BSc (Hons) Woodland Ecology and Conservation · University of CumbriaBachelor's degree · 3 years
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The University of Cumbria · Undergraduate

BSc (Hons) Woodland Ecology and Conservation Bachelor's degree at the University of Cumbria

BSc (Hons) Woodland Ecology and Conservation at University of Cumbria. Located in Ambleside in the Lake District, you'll benefit from direct access to varied woodland habitats for fieldwork and research.

BSc (Hons)
Award
3
Years
Full-time
Study mode
80%
in work/study (15m)

About this course

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BSc (Hons) Woodland Ecology and Conservation is a Bachelor's degree (BSc (Hons)) at the University of Cumbria, based in In Ambleside. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.

For Biological and sport sciences graduates from this provider, 80% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 65% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £24,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)

For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Sport & Exercise Science, see the sections below.

Course evidence score

The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.

7.5
/ 10
Strong
3 of 3 official measures
Student satisfaction
What students say in the National Student Survey
Strong78

Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)

Graduate outcomes
In work or further study 15 months after graduating
Excellent80

Moderate evidence Published sample: 30; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2021-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 80% (2021-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)

Continuation
Students who continue past their first year
Solid65

Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2021-23. Continuation 65% (2021-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)

Curriculum & modules

Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.

Year one 7 modules
  • Introduction to Managing Trees, Woods and Forests
    Module details

    Provides students with a basic understanding of the history of forestry in the UK and worldwide, the underlying principles of soil and plant science and an overview of current practice of sustainable forest management to protect biodiversity, produce timber and other benefits to human society.

  • Measuring Trees and Forests
    Module details

    To learn to apply the standard methods of tree and woodland measurement used in British forestry.

  • Silviculture
    Module details

    Aims to give a grounding in silvicultural practice, to include a thorough and applied understanding of plantation, conservation and amenity woodland establishment and maintenance.

  • Woodland Ecology
    Module details

    Gives a broad introduction to ecology and ecological processes. Ecology, the study of interactions between organisms and with their environments, provides a theoretical and practical framework for managing and working with natural and semi-natural ecosystems, but also in managed landscapes.

  • Forestry Fundamentals
    Module details

    The aim of this module is to enable students to learn the key writing and presentation skills necessary to succeed in their studies and their future career.

  • The Tree of Life
    Module details

    The Tree of Life will introduce you to the incredible range of biodiversity on our planet, focusing on multicellular organisms such as fungi, lower plants, flowering plants, protists, invertebrate and vertebrate animals. You will develop an understanding of the taxonomical hierarchies and classifications that underpins the tree of life. You will study aspects of their anatomy and gain identification skills through practical sessions in the laboratory and the field. This module forms a useful bas

  • Form and Function
    Module details

    Form and Function introduces you to fundamental cell biology and the genetic, physiological, and morphological adaptations exhibited by organisms in a variety of habitats. You will learn about the structure and function of cells as the fundamental building blocks of life. You will investigate how fundamental components are integrated into physiological systems and how anatomical features have evolved to meet different physiological functions and how these need to be considered in wildlife conser

Year two 9 modules
  • Ecological Census Techniques
    Module details

    Ecological Census Techniques introduces you to the wide range of standard survey techniques commonly used in environmental impact assessments and ecological research across a broad range of taxa. It will introduce you to the equipment and methods necessary to conduct surveys and provide hands-on practice to improve your competency in survey skills and survey design. This experience will be essential for modules and projects later in your programme, and will develop the practical, personal, and a

  • Geographic Information Systems
    Module details

    The aim of this module is to provide students with a sound understanding of the theory and application of GIS in a manner relevant to their field of study and potential future employment.

  • Research Methods and Data Analysis
    Module details

    Research Design and Data Analysis supports the development of your competencies undertaking research and analysing data. You will be guided though the research process, learning how to formulate research questions, critically evaluate published literature and develop suitable aims and objectives. You will learn how to collect data in a robust manner, with awareness of assumptions, context, process, and design. The module will also develop your ability to evaluate and apply a range of quantitativ

  • Forest Policy and Governance
    Module details

    Throughout the module, students will develop the knowledge and skills required to manage modern, sustainable, multipurpose forestry within the constraints of national and international legislative and policy frameworks.

  • Forest Health and Protection
    Module details

    The aim of this module is to enable students to identify, understand and manage the main biotic (pests and pathogens) and abiotic (nutrient and climate) factors that adversely affect trees and forests.

  • Forests & PeopleOptional
    Module details

    Forests and woodlands in both the rural and urban environments have always played a wide and varied role for communities throughout our history, both as a physical resource to be exploited and also providing spaces for our mental and physical health and wellbeing.

  • Valuing the EnvironmentOptional
    Module details

    Students will explore the concepts associated with valuing the environment including: natural capital, nature's contribution to people and ecosystem services. You will critically evaluate these as frameworks for enabling people to "value" the environment.

  • Environmental Change: Past Present FutureOptional
    Module details

    Explores the evidence for and forcing of past climate change through the Quaternary period, how this has impacted upon the landscape, and also the evolution of humans and society.

  • Field Ecology and Wildlife ConservationOptional
    Module details

    Field Ecology and Wildlife Conservation is a field-based module, delivered as a residential field trip in a national and/or international location rich in wildlife and of conservation importance. The module allows you to put your learning at Levels 4 and 5 into practice to address research questions about ecosystems and their conservation. It encourages you to extend theoretical and practical knowledge using data-driven approaches and accessing specialist literature. You will learn about local e

Year three 8 modules
  • Dissertation
  • Woodland Conservation
    Module details

    Comparing the concept of conservation to those of ecology and sustainability. Examining how British Romanticism inspired by the English Lake District landscape contributed to the start of the conservation movement alongside with developments in the USA.

  • Forest Plan
    Module details

    Provides opportunity for students to engage in a systematic and integrated approach to objective-led forest management planning in accordance with the principles and criteria of sustainable forest management.

  • Advanced SilvicultureOptional
    Module details

    Aims to develop further your understanding of silvicultural practices and their role in ensuring the productive and sustainable management of forests across a range of objectives in both temperate and tropical regions.

  • Business SkillsOptional
    Module details

    You will develop objectives for a self-selected business; evaluate in a structured way the impacts upon a business and plan the resources requires. You will learn to apply a range of business tools and how to write and present a business plan.

  • Advanced GIS and Remote SensingOptional
    Module details

    The aim of this module is to provide students with the skills and knowledge to plan and implement projects using GIS and remote sensing to solve issues in the fields of conservation and natural resources management.

  • Climate Smart ForestryOptional
    Module details

    To provide forest managers an overview of the causes and impacts of anthropogenic climate change and the adaptation strategies necessary and mitigation options available.

  • Ecosystem ManagementOptional
    Module details

    Ecosystem Management demonstrates how ecosystem management ideas have arisen from more traditional methods for management of wildlife and natural resources, reflecting our improved knowledge on the disturbance and resilience of ecological communities as interdependent components within a holistic environmental system. We will explore the intrinsic links between humans and nature, and focus on how interactions within and among ecosystems can inform policy and practice to sustain and restore ecolo

Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.

Course in depth

What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.

Who it's for

You're drawn to understanding how woodlands function and what it takes to protect them. You enjoy fieldwork, data collection, and solving real problems in environmental management. You're comfortable with both scientific rigour and practical skills, and you want a degree that moves beyond the classroom into the landscapes you're studying. This course suits people who think ecologically and want their learning rooted in place.

Careers & job market

Across Sport & Exercise Science courses nationally, 90% of graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating. Of working graduates, 62% are in highly skilled roles or undertaking further study. Starting salaries typically fall between £22,000 and £30,000; after five years, graduates earn between £23,375 and £33,000. These are national figures from graduate outcomes data, not promises for this specific programme. Roles in conservation, environmental management, and land stewardship draw on skills developed throughout the degree.

University & format

The University of Cumbria, in Ambleside, is a university recognised as a UK degree-awarding body. This BSc (Hons) Woodland Ecology and Conservation is a full-time 3-year degree taught in English. The university holds Silver for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023.

Student satisfaction

How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.

The teaching on my course
92%
Learning opportunities
89%
Assessment and feedback
74%
Academic Support
83%
Organisation and management
55%
Learning resources
85%
Student voice
71%

Share of students responding positively.

Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)

Applicant information

The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.

Application timelineWhat happens next
  1. 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted

    Your application needs a reference before you can send it.

  2. 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications

    Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.

  3. 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice

    Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.

  4. 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline

    18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.

Show 5 later dates
  1. 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens

    Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.

  2. 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers

    Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.

  3. 2027 entryClearing opens

    Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.

  4. 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications

    Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.

  5. 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice

    Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.

PlacementPublished placement option

Work placement. Availability, selection and pay can vary.

Entry & how to get in

Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent75% of accepted students came in with A-levels or equivalent (entrants over recent years).
Typical UCAS tariff: 96 - 111 pointsThe most common UCAS tariff band among accepted students. This is what entrants had, not a stated requirement.
Entry requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check the University of Cumbria's official course page for the current offer.

Who gets in

What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.

UCAS tariff of entrants

Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.

Qualifications held on entry

QualificationShare
A-levels or equivalent75%
a previous degree10%
another higher-education qualification10%
Other10%

Entry & your chances

An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.

Accessible entry

Accepted students came in with a broad spread of qualifications and UCAS points. If you're worried about grades, this course has historically taken a wide range, and contextual offers may apply.

Will you get in? Plot your grades

Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.

Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.

Add your grades to see where you land

Your points will drop onto the distribution above, with an honest above / within / below read.

Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.

How to apply

Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.

Apply by13 January 2027, 18:00 UK timefor this course
Typical gradesBCCA-level equivalent admitted students held
  1. 1
    Register on UCAS Hub

    Create your UCAS application and add this course. One application covers up to five choices.

  2. 2
    Write your personal statement

    A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.

  3. 3
    Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time

    UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.

  4. 4
    Reply to your offers

    When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.

  5. 5
    Results day & confirmation

    On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.

💡 Many universities make a contextual (reduced-grade) offer, for example based on your school’s results, time in care, or where you live. Ask University of Cumbria whether you’re eligible before you apply; it can lower the grades you need.

Fees & funding

What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.

Tuition per year

Homeup to £9,790 / yr
International£25,000 / yr

Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).

Check fees at University of Cumbria →

For students who normally live in England

illustrative Maintenance Loan per year
£9,790tuition used per year, illustrative full-time England fee-cap scenario
illustrative borrowing over 3 years

2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.

Starting on or after 1 January 2027?

The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.

Paying for it

  • Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
  • Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
  • Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
  • Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.

England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.

Funding matched to this course

Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for

All University of Cumbria funding →

Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.

Amounts, exclusions and deadlines can change. An award is not guaranteed unless the university confirms it.

StudyKit · free

Still deciding what to study?

StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.

Career quizApplication walkthroughSalary & CV check

Careers & earnings

What Sport & Exercise Science graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.

Graduate earnings: this course

WhenMedianTypical rangeGraduates
15 months after£24,000£22,000 – £27,00030
3 years after£21,000£16,500 – £25,00075
5 years after£26,500£21,000 – £31,50085

Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 30; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2021-23.

Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course

80%
in work or further study 15 months on
65%
in highly skilled work or study
65%
continue past their first year
75%
find their work meaningful
60%
say work fits their future plans
  1. 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
  2. 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in sport & exercise science · 2–5 yrs
  3. 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
  4. 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs

How pay grows: this course vs Sport & Exercise Science nationally

Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£24,000
£22,000 – £30,000
After 3 years LEO
£21,000
£19,125 – £27,000
After 5 years LEO
£26,500
£23,375 – £33,000
national rangethis course’s medianaxis £18,000 – £34,000

National figures for Sport & Exercise Science graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.

Work out your pay

Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.

What happened to 100 students?

Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.

80 of 100

were in work or further study

15 months after graduation

55% working0% working and studying5% in further study65% in highly skilled work or study

Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2021-23. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 30; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2021-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.

Value compared with similar courses

How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Sport & Exercise Science courses at the same study level.

This course £26,500Peer median £27,500Middle 50% £26,000–£30,000
35th percentile

Compared with 915 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.

UK occupations graduates enter

Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.

  • Natural and social science professionalsSOC 2020 211 · 20% of published destinations · ASHE median £44,243
  • Elementary occupationsSOC 2020 9 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £19,087
  • Sales occupationsSOC 2020 71 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £15,975
  • Business and public service associate professionalsSOC 2020 35 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £38,760
  • Conservation and environment professionalsSOC 2020 215 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £40,520
  • Managers, directors and senior officialsSOC 2020 1 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £51,733

Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 25; response rate: 80%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.

Job market & outlook

How Sport & Exercise Science graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.

90%
in work or further study 15 months after graduating, across Sport & Exercise Science courses nationally.
Graduate Outcomes
62%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled
80%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuation

How AI is changing the work

AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.

What AI takes off your plate

  • Routine information gathering
  • First-draft writing and summaries
  • Standard analysis and admin
  • Repetitive processing tasks

More human than ever

  • Judgement and original thinking
  • Working with and leading people
  • Owning and sense-checking AI output
  • Ethics and accountability

The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.

Roles & employers

Where Sport & Exercise Science graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.

Where they work

  • Sports clubs & NGBs
  • Leisure providers
  • Schools
  • The NHS

Is this course right for you?

The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.

💷

Student finance

For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.

📈

Where graduates go

80% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £24,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.

🎯

Your entry chances

Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.

Official-data snapshot

Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 7.5 out of 10: NSS 78.4% · in work or study 80% · continued 65%.

Who studies here and in this subject?

Provider- and UK subject-level context.

University of Cumbria

All students9,065
International2.6%
Aged 25+63.7%

Biological and sport sciences across the UK

Students111,380
Aged 25+16.5%

HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.

Local crime-data context

A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.

Around In Ambleside

64 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.

Violent Crime 27Public Order 10Criminal Damage Arson 9Shoplifting 7Vehicle Crime 3

Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.

Is Sport & Exercise Science right for you?

Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.

International students

What applying to University of Cumbria from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.

Tuition fees

International tuition is £25,000 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.

English language

Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.

Student visa

You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.

Scholarships & funding

Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check University of Cumbria’s funding pages.

Living costs

Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.

Working while you study

A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.

Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with University of Cumbria and gov.uk before you apply.

Common questions

Entry is historically accessible, accepted students came in with a broad spread of qualifications. The most common tariff band among recent entrants was 96 - 111 UCAS points. Use the calculator on this page to see where your predicted grades would put you; many universities also make lower contextual offers.
Set by the University of Cumbria. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
For Biological and sport sciences graduates from this provider, 80% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 65% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £24,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years. See Fees & funding on this page to work out your numbers.
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