Wildlife Conservation and Ecology
- BSc (Hons)
- 3 Years
- Full-time
- 22 September 2025
- Undergraduate
- Harper Adams University, Newport
Course summary
Biodiversity underpins a range of ecosystem services which support our social and economic health and well-being, yet the World is facing global crises of biodiversity loss and environmental degradation.
If you have a passion for wildlife conservation and want to make a difference to the quality of the environment we leave for future generations both in the UK and internationally this is the course for you. The programme is founded on the study of ecological science: the interactions between species, their physical environment and humans; and its application to the conservation and management of wildlife. Key aspects focus on the ecology of protected species, animal behaviour, practical habitat management, ecological assessment of planning projects, and managing the ecological impacts of population growth, food production, land management and the climate crisis. Students will also develop professional skills in species identification, field survey techniques, data management, and project management. These topics will be underpinned by a sound knowledge of how key international and national legislation applies to practical conservation of species and habitats at home and abroad.
Each year of the programme includes fieldwork and there is a residential field course in every year. There are international field courses in the second and final year. The final year course is currently in South Africa, while the L5 course will be in Europe. These residential field courses are supplemented by a wide range of field trips to local sites to contextualise material introduced in lectures and seminars. The programme has a strong applied focus using standard industry techniques underpinned by science.
Industry best practice has been driven by technological advances in remote sensing, eDNA, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and GIS. The application of these technologies is embedded in the course to promote the conservation of wildlife.
The university is situated in a rural location with easy access to the countryside of Cheshire and Shropshire, including the Meres and Mosses and the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The university also has its own estate of 400ha including a range of agricultural and semi-natural habitats. The estate and local sites are used in the course for site visits and practical exercises.
This course is built on a long history of related courses, taught by staff with a wide range of academic and professional expertise.
A version of this course with a placement year is also available.
Modules
https://www.harper-adams.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/201250/wildlife-conservation-and-ecology
Assessment method
A wide range of assessment methods are used. Depending on the module these include examination, assignments, practical spot-tests and presentations
Ways to study this course
Campuses
- Harper Adams University, Newport
Study options
- BSc (Hons) • Full-time • 3 Years
Start dates
- 22 September 2025
Apply by
29 January
This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.
Application codes
- Course code:
- CD15
- Institution code:
- H12
- Campus name:
- Harper Adams University, Newport
- Campus Code:
- -
- Points of Entry:
- Year 1
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
Harper Adams University has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?
How to apply
Apply by
29 January
Application codes
- Course code:
- CD15
- Institution code:
- H12
- Campus name:
- Harper Adams University, Newport
- Campus Code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
UCAS Tariff88 - 104 points
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)DMM
Please note these grades apply only to the new examined (reformed) version of the Level 3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma which should be 1080 Guided Learning Hours. For the previous version of this course, the City and Guilds Level 3 Extended Diploma, we require grade D.
We do not accept the 720 GLH version as fully meeting our Level 3 entry requirements. If you are unsure which version you are studying please contact your school or college for advice.
Access to HE DiplomaD: 15 credits
M: 30 credits
Scottish HigherBBBC
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme28 points
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)H3, H3, H3, H4
GCSE/National 4/National 5
BTEC level 2 in Science at grade M will be accepted as an alternative to GCSE Science at grade C/4.
T LevelM
Routes: Crop and Plant Production, Land-based Engineering, Ornamental horticulture and landscaping, Tree and woodland Management and maintenance
Accepted subject Science
Routes: Laboratory Sciences
An understanding of a science based subject, whether through a taught qualification, beyond GCSE level, or independent learning, would be preferable. Evidence of independent learning should be included within your personal statement.
For full entry requirements, including details of all other qualifications accepted, please see our website www.harper.ac.uk
The University is happy to consider applications from those who are studying mixed qualifications, such as combinations of BTECs and A levels. Due to the numerous combinations available it is impossible to state the entry requirements for these, but applicants can expect to receive offers with comparable grades to those without mixed qualifications. For advice please contact the Admissions Team.
The University is committed to bringing fresh talent to the industries we serve and has developed a range of initiatives to give everyone the best chance to access our undergraduate programmes. Known as 'Access to Harper' our contextualised offer scheme recognises difficulties that some applicants may face and provides those applicants with an offer lower than our standard requirements. Further details can be found at https://www.harper-adams.ac.uk/apply/how-to-apply/access.cfm
Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.
Historical entry grades data
This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).
It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.
Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
Not enough data available
We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.
Historical entry grades report
This report uses your grades to show how students with similar results have done when applying to this course in the past. Sometimes, there isn’t data for every possible set of grades. When that happens, universities and colleges occasionally fill in the gaps for sets of grades that are typically accepted.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
Per year tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Additional fee information
This 4 year course consists of 3 years on campus at a cost of £9535 per year with a placement in year 3 which costs £1907 (Fees for International students are £16500 per year with a placement in year 3 which costs £3,700)
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