Ecology and Conservation
Explore diverse biodiversity and its conservation in the field, on national and international field trips, and in our labs.
in the UK for Learning Opportunities, Assessment and Feedback, Academic Support, Learning Resources.
Source: Subject ranking for ecology and environmental biology, NSS 2025
Our planet needs protecting and by choosing to study on our course, you’ll gain a deep understanding of the concerns surrounding different environments and the specialist skills required to tackle them.
You’ll also learn about biodiversity locally and around the world, and explore conservation ecology, which aims to support, recover and maintain populations and their habitats.
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Hear Course Leader Dr Toby Carter speak about the course
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Our BSc Ecology and Conservation course was awarded ‘Highly Commended’ at CIEEM 2024 Awards within the Higher Education Programme of the Year category
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Study in Cambridge – a hub of expertise and wildlife institutions' headquarters, and home to our £45m Science Centre
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Bring the world of work to life through Live Briefs; designed, developed, and run with local employers such as the Wildlife Trust and Cambridge City Council, giving you exposure to ‘real life’ problem-solving
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Get hands-on using world-class equipment in our 200-seat SuperLab, as well as on residential field trips and day trips around the UK, with the added opportunity to study ecology in the tropics
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Study on a course developed in line with industry standards, with accreditation from the Royal Society of Biology and the Chartered Institute of Ecology & Environmental Management (CIEEM)
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Gain valuable employment experience by applying for internships supporting research, or opt for our placement year with a range of exciting employers
Study at an award-winning university
We were named Times Higher Education University of the Year 2023. We've also been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a reflection of the outstanding education we offer our students.
Careers
Being at ARU helped crystallise my love for the natural world. Today I'm here surrounded by papers on primate genetics and schedules for filming another BBC piece.
As a graduate you’ll have the specialist skills you need to work in your chosen area of ecology, conservation or wildlife biology, including marine biology.
You’ll also have transferable skills in problem-solving, teamwork and scientific communication – ideal for employment in the ecological sector and in research roles more widely.
You could apply for work in the UK or internationally, for employers such as governments, environment agencies, education institutions and research establishments.
Teaching and modules
You will gain industry-recognised skills, practical field experience, and strong ecological knowledge, enhancing employability in environmental sectors.
You’ll start by learning the basics of wildlife taxonomy, conservation, distribution and ecology.
We’ll go on to explore oceanic and coastal ecosystems, vertebrate and invertebrate biology, adaptation, evolution, genetics, and the effects of global change on the spatial distribution of living things.
You’ll also learn practical field techniques in marine, terrestrial or behavioural ecology, and gain skills in research, analysis and investigation, becoming familiar with a range of computer software along the way.
Finally, you’ll complete a major research project on a relevant topic of your choice, bringing together everything you’ve learned.
Student experience
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Discover nature - spend a week on the North Devon coast learning practical ecology skills.
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Life in the wild - Learn how to survey a range of plants and animals on national and international field trips.
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Protecting nature - Contribute to conservation monitoring in the UK.
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Ecological communities - Measure the diversity of bird communities at RSPB Titchwell.
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Local rarities - Measure the diversity of bird communities at RSPB Titchwell.
Modules are subject to change and availability, and may vary by location. If you have the choice of optional modules, these are indicated with a *.
- Animal Physiology and Behaviour (30 credits)
- Introduction to Ecology and Conservation (30 credits)
- Principles of Biology (30 credits)
- Quantitative Techniques and Tools for Biologists (30 credits)
- Professional and Personal Development - Level 4
- Into ARU
- Invertebrate Biology (15 credits)
- Principles of Genetics and Evolution (15 credits)
- Aquatic Biology and Conservation (15 credits)
- Ruskin Module (15 credits)
- Marine and Terrestrial Communities (15 credits)
- Biological Research Skills (15 credits)
- Field Skills in Biology (15 credits)
- GIS and Spatial Ecology (15 credits)
- Professional and Personal Development - Level 5
- Population Ecology and Wildlife Management (15 credits)
- Current Topics in Marine Biology (15 credits)
- Undergraduate Major Project (30 credits)
- Wildlife Conservation (15 credits)
- Sustainable Land Management (15 credits)
- Professional Field Ecology (15 credits)
- Behavioural Ecology (15 credits) *
- Biogeography (15 credits) *
- Tropical Ecology and Management (15 credits) *
To prepare you for university study, you can take a foundation year at the start of this course. Find out more about foundation years.
- Interactive Learning Skills and Communication
- Information and Communication Technology
- Maths for Scientists
- Cellular Biology
- Critical Thinking
- Biology: Physiology
- Chemistry
- Physics for Life Sciences
You can choose to take an optional placement year as part of this course. Placements typically happen in Year 3, and your course will take four years overall. Find out more about placement years.
- Work placement
As a student at ARU, you’ll learn from staff who are involved in field and captive studies internationally and in the UK, and have research links with a range of organisations including some of Britain's most respected zoos.
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Dr Toby CarterAssociate Professor
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Dr Jim LittlemoreSenior Lecturer
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Dr Joseph J BaileySenior Lecturer
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Dr Hannah WhiteSenior Lecturer
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Dr Dannielle GreenAssociate Professor
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Dr Peter BrownAssociate Professor
Facilities
As a student at ARU, you’ll be able to take advantage of state-of-the-art facilities.
These include a 200-station biosciences laboratory in our Science Centre in Cambridge, an award-winning library and IT resources.
Entry requirements
Fees and funding
Apply for Ecology and Conservation
Clearing places available
UK students, apply through Clearing for a September 2025 start
