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FdSc Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Management

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Subject

Environmental Conservation

Level

Foundation Degree (Level 5)

Study Mode

Full-Time

Duration

2 year full-time/3 years part-time

Start Date

September 2025

The course

Full details of the newly refreshed programme will be available later in the year and will be communicated to all applicants at the earliest opportunity.

Are you looking to tackle the biodiversity crisis by pursuing a career within the wildlife, ecology and conservation sector? Then this foundation degree is for you.

It has been designed to enable you to develop the skills in demand within the sector, opening up a diverse range of employment opportunities.

You will develop your knowledge and understanding of a broad range of species, habitats and ecosystems, as well as their management and how to engage others in your passion for the natural world and its protection. Business and employment elements are included to improve transferable skills and give you a thorough insight into your chosen career path.

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Course Information

  • Provide, develop and apply your understanding of organism identification, assessment and management of ecosystems, habitats and species.
  • Develop your understanding of public engagement and human/wildlife interactions.
  • Provide you with the project and business management skills wanted by employers in the sector, including problem-solving, decision-making and teamwork.
  • Develop your understanding of the conservation sector in the UK and abroad.
  • Develop your research and digital skills and use these to seek solutions to biodiversity issues.

Year 1

  • Organism Identification
  • Principles of Ecology and Conservation
  • British Wildlife Ecosystems, Habitats and Species
  • UK Conservation Policy and Legislation
  • Academic and Professional Skills and Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
  • Industry Skills

Year 2

  • Management of Habitats
  • Wildlife Management
  • Human Wildlife Interactions and Public Engagement
  • Field Studies With Data Analysis
  • Independent Project
  • Business Project Management

You will need:

A minimum of 72 UCAS points OR a relevant BTEC Level 3 and significant industrial experience

Plus:

GCSE English 4 or above or equivalent and a suitable reference

UCAS points may be from qualifications such as T Levels, A Levels, BTEC Level 3 Extended Diplomas, Access to Higher Education Diplomas, and City and Guilds Advanced Technical Diplomas amongst others. Please use the UCAS Tariff points calculator to determine the UCAS points value of your qualifications.

Life and/or experience of non-traditional students will be taken into account when considering applications. The successful completion of an entry task may be required when considering applications without the required formal entry qualifications.

If an applicants first language is not English, or a Tier 4 student visa to study is required and GCSE English at grade 4/C or equivalent is not held, they will need to evidence their English language proficiency level, such as International English Language Testing System (IELTS) 6.0 overall (with a minimum 5.5 in each skill).

Advanced entry may be possible due to prior experience or certificated learning; applicants will be invited to complete the recognition of prior learning approval process.

This programme is delivered using a variety of teaching and learning approaches. This includes giving you hands-on experiential opportunities in both your academic and professional development.

Sessions which deliver the core content and provide the underpinning knowledge feature a strong emphasis on active learning within lectures, seminars, workshops, field work, site visits, case studies, independent learning, formative assessment and guest speaker sessions.

All teaching is focused on facilitating a student-centred approach to enhance independent learning and your ability to make decisions, problem-solve and manage projects all skills required in the conservation and ecology sector. The programme utilises excellent onsite resources, offsite visits and extensive industry links for applied aspects essential for your employability skills.

A typical week on the full-time pathway includes approximately 13 hours a week contact time, incorporating lectures, seminars, practicals and tutorials. This may vary from week to week depending on field trips and other programme-related activities. You are also expected to carry out a significant amount of private study in addition to contact time (approximately 20-30 hours a week).

A typical week on the part-time pathway includes approximately 7-9 hours a week contact time, incorporating lectures, seminars, practicals and tutorials. This may vary from week to week depending on field trips and other programme-related activities. You are also expected to carry out a significant amount of private study in addition to contact time (approximately 10 hours a week).

Work experience is not a requirement of the course; however, we will support and strongly encourage you to undertake relevant voluntary work while on programme. We have excellent links with a range of conservation organisations and will support you in finding suitable volunteering opportunities that will boost your employability.
Assessments are designed to build sector-relevant skills and understanding. They include portfolio work; wildlife identification and surveys; case studies; written reports; presentations; research projects; habitat management planning; mapping using geographic information systems (GIS). There are no formal examinations. Opportunities for feedback on assessments are available prior to the final submission to support your development and achievement. Staff aim to return assessed work within a 20-working day timeframe (not including holidays) so that you can most benefit from the feedback.
  • Hardwearing outdoor clothing appropriate for a range of weather conditions including waterproofs, warm layers and sun protection.
  • Appropriate footwear including wellington boots and walking boots.
  • Binoculars and hand lens.
  • Rucksack for trips and visits.
  • Stationery for use in class and to organise your work and assignments.
  • A laptop with internet connectivity, capable of running GIS software, is strongly recommended.
  • There may be additional costs for educational visits/trips and enrichment activities.
  • On successful completion of the programme, you will have the opportunity to graduate at a ceremony wearing formal dress. The hire of the formal dress is an additional cost.
You may wish to continue your studies by progressing on to the BSc Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Management (Top-Up) programme.
Exciting, fulfilling careers in habitat creation, management and restoration, species conservation, public engagement, ecology and more are available with a range of employers. These include conservation non-government organisations (NGOs), such as the Wildlife Trusts and RSPB, in the UK and abroad; ecological consultancies; conservation contractors; public bodies such as local authorities, the Forestry Commission, Natural England, Natural Resources Wales and NatureScot, plus many more.

Validated by University of Hull

We are proud to collaborate with University of Hull on the validation of this course.

This includes transforming our programmes to ensure that we meet the evolving needs of the sector, giving you the best opportunities for success when you graduate by having a competence-based focus. Find out more about competence-based higher education.

View the policies and procedures you would be agreeing to comply with by registering for this programme. This encompasses University of Hull Quality and Standards, including a Guide for Collaborative Provision students.

Financial Information

Find the full details of the fees associated with this programme and the financial support available.

Careers this course could lead into

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Friday, 1 November 2024 - 09:00 - 15:00

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