Program Overview

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Ecology and Conservation BSc (Honours) 2025 entry

The BSc (Hons) in Ecology and Conservation includes a broad foundation in biology and specifically covers the ecology of terrestrial and aquatic environments, the process of evolution and speciation, adaptive physiology of plants and animals, population biology, molecular ecology, biodiversity, sustainability and conservation issues.

UCAS code

CD14

Start date

September 2025

End date

September 2029

Duration

Four years full time

School

School of Biology

Entry requirements

The University offers different entry requirements, depending on your background. Find out more about Standard, Minimum and Gateway entry requirements using academic entry explained and see which entry requirements you need to look at using the entry requirements indicator.

SQA Highers

• Standard entry grades: AAAB, including Biology (or Human Biology) and one other science from the following: Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics.
• Minimum entry grades: AABB, including Biology (or Human Biology) and one other science from the following: Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics.
• Gateway entry grades: Applicants who have narrowly missed the minimum entry grades, but meet the University's contextual criteria, may be interested in one of the University’s Gateway programmes.

GCE A-Levels

• Standard entry grades: AAB, including Biology and one other science from the following: Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics.
• Minimum entry grades: ABB, including Biology and one other science from the following: Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics.

IB points

• Standard entry grades: 36 (HL 6,6,5), including HL6 in Biology and HL6 in one of the following subjects: Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics.
• Minimum entry grades: 36 (HL 6,5,5), including HL6 in Biology and HL5 in one of the following subjects: Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics.

General entry requirements

All applicants must have attained the following qualifications, or equivalent, in addition to the specific entry requirements for individual programmes.

SQA qualifications

• SQA National 5 (B) in English and one SQA National 5 (B) from the following:
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Computing science
  • Geography
  • Applications of Mathematics
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Psychology.

GCSE qualifications

• GCSE (5) in English language or English literature, and one GCSE (5) from the following:
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Computing Science
  • Geography
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Psychology.

Other qualifications

We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry on to our programmes. Please see our entry requirements for more information.

Do I need to have studied this subject before?

Students must have studied Biology (or Human Biology) at SQA Higher, GCE A-Level or equivalent. Preference will be given to candidates offering strong science qualifications over and above the stated minimum requirements.

Alternative study options

Direct entry to second year

Well-qualified school leavers may be able to apply for admission directly into the second year of this course.

Gateway programmes

Applicants who have narrowly missed the minimum entry grades but meet the University's contextual criteria may be interested in the Gateway to Science programme.

Study abroad

Ecology and Conservation students can apply to participate in the University-wide St Andrews Abroad programme. You may also have the opportunity to apply to participate in the School Abroad exchange programme.

International applicants

If English is not your first language, you will need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability. Find out more about approved English language tests and scores for this course.

Course details

The BSc (Hons) in Ecology and Conservation is a four-year course run by the School of Biology. The programme begins with a broad foundation in biology and then progresses to ecology and evolution with options across a range of relevant topics. It incorporates substantial practical and field training, and development of quantitative skills.

Field trips

From first year to Honours, students studying Ecology and Conservation will also have the opportunity to go on field trips to gather data. Those who have a particular interest in ecology or marine biology will be perfectly located in St Andrews on the shores of the east coast.

Modules

Typically, you will take core modules during your first two years (known as Sub-Honours) and advanced modules during your third and fourth year (known as Honours).

First year

• Biology 1: provides an introduction to molecular and cellular biology. It covers cell diversity and the origins of life, evolution, cellular structures and fundamental processes.
• Biology 2: provides an introduction to the diversity of life on Earth and addresses key elements of organismal, behavioural and ecological aspects of life.

Second year

• Research Methods in Biology: develops essential academic and transferable skills, with major emphasis on problem solving. This is achieved through a combination of interactive lectures, independent data-handling workshops and group work on a mini research project.
• Evolutionary Biology: gives an overview of the history and major principles of modern evolutionary biology.
• Ecology: introduces essential concepts in population and community ecology and how they relate to biodiversity.
• Vertebrate Zoology: explores the diversity of vertebrate animals, providing a detailed look at the defining characteristics of the body plans and lifestyles of the key vertebrate group.

Third year

• Modules that have been offered in previous years include:
  • Animal Behaviour: A Quantitative Approach
  • Biology of Marine Organisms
  • Ecosystems and Conservation
  • Evolution
  • Methods in Aquatic Biology

Fourth year

• You will study your chosen subject area at a deeper scientific level and will also have the opportunity to select from a wide range of small-group specialised modules.
• You will also undertake a substantial final year research project. This research project is designed to develop skills in experimental design and problem-solving, the evaluation and interpretation of data, and communication skills.

Teaching

• Teaching format: lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical classes, field work, research projects
• Assessment: coursework, written examinations
• Support: the University’s Student Services team can help students with additional needs resulting from disabilities, long-term medical conditions or learning disabilities.

Fees

Scotland

£1,820

England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland, Channel Islands, Isle of Man

£9,535

EU and overseas

£31,670

Additional costs

There are no additional fees for any of the compulsory modules. However, all students need to cover the costs of a laboratory coat and dissection kit and may be asked to contribute towards the costs of participation in optional residential field-trip modules.

Joint Honours degrees

You can also take Ecology & Conservation as part of a joint Honours degree in which you will take core modules of your chosen subjects.

• UCAS code C761: Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biology and Chemistry
• UCAS code F899: Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biology and Computer Science
• UCAS code CFC6: Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biology and Earth Sciences
• UCAS code CL11: Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biology and Economics
• UCAS code CF18: Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biology and Geography
• UCAS code CG11: Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biology and Mathematics
• UCAS code CV16: Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biology and Philosophy
• UCAS code CC18: Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biology and Psychology
• UCAS code CG13: Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biology and Statistics
• UCAS code F896: Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biology and Sustainable Development

"With" degrees

You can take Ecology & Conservation as part of a "with" Honours degree in which the majority of the course deals with the first name subject.

• Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biology with Arabic - UCAS code CT16
• Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biology with French - UCAS code CCR1
• Bachelor of Science (Honours) Psychology with Biology - UCAS code C8C1
• Biology with French (With Integrated Year Abroad) - UCAS code C1R1

Careers

Graduates from the School of Biology are in high demand and are keenly sought after by institutions including the government, universities, research centres and major companies.

• Professional biologists in biological research, conservation, higher education, and the pharmaceutical and biomedical industries
• Researchers and advisers in government
• Journalists
• Advisers, researchers and managers in the National Health Service
• Teachers
• Forensic scientists
• Management consultants
• Marketing and advertising experts

What to do next

Online information events

Join us for one of our information events where you can find out about different levels of study and specific courses we run.

Undergraduate visiting days

We encourage all students who are thinking of applying to the University to attend one of our online or in-person visiting days.