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UWE Bristol · Undergraduate
BSc (Hons) Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Science Bachelor's degree at UWE Bristol
BSc (Hons) Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Science at UWE Bristol. You'll develop understanding across ecology theory, research methodology, applied conservation practice and specialist topics, culminating in an independent project that lets you pursue an area of real interest.
BSc (Hons)
Award
–
Years
Part-time
Study mode
University of the West of England
Location
About this course
BSc(Hons) Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Science was created in partnership with Bristol Zoo Project, giving you unique access to the zoo's facilities and expertise. From the provider’s course page.
BSc (Hons) Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Science is a Bachelor's degree (BSc (Hons)) at UWE Bristol, based in University of the West of England. It is studied part-time; duration varies by route.
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Environmental Science, see the sections below.
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year 1 4 modules
- The EarthCompulsory
Module details
You'll be introduced to Earth System Science covering the core physical science concepts that are necessary for the study of Ecology and Environmental Science, gaining understanding of how these components interact to shape Earth's climate, landscapes, and ecosystems.
- Field SkillsCompulsory
Module details
You'll study key concepts that aspiring environmental scientists, ecologists, and conservation scientists need to have experience in for field work, developing your understanding of how to design and carry out field studies and to present, analyse and interpret data.
- Life on EarthCompulsory
Module details
You'll examine the plants, animals and micro-organisms that make up life on earth, looking at how the living world is structured and how organisms interact with one another and their own environment.
- Wildlife and SocietyCompulsory
Module details
You'll learn the historical context of colonial conservation strategies and explore current or recommended initiatives in conservation aimed at fostering inclusivity and ethical practices in project implementation.
Year 2 6 modules
- Conservation in PracticeCompulsory
Module details
This module builds upon the knowledge you gained in your first year, to provide knowledge and practical experience of solutions to the problems faced by species of conservation concern.
- Ecology and Ecosystem ProtectionCompulsory
Module details
You'll study the basic principles of ecology (the interrelationships between living organisms and their environment), and explores the application of these principles in relation to habitat and ecosystem management and protection.
- Environmental and Field TechniquesCompulsory
Module details
You'll develop practical skills in field research, field techniques and data analysis in addition to understanding the limitations of these approaches and being introduced to contemporary environmental technologies.
- Plant Growth and SurvivalOptional
- The Microbial WorldOptional
- Wildlife EcologyOptional
Placement year 1 modules
- Professional Practice in Applied SciencesOptional
Module details
Assessment: The placement year is assessed on a reflective portfolio, work supervisor's report and oral presentation.
Final year 12 modules
- Contemporary Conservation ScienceCompulsory
Module details
You'll develop conservation skills and the capability to analyse relevant and topical issues. You'll understand how to use this information to inform effective solutions to conservation problems that are embedded in social, political, and economic reality.
- Research Dissertation ProjectCompulsory
Module details
You'll undertake an independent research project under the guidance of an academic supervisor, developing your skills and knowledge in contemporary scientific research.
- Environmental and Ecological ConsultancyOptional
- Environmental MicrobiologyOptional
- Global Forest SystemsOptional
- Marine EcosystemsOptional
- Primate Ecology and ConservationOptional
- Remote Sensing and Geographical Information Systems (GIS)Optional
- Science CommunicationOptional
- Sustainable Food ProductionOptional
- Expedition to a Biodiversity HotspotOptional
- Wildlife, Film and MediaOptional
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.
What you'll study
This course, created in partnership with Bristol Zoo Project, gives you unique access to the zoo's facilities and expertise in wildlife ecology and conservation. You'll usually begin with foundations in Earth Systems Science, Ecology Fundamentals and Environmental Data & GIS, establishing how ecosystems work and how to analyse environmental information. In Year 2, a course like this normally moves from core knowledge in Climate Change Science & Policy and Pollution & Environmental Management to practical residential fieldwork. Year 3 progresses to specialist options such as Climate science, Conservation, GIS & remote sensing, Environmental policy, Water & pollution, and Fieldwork, alongside independent research. You'll typically culminate with a dissertation based on field or data collection.
Who it's for
You're suited to this course if you're drawn to understanding how ecosystems work and what conservation requires in practice, not just in theory. You'll thrive on combining field observation with evidence-based problem-solving, and you'll value hands-on engagement with species and habitats. The part-time structure suits those balancing study with work or other commitments. You should be prepared for rigorous, practical work and the intellectual challenge of applying biological science to real conservation dilemmas.
Careers & job market
Across Environmental Science courses nationally, 90% of graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of graduating. Of those in work, 65% are in highly skilled roles or pursuing further qualifications. Starting salaries typically range from £24,000 to £30,000, rising to £26,350–£37,200 after five years. The course is accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences, supporting eligibility for associate membership. Your path may lead to conservation roles in NGOs, statutory agencies, consultancy, education or research, or to postgraduate study that opens other doors.
University & format
This BSc (Hons) is studied part-time at UWE Bristol, a public university located in Bristol. The course is taught in English and is accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES) for eligibility to apply for associate membership. UWE Bristol is a recognised UK degree-awarding body, and its teaching quality was rated Silver in the Office for Students' TEF 2023. Course length data is not available; please contact the university for detailed study structure and progression timescales.
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
Published entry112 UCAS points typical offer
Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.
2027 entry deadlineApply directly to the provider
Part-time application dates vary by provider. UCAS dates
Contextual offersPublished by this provider
The provider publishes contextual-offer information. Eligibility and any reduced offer are applicant-specific.
PlacementPublished placement option
Work placement. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
2026 entryLive availability check
Opened 2 July 2026; last choice 19 October 2026. Check vacancies now. A cached page never claims a place is still available.
Entry & how to get in
Typical offer (from the provider)The university’s course page lists a typical A-level offer of 112 UCAS points. Always check the provider for the current offer and subject requirements.
Professionally accreditedAccredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES) for the purpose of eligibility to apply for associate membership
Entry requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check UWE Bristol's official course page for the current offer.
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Offer-based entry
Entry is set by the university and based on your offer. Use your predicted grades to see how you compare, then check the university's stated requirements.
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 byApply directly to the providerfor this course
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course. One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write 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.
- 3Submit by Apply directly to the provider
Part-time application dates vary by provider. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results 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 UWE Bristol 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
Internationalset by the university
Standard capped home fee at English providers (2026/27); Scotland, Wales & NI differ.
Check fees at UWE Bristol →For students who normally live in England
illustrative Maintenance Loan per year
Check providertuition used per year, no published course home fee, total not estimated
total borrowing, course length not published
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
All UWE Bristol funding →Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
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.
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Career quizApplication walkthroughSalary & CV check
Careers & earnings
What Environmental Science graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in environmental science · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Environmental Science nationally
Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£24,000 – £30,000
After 3 years LEO
£21,250 – £30,000
After 5 years LEO
£26,350 – £37,200
national rangeaxis £20,000 – £38,500
National figures for Environmental 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.
Job market & outlook
How Environmental 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 Environmental Science courses nationally.
Graduate Outcomes65%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled90%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuationHow 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 Environmental Science graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Environmental consultancies
- Environment Agency
- Energy & utilities
- NGOs & local authorities
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Environmental Science graduates.
Environmental Science Graduate Leadership Scheme, HybridEnvironment AgencyRemote Environmental Science Evaluator – AI Output QAObsidianRemote Environmental Science Evaluator (Contract)MercorAssistant Professor: Ecology & Environmental Science and AISONICOMStrategic Leader, Environmental ScienceUK Research and Innovation (UKRI)Assistant Professor: Ecology, Evolution & Environmental ScienceImperial College LondonLive from the StudySmarter job board · as of 2026-08-01.See all matching jobs
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
University of the West of England, Bristol
All students36,380
International24.8%
Aged 25+34.8%
Geography, earth and environmental studies (social sciences) across the UK
Students11,970
Aged 25+17.6%
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around University of the West of England
547 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Violent Crime 188Anti Social Behaviour 89Shoplifting 50Other Theft 43Criminal Damage Arson 37
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Environmental Science right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to UWE Bristol from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by UWE Bristol; international fees are typically £12,000–£30,000/year for classroom subjects and higher for lab/clinical ones. 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 UWE Bristol’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 UWE Bristol and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at UWE Bristol
Environmental Science at other universities
BA (Hons) English Studies and Climate ChangeAberystwyth UniversityBSc (Hons) Environmental Earth Science (with integrated year in industry)Aberystwyth UniversityBSc (Hons) Environmental Earth Science (with integrated year studying abroad)Aberystwyth UniversityBSc (Hons) Environmental Earth ScienceAberystwyth UniversityCommon questions
What are the entry requirements?
Set by UWE Bristol. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
What do graduates earn?
See the career and earnings data for Environmental Science below (national Graduate Outcomes / LEO figures).
What will it cost me?
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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