BSc (Hons) Wildlife Conservation and Environmental Management

A professionally accredited programme for anyone seeking a career in wildlife management, particularly focusing on the interdependencies of fauna and flora and the wider environmental landscape.

This course provides comprehensive training in modern wildlife management techniques. You will develop a coherent understanding of the scientific methodology behind effective management techniques for our wild flora and fauna, and gain hands-on experience in the techniques of collecting, analysing and interpreting data for the conservation of our wildlife and natural resources.

Areas studied include Wildlife Conservation. The Natural Environment and Climate Change, Wildlife Identification, Adaptive Biology, Ecology, Principles of Animal Behaviour and Welfare and more. (See module table below)

The Harper Advantage

• Residential field trips in years 1 and 4 to underpin and contextualise what you learn.
• A range of field trips and visits to relevant local and national organisations to provide real life experience and to meet professionals in their field of work.
• A strong focus on animal behaviour and the relationship between species and the environment.
• A full placement year in industry as part of your degree, enabling you to put knowledge into practice, develop your network and discover your future ambitions.
• Professional Accreditation: This degree course is accredited by the CIEEM - Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management.
• More than 20 competitive scholarships open to students on Environment, Sustainability and Wildlife routes.

Duration

4 years (full-time) including a one-year work placement. A three year programme is available for applicants with at least two years, full-time relevant work experience. Please contact Admissions for further information on this option.

Careers

The breadth and flexibility of this industry accredited course means our students go on to careers in a wide range of areas.

Graduates can expect to find employment in a diversity of sectors revolving around the sustainable land use and management. A range of organisations including local government, large corporations, developers and NGOs such as Wildlife Trusts employ staff with expertise in survey, management and assessment of wildlife populations.

Projects, large and small, require work to mitigate impacts, particularly where protected species and habitats of conservation value are present. An understanding of animal behaviour and welfare, population ecology, field skills, conservation science and underpinning environmental legislation will open up opportunities for graduates from this course. Placements have seen students working with ecological, and planning consultants, the National Trust, and AONB advisors working with farmers to enhance wildlife habitat. Graduates can also expect to find employment within the more traditional countryside management sector in warden and management roles with a focus on ecological management of land and wildlife.

Entry requirements for 2023

Use the drop-down tool to select the qualifications you have or are working towards to see what grades would be required for access to this programme. If you can’t see your qualification or would like any assistance with entry requirements, telephone the admissions team on 01952 815000, email admissions@harper-adams.ac.uk or complete a form to enable them to contact you.

Course fees

The latest fees for this course can be found in our undergraduate fees and funding section. You will also find course related costs, specific to this course in this area.

Teaching and learning

What you study

This course provides comprehensive training in modern wildlife management techniques and is designed to introduce key concepts of wildlife conservation, biodiversity and sustainable resource management. Students will develop a broad understanding of the scientific principles required for effective management of our wild flora and fauna, which is increasingly coming under pressure as a result of human activity.

Combined with a sound scientific underpinning students will gain hands-on experience in the techniques of collecting, analysing, and interpreting data for the conservation and management of our wildlife and natural resources.

Field trips

All first year Wildlife students attend the practical ecology field trip as part of their course. The trip provides students with practical field skills and techniques of quantitative analysis. It normally takes place in May at the Field Studies Council Slapton Ley Field Centre in Devon. This is a seven night residential course, and costs £50*.

In Year 4 there is also the option for final year students to attend a residential Field course to Africa in investigate the management, behaviour and conservation practices of key taxon.  Assessment will be in the form of a research project.  Costs are likely to be around £2000

All final year wildlife  students attend a five night residential field course, currently situated on Anglesey. The course provides students with an opportunity to investigate a real world issue of relevance to the environment and provides advanced data collection, analysis, project management and presentation skills. The trip normally takes place in the autumn term and costs £30*.

*cost includes all meals, accommodation and transport to and from the field centre, and are correct as of the 2018/19 academic year.

Teaching and learning

Here at Harper Adams we are committed to high standards in teaching and learning. 

Teaching methods include student centred learning, resource based learning, independent project work, all of which is delivered in a variety of formats: including lectures, seminars and tutorials.  In addition to this, research-led learning is encouraged where students can be exposed to relevant research in a number of ways, from learning about the work of others and its relevance to wildlife resource management to conducting their own studies and field experiments.

To further underpin the applied nature of this course visiting speakers from within the sector are used and practical field work and site visits form essential elements in the learning method as they provide the contextual relevance for students to establish the link between theory and practice.

Assessment methods

Assessment of student learning is conducted using a variety of methods. Each course module is assessed by a combination of coursework and an end of year exam. A part of the assessment process, student feedback forms an important element in the learning process. All students receive verbal and written feedback on their coursework and exam scripts. 

Example of assessment methods include:

• Time constrained exams
• Flora and fauna Identification test 
• Management plans
• Essays / case studies
• Field reports
• Practical examinations
• Poster presentations

Work placement

Studying an accredited CIEEM course in Wildlife Conservation opens up a range of graduate careers. You will spend your placement year working in a key wildlife conservation sector of your choice. Placements can be matched to your career aspirations to help you develop skills, knowledge and understanding that will improve your employability.

Key skills you will develop may include; species and habitat management/survey, research and interpretation data, GIS skills, fieldwork techniques, observations of animal behaviour, and sustainable project and land management approaches.

Current placement employers include public bodies such as; Natural England, Environment Agency, Forestry Commission, Local Authorities, through to organisations/consultancies such as; Keswick Wildlife Park, RSK ADAS, Eurofins, Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust, National Trust, The Wildlife Trusts, Field Studies Council. Placement gives you unique prospects as employers value the combination of theory and hands-on experience.