Ecology and Conservation BSc (Hons)
UCAS code: C180
Our planet’s ecosystems are facing huge pressure from human actions. Join our ecology and conservation degree to visit threatened habitats and encounter rare species. Graduate with an understanding of the key issues ecosystems face – and how to protect them.
Overview
| Course length: | 3 years full-time 6 years part-time |
|---|---|
| Start dates: | September 2025 September 2026 |
| Location: | Edge Hill University (full-time) Edge Hill University (part-time) |
| Example offers: | BBC-BBB (A Level) or DMM (BTEC) View full entry criteria |
| Subject(s): | Biology and Biosciences |
| Faculty: | Arts and Sciences |
| Department: | Biology |
Climate change, an increasing human population, habitat loss, pollution and invasive species are fundamentally changing the planet’s ecosystems. Mitigating the impacts of these is the crucial challenge facing societies across the globe.
On our BSc (Hons) Ecology and Conservation degree you’ll study how these changes are impacting biodiversity. You’ll research the ecology of different habitats and species, and consider the most recent advances in conservation.
In the lab you’ll develop skills in identification and soil analysis. And you’ll take part in fieldwork developing surveying and sampling skills. By the end of the course, you’ll be ready to start a career in protecting wildlife and the environment – and show others what they can do to protect life on Earth.
Course features
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Fieldwork
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International students can apply
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Sandwich year option available
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Studying abroad option available
What you'll study
Trace the evolution of life, examining the diversity of plants and animals, including humans. Take part in residential fieldwork, where we’ll show you how to complete biological research. And broaden your knowledge of the discipline through modules in cell biology and genetics.
Biodiversity is at the heart of your second year. We give you the freedom to carve your own learning path. You can climb tree canopies and take a trip to Tenerife to study plants or learn how to identify invertebrates. You’ll top-up your theoretical knowledge in our biogeography module and carry out a mini project in research methods, giving you a taste of life as a professional scientist.
In your final year of BSc (Hons) Ecology and Conservation, you’ll carry out your own investigation as part of a research project. You’ll put the research skills you’ve shaped over the last two years to the test, coming up with a question to answer, collecting data and presenting your findings. Turn to our expert research team whenever you need support. You’ll further develop field and lab skills in your other modules including ecological interactions and biodiversity conservation.
How you'll study
You will study via a combination of lectures, practical work and tutorials. The programme has a strong practical base, including at least two residential field trips plus additional site visits. You will be expected to hone your practical skills using the departmental facilities in your own time. The degree also includes the option to take part in a range of other overseas and UK-based fieldwork opportunities.
How you'll be assessed
Assessment is through a mixture of coursework and examinations tailored to suit the knowledge and skills required for each module. A wide range of coursework is employed which may include practical portfolios, project reports, individual and group presentations.
Who will be teaching you
Edge Hill University has over 30 years’ experience in delivering biology degrees and has a wealth of experienced tutors, technical staff and field and laboratory equipment to support the study of ecology and conservation. The Biology department is friendly and approachable and of a size that enables us to know our students personally.
You will be taught by research-active experts in the fields of ecology and conservation who take pride in the quality of their teaching and academic studies. The programme team are up-to-date with current developments in their areas of interest and frequently share this knowledge by directly engaging students in their research.
An extensive network of relationships has been established with relevant environmental organisations and other universities in the UK and overseas, ensuring a rich, diverse and rewarding student experience. Visiting speakers assist in the delivery of the programme, often presenting unique or novel aspects of particular subjects.
Where your course includes optional modules, these are to provide an element of choice within the course curriculum. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by timetabling requirements. Some restrictions on optional module choice or combinations of optional modules may apply.
Entry criteria
Typical offer 112-120 UCAS Tariff points, preferably to include Biology or a related subject, such as Environmental Science, Geography or Mathematics, plus GCSE Mathematics at Grade C or Grade 4 or above (or equivalent).
Other subjects will be considered if you have demonstrable interest or experience in ecology or conservation.
Example offers
| Qualification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| A Level | BBC-BBB. |
| BTEC Extended Diploma (or combination of BTEC QCF qualifications) | Distinction, Merit, Merit (DMM). |
| T Level | Overall grade of Merit. |
| International Baccalaureate (IB) | We are happy to accept IB qualifications which achieve the required number of UCAS Tariff points. Subject-specific requirements at Higher Level (HL) Grade 5 may apply. |
| Access to Higher Education Diploma | 45 credits at Level 3, for example 15 credits at Distinction and 30 credits at Merit or 24 credits at Distinction and 21 credits at Merit. The required total can be attained from various credit combinations. |
Please note, the above examples may differ from actual offers made. A combination of A Level and BTEC awards may also be accepted.
If you have a minimum of two A Levels (or equivalent), there is no maximum number of qualifications that we will accept UCAS points from. This includes additional qualifications such as Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), AS Levels that haven't been continued to A Level, and General Studies AS or A Level awards.
English language requirements
International students require IELTS 6.0, with a score no lower than 5.5 in each individual component, or an equivalent English language qualification.
If your current level of English is half a band, one band, or one-and-a-half bands lower, either overall or in one or two elements, you may want to consider our Pre-Sessional English course.
Fair Entry Criteria
Our new Fair Entry Criteria is a Contextual Admissions Policy that takes an applicant’s personal and educational background into account. This policy will allow eligible applicants to receive up to a two-grade reduction in their entry requirements for this course. Find out more and see if you qualify.
How to apply
Apply full-time
Read our guide to applying through UCAS to find out more about the application process.
International
Please see our international student pages for further information about how to apply as a prospective international student.
Part-time applications require a direct application to Edge Hill. Please select the year of entry that you wish to apply for.
Should you accept an offer of a place to study with us and formally enrol as a student, you will be subject to the provisions of the regulations, rules, codes, conditions and policies which apply to our students. These are available at www.edgehill.ac.uk/studentterms.
If you join a full time undergraduate degree at Edge Hill University, we will guarantee you the offer of a room in our halls of residence for the first year of your course.
Discover our accommodation
Facilities
Our BioSciences building incorporates impressive, modern laboratories, offering exciting and highly relevant practical experience in some of the best equipped facilities in the country. Resources include fluorescence and scanning electron microscopes, DNA extraction and analysis equipment, and climate controlled insectaries.
You will benefit from our brand-new £17.4m Life Sciences building, featuring dedicated student research labs for learning advanced cell culture and histology techniques.
A number of the best nature reserves in the country are in close proximity to the campus. You will be taught within a short travelling distance of impressive field sites such as one of the finest saltmarsh and dune systems in Europe, restored mires of international importance, hay meadows and limestone woodlands. The University also has extensive grounds including meadows which serve as a useful area for demonstrating sampling techniques.
Where you'll study
Finance
Tuition fees
UK Full-Time
£9,535
a year
UK Part-Time
£79 per credit
for 360 credits
International
£17,000
a year
EU/EEA and Swiss students who have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, as well as Irish nationals, may be eligible for the UK tuition fee rate.
Financial support
Subject to eligibility, UK students joining this course can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan from the Government to cover the full cost of tuition fees. UK students enrolling on the course may also be eligible to apply for additional funding to help with living costs.
Scholarships
We offer a range of scholarships, which celebrate the determination, commitment and achievement of our students. Many of our scholarships are awarded automatically. There are some however, where you will need to be involved in an application or nomination process. To find out more about our scholarships and check your eligibility, please visit our dedicated scholarships pages.
Money Matters
Please view the relevant Money Matters guide for comprehensive information about the financial support available to eligible UK students.
EU/EEA and Swiss students who have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme may be eligible to apply for financial support. Irish nationals can ordinarily apply to Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). If you are an EU student who does not have settled or pre-settled status, or are an international student from a non-EU country, please see our international student finance pages.
Your future career
Our ecology and conservation degree will show you the challenges facing life on Earth, and how to help ecosystems and biodiversity flourish. This knowledge will help you in any role where an understanding of conservation and ecology is essential.
You can find our graduates working as ecological consultants, conservation project officers and biological analysts. They’re helping organisations like Natural England, the National Trust, Eurofins and Wardell Armstrong LLP.
Other students choose to gain more knowledge by studying a postgraduate course. Popular options include our MSc Conservation Management and our Masters by Research (MRes) on conservation topics.
Course changes
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this information, however our courses are subject to ongoing review and development. Changing circumstances may necessitate alteration to, or the cancellation of, courses.
Changes may be necessary to comply with the requirements of professional bodies, revisions to subject benchmarks statements, to keep courses updated and contemporary, or as a result of student feedback. We reserve the right to make variations if we consider such action to be necessary or in the best interests of students.
