Conservation Biology

Conservation biology is the applied science of protecting and managing biodiversity in a world under intense and accelerating human pressure. It draws on ecology, genetics, evolutionary biology, zoology, botany, and soil science to understand how species and ecosystems function, how they are threatened, and what strategies can most effectively protect them. Unlike pure ecology, conservation biology is explicitly goal-directed: it aims to slow or reverse the loss of biodiversity and to develop the scientific knowledge and practical tools needed to do so in an increasingly complex and contested political and economic landscape.

At the University of Aberdeen, this four-year, full-time programme builds your expertise progressively, starting from the foundational sciences of ecology, genetics, and evolution and moving into increasingly applied conservation content as you advance through the degree. You will examine the arguments for and effectiveness of different approaches to conservation, from species recovery programmes and protected area management to landscape-scale restoration and community-based conservation. Case studies drawn from Scotland and from diverse international contexts expose you to the full range of challenges and approaches operating in the field.

The programme includes a year abroad, giving you the opportunity to study in a different ecological and cultural environment and to encounter conservation challenges specific to other regions. A typical entry tariff of 184 points reflects the scientific rigour expected.

Graduates from conservation biology programmes go on to careers with conservation organisations, wildlife trusts, national parks, environmental consultancies, government agencies, international bodies such as the IUCN and WWF, and research institutions. Roles include conservation officer, species recovery manager, ecological consultant, reserve manager, and environmental policy adviser. Many graduates continue to postgraduate study in conservation science, ecology, biodiversity management, or related fields, developing specialist expertise that is increasingly in demand as the scale of the biodiversity crisis intensifies.