Wildlife Conservation BSc (Hons)

Nottingham Trent University

United Kingdom, Nottingham

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Nottingham Trent University

United Kingdom , Nottingham

Key Facts

Program Level

Bachelor

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Course Code

D447, D449

Campuses

Brackenhurst Campus

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake DeadlinesSeptember-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 3 year(s)

Tuition Fee

GBP 17,500 / year

Next Intake September-2026

Wildlife Conservation BSc (Hons)

About

Introduction:

You will learn about the theory and practice of species conservation through a range of lectures, practicals and fieldwork combining the scientific principles of animal function and behaviour with conservation biology. You’ll explore current areas of global concern, including the effects of habitat loss on wild species, alongside approaches to their conservation. This course will give you sound knowledge of ecological processes and theories while developing the skills to identify, monitor and manage wild animals and their habitats.

Our 200-hectare rural campus offers a unique learning environment where you will put theory into practice and gain hands-on ecology and conservation experience. We utilise this outdoor classroom in many of our modules, for example, by undertaking species and habitat surveys across the campus. You will be taught by lecturers that have vast experience in the conservation sector and in ecological research.

Throughout the course, you will have the chance to participate in exciting field courses. Previous examples of trips include South Africa, southern Spain and Pembrokeshire, looking at the unique biodiversity of savannah, montane and coastal ecosystems, respectively.

You will also experience a range of non-residential field trips to various local and national sites of importance to nature. For example, previous first year trips have included studying the behaviour of British wildlife such as red deer and grey seals; as well as exotic animals such as Barbary macaques.

You will have the opportunity to undertake a year-long industry sandwich placement in the conservation sector between your second and final year, providing an excellent opportunity to explore an aspect of ecology or conservation that interests you while increasing your employability prospects.

If you have any questions about the BSc (Hons) Wildlife Conservation course, you can contact the course leader Dr Anna Champneys.

100% of BSc (Hons) Wildlife Conservation (full-time) students are positive about the academic support on their course (National Student Survey 2024).
There is currently a residential field course in your second year. Previous locations have included Spain, to study wildlife in a range of habitats. The field course included studies on brown bears, wolves and invertebrates.
There is also currently a residential field course in the final year. Previous locations have included Pembrokeshire in the UK and South Africa (Mankwe Wildlife Reserve), studying coastal management and the effect of savannah burning on large mammal diversity, respectively.
We're ranked second in the UK for Ecology and Environmental Biology students who are positive about the assessment and feedback on their course (full-time first degrees, National Student Survey 2024).

Which course is right for you?

We offer two conservation degrees, each with a different focus:

BSc (Hons) Ecology and Conservation / BSc (Hons) Ecology and Conservation (with foundation year) - explores community and ecosystem ecology (i.e. larger scale ecology) and has more of a focus on habitats, plants, land use and the habitat requirements of species.
BSc (Hons) Wildlife Conservation (this course) / BSc (Hons) Wildlife Conservation (with foundation year) - explores behavioural and population ecology (i.e. smaller scale ecology) and has more of a focus on wild animal species and animal conservation management, both in the UK and overseas.

We also offer BSc (Hons) Zoology / BSc (Hons) Zoology (with foundation year).

Requirements

Entry Requirements

112 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications, including an A-level Science subject grade C or equivalent.

For this course we accept the following Science subjects: Biology, Human Biology, Environmental Studies, Ecology, Psychology and Zoology. We also consider science modules as part of BTECs and other qualifications.

International qualifications

We accept qualifications from all over the world – check yours here:

Entry requirements by country

English language entry requirements

You can meet our language requirements by successfully completing our pre-sessional English course for an agreed length of time, or by submitting the required grade in one of our accepted English language tests, such as IELTS:

Undergraduate preparation courses (Foundation)

If you don’t yet meet our entry requirements, we offer Foundation courses through our partner Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC), based on our City Campus:

Foundation courses leading to undergraduate study at NTU

Advanced standing (starting your undergraduate degree in year 2 or 3)

You may be able to start your undergraduate course in year 2 or 3 based on what you have studied before. This decision would be made in accordance with our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy.

Would you like some advice on your study plans?

Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.

Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.

English Program Requirements

Career

Careers and employability

Your future career

We pride ourselves on having an excellent track record of graduate prospects. Our course is designed to set you up ready for the workplace, giving you industry-ready skills (e.g. specific field-based and IT software skills) and transferable skills (e.g. critical thinking, professional writing and problem solving), enabling you to work in the diverse field of wildlife conservation, both in the UK and overseas.

"Wildlife Conservation is an amazing course with a lot of opportunities for volunteering and putting into practice what you learn. It also opens many doors for a wide range of jobs from Wardens and Rangers to Researchers and Ecologists."

(BSc (Hons) Wildlife Conservation student review, Student Crowd)

You will also be provided with the opportunity to talk to potential employees through work-like experience, which is embedded into the degree programme, and via a showcase at the end of your final year, which gives you the chance to demonstrate your skills to potential future employers.

Many of our students have successfully obtained jobs with conservation organisations including The Wildlife Trusts, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), governmental organisations including Natural England and the Environment Agency, and ecological consultancies. Our graduates go on to roles including reserves officer, site warden, communication and engagement officer, researcher and ecological consultant.

Some of our students also go on to further study. Our Employability team at the Brackenhurst campus are dedicated to helping you find and apply for suitable jobs during and after your studies.

Industry sandwich placement opportunities

The optional industry sandwich placement between year two and year three is an excellent opportunity to get hands-on experience in the workplace. This is an excellent chance to explore an aspect of wildlife conservation that might interest you as a career and at the same time significantly increase employment prospects.

Placements can be undertaken with one or several organisations, either in the UK or abroad. A placement diploma is available for students who have undertaken a substantial placement of at least 36 weeks. A placement certificate is available for students who have undertaken a shorter placement of at least 6 weeks. Our Employability team can help you to secure your placement.

Students have recently undertaken placements with EMEC ecology, TRAFFIC International, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), Rutland Water Nature Reserve, Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, West Midlands Safari Park, Durrell Wildlife Conservation, Cheetah Outreach (South Africa).

What are the benefits of a work placement?

Practical work experience has many benefits for you. It can help you in your day-to-day studies and is often paid. It can enhance your commercial awareness and your ability to link theory and practice which will be an invaluable skill in your future career. Although a work placement is highly recommended, obtaining one is based on an individual’s efforts and is not guaranteed.

International Exchange

This course also offers the opportunity to get involved in our International Exchange programme and study abroad at another university for part of the second year. Students have previously been involved in exchanges with the University of Guelph in Canada, Massey University in New Zealand, and Murdoch University in Australia.

NTU Enterprise

You'll also have the opportunity to turn your ideas into a viable business with help from NTU Enterprise, NTU's purpose-built Centre for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise, a support centre to help students create, develop and grow their own businesses.

What our students are doing now

22 Nov 2023

Peter White

Peter White, FdSc & BSc Wildlife Conservation alumnus shares his experiences of studying at NTU and talks about his internship at Essex Wildlife Trust.

17 Jan 2019