Marine and Freshwater Conservation (with Sandwich Year)
Entry requirements
A level
32 points in Biology or Applied Science
Access to HE Diploma
Must be science based and need to pass all 60 credits, 45 at level 3
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Scottish Higher
To include Biology or Applied Science
T Level
Pass (C and above)-M
Science is acceptable for this programme.
UCAS Tariff
Including A-Level Biology or Applied Science at grade C or above or equivalent qualification
About this course
An abundance of rivers, lakes and coastline on your doorstep will inspire your marine conservation degree studies and prepare you to make a difference to the environmental conservation of our planet.
With a shortage of marine and freshwater scientists in the UK, there’s never been a better time to study to become a future expert in the world of marine biology and aquatic conservation.
Our 'sandwich-route' mode of study gives the real world experience you need to put your studies into focus.
**Course Overview**
On this degree course, you’ll receive a thorough introduction to a range of marine and freshwater environments from upland springs to coastal zones. Once you’ve mastered the fundamental understanding of biodiversity and its conservation we’ll move on to the processes affecting the behaviour and characteristics of aquatic habitats. You’ll also be able to choose from a number of modules to suit your interests so you can tailor your own degree, backed up by laboratory and field-based teaching from research-active tutors to boost your practical and analytical skills. If you choose the ‘with placement’ version of the degree you will also complete a year away from campus, undertaking a UK or international placement; some of our former students have chosen to study in countries including Cambodia, Canada, Mexico and Montenegro. We also offer our students and abundance of conservation volunteering opportunities as well as field trips across the UK and overseas.
**On this course you will...**
- Have the opportunity to conduct a 7-month placement with a conservation organisation or research group in the UK or abroad.
- Benefit from 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.
- Be taught by experts in aquatic conservation, each with a wealth of experience in the conservation of marine and freshwater species and their habitats.
- Enjoy small class sizes which allows us to provide a personal approach to teaching and student support.
- Be 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.
- 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**
With a shortage of marine and freshwater scientists in the UK, there’s never been a better time to study to become a future expert in the world of aquatic conservation. So, we’ve designed you a unique course - with the guidance of professional environmental consultants and aquatic scientists - so you can study freshwater and marine conservation together in one degree.
You'll be guided through the wonderful range of marine and freshwater environments to be found on our planet, from upland springs and freshwater lakes, through coastal environments to deep sea trenches.
**Year One**
- Conservation Skills & Practice
- Introduction to Conservation Biology
- Biodiversity 1
- Biodiversity 2
- Introduction to Ecology
- Aquatic Environments
**Year Two**
- Biodiversity Monitoring
- Evolution and Biogeography
- Freshwater Ecology
- Research Methods and Data Analysis
- Marine Ecology
- Conservation Genetics (Optional)
- Geographic Information Systems (Optional)
- Valuing the Environment (Optional)
**Year Three**
- Conservation Placement
**Year Four**
- Dissertation
- Management of Aquatic Resources
- Applied Field Studies
- Conservation in Marine & Freshwater Ecosystems
- Advanced GIS and Remote Sensing (Optional)
- Conservation Strategies (Optional)
- Wildlife Management (Optional)
Tuition fees
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What students say
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How do students rate their degree experience?
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Ecology and environmental biology
Teaching and learning
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Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
Environmental sciences
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Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
After graduation
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Ecology and environmental biology
What are graduates doing after six months?
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
Environmental sciences
What are graduates doing after six months?
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
What about your long term prospects?
Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Ecology and environmental biology
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£19k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
Environmental sciences
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£15k
£19k
£21k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
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