Ecology and Conservation

Ecology and Conservation is an interdisciplinary discipline that combines the scientific study of how organisms interact with their environments and each other with the practical and policy dimensions of protecting biodiversity in a world under increasing human pressure. Ecology provides the biological and physical science foundations: understanding how populations, communities, and ecosystems function, how they respond to change, and what factors determine biodiversity. Conservation extends those insights into practical strategies for protecting species and habitats, while also engaging with the social, political, and economic contexts that shape what conservation can achieve.

At the University of Kent, this three-year, full-time degree integrates the natural and social sciences to give you a deep and interdisciplinary understanding of conservation. You will explore the interaction between people and nature across subjects including climate change, environmental sustainability, and conservation policy, alongside natural science areas of focus including rewilding, biogeography, conservation genetics, and wildlife management. The programme is taught by staff from a department with an international reputation in conservation science, giving you access to knowledge and global networks that extend well beyond the classroom.

Graduates are well placed for careers in conservation organisations, national parks and protected areas, environmental consultancy, government environmental agencies, ecological survey and monitoring, and the growing field of ecosystem restoration and rewilding. The combination of biological scientific training and understanding of social and policy dimensions makes graduates particularly effective in roles that require both technical expertise and the ability to engage with communities, stakeholders, and policymakers. Postgraduate study in conservation biology, ecology, environmental management, or sustainability is a natural progression for those who wish to develop specialist expertise.