Conservation and Community Engagement (with Foundation Year)

Gain the knowledge and skills to collaborate with local communities and develop successful conservation projects anywhere in the world.

It’s widely acknowledged in the conservation sector that community engagement is key to the success of conservation projects.

As a student at ARU in Writtle, you’ll learn about biodiversity and conservation science, and local and international conservation issues.

You’ll also develop practical skills in habitat and wildlife evaluation and management – learning how to plan and engage in viable projects.

Finally, you’ll develop skills to support education, science communication and human behaviour change.

Study on our rural campus and take the opportunity to get involved in conservation and community projects. You could consider joining the campus sustainability group, championing our hedgehog-friendly campus, or getting involved with the local Forest School.

There are a number of ways to study this course. As well as our 3-year full-time degree, you have the option of studying over:

• 4 years including a foundation year, to gain a BSc

You can apply through UCAS (UK students) or directly to us (international students).

All BSc students study the same modules (with the addition of foundation year modules for those taking the 4-year course).

Course Modules

Year 1: Academic and Personal Management Skills, Biological Concepts (Introduction to Laboratory Skills), Maths for IT and Science, Chemistry for Life Sciences, Applied Industry Techniques, Independent (Themed) Project. Year 2: Personal and Professional Wellbeing, Fundamentals of Biology, Environmental Policy, Human-Animal Interaction, Science Communication, Ecology and Evolution. Year 3: Research Methods, Plant-Animal Interactions, Habitat Management, Animal Rescue, Rehabilitation and Rehoming, Wildlife Conservation Skills, Nature and Human Wellbeing, Community Engagement, Residential Field Trip. Year 4: Capstone Project, People Management, Training and Support, Conservation Planning and Development, Applied Issues in Wildlife Conservation, Decolonising Conservation, Behaviour Change, Applied Engagement, Education and Advocacy.

Students are assessed in a number of ways, including practical assessments, examinations – both multiple choice and essay questions, presentations – both individually and in small groups, essays and technical reports, assessed seminars, case studies, experimental work and laboratory reports, poster presentations, debates, and your dissertation.