Course contact details
University of Leeds
Email:study@leeds.ac.uk
University of Leeds
Woodhouse Lane
Leeds
LS2 9JT
Course summary
As populations grow and human activities threaten the natural world, ecology and conservation biology have never been more important. With this degree, you’ll discover how we sustain biodiversity and the fundamental importance of the ecological processes involved.
On this course, you’ll gain cutting-edge knowledge and develop your skills and experience in ecology and conservation, from your doorstep to the globe. With exciting field courses in wonderful landscapes, to observations of animal behaviour in the lab, you’ll learn how to measure the distribution and abundance of different species, how organisms interact with each other and their environment, and be challenged to think creatively about the application of ecology to conservation problems. Personalise your degree by choosing from a wide choice of optional modules, including Animal Behaviour, Evolution, Climate Change Science, Sustainability, and Environmental Law.
This three-year BSc can also be converted into an integrated Masters (MBiol) with an optional additional year of specialist training.
Why study at Leeds
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Study with one of the largest centres for biological sciences research in the UK**,** with access to cutting‑edge facilities, industry links and specialist research opportunities.
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One of the broadest ecology degree programmes with optional modules from across the University, which will build your knowledge of ecology and conservation from a wide perspective.
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Put theory into practice by undertaking fieldwork activities within the UK, Spain and South Africa. You’ll advance your research skills and gain hands-on experience highly valued by employers in industry or in postgraduate education.
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Learn about sustainable cities and the value of biodiversity on your own doorstep during the urban ecology field course.
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Flexible options to transfer onto other suitable and related degrees at the end of year 1, as many programmes within our School share a common first year.
Accreditation
This course offers the option to apply for a year in industry as part of your course. If you are successful in your application and undertake this work placement, you'll graduate with the BSc Ecology and Conservation Biology (Industrial) variant, which is accredited by The Royal Society of Biology.
Ways to study this course
Campuses
- Main Site
Study options
- Bachelor of Science (with Honours) • Full-Time • Time abroad (mandatory) • 4 Years
- Bachelor of Science (with Honours) • Full-Time • Placement (mandatory) • 4 Years
- Bachelor of Science (with Honours) • Full-Time • 3 Years
Start dates
Application codes
- Institution code:
- L23
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
University of Leeds has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?
How to apply
Application codes
- Institution code:
- L23
This course may be available at alternative locations, please check if other course options are available.
Course optionsEntry requirements
Typical qualification requirements
A levelAAB
Including Biology and preferably another science or science-related subject. If Biology is the only science subject, then an A grade is required. Critical Thinking and General Studies are excluded.
We accept the following:
● Science: Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics.
● Science-related: Computing, Environmental Science, Food Science, Geography, Geology, PE, Psychology, and Statistics.
Applicants taking a science A-level (in England) will be required to achieve a pass in the practical element in addition to the standard A-level grade requirement.
When an applicant is taking any of the following:
● Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
● Cambridge International Project Qualification (Cambridge IPQ)
● Core Maths (if A-level Maths or Further Maths isn't studied as a full A-level)
● AS Maths (if A-level Maths or Further Maths isn't studied as a full A-level)
● Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate
It will be considered alongside A-levels and may attract an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. If you are taking A-levels, this would be a one grade drop from the standard offer. For example, an A in one of the above qualifications with ABB at A-level.
GCSE: Grade 6 (B) or above at GCSE Maths and Grade 4 (C) or above at GCSE English. The Faculty of Biological Sciences will accept Level 2 Functional Skills as equivalent to C/4 in GCSE English.
We accept the following:
● Science: Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics.
● Science-related: Computing, Environmental Science, Food Science, Geography, Geology, PE, Psychology, and Statistics.
Applicants taking a science A-level (in England) will be required to achieve a pass in the practical element in addition to the standard A-level grade requirement.
When an applicant is taking any of the following:
● Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
● Cambridge International Project Qualification (Cambridge IPQ)
● Core Maths (if A-level Maths or Further Maths isn't studied as a full A-level)
● AS Maths (if A-level Maths or Further Maths isn't studied as a full A-level)
● Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate
It will be considered alongside A-levels and may attract an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. If you are taking A-levels, this would be a one grade drop from the standard offer. For example, an A in one of the above qualifications with ABB at A-level.
GCSE: Grade 6 (B) or above at GCSE Maths and Grade 4 (C) or above at GCSE English. The Faculty of Biological Sciences will accept Level 2 Functional Skills as equivalent to C/4 in GCSE English.
T LevelNot accepted
UCAS TariffNot accepted
Scottish HigherNot accepted
Access to HE Diploma
Pass 60 credits overall with 45 credits at Level 3, graded at D39M6P0, including distinctions in Biology and Mathematics or Chemistry. Accept Access courses in Applied Science and Science. Will also consider (depending on subject content):
● biochemical sciences
● biological and environmental science
● biological and health science
● biological sciences
● biosciences
● combined sciences
● environmental science
● life and biological science
● life science
● medical and health science professions
● natural sciences
● physical and natural sciences.
● biochemical sciences
● biological and environmental science
● biological and health science
● biological sciences
● biosciences
● combined sciences
● environmental science
● life and biological science
● life science
● medical and health science professions
● natural sciences
● physical and natural sciences.
Scottish Advanced Higher
Five Highers AABBB, with AB in two Advanced Highers.
Including biology and preferably another science or science-related subject. General studies and critical thinking excluded.
● Science subjects include: biology, human biology, chemistry, maths and physics.
● Science-related subjects include: computing, environmental science, geography, geology, PE, psychology, science in society, statistics, food science and use of maths.
Scottish Higher: Scottish Highers not accepted on their own.
Including biology and preferably another science or science-related subject. General studies and critical thinking excluded.
● Science subjects include: biology, human biology, chemistry, maths and physics.
● Science-related subjects include: computing, environmental science, geography, geology, PE, psychology, science in society, statistics, food science and use of maths.
Scottish Higher: Scottish Highers not accepted on their own.
Extended Project
Applicants offering an EPQ or IPQ qualification will receive a standard offer, as shown above, plus an alternative offer. The alternative offer would be ABB plus grade A in EPQ / IPQ. Subject-specific requirements are still valid.
International Baccalaureate Diploma ProgrammeOffer: 31
31 overall with 6,6,5 at Higher Level, including Biology and preferably another science or science-related subject. If Biology is the only science at Higher Level, a 6 will be required.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
BTEC Extended Diploma entry requirements: DDM plus A/B in A-level Biology. If the BTEC subject is Applied Science, applicants can have A-level Mathematics, Chemistry or Physics instead. (Other BTEC subjects may be considered alongside a science A-level).
BTEC Diploma entry requirements: DD plus A/B in A-level Biology. If the BTEC subject is Applied Science, applicants can have A-level Mathematics, Chemistry or Physics instead. (Other BTEC subjects may be considered alongside a science A-level).
Applicants with BTEC Extended Certificate/Subsidiary Diploma qualifications must normally have an A/B in at least two A-levels, and at least one of these should be Biology.
BTEC Diploma entry requirements: DD plus A/B in A-level Biology. If the BTEC subject is Applied Science, applicants can have A-level Mathematics, Chemistry or Physics instead. (Other BTEC subjects may be considered alongside a science A-level).
Applicants with BTEC Extended Certificate/Subsidiary Diploma qualifications must normally have an A/B in at least two A-levels, and at least one of these should be Biology.
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)H2H2H2H2H3H3
H2, H2, H2, H2, H3, and H3, including H2 in Biology and preferably another science or science-related subject at Higher Level.
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)Not accepted
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - PrincipalD3D3M1
Including biology and preferably another science or science-related subject. If biology is the only science subject then a D3 grade will be required. Global Perspectives excluded.
When an applicant is taking Global Perspectives this can be considered alongside Pre-U subjects and may attract an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. This would be D3/M1/M1 and grade D3 in Global Perspectives (BSc applicants) or D3/D3/M1 and grade D3 in Global Perspectives (MBiol applicants).
When an applicant is taking Global Perspectives this can be considered alongside Pre-U subjects and may attract an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. This would be D3/M1/M1 and grade D3 in Global Perspectives (BSc applicants) or D3/D3/M1 and grade D3 in Global Perspectives (MBiol applicants).
For the most up-to-date information on entry requirements please visit www.leeds.ac.uk/courses
Entry requirements for students joining after Year 1: Successful completion of Year 1 of a relevant degree course with an overall score of at least 65% in addition to the standard year 1 entry requirements below
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6 | IELTS 6.0 overall, with no less than 5.5 in any component. |
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course to help improve your English language level.
Contextual admissions
Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.
If the most common grade accepted is higher than our entry requirements, this is due to the attainment of our applicants. If you have been made an offer and you meet or exceed the grades of your offer, you will be accepted.
If grades lower than our entry requirements have been accepted, in most cases this is because we operate contextual admissions as part of our decision making, which considers factors beyond grades. For more information about contextual admissions, please visit our website.
Historical entry grades data
This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).
It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.
Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
This course may have Historical entry grades data available, please select a course option to view.
Course optionsHistorical entry grades report
This report uses your grades to show how students with similar results have done when applying to this course in the past. Sometimes, there isn’t data for every possible set of grades. When that happens, universities and colleges occasionally fill in the gaps for sets of grades that are typically accepted.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Additional fee information
For further information please see http://www.leeds.ac.uk/undergraduatefees
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