Ecology and Conservation with a Year in Professional Practice

Ecology and conservation addresses one of the most urgent challenges facing the modern world: how to understand, protect and manage the natural systems on which all life depends. Ecology is the scientific study of the relationships between organisms and their environments, asking how populations, communities and ecosystems function, change and respond to disturbance. Conservation biology applies that knowledge to the practical task of preventing biodiversity loss, restoring degraded habitats and managing wildlife in a world increasingly shaped by human activity.

At the University of Kent this four-year full-time programme includes a year in professional practice, during which you undertake a substantial placement that connects your academic learning to real conservation or ecological research work. The programme covers ecology, wildlife survey methods, rewilding, wildlife management, conservation biology, biogeography and conservation genetics, and emphasises fieldwork, with regular trips to a range of natural habitats alongside some laboratory-based training. Kent's location in the South East, with access to a range of habitats from chalk downland to wetlands and coastal ecosystems, provides a rich practical setting for your studies.

The typical entry tariff for this programme is around 120 UCAS points.

You will develop skills in ecological surveying, environmental data analysis, species identification, GIS and the communication of conservation findings to specialist and non-specialist audiences. The professional practice year significantly extends your readiness for employment and your network of professional contacts in the conservation sector.

Graduates of ecology and conservation programmes work for conservation organisations including wildlife trusts, national parks, government environmental agencies and international NGOs. Roles in ecological consultancy, environmental impact assessment, rewilding projects, habitat management, biosecurity and nature recovery planning are all well-established destinations. Many graduates also pursue postgraduate research in ecology, conservation or environmental biology, often building on relationships developed during the professional practice year.