BSc (Hons) Ecology & Wildlife Conservation

A Foundation Year is available on this course. See page 64 for more information

Key Information

Duration and delivery: 3 years full-time with 2 short placements, or 4 years full-time with a minimum 30-week placement

Entry requirements: 104 - 120 tariff points

Required subjects:

None

If English is not your first language: IELTS (Academic) 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component or equivalent

See website for latest details of:

Entry requirements, contact hours and course costs

There’s a growing demand for professionals with skills in the areas of wildlife protection, biodiversity conservation, sustainability and ecosystem management. This course has been specifically designed to address that demand by providing you with a solid grounding in the science of ecology and how it can be used to conserve species and ecosystems. It also provides great opportunities for gaining practical experience through fieldwork and working with conservation organisations.

Variety of local habitats

Our expert academics, professional practitioners and guest speakers will guide you through the science and wider social and legal context of wildlife conservation. There is a strong emphasis on practical skills, with many opportunities for fieldwork overseas or in a fantastic variety of local habitats including forests, meadows, heaths and freshwater and maritime environments. We also welcome your engagement in our many staff research collaborations with conservation organisations. These range from understanding what is needed to protect rare species to broader sustainability issues such as climate change. The course provides you with multiple opportunities to consolidate your learning by being part of a thriving network of staff, students and professional practitioners.

You’ll have the chance to select subjects that match your personal passions and ambitions as the course has a wide range of options in the second and third year, allowing you to choose a greater focus on aquatic environments, terrestrial environments, geographical skills, or more environmental science skills. This includes the opportunity to participate in an international field trip.

Practical experience

You’ll undertake a two-week placement at the end of your first year. There is also a placement at the end of your second year when you can opt to do either a four-week placement or a 30-week placement as a placement-focused sandwich year. Placements enable you to gain valuable employment skills, contacts and real-world experience.

The first short placement I did was with the Atlantic Whale Foundation in Tenerife, so it’s hands-on practical work, every day out in boats following whales and dolphins.

Dan Gracias, graduate

Key areas of study