School of Life Sciences

BSc (Hons) Animal Behaviour and Wildlife Conservation

BSc (Hons) Full-time 3 years, Part-time 6 years

This course provides passionate students with vital skills for conservation professional roles, crafted and honed through visits and integral field-based work.

This course provides passionate students with vital skills for conservation professional roles, crafted and honed through visits and integral field-based work.

Award
BSc (Hons)
Start date(s)
16 September 2024
UCAS Code
DD34
Course specifications
Course length
Full-time (3 years),Part-time (6 years)
Campus location
Wolverhampton City Campus
School
School of Life Sciences
UCAS points calculator

Why choose this course?

Accredited by the Royal Society of Biology, this course provides passionate students with vital skills for conservation professional roles, crafted and honed through visits and integral field-based work.

Behavioural observation, species survey and habitat assessment proficiencies are developed, with opportunities for you to study wildlife from your immediate environment through to large, charismatic mammals, even allowing you to work with these exotic species first-hand through zoos, aquaria, wildlife parks and international field courses.

This examination of wildlife species and their conservation on local and international levels carried out in considered practical ways is unmatched in most other subject areas, dramatically aiding your employability worldwide and giving you a wealth of unforgettable experiences.

 

What's unique about this course?

  • Professionally Accredited: This course is accredited by The Royal Society of Biology, meaning that the course and its content meet industry and professional standards. 
  • Expert Staff: Dr Christopher Young, who serves as the course leader, brings with him extensive experience in teaching at the higher education level. Additionally, he has accumulated many years of practical experience in the field of ecology through his work with organizations like MAFF, ADAS, and the Wildlife Trusts partnership.
  • State-of-the-Art Facilities: As part of your learning, you will have access to three cutting-edge laboratories in our Rosalind Franklin Building, that offer the latest in technology, teaching and equipment.
  • Field Trips: This course provides students with the opportunity to observe animals and wildlife in their natural habitats by participating in off-site placements locally and nationally.

What happens on the course?

Fundamental elements of animal behaviour and conservation will be taught alongside key aspects of ecology, biogeography, physiology, ethology, evolution and diversity, granting a basis of knowledge for you to explore further and practice in the field. To this end, you will also be educated on necessary techniques and skills for effective fieldwork, developing your applied and descriptive skills simultaneously.

Similarly, the equal emphasis placed on behaviour and conservation in this curriculum will allow you to investigate the interplay between these two aspects, a factor which will later enable you to examine core processes of these subjects under a critical, evaluative lens.

As the course progresses, you will study theories behind how animals interact with each other and their environments in more detail. Aspects of conservation biology such as landscape ecology, conservation genetics and the role of captive populations will also be examined. We are keen that your research skills continue to develop alongside experience of planning and undertaking data collection in field work.

The focus on study outside the classroom will also be maintained throughout the course, offering increasing opportunities for application of your detailed research in practical wildlife conservation. Whether pursing a sandwich year placement to gain experience in an organisational context or taking part in international field courses, you will be able to put your theory into practice. A range of theoretical settings for wildlife conservation will be explored, from reserve design and landscape-scale conservation initiatives to management of captive populations. Your work will culminate in your final year through a written research project.

Course Modules

Potential Career Paths

Additional Information

Everything you need to know about this course!

  • The University of Wolverhampton offers many options for practical work during your curriculum. Week-long field courses in the UK and Europe are compulsory to this programme, with further study placements in the EU and US available.
  • Our practical emphasis also extends to work experience, allowing you to choose optional placements in zoos, wildlife collections and NGOs.
  • School of Life Sciences staff will support you, drawing on their own fieldwork, research and consultancy experience to optimise your education.

  • This course will build your understanding of biological diversity, evolution, physiology, ecology and animal behaviour.
  • You will study animal behaviour differences in isolation and social groups, recent advances in science, and how theory can be applied to wildlife protection.
  • Conservation will be explored through legislative framework and professional practice, offering real-world experience to better prepare you for employment in these fields.

Location Mode Fee Year
Home Full-time £9250 per year 2022-23
Home Full-time £9250 per year 2022-23
Home Full-time £9250 per year 2023-24
Home Full-time £9250 per year 2023-24
Home Full-time £9250 per year 2024-25
Home Part-time £3120 per year# 2022-23
Home Part-time £3120 per year# 2022-23
Home Part-time £4625 per year# 2023-24
Home Part-time £4625 per year# 2023-24
Home Part-time £4625 per year# 2024-25
International Full-time £13450 per year 2022-23
International Full-time £13450 per year 2022-23
International Full-time £14450 per year 2023-24
International Full-time £14450 per year 2023-24
International Full-time £14950 per year 2024-25

The University is committed to a transparent fee structure, with no hidden costs, to help you make an informed decision. This includes information on what is included in the fee and how fees are calculated and reviewed

# Undergraduate part-time fees for 50% rate of study

  • 96 UCAS points
  • A Levels - grades CCC / BCD to include a Science subject, preferably Biology.
  • BTEC L3 Extended Diploma or OCR Cambridge L3 Technical Extended Diploma - grades MMM (in Animal Management or Applied Science)
  • Access to HE Diploma (60 credits) of which a minimum of 45 must be at Level 3 (96 UCAS point equivalence, minimum 45 credits at merit)

Use the UCAS Tariff calculator to check your qualifications and points

Students must usually have studied for a minimum of two years post GCSE level. However, we will consider applications from mature students who do not have two years of post-16 study, where they have relevant work experience. Please see http://wlv.ac.uk/mature for further information.

If you've got other qualifications or relevant experience, please contact The Gateway for further advice before applying.

International entry requirements and application guidance can be found at http://www.wlv.ac.uk/international/apply

English language requirements also apply

Royal Society of Biology

"Accredited by the Royal Society of Biology for the purpose of meeting, in part, the academic and experience requirement of membership and Chartered Biologist (CBiol)."

Tuition Fees Loan (Home Fee Status):

Most students will be able to apply for a loans to pay for these subject to eligibility. To find out more information please refer to the government Student Finance website.

Changes for EU students:

The UK government has confirmed that EU students starting courses from 1 August 2021 will normally be classified as having Overseas Fee status. More information about the change is available at UKCISA:

EU citizens living in the UK with 'settled' status, and Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland, will still be classified as Home students, providing they meet the usual residency requirements, for more information about EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) click here.


Self-funding:

If you don’t want to take out a loan to pay your fees or if you aren’t eligible to receive a loan, you might want to take advantage of the University’s scheme to pay by instalments: See How to pay.

For more information please contact the Gateway.


Your employer, embassy or organisation can pay for your Tuition fees:

If your employer, embassy or organisation agrees to pay all or part of your tuition fees; the University will refer to them as your sponsor and will invoice them for the appropriate amount.

We must receive notification of sponsorship in writing as soon as possible, and before enrolment, confirming that the sponsor will pay your tuition fees.


Financial Hardship:

Students can apply to the Dennis Turner Opportunity Fund.

for help with course related costs however this cannot be used for fees or to cover general living costs.


Bursaries and Scholarships:

In addition the University also offers a range of Bursaries and Scholarships packages

You can find more information on the University’s Funding, cost, fee and support pages.

Telephone

01902 32 22 22

Email

enquiries@wlv.ac.uk

Online

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