BSc (Hons) Wildlife Conservation and Ecology (inc. Foundation Year)

• A minimum of 72 tariff points from A & AS levels (a Science subject is preferred)
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) –A minimum of grade MMP in Applied Science or Animal Care/Management
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) – A minimum grade DM in Applied Science or Animal Care/Management
• City & Guilds Level 3 Technical Advanced Extended Diploma (1080 – first awarded in 2019) – a minimum of grade MMP in Applied Science or Animal Care/Management
• City & Guilds Level 3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma (720 – first awarded in 2019) – a minimum of grade DM in Applied Science or Animal Care/Management
• Access to Higher Education – a minimum of 72 tariff points
• Mature students (aged 21+) will be considered on an individual basis on their prior knowledge and experience. This may be assessed by interview, completion of coursework/essay or other methods. There may be a requirement for a formal qualification to be completed first e.g. Access to Higher Education course

• Academic Skills for the Animal Sciences
• Introduction to Environmental Science
• Introduction to Data Handling & Analysis
• Practical Skills in Animal Husbandry
• Scientific Principles in the Animal Sciences
• Animal Form & Function

Level 4

• Conservation Biology and Biodiversity
• Ecological Survey and Census Skills
• Conservation of British Habitats
• Scientific Data Collection & Analysis
• Evolution & Adaptation
• Wildlife Ecology

Level 5

• Research Methods
• Principles of Ecological Restoration
• Wildlife Health and Rehabilitation*2
• Behavioural Ecology*1
• Technological Advancements in Conservation*1
• Ecological Assessment, Impact Mitigation & Enhancement*2
• Animal Ecophysiology
• Experiential Learning*3
• Work Based Learning for the Land Based Industries*3

*Denotes optional modules. The number corresponds to the combination for selection.

Level 6

• Applied Issues in Wildlife Conservation
• Environmental Sustainability & Natural Resource Management
• Dissertation†
• Biology & Conservation of Mammals*1
• Biology & Conservation of Birds*1
• Biology & Conservation of Herpetofauna*1
• Conservation Education*2
• Applications of Animal Behaviour for Conservation*2
• Anthrozoology*2

* Denotes optional modules. The number corresponds to the combination for selection.

† Dissertation is a double-weighted module, worth 40 credits. Therefore, only five modules are selected for study at Level 6 (Year 3).

Please note that availability of optional modules (Levels 5 & 6 only) is subject to availability of subject-specialist staff and the recruitment of the minimum viable student number (7 individuals). Should a module not be deemed viable for operation then all students whom selected for that module will be communicated to in writing in advance of the academic year, and will be informed of the alternative options available to select from.

Students will be expected to make their module choices for the following academic year during March/April, via on online module selection service. Confirmation of module selections will be provided via email following approval.

Overall workload

Your overall workload consists of class contact hours, independent learning and assessment activity, plus field trips. Your actual contact hours may depend on which optional modules you select, but the following information gives an indication of how much time you will need to allocate to different activities at each year of the course:

Year 1: 36% of your time is spent in timetabled teaching and learning activity

Teaching, Learning and Assessment: 432 hours

Independent Study: 768 hours

Year 2: 30% of your time is spent in timetabled teaching and learning activity

Teaching, Learning and Assessment: 360 hours

Independent Study: 840 hours

Year 3: 21% of your time is spent in timetabled teaching and learning activity

Teaching, Learning and Assessment: 252 hours

Placement: 150 hours

Independent Study: 798 hours

Year 4: 14% of your time is spent in timetabled teaching and learning activity

Teaching, Learning and Assessment: 170 hours

Independent Study: 1030 hours

Assessment Methods

Assessments are designed to encourage both academic skills and professional skills highly sought after in industry. Assessments include a combination of coursework and examinations. Coursework may take many forms including: essays, reports, data processing, presentations, academic posters, seminar discussions, interviews, critical reviews, portfolios of evidence and practical competency assessments. The examinations vary, depending on the nature of the module, but may take the form of multiple-choice papers, essays, practical assessments, data handling questions, short answer quizzes, and in class examinations.

The balance of assessment by examination and assessment by coursework depends to some extent on the optional modules you choose. The approximate percentage of the course assessed by coursework is as follows:

Year 1

85% coursework

15% written exams

Year 2

54.5% coursework

45.5% written/practical exams

Year 3

85% coursework

15% written/practical exams

Year 4

75% coursework

25% written/practical exams

Feedback

Feedback is supplied via Turnitin or directly from the module tutor. The majority of submissions are made via Turnitin and feedback for coursework is provided within twenty working days after the submission date.

Written feedback will be supported verbally should the student require clarification. Formative assessment feedback will be provided at the time of completion where possible, with more detailed summative feedback for reports.

Students will be able to access course timetables for the academic year in September.

Timetables are subject to change, but most students can expect to spend 3-3.5 days per week on campus.

Students are given the opportunity to study an optional module at level 5 entitled Work Based Learning for the Land Based Industries. Students are expected to source their own placement, and complete a minimum of 100 hours of work, which can be accrued either in a block or cumulatively over weekends and holiday periods. When selecting a placement, students should consider the financial implications associated with accommodation, travel/commuting and the possible need for a Disclosure Barring service (DBS) check, as UCR is unable to subsidise such costs.

Tuition Fees

As a student at UCR, you will have two main costs to meet; your tuition fees and living costs.

Our full-time tuition fees for UK and EU students, entering University, can be found on our student finance page. These fees are charged for each academic year of a course and are set by the college annually.

Tuition fees for international students can also be found on our student finance page.

Additional Costs

Students will be offered the chance to engage in both domestic and overseas learning opportunities with which to enhance their classroom-based learning experience. Here, students will have the option to undertake overseas study for academic credit in year 2 of the programme, or simply participate for experiential purposes. These may include opportunities to study zoological collections in Europe, but also undertaking conservation field courses within locations such as Southern Africa, South America and the UK.

The main emphasis placed on these field courses is the development of professional, industry relevant skills and the application of students’ knowledge in a novel, stimulating, yet challenging environment. Costs associated with the field courses range from £500 – £1200 (UK), and between £2,200 – £3,000 (South America & Southern Africa). Please note that precise pricing of all field courses is subject to change, pending availability and recruitment.

Equipment Costs

• Boiler suit: £20-£30 OR UCR Polo shirt (£12)/UCR Sweatshirt (£16) + work trousers (£15-£20)
• Steel toe capped boots: from £30
• Lab coat: £13-£20
• USB drive: from £5

Prices of equipment are subject to change dependent on retailer.