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Biological Sciences at UEA
Find out more about studying Biological Sciences at UEA, and browse our other courses.
Find out moreBSc (Hons) Ecology and Conservation with a Foundation Year
Key Details
- Award
- Degree of Bachelor of Science
- UCAS Course Code
- C18F
- Typical Offer
- CCC
- Contextual Offer
- CDD
- Course Length
- 4 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2027
Other Start Dates
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Course Overview
Why BSc Ecology and Conservation with a Foundation Year at UEA?
Learn from world-class academics in the School of Biological Sciences and Environmental Sciences. The foundation year builds your skills to prepare for degree-level study.
Why choose UEA
- Real-world expertise: Learn from practicing clinicians and researchers with real-world expertise
- State-of-the-art facilities: Study in our new laboratories, microscopy room and tissue culture suite
- Expert staff: Learn from our internationally award-winning teaching team
What is BSc Ecology and Conservation with a Foundation Year at UEA?
Our course offers a supported route into studying Ecology and Conservation at UEA through a foundation year that builds your scientific knowledge skills.
After successfully completing the foundation year, you can progress to the main Ecology and Conservation degree programme with options for study abroad or a placement year.
Once you’re registered for your course, you’ll gain access to our bespoke, award‑winning pre‑arrival online content. Created by both staff and students, this self‑guided material will help you explore our campus and laboratory facilities. You’ll get a feel for what to expect and learn about the support available to you at UEA.
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Careers
Career Pathways
With a degree in Ecology and Conservation, you could develop a career as a:
- Ecologist: Conduct research on ecosystems, biodiversity, and environmental change
- Ecological Consultant: Advise organisations on environmental impact, conservation, and sustainability projects
- Conservation Officer: Manage habitats and protect wildlife for environmental organisations or government agencies
- Science Communicator: Share environmental research and issues through media, outreach, or public engagement
- Environmental Education Officer: Teach and promote awareness of ecology and conservation in schools or organisations
Discover more at Career Central.
Career Support
Our course prepares you for life after graduation. Informed by our industry partners, we’ll help you acquire professional skills that are valued highly by employers. Our Elevate degree long portfolio will help you find work-place opportunities and our popular programme of career events will give you inspiration for your bright future. Experienced researchers from across UEA and the Norwich Research Park will support your development, ensuring you graduate with a strong, transferable skillset.
After the Course
Upon graduation, you’ll have the potential to make an impact on many areas of contemporary science, including health, nutrition, pharmaceuticals, clean energy, and tackling pollution. You’ll have access to a specialist team of career advisers at Career Central to help build your CV, practise for interviews and even help you explore enterprise opportunities. This support continues for up to three years after graduation.
Study and Modules
Structure
This is an exciting opportunity for you to study Ecology and Conservation at UEA, even if you don’t have the standard entry qualifications or you need a more supported start to your university life.
You’ll begin with a foundation year covering core subjects to help prepare you for your degree. About 70% of this year will focus on biology; which will take you from the very small, cellular level through to aspects of whole organisms and ecosystems. You’ll learn about crucial processes such as metabolic pathways and nutrient flow within organisms and the environment. You’ll explore the role of fossils as evidence for evolution, the inheritance of genetic disorders, and the processes driving diversity within populations, including specific examples on topics such as antimicrobial resistance. You’ll also train in core research skills including various “wet lab” techniques such as DNA extraction, microscopy, bacterial culture, experimental design, plus data collection and statistical analysis. Depending on your previous qualifications, 30% of your study will cover either core mathematics or environmental sciences.
Passing all your foundation year modules (the pass mark is 40%) will also make you eligible to progress onto our Ecology and Conservation degree programme. Depending on your foundation year grades, you can also add a year abroad or a placement year to your course, and there is also the option to transfer to Environmental Sciences.
You’ll receive specialist training from leading experts across the Schools of Biological and Environmental Sciences, as well as from local, national and international conservation organisations such as Norfolk Wildlife Trust, RSPB, CEFAS and BirdLife. You’ll also learn in excellent facilities like the new £34 million STEM labs. The course provides a blend of academic rigor and practical experience across key areas of modern ecology, giving you a great opportunity to study, learn, and grow.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 40)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 40)Optional C Modules
(Credits: 40)Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning, and Assessment
Teaching and Learning
We’re proud to have a multi-award-winning academic team of lecturers and professors delivering our foundation year. The team specialises in supporting you at this stage of your academic journey as you transition into university study. You’ll learn through a combination of laboratory practicals, seminars, and lectures with drop-in support sessions if you need them.
Assessment
Your assessments during the foundation year will enable you to showcase the learning and skills you’ve achieved during your studies. These assessments have been designed to authentically reflect the kinds of activities you’re likely to engage with in your future career. These include communicating your ideas and understanding via presentations, posters, mini interviews (called vivas), lab demonstrations and online tests.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK fee-paying students. Choose UK above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
We welcome and value a wide range of qualifications, and we recognise that some students might take a mixture of different qualifications. We have listed typical examples that we accept for entry.
You should hold or be working towards the specified English and Mathematics requirements and one of the examples of typical entry qualifications listed below. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.
- English and Mathematics
All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at minimum grade 4 or grade C.
We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies page.
- Contextual Offers
UEA are committed to ensuring that Higher Education is accessible to all, regardless of their background or experiences. One of the ways we do this is through our contextual admissions schemes(opens in a new window).
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
A levels
CCC.
Contextual offer: CDD.
Not accepted: Critical Thinking and General Studies.
BTEC
Level 3 Extended Diploma: MMM.
Contextual offer: MMP.
Access to HE Diploma
Pass Access to HE Diploma with 45 credits at Level 3.
T levels
Obtain an overall Pass. Any subject is acceptable.
- Further Examples of Typical Entry Requirements
International Baccalaureate
28 points overall.
Irish Leaving Certificate
6 subjects at H4.
Scottish Highers
BBCCC.
Scottish Advanced Highers
DDD.
A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable.
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
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IELTS: 6.0 overall (minimum 5.5 in all components)
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies(opens in a new window) for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
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- Deferred Entry
We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
- Progression
Progression from a Foundation Year may also be dependent on meeting the prerequisite module requirements of the course you wish to progress to. Please note subsequent changes to study or course can affect your tuition fee liability and the amount you are required to pay.
- Recent Study
We would prefer you to be able to demonstrate evidence of recent academic study within 5 years of the start of the course. If your last qualification will have been completed more than 5 years ago by the time the course starts, please contact Admissions.
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Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2027/28 are:
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UK Students: £10,050
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International Students: £29,300
We estimate living expenses at £1,171 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here(opens in a new window).
Scholarships and Bursaries
We are committed to ensuring that costs do not act as a barrier to those aspiring to come to a world leading university and have developed a funding package to reward those with excellent qualifications and assist those from lower income backgrounds. View our range of Scholarships(opens in a new window) for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
You’ll normally be expected to pay 50% towards the cost of any optional field trips selected from the range of residential field courses within the Schools of Biological Science or Environmental Sciences. All ecology students are expected to have suitable field clothes including walking boots and waterproofs.
Please see additional course fees for details of other course-related costs.
How to Apply
Apply for this course through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Services (UCAS), using UCAS Hub.
UCAS Hub is a secure online application system that allows you to apply for full-time undergraduate courses at universities and colleges in the United Kingdom.
Your application does not have to be completed all at once. Register or sign in to UCAS to get started.
Once you submit your completed application, UCAS will process it and send it to your chosen universities and colleges.
The Institution code for the University of East Anglia is E14.
View our guide to applying through UCAS for useful tips, key dates and further information: