Introduction
Societal and political developments increasingly require professionals with expert knowledge in land and nature restoration. We equip graduates with the skills and expertise to navigate competing interests and identify options for the optimal use of our limited land resource.
The MLE Rural Surveying & Rural Property Management is the only Masters programme of its kind in Scotland and is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
Knowing how to restore and manage our limited land-based resources in a socially just and economically viable manner is essential for us, as a society, to address the triple crises of climate change, food security, and biodiversity decline.
This degree gives you a comprehensive understanding of the drivers of the current land crunch (the competition for limited land resources); approaches to restoring land, soil, habitats and ecosystems; and supporting sustainable futures for rural communities. It will also teach you the skills needed to manage the inevitable trade-offs as not every outcome can be delivered from the same piece of land.
You will gain a solid grounding in different land use sectors such as agriculture and food production, forestry and game management, renewable energy and tourism, and conservation and rewilding. You will also develop an understanding of social, economic, and regulatory mechanisms underpinning behaviour change, equipping you to negotiate with a diverse range of stakeholders to achieve desired outcomes.
Graduates will be ideally suited to contribute to driving energy transitions relating to land management, in particular the deployment of wind, water, biomass and geothermal technologies. Learn more about job opportunities here.
While studying this programme you will:
- Critically examine examples of restorative land management in uplands (especially peatland), regenerative farming and changed management regimes in overgrazed pasture, reforestation in degraded landscapes, wetlands and river restoration
- Study the impact of species re-introduction, learn practical ecosystem restoration techniques, and learn how to go about restoration in a manner sensitive to the livelihoods and economic activities of place-based communities
- Gain skills in the valuation of assets (land, natural capital, infrastructure), the financing of restoration work, the planning and management of rural businesses, and incentives and barriers in the policy context
How You'll Study
Highly qualified and motivated teaching staff will help you learn, including experts with considerable practical experience and leading practitioners in the field. A variety of teaching and assessment methods are used.
All courses involve lectures, seminars and project work although the relative balance varies as you progress through the programme. Courses typically involve two hours of lectures each week, supplemented with tutorials or workshops.
There are half-day and whole day field trips to farms, forests and estates, as well as a 5-day residential field visit to the Highlands during which students visit examples of innovative land management in practice and complete assessments similar to those likely to be undertaken in professional practice.
Learning Methods
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Field Trips
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Field Work
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Group Projects
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Individual Projects
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Lectures
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Research
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Tutorials
Assessment Methods
Courses are assessed via coursework and formal examinations. There are two dates of examinations: December and May, normally four courses examined at each time. As you progress greater emphasis is placed on the application of knowledge and skills, project work increases and examinations are fewer. Projects focus on local estates, rural businesses, and farms and are designed to incorporate the types of task expected in the workplace.
Entry Requirements
Motivation and understanding of this degree is an important factor in securing admission. Your personal statement/statement of purpose should focus on providing answers to the following questions:
- What practical experience/ background do you have in rural land management and rural surveying?
- What specific aspects of land and nature restoration are you interested in?
- Why do you want to study at the University of Aberdeen?
- How do you see a qualification in Restorative Land Management and Rural Surveying helping your future career aspirations?
- Where would you like to work?
Qualifications
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
2:2 (lower second class) UK Honours degree, or an Honours degree from a non-UK institution which is judged by the University to be of equivalent worth.
Those who do not meet the academic requirement but have a minimum of 5 years relevant work experience will also be considered.
Please enter your country to view country-specific entry requirements.
English Language Requirements
To study for a Postgraduate Taught degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:
IELTS Academic:
OVERALL - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 5.5; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
TOEFL iBT:
OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
PTE Academic:
OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency:
OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169
Read more about specific English Language requirements here.
Document Requirements
You will be required to supply the following documentation with your application as proof you meet the entry requirements of this degree programme. If you have not yet completed your current programme of study, then you can still apply and you can provide your Degree Certificate at a later date.
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CV
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an up-to-date CV/Resumé
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Degree Certificate
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a degree certificate showing your qualifications
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Degree Transcript
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a full transcript showing all the subjects you studied and the marks you have achieved in your degree(s) (original & official English translation)
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Personal Statement
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a detailed personal statement explaining your motivation for this particular programme