Ecology and Conservation

Keele University

United Kingdom, Keele

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Home/United Kingdom/Keele /Keele University/Ecology and Conservation

Keele University

United Kingdom , Keele

Key Facts

Program Level

Bachelor

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Course Code

C180

Campuses

Keele University campus

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake DeadlinesSeptember-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 4 year(s)

Tuition Fee

GBP 18,200 / year

Next Intake September-2026

Ecology and Conservation

About

Our Ecology and Conservation BSc will provide you with an understanding of ecology, conservation biology, conservation practice and environmental management to address the ecological and conservation issues facing our planet. With a strong emphasis on applied learning, our programme includes fieldwork opportunities during each year of your studies for you to develop career enhancing skills in ecological and conservation practices, approaches, methods and research design.

The first year of the programme is carefully designed to bring together the diverse learning experiences across the cohort, enabling common understanding of ecology and conservation issues. Core first year modules will examine topics such as approaches to conservation in policy and practice, the diversity of animals in the world and ecology and plant biology.

To help you develop the appropriate skills needed to succeed in this field, you will study a 'core skills' module. This will provide you with a suite of study skills and subject-specific practical skills in areas such as:

Throughout your studies you will have the opportunity to choose from a variety of optional modules. This will add breadth and depth to your learning and enable you to personalise your degree towards your career aspirations or interests.

During your second year, you will develop an understanding of more advanced topics in the field - such as environmental biology. From carrying out research in the real world through an environmental impact assessment and advancing your fieldwork skills to spending time gaining work experience in a relevant industry - our curriculum offers multiple opportunities to apply your learning to environments similar to those you may encounter in your career.

Your studies will culminate with the opportunity to unleash your creativity and build on the techniques you have acquired during your studies. You will have the opportunity to conduct an ecology and conservation-focused dissertation project. Our 600-acre campus may serve as a ‘living lab’ where you can conduct your dissertation. Alternatively, you may wish to develop a dissertation project in consultation with our many external conservation partners. To personalise your degree to your career aspirations or interests, you can also choose from a wide variety of optional modules.

From mapping habitats to sampling waters, soils and invertebrates, fieldwork is embedded into core modules throughout your studies to ensure you graduate with key ecology and environmental observation and interpretation skills.

Fieldwork activities may include:

Why study Ecology and Conservation at Keele University?

Top 20 in the UK for Earth and marine sciences (Guardian University League Table, 2024)

Tackle a real-world ecology project and contribute to positive change

International year and work placement options

Our unique 600-acre campus offers a fantastic natural environment to perform fieldwork

Disciplines

School of Life Sciences

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Typical offer

Please ensure that you read the full entry requirements by selecting your qualifications from the dropdown menu below. This will include any subject specific, GCSE/Level 2 Maths, and English language requirements you may need.

A Level: BBB

BTEC: DDM

T Level: Merit

Please select your qualification from the drop-down list below for the full entry requirement information

A Level

BBB in three A Levels.

Contextual Offer: BCC in three A Levels.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

BTEC Extended Diploma / National Extended Diploma

DDM in any BTEC Extended Diploma / National Extended Diploma.

Contextual Offer: DMM in any BTEC Extended Diploma / National Extended Diploma.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

BTEC National Diploma / Diploma

Distinction and Distinction in any BTEC National Diploma / Diploma and C in one A Level, or
Distinction and Merit in any BTEC National Diploma / Diploma and B in one A Level.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

BTEC National Extended Certificate / Subsidiary Diploma

Distinction in any BTEC National Extended Certificate / Subsidiary Diploma and BC in two A Levels, or
Merit in any BTEC National Extended Certificate / Subsidiary Diploma and AB in two A Levels.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

T Level

Merit in any T Level.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

International Baccalaureate Diploma

555 in three Higher Levels or 30 points.

Contextual Offer: 544 in three Higher Levels or 28 points.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme

We encourage applications with the IBCP but recognise that your combination of qualifications may differ depending on where you are studying.

If you are taking a BTEC National Diploma / Diploma with one or more Higher Levels, your offer will be similar to our BTEC + A Level offer (see 'BTEC National Diploma / Diploma') but with an HL requirement of 6 for A, 5 for B, or 4 for C.

For any other combination, please contact the University Admissions Team for advice.

Access to HE Diploma

122 UCAS points in any Access to HE Diploma including Distinction in at least 30 Level 3 credits.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

Welsh Baccalaureate / Bagloriaeth Cymru

The Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate is equivalent to one full A Level at the same grade and can be included alongside 2 other A Levels in a standard A Level offer for this course (see A Level). All subject specific requirements will still need to be met.

Scotland - Highers and Advanced Highers

BBBCC in five Highers, or CC in two Advanced Highers and CC in two Highers, or CCC in three Advanced Highers.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

If you have B or higher in the EPQ and are studying A Levels, BTEC, the International Baccalaureate Diploma, or an Access to HE Diploma, you will typically receive an alternative offer which will be lower than the standard offer. Please see 'Alternative and contextual offers' below.

Core Maths

If you have B or higher in Core Maths and are studying A Levels, BTEC, the International Baccalaureate, or an Access to HE Diploma, you will typically receive an alternative offer which will be lower than the standard offer. Please see 'Alternative and contextual offers' below.

Ireland - Leaving Certificate

H3, H3, H4, H4, H4, H4 in the Irish Leaving Certificate.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

China - Gaokao

73% in the Gaokao.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

India - Standard XII

Average of 70% from four subjects in the ICSE, CBSE or Western Bengal Standard XII, or average of 75% from four subjects in any other Standard XII.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

Germany - Abitur

2.2 overall average in the Abitur.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

France - Baccalaureate

13 in the French Baccalaureate / International Option Baccalaureate, or 12.5 in the Baccalauréat Français International.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

Hong Kong - Diploma

444 from two electives and one core subject in the HKDSE.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

Spain - Bachillerato

Overall average of 7.4 in the Título de Bachillerato.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

Italy - Diploma di Esame di Stato

80% in the Esame di Stato.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

Cyprus - Apolytirion

18 / 86% in the Apolytirion.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

Portugal

Overall average of 15.5 in a Secondary Certificate.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

Canada - Diploma

65% / BBBCC in five courses in the Grade 12 Diplomas.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

Kenya - KCSE / Diploma

We do not accept the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education for direct entry. However, you can apply to study an International Foundation Year at Keele University International College. On successful completion, you can progress to an undergraduate degree at Keele.

We may accept a two year Diploma. Please contact the University Admissions Team for advice.

Nigeria - Senior School Certificate / OND

We do not accept the Senior School Certificate (WAEC or NECO) for direct entry. However, you can apply to study an International Foundation Year at Keele University International College. On successful completion, you can progress to an undergraduate degree at Keele.

We may accept an Ordinary National Diploma with GPA of 2.5 or a Merit / Lower Credit. Please contact the University Admissions Team for advice.

USA - Advanced Placement

444 from three Advanced Placement subjects.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

Ghana

We do not accept the West African Senior School Certificate Examination for direct entry. However, you can apply to study an International Foundation Year at Keele University International College. On successful completion, you can progress to an undergraduate degree at Keele.

Sri Lanka - Advanced Level

BBB in three Advanced Levels.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

Malaysia - STPM

BBB in three Principal Level subjects in the STPM.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

Pakistan - Secondary School Certificate

We do not accept the Secondary School Certificate for direct entry. However, you can apply to study an International Foundation Year at Keele University International College. On successful completion, you can progress to an undergraduate degree at Keele.

Singapore - A Levels (H2)

BBB in three H2 Levels.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

European Baccalaureate

72% overall.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

NCUK

Pass NCUK Foundation Year with BBB and a C in EAP English Language module and grade B in EAP for Law courses.

Uganda - Advanced Certificate of Education

BBB in three Principal Level subjects in the Advanced Certificate of Education.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

Zimbabwe - Advanced Level GCE

BBB in three Advanced Level subjects.

You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).

English Program Requirements

All of our courses require an English language qualification or test. For most students, this requirement can be met with a 4 or C in GCSE English. Please see our English Language guidance pages for further details, including English language test information for international students. For those students who require an English language test, this course requires a test from Group A.

Career

Your future career

95% of Keele students are in employment or further study within 15 months of finishing their studies (HESA Graduate Outcomes, 2019/20)

You will graduate with broad subject knowledge of current environmental issues and challenges on a local, national and global scale and a variety of transferable skills.

Key transferable skills include:

Geographical information systems and remote sensing
Critical thinking
Field/laboratory skills
Oral presentations
Problem solving skills
Report writing
Statistics
Team working

Job sectors that a graduate of this course could enter include:

Communication/media
Conservation
Environmental charities
Environmental consultancy
Environmental health
Regional or national government
Teaching

Jobs that a graduate of this course could go on to include:

Ecological or Environmental Consultant
Environmental Education Officer
Nature Conservation Officer
Recycling Officer
Sustainability Consultant
Teacher
Town Planner
Waste Management Officer
Ecology or Conservation Research Scientist
Wildlife Ranger
Wildlife Monitoring Officer

Enhance your employability

Keele’s Careers and Employability team (Shortlisted for Best University Careers Employment Service - National Undergraduate Employability Awards, 2021), offers a variety of personal and career development opportunities to enhance your employability.

From mock interviews, careers guidance and CV advice, to careers fairs, alumni mentoring and networking events, along with helping you find part-time and graduate employment - the team will support you throughout your studies and beyond.

Find out more about our careers and employability services, including career planning, alumni mentoring, jobs, internships, starting your own business and much more.