BSc Ecology and Conservation
About this course
BSc Hons in Ecology and Conservation, a marine biology degree focused on the scientific understanding of natural environments, species interactions, and habitat protection. Core topics include Data Analysis, Statistics, Research Methods, Fieldwork, Environmental Analysis, Critical & Analytical Thinking, Entrepreneurship, Human Behaviour, and Design & Creative Practice. The three-year curriculum combines theoretical lectures and tutorials with practical laboratory work and hands-on fieldwork, including opportunities for residential field courses in locations such as Scotland and Kenya. The first year introduces foundational concepts through compulsory modules like Biodiversity and Global Change, Ecology, Ecology Field and Data Skills, Evolutionary Biology, and Foundation Skills for LEC, alongside optional choices such as Genetics and Biotechnology. The second year advances scientific competencies with compulsory modules including Biological Research Design and Delivery, Ecology and Conservation, Ecology Field Skills, and Evolution, while offering optional subjects like Geographical Data Science and Plant Biology. The final year centres on an independent Dissertation research project supported by academic staff. Students can tailor their final year by selecting from diverse optional modules such as Animal Behaviour, Coral Reef Ecology, Eco-Innovation for Sustainable Development, Interdisciplinary Conservation Science, Marine Ecology Field Course, and Tropical Ecology and Conservation Field Course.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: BBB. This should include two science subjects from: Biology, Chemistry, Computing, Environmental Science, Geography, Geology, Mathematics, Physics or Psychology. IB: 30 points overall with 15 points from the best 3 HL subjects including two HL science subjects at grade 6
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What students say
Based on about 15 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 95%
- Learning opportunities: 93%
- Assessment and feedback: 86%
- Academic support: 98%
- Organisation and management: 98%
- Learning resources: 95%
- Student voice: 89%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 80%
- Left higher education: 20%
What graduates do next
Based on about 6 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 75%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 10%
Most common jobs
- Conservation and environment professionals: 40%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Architects, Chartered Architectural Technologists, Planning Officers, Surveyors and Construction Professionals: 5%
- Administrative occupations: 5%
- Science, engineering and technology associate professionals: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 75%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 85%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 45%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 90 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 4%
- North West: 47%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 8%
- East Midlands: 7%
- West Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 7%
- London: 13%
- South East: 4%
- South West: 5%
- Wales: 3%
Who gets in
Based on about 25 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 85%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 15%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Biodiversity and Global Change
- Ecology
- Ecology Field and Data Skills
- Evolutionary Biology
- Foundation Skills for LEC
- Genetics and Biotechnology
- Microbes, Pathogens and Immunity
- Catchment Science
- Biological Research Design and Delivery
- Ecology and Conservation
- Ecology Field Skills
- Evolution
- Geographical Data Science
- Living with the Landscape
- Microbiology and Immunology
- Plant Biology
- Soil Science
- Vertebrate Biology
- Dissertation
- Animal Behaviour
- Coral Reef Ecology
- Creative Geographies: Place, Space and the Geographies of Imagination
- Eco-Innovation for Sustainable Development
- Food and Agriculture in the 21st Century
- Interdisciplinary Conservation Science
- Marine Ecology Field Course
- Political Ecology
- Spatial Data Analysis
- Sustainable Agriculture
- Tropical Ecology and Conservation Field Course
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Ecology and Conservation at Lancaster University earn?
The median salary is £28,500 after 15 months, £24,000 after 3 years, £31,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £26,000 and £40,000. The £31,000 median after five years is £5,000 more than the UK median for Ecology and environmental biology.
What do graduates of BSc Ecology and Conservation at Lancaster University do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Ecology and Conservation at Lancaster University?
95% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Ecology and Conservation at Lancaster University?
The typical offer is BBB at A level, or 30 points in the IB. The average entrant had 148 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BSc Ecology and Conservation at Lancaster University?
80% of students continued into their second year, and 20% left higher education.