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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 2024
September 2025
Location: Edge Hill University
Example offers: BBC-BBB (A Level) or DMM (BTEC) View full entry criteria
Subject(s): Biology and Biosciences
Faculty: Arts and Sciences
Department: Biology
Students conduct a small mammal trapping during fieldwork in woodland near the University.

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

  • Fieldwork

  • International students can apply

  • Learn a language option available

  • Sandwich year option available

  • Studying abroad option available

Marco Dobson

I have gained invaluable experience during my studies by undertaking countless ecological surveys in the most phenomenal environments both abroad and in the UK.

Marco Dobson

BSc (Hons) Ecology and Conservation

View student profile
BSc (Hons) Ecology student Joshua Styles in his role as a botanist

Plants are amazing! They are the fundamental basis of all life on Earth and have fascinated me since I was young, which made my studies at Edge Hill that bit more amazing. Through my work, every day throws up a new challenge and I absolutely love it.

Joshua Styles

BSc (Hons) Ecology

View student profile

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.

Compulsory modules:

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Biology in Practice
Genetics and Evolution
Introduction to Cell Biology

Three of:

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Anatomy and Physiology
Biodiversity
Chemistry for Biologists
Ecology
Organic Chemistry
Language 1

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.

Compulsory modules:

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Biogeography
Research Methods in Biology

Four of:

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Introduction to Biotechnology
Invertebrate Ecology
Laboratory Masterclass
Molecular Genetics
Plant Diversity
Plant Form and Physiology
Up-Canopy Biology
Zoo Conservation and Animal Behaviour
Language 2

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.

Compulsory modules:

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Biodiversity and Conservation
Ecological Interactions
Ecology and Conservation Research Project

Two of:

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Animal Wildlife and Conservation
Applications of Biotechnology
Ecological Genetics
Field Botany
Genomics and Bioinformatics
Invertebrate Ecology
Laboratory Masterclass
Language 3

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.

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.

Timetables for your first week are normally available at the end of August prior to enrolment in September. You can expect to receive your timetable for the rest of the academic year during your first week. Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week. Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities.

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.

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

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.

How to apply

Apply full-time

Apply online through UCAS

Read our guide to applying through UCAS to find out more about the application process.

International

Apply as an international student

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.

Apply for September 2024 part-time.

Apply for September 2025 part-time.

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.

Did you know?

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

Students walk outside the BioSciences building.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.

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

BioSciences

Finance

Tuition fees

UK Full-Time

£9,250

a year

UK Part-Time

£77 per credit

for 360 credits

International

£16,500

a year

The University may administer a small inflationary rise in tuition fees, in line with Government policy, in subsequent academic years as you progress through the course.

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.

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.

Track changes to this course

Discover Uni: Full-Time Study

Discover Uni: Part-Time Study

Download our course leaflet