MSci Ecology and Conservation
About this course
MSci Hons in Ecology and Conservation, a marine biology degree examining the relationships between organisms and their environments through ecological theory and practical investigation. Core topics include Data Analysis, Statistics, Research Methods, Fieldwork, Environmental Analysis, Critical & Analytical Thinking, Entrepreneurship, Human Behaviour, and Design & Creative Practice. The four-year programme combines lectures, laboratory work, and residential field trips, culminating in advanced Master's-level study and a major independent research project. The first year covers foundational concepts through Biodiversity and Global Change, Ecology, and Ecology Field and Data Skills. Year 2 advances experimental design and field techniques via Biological Research Design and Delivery, Ecology and Conservation, and Ecology Field Skills alongside optional subjects like Geographical Data Science and Plant Biology. Year 3 involves an independent dissertation alongside specialized options such as Animal Behaviour, Coral Reef Ecology, and Interdisciplinary Conservation Science. The final year comprises advanced study and an MSci Dissertation, with optional modules including Applied Data Science for Biodiversity, Ecological Monitoring Techniques, and Habitat Management.
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: ABB. This should include two science subjects at grades AB from: Biology, Chemistry, Computing, Environmental Science, Geography, Geology, Mathematics, Physics or Psychology. IB: 32 points overall with 16 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 6 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 98%
- Learning opportunities: 88%
- Assessment and feedback: 88%
- Academic support: 96%
- Organisation and management: 96%
- Learning resources: 97%
- Student voice: 94%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 30 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 10%
What graduates do next
Based on about 9 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 70%
- Working and studying: 15%
- Further study: 10%
Most common jobs
- Conservation and environment professionals: 50%
- Skilled trades occupations: 10%
- Natural and social science professionals: 10%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Architects, Chartered Architectural Technologists, Planning Officers, Surveyors and Construction Professionals: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 80%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 75%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 55%
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 30 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 95%
- A degree: 5%
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
- MSci Dissertation
- Agriculture, Climate Change and Food Security
- Applied Data Science for Biodiversity
- Aquatic Ecology
- Conservation Science
- Ecological Monitoring Techniques
- Habitat Management
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MSci 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 MSci 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 MSci Ecology and Conservation at Lancaster University?
98% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MSci Ecology and Conservation at Lancaster University?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 147 UCAS points.
How many students continue on MSci Ecology and Conservation at Lancaster University?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.