Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
Accredited by the Royal Society of Biology (RSB), our unique course equips you with the expertise to understand, protect, and support wildlife in a changing world. Learn from research-active experts, explore cutting-edge tools and theory, and gain hands-on experience in the UK, South Africa, and South America.
How to apply Apply through UCAS Book an Open Day Chat to Us/prod01/channel_2/media/university-of-south-wales/site-assets/images/03-courses/biological-sciences/IMG-20240608-WA0006.jpg)
Key Course Details
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UCAS Code
C347
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Start Date
September
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Location
Pontypridd
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Campus Code
A
Fees
Home students
£9,790*
International students
£17,200*
- Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits.
-
UCAS Code
C348
-
Start Date
September
-
Location
Pontypridd
-
Campus Code
A
Fees
Home students
£9,790*
International students
£17,200*
- Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits.
Immerse yourself in wildlife ecology and conservation with hands-on fieldwork on three continents. Develop skills to understand, manage, and sustain wildlife in a changing world.
DESIGNED FOR
Ideal for those starting or transitioning to a wildlife-oriented career. This course offers extensive field experiences and addresses key themes in contemporary wildlife ecology and conservation. You’ll gain internationally sought-after skills, preparing you for success in conservation and wildlife management roles.
Dedicated to excellence
- Accredited by the Royal Society of Biology
Career paths
- Conservation officer
- Ecological consultant
- Protected Area manager
- Academic researcher
- Wildlife policy advisor
Skills taught
- Wildlife research techniques
- Conservation planning and management
- Geospatial technology
- Data analysis and interpretation
- Professional development
Course Highlights
Module Overview
Immerse yourself in the science and real-world challenges of wildlife ecology and conservation, exploring local and global ecosystems and challenges. Enhance your critical thinking, field, and lab skills through hands-on experience, while developing key employability skills to propel you into a rewarding conservation career.
Year One
Biodiversity
Diversity of Cellular Life
Genetics and Evolution
Principles of Ecology
Skills and Professional Development 1*
Wildlife Biology
Year Two
Behavioural Ecology
Conservation Genetics
Comparative Vertebrate Zoology
Community Ecology
Skills and Professional Development 2*
Applied Tropical Conservation (Optional)
Ecological Consultancy (Optional)
Professional Practice and Placement
Year Three
Marine and Freshwater Ecology (Optional)
Conservation Technology
Research Project and Career Development*
Applied Conservation Management
Global Ecological Challenges (Optional)
Humans and Other Primates
*These modules can be studied 25% through the medium of Welsh
In your first year, you’ll establish a solid foundation in wildlife biology and essential field skills. The year ends with an exciting highlight: a residential field trip to South Africa that underpins modules in all three years and offers a unique opportunity to apply your learning in a global conservation context.
Biodiversity
Learn taxonomy and classification of organisms, and apply theory to field and lab work, developing your practical skills.
Diversity of Cellular Life
Study cellular components in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms and apply basic microbiology techniques.
Genetics and Evolution
Explore genetics and evolutionary theory, including DNA structure, replication, inheritance, and evolution factors.
Principles of Ecology
Understand ecological theory through lectures, fieldwork, and lab exercises, focusing on hierarchy, processes, and cycles.
Skills and Professional Development 1*
Gain fundamental skills in reading, writing, referencing, critical analysis, and statistics essential for your studies and career.
Wildlife Biology
Observe wildlife in its natural habitats and apply ecological principles with professional scenarios in South Africa.
*This module can be studied 25% through the medium of Welsh
In your second year, you'll develop your knowledge with more specialised modules and tackle new challenges. Choose from two optional modules to tailor your learning and begin planning your major research project for Year 3, setting the stage for advanced study in your chosen area of wildlife ecology and conservation.
Behavioural Ecology
Understand the interaction between behaviour, ecology, and evolution using theoretical frameworks in behavioural ecology.
Conservation Genetics
Study genetic processes and evolutionary mechanisms crucial for conserving biodiversity in a changing world.
Comparative Vertebrate Zoology
Explore vertebrate evolution by studying anatomical form, physiological function, and comparative lifestyles through Earth's history.
Community Ecology
Study ecological communities through theory and fieldwork, informed by the need to understand and measure the composition and structure of different systems.
Skills and Professional Development 2*
Enhance skills in data analysis, remote sensing, cartography, and science communication for a career in wildlife biology.
Applied Tropical Conservation
Explore tropical ecology and conservation through theory, case studies, and a field trip. (Optional with extra cost)
Ecological Consultancy
Develop skills for conservation and ecology careers in the UK, enhancing employability with specialist and transferable knowledge. (Optional)
Professional Practice and Placement
Optional module offering real or simulated work experience. Arrange a placement or work with an employer for practical experience. (Optional)
*This module can be studied 25% through the medium of Welsh
In your final year, you'll immerse yourself in specialised modules that align with your interests, taking on greater challenges and applying all you’ve learned thus far. Your research project is a key focus, supported by your supervisor, preparing you to take your expertise forward into your future career in conservation.
Marine and Freshwater Ecology
Gain in-depth knowledge of aquatic ecosystems, their processes, and the physiology and behaviour of aquatic plants and animals. (Optional)
Conservation Technology
Explore cutting-edge tools like GIS, drones, and remote sensing, equipping you with the skills to apply technology in wildlife monitoring and conservation efforts.
Research Project and Career Development*
Develop project planning, independent research, and communication skills and experience professional growth through your final, cap-stone dissertation.
Applied Conservation Management
Learn practical conservation management, planning, and strategy implementation for effective conservation.
Global Ecological Challenges
Use your scientific skills to analyse ecological responses to human impacts like land use and climate change. (Optional)
Humans and Other Primates
Explore human identity and our place in the natural world through theories in palaeoanthropology, behavioural ecology, and evolution. (Optional)
*This module can be studied 25% through the medium of Welsh
Course Highlights
How you’ll learn
You’ll receive an immersive and diverse learning experience, including fieldwork in the UK and abroad, lab practicals, guest lectures, and more. You'll be challenged and assessed in a variety of ways, from practical reports and presentations to a final dissertation that showcases your skills. Throughout your journey you'll receive personalised academic support, expert research supervision, and access to cutting-edge resources, all designed to set you up for success.
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Teaching staff
You’ll learn from experienced, passionate, research-active staff who are experts in wildlife and conservation. Our Wildlife Ecology research group focuses on the relationships between species, populations, and ecosystems, exploring how biodiversity changes and how to sustainably manage ecosystems for co-beneficial goods and services. Discover more about our work here: Wildlife Ecology Research.
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Placements and work experience
The course includes an optional Professional Practice and Placement module, usually taken after the second year. You can work with a real employer, tackle a simulated project, or study abroad at a partner university. Physical placements are with companies, while simulated ones involve remote work. Placements can be arranged by the university or by you, with support from our Professional Services team. Fieldwork is built into the course, with opportunities both locally and internationally. You’ll work with partners like the Wildlife Trust and Operation Wallacea.
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Facilities
By studying Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, you'll benefit from our state-of-the-art facilities at Glyntaff Campus. We have an abundance of essential and contemporary field equipment, as well as fully equipped labs and computer rooms with specialist software for your learning. You'll use our campus's wild spaces for practical activities and conduct fieldwork in key conservation areas in South Wales. Additionally, you'll have access to the vibrant Student Union on the nearby Treforest campus, offering a range of activities and support.
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Accreditations and partnerships
WHY USW?
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WHY USW?
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ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
UCAS points: 96 (or above)
Typical qualification requirements:
- A Level: CCC to include a C in Biology and one other Science subject but to exclude General Studies
- Typical Science Requirements: Applicants taking Science A levels in England will need to pass the practical element alongside achieving the requested grade(s)
- BTEC: BTEC Extended Diploma Merit Merit Merit in a relevant subject which must include Biology modules
- Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate: Grade C and CC at A Level to include C grade Biology and one other Science subject but to exclude General Studies
- Access to HE: Pass an Access to HE Diploma in Science and obtain a minimum of 96 UCAS tariff points.
- T Level: Pass (C and above)
Additional requirements include:
The University normally requires a minimum 5 GCSEs including Mathematics/Numeracy and English at Grade C or Grade 4 or above, or their equivalent, but consideration is given to individual circumstances.
International applications welcomed:
We welcome international applications with equivalent qualifications of our entry requirements. For more details related to your country of residence, please view our dedicated country pages.
English language requirements
International applicants will need to have achieved an overall of IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component/TOEFL 72 overall and a minimum of 18 in reading, 17 in listening, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing or equivalent.
Equivalents can be located on our English Language pages.
If you have previously studied through the medium of English, IELTS might not be required, please visit our country specific page for further details. If your country is not featured, please contact us.
If you do not meet the English entry criteria, please visit our Pre-Sessional course pages.
Contextual offers
We may make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, including your background (where you live and the school or college that you attended, for example), your experiences and individual circumstances (as a care leaver, for example). This is referred to as a contextual offer, and we receive data from UCAS to support us in making these decisions.
USW prides itself on its student experience and we support our students to achieve their goals and become a successful graduate. This approach helps us to support students who have the potential to succeed and who may have faced barriers that make it more difficult to access university.
We're here to help
Whether you a have a question about your course, fees and funding, the application process or anything else, there are plenty of ways you can get in touch, and we'd love to talk to you. You can contact our friendly admissions team by phone, email or chat to us online.
Fees and Funding
£9,790
per year*£17,200
per year*£17,200
per year*Additional Costs
As a student of USW, you’ll have access to lots of free resources to support your study and learning, such as textbooks, publications, online journals, laptops, and plenty of remote-access resources. Whilst in most cases these resources are more than sufficient in supporting you with completing your course, additional costs, both obligatory and optional, may be required or requested for the likes of travel, memberships, experience days, stationery, printing, or equipment.
*Obligatory
Students undertaking courses that contain elements of outdoor fieldwork must wear appropriate clothing and footwear. Students will be informed of these requirements at the start of their studies and before each activity. Please note that inappropriate clothing/footwear will prevent students from participating in an activity.
Cost: Up to £300
Students will need to supply suitable stationary supplies, field notebooks and digital memory devices (USB etc.), for work both in the classroom and on fieldwork.
Cost: Up to £50
Flights cost £800 in 2023 but this vary considerably. Students travel as a university group via a group booking and every effort is made to identify travel needs early and secure low prices. Travel will also be necessary within the UK (i.e., to and from the airport), and other incidental costs (e.g. snacks while travelling) are likely
Cost: £800+
The four-week compulsory residential field trip to South Africa represents two modules of study that run consecutively over the summer vacation period in between the first and second years. The trip is partially subsidised (approximately half the total cost) by the School of Biological and Forensic Sciences
Additional costs to students are approximately £1,100 to £1,300 for travel, activities, etc. in South Africa (i.e., transportation in South Africa, meals at field stations, field equipment, local staff, and accommodation).
Cost: Up to £1,300
Some international fieldwork may require visas and vaccinations, which are at the cost to the student and will vary depending on individual circumstances.
Cost: Variable
This residential field trip of up to two and a half weeks in a tropical location, including marine and terrestrial study sites, represents an optional module. Recent field sites have included Belize, Mexico, Honduras, and Borneo.
Additional costs to students are approximately £1,750 for travel, activities, etc. in the host country (which includes permits, accommodation and food at the two field sites, field equipment, local staff, transportation in Belize, dive equipment, dive masters and boat skipper, travel to/from the University and London airport).
Cost: £1,750+
Flights may vary considerably. Other incidental costs (e.g. snacks while travelling) are likely.
Cost: £1300
Tropical Padi dive training. This is optional and not a requirement.
Cost: £350.
Students who successfully secure a placement in industry or abroad to complete their research projects would be expected to pay their own costs – which may vary considerably - during the period of placement.
Cost: Variable
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Course Kit Bursary
As a student of BSc (Hons) Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, you'll receive outdoor clothing voucher and a kit bag when you enrol, to support you with course costs.
University Quality Assurance
At USW, we regularly review our courses in response to changing patterns of employment and skills demand to ensure we offer learning designed to reflect today’s student needs and tomorrow’s employer demands.
If during a review process course content is significantly changed, we’ll write to inform you and talk you through the changes for the coming year. But whatever the outcome, we aim to equip our students with the skillset and the mindset to succeed whatever tomorrow may bring. Your future, future-proofed.
How to apply
All applications for full-time undergraduate courses or foundation degrees should be made via UCAS. Take the next step: Apply through UCAS. You can apply to us directly for all part-time undergraduate courses, if you’re seeking advanced entry or you’re an international student. To apply directly, please choose the application form below for your preferred start date and mode of study (full-time or part-time.)
Advanced entry
If you already have a relevant qualification or experience related to the course you're applying for, you may be eligible to start at a later stage of the course. For example, students from partner colleges can ‘top up’ their qualifications to a degree by joining us in Year Two or Year Three of a course. This process is known as ‘advanced entry’, you can apply directly to the University for 'advanced entry' using the application forms provided above.
International admissions
International applicants can apply to us directly. If the University has an in-country team in your region, your application will be assigned to them for assistance.
Life at USW
Halls are a big part of your student experience and there’s accommodation at all three of our locations. If you don’t want to live near the campus, there are great transport links to keep you connected.
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