BSc (Hons) Natural History

On our Natural History degree you will get to explore the diversity of life, wildlife management for conservation, marine biology and environmental survey skills. A key feature of this Natural History degree is gaining practical skills that you can apply on land, in freshwater environments and in the oceans. To develop these skills, you will go on a range of one-day and residential field courses operating in both the UK and overseas. Overseas field trips presently go to Spain, Iceland and an optional module to Botswana*. Wildlife photography and film-making is another exciting part of the course where you will develop your skills to produce a documentary.

On this fascinating natural history degree, you will study modules on Geographic Information Software (GIS) and research methods to help you understand how to analyse and interpret data collected during experiments, and how to communicate your findings to inform wildlife conservation objectives. Topics in these modules include manipulating spatial data with ArcMap and statistical computer programming skills.

Your first year modules aim to give you the underlying foundation knowledge in the subject areas that you will be pursuing. In the second year we explore biological, geo-physical and ecological themes whilst enabling you to choose an optional module in one of the subject areas.

The final year builds on your knowledge and skills, and again allows you to choose an optional module. During the final year you will undertake a substantial project of your choice. This can involve conducting an original scientific research project, or producing a documentary film or photographic portfolio.

Year One: Natural History Degree

• Evolutionary Botany and Zoology
• Principles of Ecology
• Digital Production for Natural History 1
• Observational Fieldwork
• Introduction to Biogeosciences
• Natural History

Year Two: Natural History Degree

• Veterbrate Zoology
• Biodiversity and Biogeography
• GIS for Wildlife Conservation Management
• Natural History Field Course
• Research Methods in Natural History

Plus one of the following optional modules;

• The Evolving Earth
• Reconstructing Change
• Digital Production in Natural History 2

Year Three: Natural History Degree

• Natural History Research Project (40 credits)
• Wildlife Population Ecology
• Marine and Freshwater Biology
• Mediterranean Fieldwork

Plus one of the following optional modules;

• Natural History Field Expedition
• Work-based Learning
• Climate Change

We also offer a Foundation Year designed for applicants who do not meet the admissions criteria for the Natural History degree.

You will learn from a combination of lectures, laboratory sessions, tutorials, practicals, and field trips. The number of hours of formal teaching will vary depending on your module choice and year of study.

The Natural History course has a focus of hands-on learning to ensure you gain practical survey and research skills. The degree also involves work in a variety of field settings both in the UK and overseas. Several modules are entirely fieldwork-based. Others involve lectures and laboratory work, including half or full day field excursions. The work placement and dissertation modules develop work-related skills and can involve organisations in various countries.
 

Researched-informed teaching

Your lecturers are active and passionate researchers who undertake and support field research in the Azores, Costa Rica, Honduras, Indonesia, Ireland, Mexico, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Africa and the UK. They investigate species, population and community relationships with anthropogenic drivers of change to biodiversity, ecosystems, and the provision of co-beneficial goods and services. Their research informs conservation and restoration options, processes and policies that remediate impacts of anthropic activities. 

You will be assessed using a range of approaches depending on your module choice and year of study. A number of modules are assessed through a combination of examination and associated assignments, whilst other modules are continuously assessed through assignments. Your assignments can range from laboratory write-ups, open book tests, structured essays, oral presentations and field reports through to a photographic portfolio and field note books.

In your final year you will write a dissertation, worth two modules, based on a topic that you pick from a list of subjects or a topic of your choice which is developed in conjunction with your project supervisor.

The entry criteria below shows the qualification range within which the University will make offers. The University has a Contextual Admissions Policy, therefore, whilst most offers we make are at the top of the range, under the Policy we take certain aspects of an application into consideration and eligible UCAS applicants can receive a personalised offer or have results considered individually when you receive them.Here is a link to our Contextual Admissions Policy Statement. 

Combinations of qualifications are acceptable and other qualifications not listed here may also be acceptable. 

Typical A-Level Offer

Typical Welsh BACC Offer

Typical BTEC Offer

Typical IB Offer

Typical Access to HE Offer

Additional Requirements

International Entry Requirements

By graduation, those with a Natural History degree will have the professional skills to work for national parks, nature reserves, environmental and planning consultancies, national and international wildlife bodies, national, regional and local government, utility companies and regulatory agencies. Your analytical skills will give you excellent prospects in research and policy development. You can even make wildlife films to gain career options in visual media and environmental education. Typical roles include:

• Environmental Consultant
• Researcher
• Video Producer
• Conservation Officer/ Manager
• Environmental Manager
• Ecologist

Our Natural History course give students opportunities to gain practical experience and develop transferable skills to help them when they enter the world of work. For many students, a degree is an important step in achieving their career ambitions. Our courses generate motivated and able graduates with a range of key skills. They are highly valued by employers for the scope of their knowledge, and have excellent communication and critical thinking skills. Laboratory work and field projects ensure our students have strong research and team working skills.

Employability skills and work-based learning are built into our natural science courses. For example, we build in the practical skills that are outlined by the professional bodies. In the second year, research and report writing skills are developed alongside field skills and the writing of field reports. The final year gives you the opportunity to undertake work-based learning and to conduct project work.