Animal Conservation Science (with Sandwich Year)
University of Cumbria
UCAS Code: D390 | Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Entry requirements
A level
Access to HE Diploma
Must be Science based, need to pass all 60 credits, 45 at level 3
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Scottish Higher
T Level
The Science T-level is accepted on this programme.
UCAS Tariff
including Biology at Level 3
About this course
You’re passionate, engaged and want to protect animals and their habitats. We are here to help, with a course designed by researchers renowned for their expertise in the science of wildlife conservation.
The Sandwich Placement allows you to gain practical experience in conservation management and research in the UK or abroad during your 3rd year.
You will live, learn and study in the Lake District surrounded by rare and charismatic species – including ospreys, red and roe deer, otters, red squirrels and Atlantic salmon – in a diverse range of ecosystems and habitats, including Atlantic oak woodlands (Britain’s own rainforest). Here at our Ambleside campus, you will have access to new laboratories and excellent equipment including camera traps, to help you in your studies. Optional modules will enable you to customise your course to ensure it gives you the skills you need for your chosen career. You will be able to get involved in conservation research and to go on an international field trip to learn about wildlife conservation in less-developed countries. Our strong links with wildlife conservation organisations in the UK and abroad, provide you with excellent work placements, volunteering opportunities and job prospects.
**On this course you will...**
- UoC offers the only UK conservation degrees taught inside a national park. This provides you with easy access to charismatic wildlife and diverse and distinctive habitats and ecosystems.
- The course was designed and is taught by experts in wildlife conservation, each with a strong research portfolio in the conservation of animal species and their habitats.
- Class sizes are small which allows us to provide a personal approach to teaching and student support.
- The Conservation Team is actively involved in the reintroduction of endangered wildlife species in Cumbria. So you can gain hands-on experience in species reintroduction as part of your degree.
- You will study in a vibrant community within the landscape of the English Lake District. This provides amazing recreational opportunities and you will live and breathe conservation.
**What you will learn**
Our degree will give you the knowledge, analytical skills and practical experience to join the fight against the loss of wildlife species and their habitats. A wildlife conservation scientist needs to have a sound knowledge of the worlds’ biodiversity, understanding of the interactions between wildlife and the environment, insight into human influences on wildlife, as well as a number of practical, laboratory and analytical skills. We have designed this programme with these in mind.
Modules
Year one - Compulsory modules:
Core Scientific Skills,
Introduction to Conservation Biology,
Conservation Practice,
Biodiversity I,
Biodiversity II,
Ecology,
Biodiversity Monitoring - Qualificatory Practice Unit,
Year two - Compulsory modules:
Research Methods and Data Analysis,
Biodiversity Monitoring,
Evolution and Biogeography,
Animal Behaviour,
Conservation Genetics.
Optional modules (subject to availability and demand):
Geographic Information System,
Freshwater Ecology,
Marine Ecology,
Marine Biodiversity Assessments,
Year three - Compulsory modules:
Dissertation,
Behavioural Ecology,
Applied Field Studies.
Optional modules (subject to availability and demand):
Conservation Strategies,
Developing Marine Biodiversity Assessments,
Conservation in Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems,
Genetic Applications for Conservation,
Behavioural Applications for Conservation,
Wildlife Management,
Advanced Geographic Information Science,
Remote Sensing.
Year four - Qualificatory Practice Unit: Academic/Vocational Placement:
The aim of the placement is to give you a rounded view of all aspects of the work of a conservation organisation, not just the fun ones. During the placement your knowledge and confidence should grow enabling employers to employ you in different roles and with increasing responsibility as the year progresses.
Tuition fees
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What students say
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Animal behaviour
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Ecology and environmental biology
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After graduation
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Agriculture, food and related studies
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This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
These stats refer to the prospects for graduates from both general animal studies courses and those for particular animals (such as equine science). Graduates don't generally get jobs as vets when they graduate; much the most common jobs tend to be roles caring for animals, such as veterinary nurses. Some of these jobs are not currently classified as professional level occupations, but in reality, you need a degree to get these jobs (and probably always have done), and graduates in them report that they got the jobs that they wanted. So the stats you see might not completely represent just how useful these degrees are for getting into animal care careers.
Biological and sport sciences
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This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
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Agriculture, food and related studies
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