Conservation Biology
 Conservation Biology (Major).jpg)
UCAS Code: Combined honours only - see combinations tab|Duration: 3|Full Time|Hope Park
UCAS Campus Code: L46
Work placement opportunities|International students can apply|Study Abroad opportunities
About the course
Conservation Biology focuses on the protection and management of nature and the Earth’s biodiversity. This Conservation Biology degree examines human and environmental factors affecting all living organisms, aiming to conserve species, habitats, and ecosystems. The Conservation Biology course draws on natural sciences to develop approaches for sustaining plant and animal biodiversity in the UK and internationally.
The Conservation Biology course primarily emphasises terrestrial conservation, covering key areas such as ecology principles, habitat management, nature conservation, and the functioning of natural systems. Students explore scientific, ethical, and philosophical perspectives, applying their knowledge through field courses in the UK and abroad to gain hands-on experience across diverse ecosystems.
A Placement Year option is available in this Conservation Biology degree, providing the opportunity to gain practical work experience alongside academic study, preparing you for a career in conservation and related fields.
Course structure
Teaching on this course is structured into lectures, where all students are taught together, seminars of smaller groups of around 20-25 students and tutorials which typically have no more than 10 students. There is also the opportunity to have a one-to-one meeting with your tutor each week.
Fieldwork and practical laboratory sessions are a significant part of this course. Fieldwork destinations include local and regional sites of national and international conservation importance, along with international fieldwork. The course makes use of the university’s own field centre, Plas Caerdeon, set within Snowdonia National Park on the banks of the beautiful Mawddach estuary and overlooking Cader Idris National Nature Reserve.
In your first year, there are approximately 12 teaching hours each week. During the second and third years this changes to approximately 10 teaching hours each week as students grow in competence to conduct independent but supported study. In addition to these teaching hours, students are also expected to spend time studying independently each week as well as engaging in group study to prepare for some group assessments.
Assessment and feedback
Throughout your three years of study you will have several forms of assessment. This normally includes written exams at the end of each year, with reports, essays and portfolios throughout the year. In your final year you will also complete an honours project which will either be a research project on conservation biology or an integrated dissertation with your other subject.
You will be given written feedback on your assessments. You will have opportunities to discuss this feedback with your tutor in more detail.
Year One
Earth and Ecological Systems
This interdisciplinary module provides a framework for exploring the natural systems and processes that shape a complex and dynamic Earth. It emphasises the interconnectedness of the major Earth spheres—lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere—through flows of mass and energy, illustrated by examples such as the rock cycle and ecological systems. The first part of the module introduces geological processes and products, while the second part focuses on ecosystems and ecological processes. A strong emphasis is placed on the practical investigation of selected Earth materials (including minerals, rocks, and sediments) and biota (plants and animals).
Academic and Professional Skills
This module is designed to equip students with the skills needed to succeed at university and beyond. It builds confidence in academic reading, writing, and research, while providing practical tools such as data analysis and mapping, and guidance on the responsible use of AI. The module also strengthens time management, teamwork, and presentation skills, while encouraging students to explore career pathways and plan their future goals.
Laboratory and field-based ecological investigations
Fieldwork
Residential and /or non-residential.
Year Two
Principles of Ecology
You will develop your understanding of the underlying theories and principles of ecology including topics such as sustainability, biosphere cycles, natural resources, evolution and distribution of organisms (including abiotic/biotic dimensions).
Habitat Management
You will explore habitat management practices that aim to conserve, protect and restore natural and semi-natural habitats. You will develop your knowledge and understanding of Species Action Plans (SAPs).
Biodiversity Conservation
You will develop an in-depth and critical understanding of the value, importance and urgency of protecting species and their habitats from key threats, including extinction.
Fieldwork
Residential and/or non-residential.
Year Three
Applied Ecology
You will engage with advanced studies of ecology through investigations of specific examples of applied ecological practice. This may cover, for example, ecological legislation, policy and guidance, methodologies and techniques for ecological fieldwork and advanced approaches to the analysis and interpretation of ecological data.
Current Research and Practice in Ecology and Conservation
You will conduct an exploration of current knowledge, research and practices in ecology and /or conservation. Topic areas may include current research in conservation biology, terrestrial coastal ecology and palaeoecology.
Fieldwork
Residential and /or non-residential.
Honours Project
Research project or integrated dissertation (with your other subject).
Entry requirements
| A-Levels | BCC - BBB |
|---|---|
| UCAS Tariff Points | 104 - 120 UCAS Tariff points must come from a minimum of two A Levels (or equivalent). Additional points can be made up from a range of alternative qualifications |
| BTEC | DMM - DDM |
| Access to HE | 104 - 120 Tariff Points |
| IB | 26 |
| Irish Leaving Certificate | 104 - 120 Tariff Points from Higher Level qualifications only |
| Welsh Baccalaureate | This qualification can only be accepted in conjunction with other relevant qualifications |
| T-Levels | Merit |
| Subject Requirements | No specific subject requirements |
International entry requirements
| Specific Country Requirements | Select your country |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.0 overall (with reading and writing at 6.0) and no individual score lower than 5.5. We also accept a wide range of International Qualifications. For more information, please visit our English Language Requirements page. |
Careers
Conservation biologists work with government or private agencies serving as consultants on ecological or land use issues, ecologists, wildlife managers, nature conservation managers or work in environmental monitoring.
This course will provide you with the required subject knowledge and scientific tools (practical, numerical and computational skills that are valued by many employers) to pursue such career options.
Some of our graduates go on to train to be teachers, while others go on to further study at Masters and / or Doctorate levels.
Enhancement opportunities
Work Placement Opportunities
The Honours Project may be completed through a work placement. This placement enables you to gain relevant ecological or conservation work experience so that you can apply your subject and academic knowledge and experiences into a work setting. Please note that you must organise this work placement yourself.
SALA
The Service and Leadership Award (SALA) is offered as an extra-curricular programme involving service-based experiences, development of leadership potential and equipping you for a career in a rapidly changing world. It enhances your degree, it is something which is complimentary but different and which has a distinct ‘value-added’ component. Find out more on our Service and Leadership Award page.
Study Abroad
As part of your degree you can choose to spend either a semester or a full year of study at one of our partner universities as part of the university Study Abroad programme.
Tuition fees
The tuition fees for the 2026/27 academic year are £9,535* for full-time undergraduate courses.
If you are a student from the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands, your tuition fees will also be £9,535*.
The University reserves the right to increase Home and EU Undergraduate and PGCE tuition fees in line with any inflationary or other increase authorised by the Secretary of State for future years of study.
*subject to Council approval.
Scholarships
We have a range of scholarships to help with the cost of your studies. Visit our scholarships page to find out more.
International tuition fees
The International Tuition fees for 2026/27 are £14,500.
Visit our International fees page for more information.
Course combinations
This course is also available as a Combined Honours degree with the following subjects:
| Degree Title |
|---|
| Conservation Biology and Digital Marketing |
| Conservation Biology and Geography |
| Conservation Biology and Human Geography |