BSc (Hons) Wildlife Conservation
Manchester, United Kingdom
BSc
DURATION
6 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
Precious wildlife habitats and biodiversity are in danger. Be part of the solution and study the ecology and behaviour of animals in the wild with our BSc (Hons) Wildlife Conservation degree.
We focus your learning on core conservation issues, the physical environment and the landscape. You will experience hands-on learning in our advanced Bodmer laboratories and develop transferable skills in interpreting biological field data. As your studies progress, you will gain a theoretical and practical understanding of wildlife, wildlife ecology and environmental problems that threaten species.
Through our close industry connections and our use of immersive field trips, we will help you bring textbook theory to real-world practice as you experience UK and international field trips to zoos, animal parks and wetlands. The course is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology.
You will:
- Gain a broad understanding of wildlife, wildlife ecology and environmental problems
- Acquire the practical skills used in wildlife conservation and zoos
- Experience a variety of field trips and residentials, both in the UK and overseas
This is for you if...
- You want real-world experience through field trips and placement opportunities (including international)
- You are passionate about wildlife and want to learn about vital conservation work
- You enjoy working outdoors in all weathers, as well as collecting and analysing data
There has never been a more urgent time to reduce the loss of biodiversity and protect endangered wildlife. We have shaped our BSc Wildlife Conservation course to provide you with a solid understanding of wildlife, biodiversity and conservation issues, and the skills to monitor environmental change and lead habitat conservation and restoration.
For three years of study - or four, if you choose to include an industry placement, you will advance your wildlife conservation knowledge and skills through a variety of specialist modules including behavioural ecology, conservation biology, practical ecology and conservation, and monitoring environmental change. In your final year, you will also complete a research project based on a subject topic of your choice.
Learning Experience
We put fieldwork at the heart of your learning experience. You'll have plenty of opportunities to get involved in UK-based residential courses going to places such as Blencathra in Cumbria and the Isle of Cumbrae in Scotland. You will also have the chance to take specialist modules, where you will travel to tropical locations for fieldwork. In recent years students have been to locations such as Gambia and Brazil.
Small group, research-led teaching is another key course benefit. During your studies, you will spend time in our advanced Bodmer laboratories, and you might also have opportunities to engage with live research projects.
Industry Placement
On this course, you will have the option to take an industry placement year between years two and three. Although you will be responsible for securing your placement, our tutors will support you in finding a role, and monitor your progress throughout.
Industry placements are an excellent way to enhance your CV, gain hands-on work experience and build industry connections. We often find that placement students achieve higher final-year grades.
Previous wildlife students have completed work placements both in the UK and overseas in South Africa, Madagascar, Spain, Greece and the USA, working with a wide range of animals from donkeys and wolves to seals and turtles.
Year one
- Introduction to Zoo Biology
- Biodiversity
- Global Distribution of Wildlife
- Field Biology
- Genes to Ecosystems
- Study Skills
Year two
- Conservation Biology
- Wildlife Behavioural Ecology
- Monitoring Environmental Change
- Ecology in Action
- Research Skills
Choose one option from the following:
- Ocean Challenges
- Primate Behaviour and Conservation
- University Wide Language Programme
Year three
- Environmental Geographical Information Systems
- Practical Ecology and Conservation
Choose one option from
- Final Year Project and Professional Skills (HANS)
- Final Year Project with Science Communication and Professional Skills
Plus one option from
- Mitigating Climate Change
- Modelling Environmental Systems
- University Wide Language Programme
And one option from
- Applied Freshwater Biology
- Tropical Ecology and Conservation
- University Wide Language Programme
The course is designed to help you to develop a range of personal and professional skills which will make you highly employable. These include building specialised wildlife conservation knowledge as well as report writing, data interpretation, and teamwork and project management skills.
With the global push to do less harm and alleviate the impact of climate change on wildlife populations across the planet, both public and private sectors are opening up roles for wildlife graduates to apply knowledge and skills that can make a difference in our world.
There are many opportunities to gain employment in non-governmental organisations (NGOs), the voluntary sector and government conservation organisations operating at local, national and international levels. Opportunities exist to work as ecologists and environmental consultants, and in environmental education and captive animal environments. Previous students have gained employment in wildlife rescue centres, country parks, animal sanctuaries, zoos, and environmental and ecological consultancies.