Program Overview

Introduction to the Ecology and Conservation BSc (Hons) Program

The Ecology and Conservation BSc (Hons) program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of ecology and conservation. The program focuses on the science behind wildlife conservation and the connections between the natural world and human society.

Program Details

• UCAS code: C18A, C18B
• Level of study: Undergraduate
• Typical offer: 104 - 112 UCAS tariff points
• Start date: September 2026
• Duration: Three years full-time or four years with industry sandwich
• Attendance: Full-time, Placement year
• Course delivery: On-campus (Brackenhurst)
• The program includes work placement opportunities and study abroad opportunities.

About the Course

The course teaches students about ecology and conservation in the real world, using a range of lecture-based, practical, and fieldwork teaching approaches. Students will learn about the many connections between the natural world and human society, which is essential for resolving the biodiversity crisis.

What You'll Study

The program covers various topics, including:

• Explore the marvelous diversity of life on earth, examining the evolution, adaptations, and distribution patterns of plants, animals, and other forms of life.
• Examine the relationships between the Earth's smallest microorganisms, its largest mammals, and the environments they call home from ancient trees to woodlands, and from kelp forests to oceans.
• Learn how different ecosystems sustain life through ecological services like pollination, nutrient cycling, pest control, and climate regulation and why conserving biodiversity is so important.
• Analyze how we can endanger or protect species, habitats, and ecosystems, considering factors like pollution, deforestation, intensive agriculture, and the environmental laws protecting our ecosystems.
• Learn practical ecology and conservation through habitat management, environmental monitoring, and data collection, which is applied, hands-on learning.
• Become a unique learner you can shape what you do throughout this degree. In the final year, you'll have optional modules to choose from, including your choice of residential field trip.
• Think differently. Solutions in conservation and ecology are rarely simple; you'll be challenging traditional thinking and coming up with your own ideas.
• Enjoy the best of both worlds: our serene Brackenhurst Campus is closely connected to Nottingham, which is ranked as one of the UK's top 10 student cities (QS Best Student Cities 2025).

Module Information

The program includes various modules, such as:

• Principles of Ecology: Examine the interactions between organisms and their environment, at individual, population, community, and ecosystem levels.
• Introduction to Plant Ecology: Delve into the fascinating world of plant ecology, learning about their essential role in the creation and maintenance of the biosphere on which life depends.
• Biodiversity Conservation: Explore the amazing array of biological diversity on Earth, focusing on the abundance and distribution of species.
• Ecological Census Techniques: Study how to identify plants and animals, and plan and conduct field surveys to monitor species and habitats.
• Animal Structure, Function, and Adaptation: Explore animal anatomy and physiology across a range of species.
• Practical Conservation Skills: Working on either the Brackenhurst Estate or on sites managed by external organizations, you will participate in a range of practical habitat management activities.

Entry Requirements

• UK students: Standard offer: 112 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications. Contextual offer: 104 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications.
• International students: Academic entry requirements: 112 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications. English language requirements: See the English language requirements page for requirements for your subject and information on alternative tests and Pre-sessional English.

Fees and Funding

• UK students: È9,790 per year. If you choose to do a placement year, you'll pay a reduced fee for that year of È1,905.
• International students: È17,950 per year. If you choose to do a placement year, you'll pay a reduced fee for that year of È1,905.

Careers and Employability

The program provides students with valuable transferable skills, including time-management, teamworking, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Graduates from this course have successful careers in organizations such as the RSPB, Trent Rivers Trust, The Living Rainforest, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, and Natural England.

Campus and Facilities

The Brackenhurst Campus is a great outdoor classroom, with woods, ponds, and farmlands that are home to hundreds of plant and animal species. The campus is close to Southwell, a picture-perfect market town filled with rustic pubs, cozy cafes, and boutique shops. A little further afield, you've got Nottingham a vibrant student city that offers something for everyone.