Ecology and Conservation with a Foundation Year

In response to the global need for professionals equipped to address the crises of biodiversity loss and climate change, and the closely related water, food and health challenges, we have developed the BSc (Hons) Ecology and Conservation.

You will be equipped with the scientific knowledge, practical skills and ethical awareness to make meaningful contributions towards solving real-world environmental and societal challenges, researching ecological systems and leading and designing evidence-based conservation efforts to promote ecological sustainability, with hands-on experience through field courses, placements and research projects.

Our degree uses ethical, sustainable, and innovative approaches to create graduates who are not only professionally competent but also capable of critical thinking and creative problem-solving.

On completion of your studies, you will be able to confidently enter the workforce, with career prospects in conservation NGOs and businesses, environmental consultancy, government agencies and academia.

The optional Foundation Year for this programme can give you an exciting introduction to higher education, setting you up with the skills, confidence and knowledge that you’ll need to be successful in your undergraduate degree. It’s ideal if you need a little more support after further education, or are returning to education after a gap. Following successful completion of the Foundation Year, you will progress onto Year 1 of your BSc.

In Year 0, you will typically study areas including: Foundational Scientific Skills; Foundation Biology; Elementary Chemistry; Molecular Biology and Biochemistry; Techniques in Ecology and Biogeography; Foundation Physical and Environmental Geography.

In Year 1, you will typically study areas including: Cellular & Microbial Biology; Becoming a Scientist; Ecology and Behaviour; Evolution and Genetics; Life in the Oceans.

In Year 2, you will typically study areas including: Plants and the Environment Field Course; Data analysis and scientific writing; Population and Community Ecology; Conservation Biology; Sustainable Management from Catchment to Coast.

In Year 3, you will typically study areas including: Professional skills in conservation.