MCL Admission Requirements
- 3 years working experience in the field of conservation post bachelor's degree
- A B- (70%) average in the last completed degree
We welcome applicants from conventional and non-conventional educational pathways. If you are interested in the MCL program and have a lower average in the last completed degree but hold considerable conservation leadership experience, contact us at mconslead@uoguelph.ca to discuss admission options.
How to Apply
Prospective graduate students must apply to the University of Guelph online, through the Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC). Visit the Graduate Studies website to begin your application process.
After submitting an online application for the MCL program, you will be invited to submit required documents through the University of Guelph's online system, WebAdvisor. See the detailed application guide for more information.
The application deadline for the S26 program intake is now January 11, 2026 at 12:00am. Applications must be submitted by the end of day January 10th.
If you have questions or need assistance with the application process, contact mconslead@uoguelph.ca.
Tuition
Current tuition rates can be found at the following link (Canadian and International Tuition), which includes:
- all the courses
- course material
- monthly discussions with conservation leaders
- leadership assessment and access to leadership coach
Residency Fee
There will be an additional fee for the residencies, which will not exceed $4,000 total over the course of the program, with no single residency fee exceeding $1,500. The fee includes all accommodations, program costs, and some meals, as well as honoraria for elders, and other non-curricular aspects of the program, but does not include travel to the residency site.
Program Funding
Several program funding options are available to you in the Master of Conservation Leadership. Most students accepted into the MCL program have been successful in receiving funding. Our scholarships include:
| Scholarship Name | Value | Eligibility | How to Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billes Conservation Leadership Scholarship | 6 awards of $10,000 | This scholarship is available to incoming students with excellent applications | No application required |
| Billes Conservation Leadership Impact Scholarship | 3 awards of $6,000 | MCL students entering their 2nd year | Apply by April 1 to mconslead@uoguelph.ca |