Animal Behaviour and Wildlife Conservation

Embark on an exciting journey into the world of animal behaviour and wildlife conservation at University Centre Bishop Burton! This BSc programme offers a unique blend of theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience, designed to inspire and equip the next generation of conservation leaders. Dive deep into the fascinating realm of animal behaviour and adaptation, and discover how behavioural knowledge is essential for effective species conservation.

On this programme, you will develop fieldwork skills through immersive ecological study on our beautiful rural campus and surrounding area. You will also learn practical animal husbandry at our on-site animal management centre, strengthening your understanding of animal behaviour and welfare needs in captivity. Our hands-on and collaborative learning approach ensures you're not just studying animal behaviour and conservation, but actively practicing the skills needed to be successful in this sector.

Key features of the programme include:

• Practical skills development in wildlife management and captive animal care

• International field trip opportunities to study diverse ecosystems

• Research opportunities using state-of-the-art animal management and lab facilities

Join our passionate community of aspiring conservationists and turn your love for animals into a meaningful career. At Bishop Burton, you'll gain the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to make a real difference in conservation, with career routes in captive animal management, wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, ecological consultancy, international conservation biology, and many more.

Are you ready to transform your passion into purpose? Apply now and take the first step towards achieving a successful and impactful career in animal behaviour and wildlife conservation!

Contact time
The full-time route incorporates approximately 9-13 hours of contact time per week, encompassing lectures, seminars, practicals and tutorials. Additional to this time will be final project support sessions in your final year that you can book with your supervisor. You are also expected to carry out a significant amount of independent study in addition to contact time (approximately 25-30 hours a week). Independent study includes reading around the subject, preparing for tutorials and seminars, and preparing for and completing module assessments. This independent study forms an essential part of your learning journey.

You can expect to receive your timetable during induction week.

Careers
A degree in Animal Behaviour and Wildlife Conservation opens diverse career pathways across multiple sectors. Graduates can pursue roles as wildlife conservation officers, ecological consultants, zoo keepers, wildlife rehabilitation specialists, conservation education officers , research assistants, animal behaviour specialists, environmental policy advisors, protected area managers, conservation project coordinators, and many more. These careers span government agencies, private consultancies, zoos, research institutions, educational organisations, and conservation NGOs, offering graduates flexibility to work locally or internationally in a variety of roles.

Year 1:

APS and GIS
Animal Behaviour
Introduction of Physiology and Genetics
Industry Skills
Principles of Ecology Conservation
Introduction to Captive Management

Year 2:

Wildlife Rehabilitation and reintroductions
Behaviour of Key Species
Field Studies with Data Analysis
Independent Project
Business Project Management
Welfare Ethics and Legislation

Year 3:

Educational Outreach
International Conservation Biology
Welfare Assessments
Captive Breeding Management
Final Project

Assessment includes written assignments, seminars, poster presentations, training practical, practical reports and demonstrations. There are no formal examinations. Opportunities for feedback on assessments are available prior to the final submission to support student development and achievement. Staff aim to return assessed work within a 20 working day timeframe (not including holidays) in order that students can most benefit from the feedback.