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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 Placement Year
Key details
- Award
- Degree of Bachelor of Science
- UCAS Course Code
- C18P
- Typical Offer
- AAB (specific subjects required)
- Contextual Offer
- BBB (specific subjects required)
- Course Length
- 4 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2025
Other Start Dates
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Other Start Dates
90%
Of graduates go on to work and/or study within 15 months after the course
Graduate Outcome Survey 2020Course Overview
Get ready to deep-dive into the key concepts of ecology and discover how organisms behave, evolve and interact with their physical and biological environments.
This BSc Ecology and Conservation with a Placement Year is for you if you have a scientist’s mind combined with a love of the natural world, animals, plants and ecosystems. You'll be fascinated by life science and how it underpins our understanding of the natural world and conservation.
You might aspire to work in conservation, research, agriculture, or even conservation communication. Or you might not yet know which career path you want to take and be excited about exploring the wide range of careers open to ecologists and conservation biologists.
This four-year degree programme follows the structure of our BSc Ecology and Conservation, while giving you the opportunity to spend your third year on a work placement from across the field of ecology and conservation biology.
A placement year makes an invaluable addition to your scientific knowledge and skills, increasing your employability and giving you the chance to put your first two years of learning into practice.
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Placement Year
On this course, you’ll spend your third year working in a placement that is relevant to your interests, gaining experience and skills that are highly valued by future employers. You'll be expected to seek your own work placement, and at the start of your second year you’ll be asked to write a CV and to apply to a range of employers. Not only will this ensure that you work within your preferred field, it'll also provide you with the essential job-hunting skills you'll require after graduation. We'll, of course, offer our guidance and support whilst students are identifying and negotiating placement opportunities.
During this year, you’ll be supported by a placement supervisor and a mentor from the university. You and your placement supervisor will feed back during the placement to ensure that it's progressing well, and your UEA mentor will visit you during the year.
Please note that we cannot guarantee any student a work placement as this decision rests with potential employers. If you're unable to secure a work placement by the end of your second year, you'll have the option to apply to transfer onto the equivalent degree programme without a placement year.
Careers
Career Pathways
Examples of careers that you could enter include:
- Ecological research
- Agriculture and horticulture
- Environmental management and conservation
- Science communication and engagement
- Education
- Advanced research courses
Discover more on our Careers webpages.
After the Course
You’ll graduate as a skilled ecologist ready to take advantage of East Anglia’s wealth of varied habitats, or range further afield. Either way, you’ll be able to use what you have learned at UEA to make a real difference.
You could go on to a career in many different areas – from ecological research, agriculture and horticulture to environmental management, consultancy and conservation. You might also consider education or science communication and engagement. Many of our students progress to postgraduate study.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International 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 C or grade 4.
We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies(opens in a new window) 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
AAB including Biology or Human Biology, Geography or Environmental Science
Contextual offer: BBB including Biology or Human Biology, Geography or Environmental Science
Where applicable Science A levels awarded by an English Exam board require a pass in the practical element. Not accepted: Critical Thinking and General Studies.
BTEC
Level 3 Extended Diploma: DDD in Applied Science or Applied Science (Medical Science) or Forensic and Criminal Investigation or Countryside Management or Animal Management OR DDD plus B at A-Level Biology or Human Biology, Geography or Environmental Science.
Contextual offer: DDM in Applied Science, or Applied Science (Medical Science) or Forensic and Criminal Investigation or Countryside Management or Animal Management OR DDM plus B at A-Level Biology or Human Biology, Geography or Environmental Science.
For Forensic and Criminal Investigation applicants MUST be studying ONE of the following modules: Physiology and Human Body SystemsEnvironmental Forensics, Forensic Genetics, Microbiology and Microbiological Techniques.Excludes BTEC Public Services, Uniformed Services and Business Administration.Where applicable Science A levels awarded by an English Exam board require a pass in the practical element. Not accepted: Critical Thinking and General Studies.Combinations of BTEC and A levels
Diploma: DD in Applied Science or Applied Science (Medical Science) or Forensic and Criminal Investigation or Countryside Management or Animal Management plus B at A-Level in one other subject OR DD plus B at A-Level Biology, Human Biology, Geography or Environmental Science.
Contextual offer: DD in Applied Science or Applied Science (Medical Science) or Forensic and Criminal Investigation or Countryside Management or Animal Management plus C at A-Level in one other subject OR DD plus C at A-Level Biology, Human Biology, Geography or Environmental Science.
Extended Certificate: D in Applied Science or Applied Science (Medical Science) or Forensic and Criminal Investigation plus AB at A-Level including Biology or Human Biology, Geography or Environmental Science OR D plus AB at A-level in Biology/Human Biology and one other subject. NOTE: Countryside Management NOT ACCEPTED but we can accept the Foundation Diploma.
Contextual offer: D in Applied Science or Applied Science (Medical Science) or Forensic and Criminal Investigation plus BB at A-Level including Biology or Human Biology, Geography or Environmental Science OR D plus BB at A-level in Biology/Human Biology and one other subject. NOTE: Countryside Management NOT ACCEPTED but we can accept the Foundation Diploma. Animal Management NOT ACCEPTED
For Forensic and Criminal Investigation applicants MUST be studying ONE of the following modules: Physiology and Human Body SystemsEnvironmental Forensics, Forensic Genetics, Microbiology and Microbiological Techniques.
Excludes BTEC Public Services, Uniformed Services and Business Administration.
Where applicable Science A Levels awarded by an English Exam board require a pass in the practical element. Public Services, Uniformed Services and Business Administration not accepted.
Access to HE Diploma
Access to Science pathway. Pass Access to HE Diploma with Distinction in 36 credits at Level 3 and Merit in 9 credits at Level 3 including 12 credits in Biology
T levels
Obtain an overall Pass including an A in the core of the T Level and a Distinction in the Occupational Specialism. We accept: Science pathway.
Foundation Year options:
If you do not meet the academic requirements for direct entry, you may be interested in one of our Foundation Year programmes such as - BSc Biological Sciences with a Foundation Year
- Further Examples of Typical Entry Requirements
International Baccalaureate
33 points overall with HL5 in Biology, Geography or Environmental Science
Irish Leaving Certificate
4 subjects at H2, 2 subjects at H3 including Biology, Geography or Environmental Science
Scottish Highers
AAAAA including Biology, Geography or Environmental Science
Scottish Advanced Highers
BBC including Biology, Geography or Environmental Science. A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable
- 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.
- 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.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International 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 C or grade 4.
We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies(opens in a new window) page.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. For specific details about your country, view our information for International Students(opens in a new window).
A levels
AAB including Biology or Human Biology, Biology or Human Biology, Geography or Environmental Science
Where applicable Science A Levels awarded by an English Exam board require a pass in the practical element. Not accepted: Critical Thinking and General Studies.
International Baccalaureate
33 points overall with HL 5 in Biology, Biology or Human Biology, Geography or Environmental Science
- Further Examples of Typical Entry Requirements
International Baccalaureate
33 points overall with HL5 in Biology, Geography or Environmental Science
Irish Leaving Certificate
4 subjects at H2, 2 subjects at H3 including Biology, Geography or Environmental Science
Scottish Highers
AAAAA including Biology, Geography or Environmental Science
Scottish Advanced Highers
BBC including Biology, Geography or Environmental Science. A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable
- INTO UEA
If you do not meet the academic and/or English language requirements for direct entry our partner, INTO UEA offers progression on to this undergraduate degree upon successful completion of a preparation programme. Depending on your interests, and your qualifications you can take a variety of routes to this degree.
- 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.
If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study.
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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.
- 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
View our information for Tuition Fees(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: