Biological Sciences (Wildlife Health Sciences) with Placement Year

Biological sciences with a specialisation in wildlife health science addresses a rapidly growing need at the intersection of animal biology, ecology and veterinary medicine. Wild animals face threats from habitat loss, climate change, invasive species and the increasingly complex transmission of disease between wildlife, domestic animals and human populations, and professionals equipped to understand and address these challenges are urgently needed. Wildlife health science combines the rigorous biological grounding of a biosciences degree with the specific knowledge required to work with wild animals in conservation, management and research settings.

At the Royal Veterinary College this four-year, full-time programme gives you a thorough foundation in biosciences, including anatomy, physiology, genetics, ecology, microbiology and pathology, before deepening your specialisation into the aspects of biology most relevant to the health of wild animal populations. You will study disease ecology, wildlife disease surveillance, conservation medicine, the biology of specific groups of wild animals and the field and laboratory methods used to assess and manage wildlife health. The programme includes a year abroad, giving you experience of wildlife health in a different ecological and institutional context, and extends to four years through additional study at an advanced level beyond a standard three-year degree.

Graduates of wildlife health science programmes work in wildlife conservation organisations, zoological institutions, government wildlife and countryside agencies, international conservation NGOs, veterinary research institutes, natural history museums and academic research. Roles include wildlife disease investigator, conservation programme coordinator, research scientist, wildlife health officer and ecological consultant. Many graduates continue to postgraduate study in wildlife health, conservation biology, veterinary science or related areas, and some pursue careers in international wildlife management and one health research.