BSc (Hons) Ecology and Conservation with a Year Abroad
Course options
Key Details
- Award
- Degree of Bachelor of Science
- UCAS Course Code
- C18A
- Typical Offer
- AAB (specific subject requirements apply)
- Contextual Offer
- BBB
- Course Length
- 4 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2024
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Why you should choose us
Of graduates go on to work and/or study within 15 months after the course
Course 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 – here in the UK and abroad.
This BSc Ecology and Conservation is for you if you have a scientist’s mind combined with a love of the natural world, animals, plants and ecosystems, and have the desire to uncover the natural secrets of another country as part of your degree.
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 conservationists.
This four-year course aims to give you an understanding of how life on this planet works and changes, and how organisms, plants and animal species react with one another within the ecosystems around us. You will explore topics ranging from the molecular genetics of populations, plant science and animal behaviour, to environmental management, biodiversity and conservation – and explore some of these within a socio-economic and political context.
You could be discussing the theories behind evolution or behaviour in a seminar one day, and experiencing the subject first-hand in the laboratory the next. Here in the lab, you’ll develop techniques to explore ecology, from microbes and parasites to model organisms.
You’ll get out into the natural environment too – gaining confidence in practical field skills, survey techniques and field projects. You can choose to join one of our residential field trips to Europe or go further afield in a sub-tropical climate (currently Kenya, eSwatini or Peru) to test your skills in a totally different environment.
Your third year will see you travel again, to Australasia, North America or Europe, where you will live and study, immersed in a new culture with its intriguing ecological differences. This is an incredible opportunity to expand your thinking, make valuable connections with partner universities and see the world. You will then return to UEA to complete the final year of your degree.
In your final year, you’ll take your learning to the next level by developing your own unique, independent research, working with one of our world-leading teams of researchers to understand an ecological system using the latest scientific techniques.
Placement Year and Study Abroad
On this course, you’ll enhance your studies by spending your third year studying at a university in Australasia, North America or Europe. You will then return to UEA to complete the final year of your degree. This is a fantastic opportunity to experience a new culture, see new ecological problems and solutions first hand and make connections with partner universities across the world.
For further details, visit the Study Abroad section of our website.
Study and Modules
Structure
The first year of your Ecology and Conservation degree is all about developing your field skills and theoretical knowledge to give you a solid grounding in the fundamentals of ecology. You’ll undertake a range of modules in which you’ll explore biodiversity, taxonomy and evolution, which will enable you to explore the processes that have driven the diversity of life on Earth. Alongside this, you’ll consider the challenges facing ecologists today, and will think about solutions to some of these problems from an interdisciplinary perspective by studying alongside students from the School of Environmental Sciences. Finally, you’ll undertake a module based around a programme of field trips exploring some of the wonderful habitats and landscapes found across East Anglia.
Compulsory Modules
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
Teaching
All our teaching in the School of Biological Sciences is research led. This means that you benefit from the teaching expertise of experienced, enthusiastic academic staff, who ensure that the most recent scientific advances and ideas are incorporated into all our courses. This makes for engaging programmes that our students love.
You’ll learn through lectures, seminars and workshops geared towards helping you understand the theory and concepts behind evolution, behaviour, ecological services, processes and conservation. You will spend time in the laboratory developing techniques to explore ecology, from microbes and parasites to model organisms. You will also learn through fieldwork where you’ll perfect practical field skills and survey techniques.
Independent study
You’ll conduct your own unique research projects in your fourth year. You’ll also have the chance to attend regular seminars and workshops exploring the latest research in ecology. These are often conducted by world-leading scientists and are organised by the Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Conservation (CEEC) – one of the largest groups of ecologists and evolutionary biologists in Europe. They regularly feature scientists from UEA, as well as our affiliated partners like the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) and the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS). You can work with the broader CEEC community in developing your third-year research project.
Assessment
During this course, you’ll develop your skills and knowledge through a range of activities, from field-based surveys through lab practicals to lectures. You’ll be assessed on your learning and progress on this course through a range of methods which may include the presentation of your own taxonomy collection, creating social media articles, group presentations, or writing executive reports for clients, as well as the more formal course tests, exams and assessed practical work. Ecology with Conservation has a strong emphasis on coursework and practical reporting, preparing you for the workplace after you graduate.
Structure
In the second year of your degree, you’ll further develop your theoretical knowledge with compulsory modules that explore population and community ecology, and the management of populations including the role of citizen science and Big Data. You will also go on a two-week field course, exploring a range of habitats and refining your survey skills and analytical techniques.
You’ll choose three modules to complement all of these and might find yourself exploring the parasite and pathogen ecology, undertaking a further field course in the tropics, or exploring environmental policy and macroecology.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Min Credits: 20, Max Credits: 40)Optional B Modules
(Min Credits: 20, Max Credits: 40)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
Teaching
All our teaching in the School of Biological Sciences is research led. This means that you benefit from the teaching expertise of experienced, enthusiastic academic staff, who ensure that the most recent scientific advances and ideas are incorporated into all our courses. This makes for engaging programmes that our students love.
You’ll learn through lectures, seminars and workshops geared towards helping you understand the theory and concepts behind evolution, behaviour, ecological services, processes and conservation. You will spend time in the laboratory developing techniques to explore ecology, from microbes and parasites to model organisms. You will also learn through fieldwork where you’ll perfect practical field skills and survey techniques.
Independent study
You’ll conduct your own unique research projects in your fourth year. You’ll also have the chance to attend regular seminars and workshops exploring the latest research in ecology. These are often conducted by world-leading scientists and are organised by the Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Conservation (CEEC) – one of the largest groups of ecologists and evolutionary biologists in Europe. They regularly feature scientists from UEA, as well as our affiliated partners like the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) and the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS). You can work with the broader CEEC community in developing your third-year research project.
Assessment
During this course, you’ll develop your skills and knowledge through a range of activities, from field-based surveys through lab practicals to lectures. You’ll be assessed on your learning and progress on this course through a range of methods which may include the presentation of your own taxonomy collection, creating social media articles, group presentations, or writing executive reports for clients, as well as the more formal course tests, exams and assessed practical work. Ecology with Conservation has a strong emphasis on coursework and practical reporting, preparing you for the workplace after you graduate.
Structure
If you complete Years 1 and 2 successfully, you’ll spend your third year studying overseas at one of our partner universities in Australasia, North America or Europe. All universities have their own area of research focus which is reflected in their teachings. So your year abroad is a fantastic chance to cover aspects of ecology that aren’t our main focus at UEA. This means you’ll not only get to experience another country and culture, you’ll broaden your academic horizons, too.
Compulsory Modules
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
Teaching
All our teaching in the School of Biological Sciences is research led. This means that you benefit from the teaching expertise of experienced, enthusiastic academic staff, who ensure that the most recent scientific advances and ideas are incorporated into all our courses. This makes for engaging programmes that our students love.
You’ll learn through lectures, seminars and workshops geared towards helping you understand the theory and concepts behind evolution, behaviour, ecological services, processes and conservation. You will spend time in the laboratory developing techniques to explore ecology, from microbes and parasites to model organisms. You will also learn through fieldwork where you’ll perfect practical field skills and survey techniques.
Independent study
You’ll conduct your own unique research projects in your fourth year. You’ll also have the chance to attend regular seminars and workshops exploring the latest research in ecology. These are often conducted by world-leading scientists and are organised by the Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Conservation (CEEC) – one of the largest groups of ecologists and evolutionary biologists in Europe. They regularly feature scientists from UEA, as well as our affiliated partners like the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) and the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS). You can work with the broader CEEC community in developing your third-year research project.
Assessment
During this course, you’ll develop your skills and knowledge through a range of activities, from field-based surveys through lab practicals to lectures. You’ll be assessed on your learning and progress on this course through a range of methods which may include the presentation of your own taxonomy collection, creating social media articles, group presentations, or writing executive reports for clients, as well as the more formal course tests, exams and assessed practical work. Ecology with Conservation has a strong emphasis on coursework and practical reporting, preparing you for the workplace after you graduate.
Structure
In the final year of your studies, you’ll undertake an independent ecological research project. Working with one of the researchers from within the School or from one of our affiliated research institutions, this project is your opportunity to explore your own areas of interest and answer a research question that you may have developed during your studies. Your project can be field- or lab-based and take place in the UK or overseas.
In addition to the research project, you’ll choose to study a range of modules that help you to specialise in the areas of ecology that suit your own interests, be they the evolution of social behaviour, the role of parasites in driving host evolution, or biodiversity conservation and human society.
By the time you finish this final year of your studies, you will have had hands-on opportunities to explore a range of temperate and tropical habitats. You will have spent time exploring organisms and their anatomy, considered the role of evolution in driving the diversity of life, and developed many transferable skills, from report-writing to science communication. You’ll graduate with an excellent grounding in Ecology and Conservation, ready to apply your skills to this increasingly important field of science.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Min Credits: 60, Max Credits: 80)Optional B Modules
(Min Credits: 20, Max Credits: 60)Optional C Modules
(Min Credits: 0, Max Credits: 20)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
Teaching
All our teaching in the School of Biological Sciences is research led. This means that you benefit from the teaching expertise of experienced, enthusiastic academic staff, who ensure that the most recent scientific advances and ideas are incorporated into all our courses. This makes for engaging programmes that our students love.
You’ll learn through lectures, seminars and workshops geared towards helping you understand the theory and concepts behind evolution, behaviour, ecological services, processes and conservation. You will spend time in the laboratory developing techniques to explore ecology, from microbes and parasites to model organisms. You will also learn through fieldwork where you’ll perfect practical field skills and survey techniques.
Independent study
You’ll conduct your own unique research projects in your fourth year. You’ll also have the chance to attend regular seminars and workshops exploring the latest research in ecology. These are often conducted by world-leading scientists and are organised by the Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Conservation (CEEC) – one of the largest groups of ecologists and evolutionary biologists in Europe. They regularly feature scientists from UEA, as well as our affiliated partners like the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) and the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS). You can work with the broader CEEC community in developing your third-year research project.
Assessment
During this course, you’ll develop your skills and knowledge through a range of activities, from field-based surveys through lab practicals to lectures. You’ll be assessed on your learning and progress on this course through a range of methods which may include the presentation of your own taxonomy collection, creating social media articles, group presentations, or writing executive reports for clients, as well as the more formal course tests, exams and assessed practical work. Ecology with Conservation has a strong emphasis on coursework and practical reporting, preparing you for the workplace after you graduate.
Entry Requirements
- A Levels
- AAB including Biology or Human Biology, Geography or Environmental Science. A-Level General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted. Where applicable Science A Levels awarded by an English Exam board require a pass in the practical element. If you are taking an EPQ and three A-levels, we may offer you a one grade reduction on our advertised typical offer alongside an A in the EPQ. A-Level General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted. Where applicable Science A Levels awarded by an English Exam board require a pass in the practical element. If you are taking an EPQ and three A-levels, we may offer you a one grade reduction on our advertised typical offer alongside an A in the EPQ.
- T Levels
- Obtain an overall Pass including an A in the core of the T Level and a Distinction in the Occupational Specialism. Acceptable subject are: Science.
- BTEC
- DDD in Applied Science, Applied Science (Medical Science) or Animal Management OR DDM plus B at A-Level Biology or Human Biology, Geography or Environmental Science. Excludes Public Services, Uniformed Services, Forensic Science and Business Administration. See below for accepted subjects and combinations.
- Contextual Offer
A Level – BBB (including Biology, Human Biology, Geography or Environmental Science)
BTEC L3 Extended Diploma – DDM (in Applied Science, or Applied Science (Medical Science) or Animal Management or Countryside Management)
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.
- Scottish Highers
- AAABB including grade A in Biology, Geography or Environmental Science. A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable.
- Scottish Advanced Highers
- BBC including Biology, Geography or Environmental Science. A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable.
- Irish Leaving Certificate
- 4 subjects at H2, 3 subjects at H3 including Biology, Geography or Environmental Science.
- Access to HE Diploma
- Pass the 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, Geography or Environmental Science.
- International Baccalaureate
- 33 points with HL5 in Biology, Geography or Environmental Science.
- GCSE
You are required to have Mathematics and English Language at a minimum of Grade C or Grade 4 or above at GCSE.
- 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):
-
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 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:
-
- Interviews
Most applicants will not be called for an interview and a decision will be made via UCAS Hub. However, for some applicants an interview will be requested. Where an interview is required, the Admissions Service will contact you directly to arrange a time.
- 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.
- Intakes
This course is open to UK and International applicants. The annual intake is in September each year.
Additional Information or Requirements
Extended Diploma: DDD in Applied Science or Applied Science (Medical Science) or Animal Management OR DDM plus B at A-Level Biology or Human Biology, Geography or Environmental Science.
Diploma: DD in Applied Science or Applied Science (Medical Science) or Animal Management plus B at A-Level in one other subject OR DD plus A-Level grade B in Biology or Human Biology..
Extended Certificate: D plus AB at A-level in Biology/Human Biology, Geography or Environmental Science and one other subject.
Where applicable Science A Levels awarded by an English Exam board require a pass in the practical element.
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.
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.
We welcome and value a wide range of alternative qualifications. If you have a qualification which is not listed here, or are taking a combination of qualifications, please contact us via Admissions Enquiries.
International Requirements
We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. View our International Students pages for specific information about your country.
INTO University of East Anglia
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:
International Foundation in Pharmacy Health and Life Science
Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
View our information for Tuition Fees.
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 for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
You’ll normally be expected 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.
You are eligible for reduced fees during the year abroad. Further details are available on our Tuition Fee pages.
There will be extra costs related to items such as travel and accommodation during your year abroad, which will vary depending on location.
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:
Employability
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.
Careers
A degree at UEA will prepare you for a wide variety of careers. We've been ranked 1st for Job Prospects by StudentCrowd in 2022.
Examples of careers that you could enter include:
- Ecological research
- Agriculture and horticulture
- Environmental management and conservation
- Science communication and engagement
- Education
Discover more on our Careers webpages.