Wildlife Conservation

Wildlife Conservation is a discipline that applies biological science, ecology, and environmental management to the urgent task of protecting species and habitats in the face of accelerating biodiversity loss. It is both a science and a practice: you need to understand how ecosystems function, how animal and plant populations change over time, and what causes species to decline or recover, and you need to be able to design, implement, and evaluate conservation interventions in the real world. The field draws on ecology, genetics, behaviour, environmental policy, and stakeholder engagement, reflecting the reality that effective conservation requires both scientific knowledge and the ability to work with communities, governments, and organisations.

At Nottingham Trent University, this four-year full-time programme includes a foundation year, which provides an accessible introduction to the biological and ecological sciences before you progress into the full degree. This is well suited to students who want to build a more secure scientific foundation before tackling degree-level material. Through the programme you will develop knowledge of ecology and population biology, conservation planning and management, wildlife survey techniques, environmental legislation and policy, and the social dimensions of conservation, including how to work with local communities whose livelihoods are connected to the habitats and species being protected.

Fieldwork is central to the discipline, and the programme develops practical skills in species identification, ecological survey, and data collection.

NTU's links with conservation organisations and the emphasis on applied skills in the programme mean you will be well prepared to contribute to real conservation projects from early in your career.

Graduates pursue careers in conservation organisations, wildlife trusts, national parks, environmental consultancy, government wildlife agencies, research institutions, and international conservation bodies. Many go on to postgraduate study in conservation biology, ecology, or environmental management. The foundation year makes this pathway accessible to a wider range of students.