Wildlife Conservation (with integrated year in industry)

Why study Wildlife Conservation at Aberystwyth University?

• Our research is ranked in the top 10 in the UK and 78% of it is assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent (REF, 2014).
• This course will allow you to explore the political, financial, and social forces that underlie wildlife conservation and environmental management.
• You will be taught by academics who work closely with conservation bodies to inform and advise best-practice conservation, management and policy. They also carry out practical work in the landscape around Aberystwyth.
• Undertake an integrated year in industry that is assessed and will count towards your final degree classification. Note that students must organise their work experience under the guidance of our Director for Employability and that it must be relevant to Wildlife Conservation. If students cannot secure a placement they are required to transfer to BSc Wildlife Conservation (C183).
• Although work experience may not be paid. Students will pay a discounted fee during your year in industry. Full details available here.
• As a student, you will enjoy the unrivalled wildlife and countryside: Aberystwyth is a stone's throw away from many internationally recognised habitats, including UNESCO Dyfi Biosphere, two RAMSAR wetlands, two marine special areas of conservation, two National Nature reserves, several sites of special scientific interests to name but a few, providing you with fabulous fieldwork and recreational opportunities. 

Our Staff

The majority of teaching staff at the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences are qualified to PhD level and are research active. Vocational courses also have staff whose background lies within industry.  The Institute has a large number of research only staff with whom students may have contact.

Career prospects

Graduates on this course benefit from both the scientific and policy aspects that underlie wildlife conservation. Students on this course could enter several organisations involved in conservation biology or general environmental management, such as: 

• Natural Resources Wales
• Wildlife Trusts
• The Centre for Ecology and Hydrology
• RSPB
• National Trust
• The Environment Agency
• Local authority departments
• NGOs
• This course also permits students to undertake further research studying on any of our MSc, PhD and PGCE courses. 

The University has an excellent Careers Advisory Service and we have our own dedicated, professional Careers Advisor. We also have a member of staff who is Director of Employability for IBERS and we are constantly striving to embed and enhance the delivery of real-world skills into every module we offer.

What skill will I develop from studying Wildlife Conservation?

Employability is embedded in our teaching. Our students leave Aberystwyth University with the skills including; 

• Research and data analysis skills
• Enhanced mathematical and computational skills
• Effective problem-solving and creative thinking skills
• A thorough grounding in information technology skills
• Ability to work independently
• Time-management and organisational skills, including the ability to meet deadlines
• Ability to express ideas and communicate information in a clear and structured manner, in both written and oral form
• Self-motivation and self-reliance
• Team-working, with the ability to discuss concepts in groups, accommodating different ideas and reaching an agreement.

Your year in industry:

Make no mistake, you will develop confidence and gaining experience in the industry will stimulate your enthusiasm for the subject.

Completing a year in industry will allow you to:

• apply the learning from your course to the work environment;
• make industry contacts;
• develop practical skills related to your area of study;
• apply your practical skills and technical knowledge after returning to study;
• enhance your CV and better prepare yourself for a job after graduating.

Students on this scheme should note that the department institute does not have automatic placements for every applicant. You will be responsible for finding the work experience. However, you will have the assistance of our institute Work Experience Coordinator and our dedicated careers advisor (James Cuffe, jpc11@aber.ac.uk). If you fail to find work experience you will be able to convert your course to the three-year version of your subject.

What will I learn?

The breakdown below will provide you with an illustration of what you may study during the four year degree scheme.

In the first year, you may gain a broad knowledge of the key underlying concepts relevant to conservation biology which includes:

• Evolution and diversity of organisms
• Habitats and ecosystems

In the second year, you may be introduced to aspects of wildlife conservation, which include:

• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• Conservation
• Relevant policy
• Statistical analyses and experimental design
• Aquatic systems
• Animal behaviour
• Policy and Management based aspects of conservation.

In your third year you will undertake your work experience in an industry that is relevant to the field of Wildlife Conservation. 

In your final year you could:

• address conservation at both local and global scales
• be required to undertake and finish a dissertation through independent programme of research under the guidance of a supervisor.

How will I be taught?

Students will be taught in the format of lectures and seminars. The course will include tutorials, case studies, laboratory practicals and fieldwork for research purposes.

You will be assessed through course work, exams and presentations.