Dive into our Wildlife Conservation program to explore conservation strategies, habitat management, and wildlife ecology.
Study the challenges to conversation brought about by competition for resources in both national and international case studies.
Use technology and develop your practical fieldwork skills to assess and monitor habitats and explore conservation and restoration strategies reviewing case studies from across the globe.
Prepare to step into leadership roles developing project management and critical thinking skills, whilst debating sector issues and exploring sustainable management and the importance of human behaviour change to leadership development.
Our strong industry and academic links mean you can develop and apply your research skills both on and off site, including our on campus zoo.
You'll have the opportunity to participate in both in-situ conservation experiences (internation trips and internships) and ex-situ conservation within the zoo.
Varied assessments that challenge you to dive deeper into chosen subject areas and develop digital, research and transferable skills alongside.
The course is timetabled over two days a week, to reduce travel costs and make studying accessible for mature learners and the self-employed.
Course fees are extremely competitively priced, less than £2000 than other similar offers within the North East (and you may be eligible for an undergraduate student loan.
Relevant level 5 land-based industry related qualification (e.g. a foundation degree in a wildlife conservation subject with a minimum average grade of 50% at Level 5) is required.
Alternatively, substantial experience and demonstrable ability to study at Level 6 equivalent to 240 credits at Levels 4 and 5.
APL arrangements are informed by the University of Cumbria's academic regulations.
| Study level | Cost | Additional fees |
|---|---|---|
| 19+ | please enquire | The following course-related costs are not included in the fees: - Optional field trips - Required equipment - Environment specific PPE - Monthly app fees NB - Where these costs are prohibitive, applications to the Hardship Fund would be welcomed to ensure parity of experience. |
The programme uses predominantly face to face sessions with online and practical work where appropriate. The learning and teaching methods typically used by tutors include lectures, seminars, guest speakers, workshops, practical sessions, practical projects, case studies, and tutorials.
A significant amount of personal study time is expected to be undertaken by you, comprising of, for example, background reading, assignment work, preparation for seminars, and practical case studies. A social learning community, including a peer support programme, will further enhance this.
When not attending scheduled learning activities, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study.
The teaching team consists of a range of experienced Higher Education tutors with a strong industry background and an interest in ethical practice and sustainability. All tutors have postgraduate qualifications, which include wildlife conservaton, equine science, psychology, animal behaviour, environmental conservation, and leadership and management.
Assessment tasks are linked to the learning outcomes of each module and are scheduled throughout the modules. Assessment typically consists of practical and theoretical work and is carefully designed to enhance knowledge and critical thinking, alongside a range of practical and transferable skills. Assessments include presentations, written assignments and project work, with embedded application of technology as appropriate to develop digital skills.
You will have formative assessment opportunities to help you learn and develop your knowledge and skills, as well as summative assessments on which you are graded.
Industry and academic experts are invited in as guest speakers to support delivery throughout the year. In addition to guest speakers, visits are included to enhance theoretical and practical content.
In addition to attending lectures, you will need to spend an extra 10-15 hours per week on independent study, which will include completing recommended reading, assessment preparation and conducting research for your dissertation.
The programme will be delivered on a full-time basis, with face-to-face lectures. You will be expected to attend the Kirkley Hall campus for two days per week to increase flexibility and accessibility. Tutorials, dissertation supervision and pastoral support may take place outside of this rudimentary requirement as convenient to both you and your named support tutor(s).
At Level 6 you will typically have around 7-8 contact hours per week, with additional tutorial time as required, and this will be timetabled over two days on site. These contact hours will vary between lectures, practical work, external visits, seminars, group and individual workshops and tutorials dependent on each module.
Delivery will be scheduled for week days between 9am and 4:15pm within the usual academic year (i.e. September to May).
Timetables are normally available at enrolment. Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week.
The BSc (Hons) Wildlife Conservation Top Up is offered to enable tertiary level graduates to utilise knowledge of contemporary habitat and wildlife conservation issues in order to inform the application of practical skills that are vital to industry.
The programme has been designed to offer progression opportunities to FdSc Wildlife Conservation graduates and to develop a conceptual understanding of the principles underpinning contemporary wildlife and environmental management and its relationship to stakeholders within the land-based sector.
You will study habitat management, human-wildlife conflict, sustainable management and review current issues debated within the conservation sector. In addition, you will design and undertake an industry project as part of your dissertation.
Graduates will have the opportunity to progress to careers in environmental consultancy, countryside management and environmental management or continue into postgraduate study.
You will study modules including:
- Human-Wildlife Conflict
- Habitat Management
- Sustainable Management
- Review Current Issues within the Equine Sector
In addition, you will design and undertake an industry project as part of your dissertation.
University of Cumbria
Successful completion of this course will result in the awarding of 120 credits.
The course has a well-rounded base of environmental conservation skills, which would suit progression directly into conservation related industries, or, if preferred, the skills to diversify into a range of self-employed and entrepreneurial enterprises.
Our course is designed with equal focus on environmental sciences and associated skills. GIS and SPSS are used by most land-based industries for various purposes, including analysing raw data and predicting future impacts of anthropogenic activities.
Similarly, knowledge and competence within animal behaviour and conflict mitigation is in industry demand and offers the flexibility to move into education and educational support. The communication and presentation skills gained through specific modules and assessments mean opportunities may also be pursued in marketing, sales and retail, and advisory roles, which all play a vital role in modern conservation efforts.
For those of you with an interest in academia and expanding your skill set, a degree such as this can lead to jobs in diagnostic laboratories, animal husbandry facilities and underpinning knowledge may provide opportunities to pursue further qualifications such as bird ringing licences through the British Ornithological Trust and other wildlife licences.
Organisations that may employ you as a result of obtaining this qualification include the animal and wildlife charities, environmental branches of local and national government, environmental commissions and various British wildlife trusts.
If you enjoyed working with technology, then utilising analytic software to measure and predict trends and impacts, for example statistical modelling of the effects of climate change on animals or their habitats or the transmission rates of diseases.
For those of you wishing to continue your studies, the course includes opportunities to discuss studying at Masters level, and advice from staff and alumni in terms of these next steps.
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