Guidance for Masters students

What kinds of support are available for MSc students?

C3 supports MSc students in conducting thesis research and professional conservation placements from universities all over the world. We provide logistical, academic and financial support in Comoros, Madagascar and Fiji and students spend a minimum of 8 weeks (if predominantly desk-based research) and 10 weeks if conducting their own field research.

How do I choose a topic for my dissertation research?

Please refer to our research themes on the website and also examples of MSc theses already completed with C3 in the past on our publications page.

Please also read our other publications so that you have a good background to the issues we have been researching in the respective countries.

Project titles for 2012 include the following :

Evaluation of the dugong population of Busuanga, Philippines

Assessment of the humphead wrasse fishery of the Great Sea Reef, Fiji

Traditional knowledge and taboos relating to endangered marine species in Madagascar

Local marine resource governance systems in Fiji and Madagascar

Socioeconomic survey of a marine protected area on Busuanga, Philippines

Quantifying sea turtle hunting pressure in northeast Madagascar

The socioeconomic value of seagrass beds, coral reefs and mangrove forests in Northeast Madagascar

Incentive-based approaches to marine conservation

Traditional knowledge of dugong ecology on Busuanga, Philippines

The ecological status of seagrass beds, coral reefs and mangrove forests in Northeast Madagascar

What costs do I need to cover?

You will be responsible for your own flight and insurance. You will pay a contribution of 18GBP/day to cover your food, accommodation and project-related costs. You will also need specific personal kit and a comprehensive first aid kit, details of which will be sent to you should you be accepted onto our programme. You will be expected to pay a 10% deposit within one week of a formal offer being issued; this secures your place. The balance is due within 3 months of arrival on our programme although for late applicants the deadline may be later.

What will C3 provide me with?

What are my obligations to C3?

As part of your MSc placement you must create a presentation about your study and preliminary findings to give to our team and any relevant external parties before your departure. You will also be required to email a draft version of your thesis/report to our head office for review and comment before submission. You will be asked to formally acknowledge C3 and partners and to provide us with a final electronic copy to be uploaded onto our website and sent to partners.

How do I apply?

You will need to email a copy of your CV and a brief cover letter stipulating your general area/s of interest for research to vacancies@c-3.org.uk You will then be invited to complete an application form giving more details of your project proposal and timelines as well as any specific requirements relevant to your University course. Please apply as far as possible in advance particularly if you wish to conduct your research/ placement between June and August since this is a busy time and we have limited places available.

What are the benefits over completing my MSc with other organizations in the same country?

C3’s research directly informs management agencies, communities, governments and international conventions such as the CMS. Participating in our programme and producing an original and pertinent piece of research not only benefits all the partners we work with but also is a great stepping stone in your future career as a conservation professional or academic researcher. Our inter-disciplinary research exposes postgraduates to a wide range of coastal management issues and research..

Timelines

1) Send in CV and brief cover letter identifying general area of research
2) Complete the online postgraduate research application form
3) Complete a draft proposal in conjunction with our research staff
4) Submit the draft proposal (2 months before arrival)
5) Revise and submit a final proposal (within first 2 weeks of arrival)
6) Submit a presentation and preliminary report (2 weeks before departure)
7) Email a draft thesis (2 weeks before submission to your University)
8) Email final version of thesis (within 2 weeks of completion)
9) Ideally give a presentation of your thesis research with C3 to your peers/department

Apply now

Please complete the application form below and also email a copy of your CV and a brief cover letter to vacancies@c-3.org.uk If your University requires that you complete a placement and placement report there is no need to fill out the application form, please just specify this in your cover letter.