Ecology and Wildlife Conservation with Integrated Foundation Year

If you’re passionate about wildlife and committed to protecting our natural world, our BSc (Hons) Ecology and Wildlife Conservation with Integrated Foundation Year course will give you the knowledge and hands-on experience to tackle the global challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss.
Your journey begins with an introductory foundation year at our Carlisle Fusehill Street campus, designed to develop your skills, confidence, and core knowledge in a supportive environment. This year helps you build academic foundations, ensuring you’re fully prepared to progress smoothly into the undergraduate degree.
From year two, you'll study with us at our Ambleside campus—located in the Lake District National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site—where you’ll have access to exceptional fieldwork and laboratory resources. You'll be taught by passionate, research-active lecturers and gain first-hand experience working with conservation partners.
Our course provides over 180 hours of hands-on practical field and lab work to give you ecological, digital, and transferable skills aligned with industry standards.
Throughout your degree, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in internships, placements, and volunteer activities with conservation organisations, building networks and skills to succeed in this rapidly growing field. With our support and extensive professional connections, you’ll be well-prepared for a fulfilling career in environmental conservation.

Module Examples

• Essential University Skills

• Essential Biology

• Scientific Investigation

• Key Concepts in Conservation Science

• Essentials in Ecology

• Earth Systems

• Ecological Census Techniques

• Genetics and Evolution

• Field Ecology and Wildlife Conservation

• Dissertation

• Ecosystem Management

• Environmental Philosophy, Policy, and Practice

https://www.cumbria.ac.uk/study/courses/undergraduate/bsc-hons-ecology-and-wildlife-conservation-ify/

Our assessment strategy has been developed in line with the university’s Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategy and the Curriculum Design Framework. The overarching consideration is to provide authentic and inclusive assessments, which develop your skills and knowledge while equipping you for graduate employment, regardless of your background or learning style.
Assessments will therefore often mirror the type of work you will encounter in your future career, and may include:

• Laboratory reports

• Field projects

• Computer-based assessments

• Problem-solving activities

• Critical analysis of case studies

• Creative oral, audio-visual and poster presentations

• Dissertation research

• Peer and self-assessment

• Group work