Wildlife and Conservation

Animals, the environment and people are interconnected. Yet animals and the environments they live in cannot speak for themselves. We need to be a voice for animals and the environment to enable our world to thrive. With more legislation being implemented to support wildlife conservation, and with sustainability roles being introduced into almost every sector, we need more people with the skills to support this important work. Embarking on Foundation Degree Wildlife and Conservation is your opportunity to gain core knowledge in this, so you can make a positive impact on the world.

This course is taught at Merrist Wood College and University Centre, a 400-acre estate with ancient woodland, wetlands, livestock, threatened species, a farm, an equine centre, and our state-of-the-art Animal Management Centre – which has an animal activities licence to support students’ training. This is your live classroom for real-world learning, and we take every opportunity we can to help you put your knowledge into practice. Our lecturers have also worked and volunteered extensively in the animal industry, and their knowledge will elevate your learning experience. With guest lectures, work placement opportunities and the possibility to travel internationally too, this course will set you up for the future.

Year 1: Development of Personal and Professional Skills (30 credits), Breeding Programmes and Animal Husbandry (30 credits), Animal Health, Welfare and Nutrition (30 credits), Fundamentals of Ecology and Ecological Field Skills (30 credits). Total 120 credits.

Year 2: Continuing Professional Development (30 credits); Research Methods (30 credits); Wildlife Management and Ecological Field Skills (30 credits); Conservation of Global Biodiversity (30 credits). Total 120 credits.

You will be assessed by a range of methods designed to develop and test your understanding, knowledge, and skills. These may include examinations, essays, reports, scientific posters, seminars, dissertations, media articles, web- and video-based productions, practical demonstrations, portfolios, collaborative group work-based projects, case studies, and conference-style presentations.

The balance of assessment methods will vary throughout your degree and depending upon which programme you undertake. Depending on the programme you are doing, between 10-20% of your programme may be assessed by examinations with the vast majority (80-90%) assessed through coursework.

You will primarily be assessed as an individual but may also be assessed as part of a group where collaborative skills are relevant.

The balance of assessments for each module is detailed in the module descriptors, but normally includes at least two assessments which are individually weighted.