Ecology and Conservation

An Ecology and Conservation degree at Brighton prepares you to tackle some of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time — protecting biodiversity, restoring ecosystems and ensuring sustainable futures for wildlife and people.

At Brighton you’ll join a supportive academic community and gain hands-on experience in the field and lab from day one. You’ll learn how to monitor species, assess habitats and apply ecological theory to real-world conservation projects.

Brighton graduates go on to work in conservation organisations, ecological consultancies, wildlife charities, government agencies and research institutions. Many continue to postgraduate study or specialise in areas such as environmental management, biodiversity monitoring or ecological restoration.

Top reasons to choose this course

• Gain a degree with professional accreditation from the Royal Society of Biology, meaning you’ll graduate with an appropriate set of knowledge and skills aligned with professional practice.

• Ecology and conservation at Brighton is ranked 1st in the UK for academic support, 2nd in the UK for learning opportunities and 7th in the UK for teaching – National Student Survey 2025

• Brighton’s sustainability commitment – study in a city with strong environmental initiatives and access to the South Downs National Park and The Living Coast UNESCO Biosphere.

• Learn specialist field skills on day trips and residential field trips to places such as South Africa and Shropshire as well as in our rich local environment.

• Travel and accommodation included in the fees for mandatory residential trips to locations such as Shropshire (go to the Fees and costs section for more info).

• Boost your CV with work experience opportunities, including an optional placement year, funded internship schemes and community volunteering.

• Learn hands-on in our specialist facilities such as our aquatic suite, GIS lab and ecology, microbiology, molecular biology and tissue culture labs.

• Active student involvement in biodiversity and sustainability projects – join initiatives like the Hedgehog Friendly Campus, University Mammal Challenge and campus monitoring of plants, birds and habitats. You can also help restore chalk grassland with Sussex Wildlife Trust and enhance campus biodiversity through ponds and habitat improvements.

• Contribute to our research in areas such as micropollutants, invasive species, aquatic environments and the reintroduction of species.

Why Brighton is a great place to study Ecology and Conservation
Our Moulsecoomb campus puts you at the heart of one of the UK’s most ecologically diverse regions. Just minutes from the South Downs National Park and close to coastal habitats, you’ll have easy access to woodlands, wetlands and marine environments for fieldwork and research.

Brighton is a vibrant, creative city with strong environmental networks and conservation organisations, offering opportunities for volunteering, placements and community projects. Excellent transport links make it simple to reach local nature reserves, national parks and employer events, ensuring field trips and industry engagement are part of everyday learning.