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.
How to apply Apply through UCAS Book an Open Day Chat to us/filters:format(webp)/prod01/channel_2/media/university-of-south-wales/site-assets/images/03-courses/biological-sciences/IMG-20240608-WA0006.jpg)
UCAS Code
C347
Start Date
September 2027
Location
Pontypridd
Campus Code
A
UCAS Points
96
International students: £17,600*
UCAS Code
C348
Start Date
September 2027
Location
Pontypridd
Campus Code
A
UCAS Points
96
Course Overview
Learn from research-active experts, explore cutting-edge tools and theory, and gain hands-on experience in the UK, South Africa, and South America.
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.
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.
Accreditations
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We’re accredited by the Royal Society of Biology.
Why study this course?
What you'll study
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.
Learn taxonomy and classification of organisms, and apply theory to field and lab work, developing your practical skills.
Study cellular components in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms and apply basic microbiology techniques.
Explore genetics and evolutionary theory, including DNA structure, replication, inheritance, and evolution factors.
Understand ecological theory through lectures, fieldwork, and lab exercises, focusing on hierarchy, processes, and cycles.
Gain fundamental skills in reading, writing, referencing, critical analysis, and statistics essential for your studies and career.
This module can be studied 25% through the medium of Welsh
Observe wildlife in its natural habitats and apply ecological principles with professional scenarios in South Africa.
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.
Understand the interaction between behaviour, ecology, and evolution using theoretical frameworks in behavioural ecology.
Study genetic processes and evolutionary mechanisms crucial for conserving biodiversity in a changing world.
Explore vertebrate evolution by studying anatomical form, physiological function, and comparative lifestyles through Earth's history.
Study ecological communities through theory and fieldwork, informed by the need to understand and measure the composition and structure of different systems.
Enhance skills in data analysis, remote sensing, cartography, and science communication for a career in wildlife biology.
This module can be studied 25% through the medium of Welsh
Explore tropical ecology and conservation through theory, case studies, and a field trip.
Develop skills for conservation and ecology careers in the UK, enhancing employability with specialist and transferable knowledge.
Optional module offering real or simulated work experience. Arrange a placement or work with an employer for practical experience.
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.
Gain in-depth knowledge of aquatic ecosystems, their processes, and the physiology and behaviour of aquatic plants and animals.
Explore cutting-edge tools like GIS, drones, and remote sensing, equipping you with the skills to apply technology in wildlife monitoring and conservation efforts.
Develop project planning, independent research, and communication skills and experience professional growth through your final, cap-stone dissertation.
This module can be studied 25% through the medium of Welsh
Learn practical conservation management, planning, and strategy implementation for effective conservation.
Use your scientific skills to analyse ecological responses to human impacts like land use and climate change.
Explore human identity and our place in the natural world through theories in palaeoanthropology, behavioural ecology, and evolution.
We regularly review our courses to keep pace with changing skills and employer needs. If a review leads to significant changes, we’ll contact you to explain what’s changing for the coming year.
Teaching and Assessment
Build your knowledge and skills through a dynamic mix of teaching, practical experience and independent research. Benefit from personalised academic support, expert research supervision and access to specialist facilities and resources throughout your studies. Every element of the course is designed to help you develop the confidence, expertise and experience needed to succeed.
Take your learning beyond the classroom through fieldwork in the UK and overseas, hands-on laboratory practicals, guest lectures from industry and research experts, and interactive teaching sessions. You'll explore real-world challenges, develop practical skills and gain valuable experience in a range of professional and research environments.
Showcase your knowledge and abilities through a variety of assessments designed to reflect the skills you'll use in your future career. These may include practical reports, presentations, coursework and research projects, culminating in a final dissertation that demonstrates the depth of your expertise and the skills you've developed throughout the course.
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.
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.
Course Leader
Dr Anthony Caravaggi
Dr Anthony Caravaggi is a conservation biologist and Course Leader of BSc (Hons) Wildlife Ecology and Conservation. He uses fieldwork, technology, and ecological data to look at how animals use their environment and inform conservation decisions. Anthony has collaborated with national and international organisations to study species as diverse as glow-worms, birds, wallabies, and sharks. His teaching draws on this research experience to show how ecology is applied in practice. He aims to help students build confidence, develop essential skills, and understand how conservation science feeds into real-world decision-making.
Got questions about the course, teaching style or whether it’s the right fit for you? Reach out to Anthony directly by email.
Entry Requirements
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.
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.
How to applyContextual admissions policyAsk us a question96 UCAS points 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)
Welsh BACC:
Grade C and CC at A Level to include C grade Biology and one other Science subject but to exclude General Studies
BTEC:
BTEC Extended Diploma Merit Merit Merit in a relevant subject which must include Biology modules
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)
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.
International studentsPre-Sessional EnglishEnglish 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 4 overall and a minimum of 4 in each component 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.
Fees and Funding
Studying at university is one of the most significant investments you'll ever make. Whilst you’re studying, you’ll have two main financial obligations – tuition fees and living costs. There’s lots of financial help available from the University of South Wales and external funding sources, that may provide loans (which have to be paid back) and grants, scholarships and bursaries (that don't).
*Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits. Once enrolled, the fee is anticipated to remain at the same rate throughout the duration of your study on this course except as described below.
Please be aware that we may increase the maximum fee for home students on full-time undergraduate courses only where the Welsh Government increases the permitted level of inflation of fees. Fees for all students (including part-time, postgraduate and international students) may be amended in accordance with our applicable Fees and Debt Management Policy. We will ensure that students are given clear, intelligible, unambiguous and timely information about our courses and costs in good time, ahead of the next academic year.
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
Kit/Equipment*
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. 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. Up to £50
South Africa field trip – flights and other costs*
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. £800+
South Africa field trip – in-country travel and activities*
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). Up to £1,300
Fieldwork costs – visas and vaccinations
Some international fieldwork may require visas and vaccinations, which are at the cost to the student and will vary depending on individual circumstances. Variable
Tropical field trip – in-country travel and activities
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). £1,750+
Tropical field trip – flights and other costs
Flights may vary considerably. Other incidental costs (e.g. snacks while travelling) are likely. £1300
Tropical field trip – Open Water scuba diving qualification
Tropical Padi dive training. This is optional and not a requirement. £350
Work placement*
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. Variable
per year
Studying at university is one of the most significant investments you'll ever make. Whilst you’re studying, you’ll have two main financial obligations – tuition fees and living costs. There’s lots of financial help available from the University of South Wales and external funding sources, that may provide loans (which have to be paid back) and grants, scholarships and bursaries (that don't).
*Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits. Once enrolled, the fee is anticipated to remain at the same rate throughout the duration of your study on this course except as described below.
Please be aware that we may increase the maximum fee for home students on full-time undergraduate courses only where the Welsh Government increases the permitted level of inflation of fees. Fees for all students (including part-time, postgraduate and international students) may be amended in accordance with our applicable Fees and Debt Management Policy. We will ensure that students are given clear, intelligible, unambiguous and timely information about our courses and costs in good time, ahead of the next academic year.
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
Kit/Equipment*
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. 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. Up to £50
South Africa field trip – flights and other costs*
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. £800+
South Africa field trip – in-country travel and activities*
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). Up to £1,300
Fieldwork costs – visas and vaccinations
Some international fieldwork may require visas and vaccinations, which are at the cost to the student and will vary depending on individual circumstances. Variable
Tropical field trip – in-country travel and activities
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). £1,750+
Tropical field trip – flights and other costs
Flights may vary considerably. Other incidental costs (e.g. snacks while travelling) are likely. £1300
Tropical field trip – Open Water scuba diving qualification
Tropical Padi dive training. This is optional and not a requirement. £350
Work placement*
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. Variable
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Explore our facilities
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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).
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Apply direct
Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
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Full-time, 3 years
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September
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Pontypridd
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Apply direct
Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
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Sandwich, 4 years
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September
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Pontypridd
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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.
Applicants accepted through advanced entry may study a different combination of modules to those advertised, as they will be joining a course already in progress. You will be contacted and advised about these modules once your application has been processed and an offer made.
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.
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