
Ecology and Conservation with a Year in Industry - BSc (Hons)
University of KentCanterbury, United Kingdom
Course overview
Join the longest running undergraduate conservation course in the UK. Our degree equips future ecology and conservation professionals. Natural science areas of focus include ecology, wildlife survey methods, rewilding, wildlife management, conservation biology, biogeography, and conservation genetics, and include an emphasis on field-trips with some lab-based training too.
Explore the human dimensions of conservation including climate change, environmental sustainability, species reintroduction, working with rural communities, human-wildlife conflict and conservation policy, so upon graduation, you can make a real difference in tomorrow’s world. Graduate with skills in wildlife and habitat surveying, data analysis, survey design, Geographical Information Systems (GIS), and ecological project management - having planned your own dissertation research project in the final year. Become part of the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE), an award-winning research centre.
You’ll be taught by award-winning DICE staff, giving you the knowledge, skills and global networks to address modern environmental challenges. Our extensive range of UK and overseas field trips take advantage of the UK’s rich landscapes, our beautiful green campus, and you could even venture to the forests and beaches of Costa Rica on our tropical field course. Kent is now an epicentre of rewilding efforts in the UK, and we take advantage of our proximity to reintroduction projects including the Bison in Blean woods, just a stones throw from the University of Kent.
The year in professional practice gives you the opportunity to spend up to a year undertaking work placements with organisations relevant to your degree programme. Placements can be at home or abroad and give you the opportunity to apply your academic skills in a practical context, offering you rare and unique experiences which will set you apart.
Key highlights
- Longest running undergraduate conservation course in the UK
- Up to a year of work placements, at home or abroad
- Optional tropical field course in Costa Rica's forests and beaches
- Taught by award-winning Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology staff
- Skills in GIS, wildlife surveying, data analysis and project management
- Close to rewilding projects including the Bison in Blean woods
Entry requirements
- UCAS tariff points: 104-120 — Typical offer 104-120 UCAS points A level BBB Contextual offer: BCC Contextual offers consider personal circumstances as well as academic grades.
- A-level: BBB — Typical offer 104-120 UCAS points A level BBB Contextual offer: BCC Contextual offers consider personal circumstances as well as academic grades.
- A-level: BCC — contextual offer
- BTEC: DDM — BTEC DDM Contextual offer: DMM Contextual offers consider personal circumstances as well as academic grades.
- BTEC: DMM — contextual offer
- UCAS tariff points: 120 — IB 120 Tariff points View all requirements
Scholarships
Kent Ambition to Succeed Scholarship
Scholarship holders can expect to receive between £500-£2,000 for each year of study (pro-rata for part-time students), subject to satisfactory academic progress.
Kent International Scholarship for Undergraduates
Scholarship value - £5,000
Up to £5,000KMMS Christopher and Henry Oldfield Academic Scholarship
Tuition fee waiver for 4 years at the home rate (£9, 790 for 26/27).
KMMS Christopher and Henry Oldfield Support Scholarship
Tuition fee waiver for 4 years at the home rate (£9,790 for 26/27).
KMMS Kingsman Scholarship
Tuition fee waiver for 4 years at the home rate (£9,790 for 26/27).
KMMS Widening Participation Scholarship
£1,500 maintenance per annum for a maximum of 5 years.
Up to £1,500Music Performance Scholarship
£1,000 awarded each year to talented instrumentalists and singers studying for any degree at the University of Kent.
Up to £1,000Sanctuary Scholarships
Tuition fees waived for the duration of your programme of study, or until you are able to access other Student Finance funding.
Careers this course leads to
- Ecologist
- Conservation officer
- Ecological consultant
- Wildlife surveyor
- Countryside ranger
- Environmental policy officer
Admission
Applications are made through AHZ at no cost. Share your transcripts, English test scores and personal statement, and your AHZ Counsellor will review your profile, submit your application to University of Kent, and guide you through interview, offer, CAS and visa — right up to enrolment.
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Book a free consultation and we'll map your fastest route to a September 2026 place.
