Wildlife Conservation

Wildlife conservation is the science and practice of protecting, managing and restoring populations of wild species and the ecosystems that support them. It is a discipline that has taken on urgent new significance as the scale of the global biodiversity crisis has become clear, with climate change, habitat destruction, invasive species and overexploitation threatening species at a rate not seen since the mass extinctions of geological prehistory. Conservation scientists draw on ecology, genetics, animal behaviour, landscape science and policy to develop strategies that work across local, regional and global scales.

At Aberystwyth University, this four-year full-time programme includes a year in industry, giving you substantial professional experience within a conservation or environmental organisation as a central part of your degree. You will develop an intimate understanding of the ecological concepts that underpin conservation practice, studying biodiversity, population dynamics, habitat management, conservation genetics and the policy frameworks that govern how conservation is planned and implemented. Field skills and practical ecological survey methods are central to the training, preparing you to work effectively in the landscapes where conservation decisions are made.

With a typical entry tariff of 136 UCAS points, the programme is well suited to students with a genuine passion for the natural world and a commitment to working to protect it. Graduates from wildlife conservation programmes work as ecologists, conservation officers, wildlife managers, environmental consultants, field researchers and policy advisers. Many find roles with conservation charities, government agencies, wildlife trusts, national parks, international NGOs and research institutions.

Postgraduate study in conservation biology, ecology, environmental management or zoology is a common pathway for those who want to develop specialist expertise or pursue research careers.