Ecology and Wildlife Conservation (MSci)

Learn about the ways in which living things interact with their environment on our research-led MSci Ecology and Wildlife Conservation. Apply this knowledge to tackling the biggest challenges facing the world today.

This course will equip you with the skills needed for a career in ecology or wildlife conservation through a combination of classroom learning and fieldwork.

You will learn to apply knowledge of ecosystems to environmental issues such as habitat conservation, the biological control of diseases, and the protection of the world's rarest plants and creatures.

You will also have the opportunity to take part in original research with a potentially global impact.

The University of Reading’s award-winning campus is home to over a thousand different animal species and is extremely useful for learning fieldwork skills. It offers multiple habitats for study, including lakes, hay meadows and woodlands, and allows you to step straight from the laboratory to the field. Additionally, the University owns a number of large farms, which can be used as sites for final-year projects.

You will also be able to practise species identification and ecology skills through a choice of field trips in the UK and beyond. Our Ecology and Conservation Field Course takes place in South Africa, exposing you to diverse conservation and development issues, while our Marine Biology Field Course explores South Africa's incredible marine biodiversity. Closer to home, our UK Biodiversity Field Course takes you to Devon to explore the UK's diverse habitats and the animals that call them home.

Why study Ecology at Reading

• Overall, 90% of graduates from the School of Biological Sciences are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation (based on our analysis of HESA data (c) HESA 2024, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2022/23, includes all School of Biological Sciences responders).

• Most of our staff are actively engaged in research, and our work on wildlife ecology and conservation feeds into undergraduate teaching. 92% of School of Biological Sciences students said teaching staff are good at explaining things (National Student Survey 2025, 92.3% of responders).

• All graduates are eligible for membership of the Royal Society of Biology and can apply for Chartered Biologist status.

• You have access to state-of-the-art facilities for your practical sessions and research projects.

What you'll study

The MSci follows the standard undergraduate curriculum, but with an additional year of study leading to a master's-level qualification.

Your first year focuses on understanding the basics of ecology. You will begin practical training and develop skills through field trips and biodiversity sampling techniques. Explore the significant changes happening to our planet due to human activities and gain practical knowledge of the interactions between organisms, their environment, and human influence.

In your second year, you will deepen your understanding of ecological system patterns and processes by investigating recent methodologies and insights. Topics include biogeochemical cycles, microbial roles in ecosystems, food webs, ecosystem services, and more. A focus on quantitative and professional skills will teach you how to manage, analyse, visualise, and interpret different types of data.

The third year of the programme will involve field research, placing strong emphasis on the application of knowledge and skills and preparing you for your final year. During your fourth year, you will undertake an Advanced Research Project, collaborating with experienced academics on cutting-edge ecological research.

Course Modules

Modules may include:

• Our Changing Planet

• History of Life on Earth

• Conservation Science in Practice

• Animal Behaviour

• Forensics

*Please note that all modules are subject to change. Check our website for more details about course structure.

https://www.reading.ac.uk/ready-to-study/study/subject-area/ecology-ug/bsc-ecology-and-wildlife-conservation