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Environmental Conservation Top-up

Course details
  • BSc (Hons)
  • 1 Years
  • Full-time
  • 14 September 2026
  • Undergraduate
Course location
University Centre Reaseheath
Awarded by:
University of Chester

Course summary

We live in a rapidly changing world. If you feel your purpose in life is to safeguard our environment and you have a desire to share your passion with others, we can help you to achieve your goals.

With plenty of hands-on practical management of our stunning 330-hectare campus, this course will provide you with all the industry-focused skills and knowledge you need to ensure you can pursue your passion to make a positive difference to our environment.

This course gives you the unique opportunity to study and research both terrestrial and aquatic habitats. Our specialist environment and equipment will enable you to develop cutting-edge knowledge and skills in microbiology, limnology, marine ecology, environmental resource management and sustainable leadership.

You will also have the exciting opportunity to do research of your choice, including the chance to design, set up and run your own series of experiments within the discipline of environmental conservation.

Course Features:

  • Research projects and fieldwork

  • Enhancing and management of habitats to attract wildlife species

  • Industry placement with local authorities, businesses and organisations

Career Options:

  • Reserves officer/supervisor

  • Conservation officer

  • Ecologist

  • Science officer

  • Nature recovery officer

  • Biodiversity project officer

  • Woodland delivery officer

  • Reserves warden

  • Conservation scientist

  • Peatland conservation officer

  • Environmental consultant

  • People and wildlife officer

Modules

Dissertation (equivalent to two modules)
Marine Ecology and Limnology
Micro Ecosystem Ecology
Environmental Resource Management
Leadership and Management for Sustainability

Assessment method

Assessments are designed to encourage both academic skills and skills valued in the workplace. They include a combination of coursework and timed online assessments. Coursework may take many forms including essays, reports, data processing, presentations, academic posters, seminar discussions, interviews, critical reviews, portfolios of evidence. The timed online assessments vary depending on the nature of the module, but may take the form of multiple-choice papers, essays, practical assessments, data handling questions & short answer quizzes.

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
BEC1
Institution code:
R14
Campus name:
University Centre Reaseheath
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Applicants are required to gain 120 credits from a Level 5 qualification (HND, Foundation Degree, Diploma of Higher Education) in an Environmental or other related discipline

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.

UCR is dedicated to building a diverse student body, as outlined in our Access and Participation Plan. We believe diversity fosters a rich learning environment where all students can reach their potential. Recognizing that personal circumstances can impact educational attainment, we support contextual admissions, considering challenges that may affect students' achievements. This approach allows us to make holistic decisions that give applicants a fair chance based on individual circumstances.

Learn more on the University Centre Reaseheath 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.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear

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

It is strongly recommended that students have an up-to-date tetanus vaccination record before starting this course.

Reading lists are provided for each module studied and some students chose to purchase key texts.

Students will have the option to undertake overseas study for academic credit in year 2 of the programme, or simply participate for experiential purposes. These may include opportunities to undertake conservation field courses within locations such as Southern Africa, South America and the UK.

The main emphasis placed on these field courses is the development of professional, industry relevant skills and the application of students’ knowledge in a novel, stimulating, yet challenging environment. Costs associated with the field courses range from £500 – £1000 (UK & Europe), and between £2,200 – £2,800 (South America & Southern Africa). Please note that precise pricing of all field courses is subject to change, pending availability and recruitment.

Equipment Costs
Pens
Pencils
Notepad
A laptop that is windows compatible
A scientific calculator (£10-20)
Leaver arch files or equivalent
USB memory stick/hard drive or cloud based digital storage space
Wellies (£20 min)
Protective steel-capped boots (tip: steel capped boots are more comfortable when worn with a pair of thick walking socks) (£20 min)
Protective gardening gloves (£5 min)
A magnifying x10 hand lens (£5)
Waders are recommended but not essential
Plenty of warm, waterproof clothing – layers are the best!
A copy of ‘Maths Skills for Biologists’- available from the FSC online (£3.75)

Prices of equipment are subject to change dependent on retailer.

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