Wildlife, Ecology and Conservation Science

The natural world is as fragile as it is fascinating. If you share our passion for understanding and conserving nature and wildlife, this course is ideal for you, and opens the door to many established and emerging careers.

We draw on a range of related disciplines to bring the subject to life, covering aspects of animal and plant ecology, marine and freshwater biology, wildlife behaviour, and environmental and conservation science.

A willingness to get your hands dirty is essential. Our students engage in fieldwork at numerous sites of scientific and conservation importance across Suffolk, and have the opportunity to study abroad to experience even more diversity in wildlife and habitats.

We’ve designed our degree to be more comprehensive than similar programmes elsewhere. In order to equip you with the skills required for careers in emerging new areas, we provide you with a firm foundation in modern biology and laboratory research techniques.

The degree is run in close association with a wide range of environmental and conservation organisations, including Suffolk Wildlife Trust, Essex Wildlife Trust, Colchester Zoo, Muntons, Eden Rose Coppice Trust, the Environment Agency, Suffolk Biodiversity Information Service, the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), Essex and Suffolk Rivers Trust, the Field Studies Council (FSC), and the world-famous Flatford Mill.

Graduates from the programme can find employment as conservationists, teachers and science writers, planning consultants, policy advisers, professionals in wildlife parks and zoos, government agencies, and the agri-business and agri-tech sectors, as well as non-government agencies such as the National Trust, RSPB and the WWF.