    Senior Lecturer, Wild Animal Health

  • Dan Simmonds (ZSL)
    Team Leader, Primates

  • Dr Simon Spiro (ZSL)
    Wildlife Veterinary Pathologist

  • Dr Taina Strike (ZSL)
    European Veterinary Specialist in Zoological Medicine (Zoo Health Management) 

  • Dr Ben Tapley (ZSL)
    Curator of Reptiles & Amphibians

  • Andres Valenzuela-Sanchez (ZSL)
    Research Fellow in Wildlife Health

  • Chris Yesson (ZSL)
    Research Fellow

Tuition Fees

The tuition fees for students commencing the course in 2025/26 are as follows:

Home Tuition Fees including Island Fees (Channel Islands & Isle of Man)

International Fees
£17,010

£33,650

Tuition fee amounts are subject to increase each academic year, please be aware of this when making your calculations and planning how much money you will require.

  • Students from countries outside the UK who wish to undertake full-time study at the RVC are required to pay the international fee for their programme of study (please see Fee statussection).
  • Information on Fees & Funding can be found here

The following course-related costs are included in the fees:

  • Access to books and journals essential to your course (print and digital)
  • Open access and bookable IT equipment such as PCs and laptops
  • Largely paperless curriculum plus £10 p.a. printing allowance
  • Annual membership of College gym (both campuses)
  • Free access to ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo
  • Special access to events at ZSL and RVC
  • Access to discounted cafeteria at ZSL
  • 30% discount at ZSL retail outlets
  • Up to £1000 to support your research project costs (lab consumables, field travel etc)

Accommodation and living costs are not included in the fees. Our Housing Advice pages provide further information on College and private housing. 

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