Wildlife Conservation (with integrated year in industry),BSc

BSc Wildlife Conservation will interest those wishing to take a holistic approach that covers all aspects of wildlife conservation, exploring background scientific knowledge and ecological concepts applied to the conservation of endangered flora, fauna and habitats.

You will learn about the ecological and evolutionary processes that have shaped key habitats, and the interactions between these habitats and the wildlife they support. You will also explore the political, financial and social forces that underlie wildlife conservation and environmental management. You will recognise the importance of conserving biodiversity at a range of scales, from genetic diversity to entire biomes, and will develop the academic knowledge and practical skills to contribute to these priorities in your professional career.

Aberystwyth’s array of interesting and important habitats, including marine, moorland, mountain, grassland and coast, provides the ideal natural classroom for the teaching of practical skills. As a student you will enjoy the unrivalled wildlife and countryside, with opportunities to view common and rare UK animal species such as bottlenose dolphins, Atlantic grey seals, pine martens, otters, ospreys and red kites.

Aberystwyth is a stone’s throw away from many internationally recognised habitats, including UNESCO Dyfi Biosphere, two RAMSAR wetlands, two marine special areas of conservation, two National Nature reserves, and several sites of special scientific interest to name but a few, providing you with fabulous fieldwork and recreational opportunities.

The taught component of the Wildlife Conservation with integrated year in industry degree (C184) is identical to its three-year sister course BSc Wildlife Conservation (C183). The year in industry is taken in your third year, is supervised and assessed, and will count towards your degree grade. During your year in industry, you will pay a discounted tuition fee.

This course is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology.

Our Staff

The majority of teaching staff in the Department of Life Sciences are qualified to PhD level and are research active. Vocational courses also have staff whose background lies within industry. The Department has a large number of research only staff with whom students may have contact.

UCAS Tariff 120 - 104

A Levels BBB-BCC with B in Biology

GCSE requirements (minimum grade C/4):
English or Welsh, Science and Mathematics

BTEC National Diploma:
DDD-DDM in a specified subject

International Baccalaureate:
30-28 with 5 points in Biology at Higher Level

European Baccalaureate:
75%-65% overall with 7 in Biology

English Language Requirements:
See our Undergraduate English Language Requirements for this course. Pre-sessional English Programmes are also available for students who do not meet our English Language Requirements.

Country Specific Entry Requirements:
International students whose qualification is not listed on this page, can check our Country Specific Entry Requirements for further information.

Graduates of this degree benefit from both the scientific and policy aspects that underlie wildlife conservation and will be well placed to pursue career opportunities in conservation biology and environmental management within the UK and abroad. Employers may include Natural Resources Wales, Wildlife Trusts, Centre for Ecology and Hydrolog, RSPB, National Trust, Environment Agency, Local authority departments and NGOs. In addition, you may opt to pursue careers in allied fields such as environmental education, or to undertake postgraduate study at Masters or PhD level.

Completing a year in industry will allow you to:  

• apply the learning from your course to the work environment  
• make valuable industry contacts  
• develop practical skills related to your area of study  
• enrich your final year of studies with an enhanced appreciation of its applicability to your career  
• greatly enhance your CV and increase your prospects of success in the job market.  

Please note that we do not have automatic work placements for every applicant. You will be responsible for securing your own work experience, with the support of our dedicated Year in Industry Coordinator and careers advisor to maximise your chances of success. If you are unsuccessful, you will be able to convert your course to the three-year version of the BSc Wildlife Conservation degree.