Marine Ecology and Conservation

What makes UCS special?
University Centre Sparsholt is recognised worldwide for its expertise in providing education in fishery, aquaculture and marine studies. Our lecturing staff are known to be the experts in the industry and can often be found at conferences and industry forums discussing the latest techniques and their supporting research. Students gain real industry experience on and off‑site that is under‑pinned by the high level of technical lecture content to prepare them for a range of careers or progression to courses at Master’s and PhD level. Our industry contacts enable great employment prospects. Owing to the success of the work experience, the majority of our students have secured industry relevant employment before they graduate. Previous placements range from Scottish salmon farms, specimen carp fisheries in England, France and Spain and a tilapia farm in Jamaica to river keeping on local chalk streams, bait manufacturers, the London Aquarium and the Fish Disease Laboratory at Weymouth.

What Makes This Course Unique?

Exceptional facilities, industry connections and immersive learning environment:

• Practical experience – excursions to the coast and other relevant institutions enable students to experience a vast range of techniques and their practical applications.

• Aquatic Research and Conservation Centre – purpose‑built facility housing a variety of ornamental and tropical species gives students vital exposure to practical fishkeeping.

• Industry related placements – excellent links with potential placement destinations including public aquariums, NGOs, charities and small aquatic businesses.

What will I learn?
Gain a wide range of knowledge in subjects such as marine ecology, coastal processes, marine organisms and ecosystems through a combination of practical and theoretical sessions.
Practical learning to ensure you graduate with career confidence:

• Weekly industry‑relevant practicals in our aquatic centre.

• Participate in fieldwork on the UK coastline.

• Laboratory experience in techniques for coastal evaluation.

How will I be assessed?
Our assessments mirror the challenges you will face in your career, combining academic depth with practical application:

• Research that addresses real‑world problems.

• Field‑based assignments that allow you to showcase your skills to employers

• A range of presentation types and written assignments that develop key graduate skills such as communication expertise.

Focused on Your Future:
This course opens doors to diverse career paths in a vast sector, such as Fishery Officer or fishery observer; Ecological Consultant for planning and development; Research Scientist tackling global environmental challenges; Technician in an aquarium facility.
This degree will also upskill you in a range of transferable graduate skills such as higher‑level communication, data literacy and project management.

How our graduates are shaping the future:

• Working within zoos and aquaria.

• Educating the next generation within schools and on social media.

• Working within charities to gain information on threatened species.

• Pushing the frontiers of ecological research by working in postgraduate education such as Master’s and Doctoral level degrees.

Course Modules*

YEAR ONE – SOLID FOUNDATIONS

Fundamentals in marine science

Introduction to marine ecology and conservation

Marine fisheries Principles in aquatic science

YEAR TWO – GET JOB‑READY

Research methods in the marine environment

Marine industry skills

Fintastic beasts and where to find them

Plus choice of two optional modules from:

– Aquarium husbandry and welfare

– Global fish production methods

– Aquatic system design

*subject to change

Assessment includes coursework (such as practical portfolios, laboratory reports, case studies and essay style assignments) plus formal exams. Research opportunities are also a feature, often enabling data collection within organisations such as the Inshore Fisheries Conservation Authority.