Applying for the diploma

(updated 31 August 2012)

Applications are now open for the 2014 Recanati-Kaplan Centre Postgraduate Diploma in International Wildlife Conservation Practice (academic year 2013-14), which will be taught from February to September 2014.  The deadline for submitting applications is Friday, 14th June 2013. Short-listed candidates will be interviewed, either in person or via telephone/Skype. Interviews will be held in mid-July. All candidates will be informed whether they have been successful by the end of October 2013 at the latest.

We will assess your application on your individual merits and potential based on your CV, a statement of your career plans and your referees' statements.  In order to apply for the diploma, you must have:

• A minimum of a BSc-equivalent qualification in a biology/natural resources-related field, OR in exceptional cases demonstrated equivalent experience in the field of wildlife conservation practice.  If you already have, or currently studying for, a doctorate in the natural sciences, you would not be considered a priority candidate.
• Considerable first-hand experience of field work and conservation issues in the developing world.
• An adequate level of spoken and written English (see "Evidence of English Language" below).
• A basic working knowledge of Microsoft Office programmes, in particular Word and Excel, email and internet.
• The agreement of your employer to allow you time to attend and complete the course.
  

How to Apply

Applications for the 2014 diploma course can be submitted either online or by post.  The University's online applications system, Embark, can be found at https://apply.embark.com/grad/oxford/. We recommend submitting your application online, but if it is difficult for you to access the internet then you can apply by post using the paper application form available here [299 Kb].  Please send postal applications to the Graduate Admissions Office, NOT to Tubney House.  You can omit the PO Box from the address if your courier service does not deliver to post office boxes:

Graduate Admissions Office,
PO Box 738,
University of Oxford,
Wellington Square,
Oxford,
OX1 9FB,
England.

You need to include the following documents in your application:

1. A completed Application Form.
2. A Statement of Purpose detailing why you want to take the course, and your subsequent career plans. This should demonstrate your motivation and ability to complete the course, and offer a clear and well argued understanding of the benefits of the course to your current employment and future prospects.
3. A concise Curriculum Vitae, describing your qualifications and experience.
4. Academic transcipt(s) from your degree(s), translated to English. 
5. Evidence of English Language skills.  If your first language is not English, or it is English but you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country (as defined by UK Boarder Agency – see here), you must provide evidence that you meet the University's English language standard for graduate level taught courses in the form of a certificate of an English language test (e.g. TOEFL, IELTS; minimum component scores must be met, otherwise UKBA will not issue a student visa). These certificates must be taken within two years of the date of the course start. If you have completed a full-time degree-level course of a minimum of nine months at a recognised institution where English was the sole language of instruction and assessment, you may request a waiver of the English language proof requirement.  To do this, include in your application a) a letter explaining on what grounds you are requesting the waiver, and b) an official signed letter from your institution confirming that English was your language of instruction and assessment.
6. References from three referees, at least one of whom is qualified to comment on your academic potential.
7. A Scholarship Application Form, if needed (see our Financial support webpage for more details).
8. An Application Fee of £50 (pounds sterling).
   

It is not necessary to request permission before applying.  However, if you wish to enquire whether you have the appropriate background to be considered a strong candidate, in particular if you are lacking a relevant first degree, you may email your CV to the course coordinator at the address below.

For an indication of the kind of candidates we are looking for, please see the webpages of the early-career conservationists who have participated in the diploma in previous years.  These can be found at our members page.

Please note that if your application is incomplete by the deadline it will not be forwarded to the selection panel for consideration.

Guide to Completing the Paper Application Form

An online guide to completing Embark and paper applications can be found on the Oxford University Graduate Admissions webpage, here.

Section I - Programme of Study

Complete subsection 3 'Applicants for PGCert & PGDip programmes run by the Department for Continuing Education (OUDCE)'.  The Course Code for the Recanati-Kaplan Centre Postgraduate Diploma in International Wildlife Conservation Practice is 003055.

Section J - Course Information & College Preference:

Tick Alternative start date 'Hilary Term (January 2013)'.  Put your college choice as 'N/A' (not applicable).

Section L - Proposed Funding Arrangements:

The funding source code for Kaplan sponsorship is '1213CONTWCRUDIP'. Tick 'Applied for' if you are including a Scholarship Application Form (64 Kb).  Information on the cost of the diploma, including fees and living expenses, can be found on our Financial support webpage.

Section M - University of Oxford Scholarships:

If you wish to apply for any of these scholarships you must check your eligibility in the online scholarship profiles.  The WildCRU cannot advise you on these University scholarships.

Section O - Application Fee Payment:

For online applications, payment of the £50 application fee must be made by credit card through Embark.  
For paper-based applications, payment can be made by credit card, by a cheque in pounds sterling drawn on a UK bank account, or by international bankers draft in pounds sterling.  The University cannot accept payment by online electronic transfer or by Western Union money transfer.  Further instructions are given here and credit card payment can be made at the Oxford University Stores, under Product Catalogue, Graduate Admissions.  The payment reference number must be written on the application form before it is posted.

For further information on the course and application requirements, please see the Curriculum and Financial support webpages, and the links to Oxford University websites above.  Any queries not addressed on those pages can be directed to the diploma coordinator:

Email: wildcru.diploma@zoo.ox.ac.uk

Telephone: +44 1865 611119      
Post: WildCRU, Recanati-Kaplan Centre, Tubney House, Abingdon Road, Tubney, Abingdon, Oxon. OX13 5QL United Kingdom