Overview
A foundation year helps you develop the study skills and self-confidence needed for higher education if you don’t reach the entry requirements for your subject.
Climate change, sustainability, wildlife protection, and environmental pollution are some of the vital topics to understand if we are to preserve and continue our life on Earth. With a Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Science degree from Canterbury Christ Church University, you’ll gain the knowledge and practical skills needed to help save our planet.
With a huge emphasis on laboratory skills and fieldwork, this BSc ecology and conservation degree is a practice-based course, aimed to prepare you for a range of areas after graduation. Gain vital experience throughout your course – you’ll have the opportunity to undergo fieldwork locally, nationally, and abroad. Previous trips include India and Iceland, with more international destinations available in the next academic year.
Work alongside lecturers who are all heavily involved in active research. You may be able to get involved with current research, as well as undertaking your own research in your final year. Our academics are eager to work with our conservation students and are currently working with the likes of Princeton University and Kent Wildlife Trust.
What’s more, you’ll work in our state-of-the-art Verena Holmes building. Using industry standard equipment and facilities from week one, you’ll gain the confidence needed in the lab using kit that’s used in the professional world.
We know employers are looking for dynamic, open-minded graduates who can adapt, innovate, and collaborate. This is why we have designed a new way of teaching and learning to ensure that you are work-ready for when you graduate. Our 2026 course will reflect this new approach. The 2026 course page will be made live shortly.
Accredited by Royal Society of Biology
Royal Society of Biology logo
I’ve always been passionate about the protection and preservation of animal species and the environment, and when I heard about this course, I instantly knew it was the perfect pathway to working within the industry by developing my knowledge and a wide range of industry-recognised skills.Molly, Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Science student
Entry requirements
64
UCAS Tariff Points
Accepted qualifications
We accept a wide range of general qualifications that attract UCAS Tariff points either on their own or in combination with others. Below are some common examples.
| Qualification | Grades |
|---|---|
| A Levels | DDE |
| BTEC | MPP |
| Access | Pass 45 Credits |
| International Baccalaureate | TBC |
Applicants without formal level 3 qualifications will also be considered.
More information
Contact us
Module information
As well as the core modules, you may also have the opportunity to study a number of option modules in your second and third year. Option modules will not be pre-selected for you. We provide examples of option modules. The availability of specific option modules may vary from year to year. The offer of an option will be subject to a minimum number of students choosing the module to ensure the appropriate student experience. The offer of option modules may also be affected by staff availability. It means we cannot guarantee the availability of a particular optional module. However, we will ensure you have a choice of option modules.
Core/optional modules
How you’ll learn
You will be taught through a combination of blended learning with workshops, field visits and trips, laboratory practicals and seminars.
Workshops will enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures. In addition, you will meet with your Personal Academic Tutor at least once each semester, but you are encouraged to arrange additional meetings as required.
You will use industry-standard software. You will also have access to specialist facilities and equipment throughout your course.
In the final year, you will conduct an independent research project that can cater to your particular interests and skills development. You will be supervised by a member of our academic team and guided in undertaking independent research, data analysis and presentation of your results. Depending on the topic of your project, you may also have the opportunity to collaborate with an industry partner on an industry-relevant research project.
Your actual contact hours depend on the option modules you select.
When not attending workshops, practical sessions, or other timetabled activities, you will continue learning through self-study that will be structured for you by the module leader for each module. Typically, this involves reading journal articles and books, engaging with online learning materials (videos, quizzes etc.), undertaking research in the library, working on projects, and preparing for coursework assignments/examinations, workshops, and seminars.
Your module tutor will direct you towards specific readings and/or activities to complete before class.
For the Honours Project module in the final year, you will undertake independent research. You will work under the supervision of a member of our academic team, with support of other members of the teaching team where necessary. You will meet with your supervisor regularly.
The team consists of highly qualified academics. They have a range of expertise and experience.
All our team members hold doctoral and teaching qualifications. They are research-active. They have experience in delivering research-informed teaching. You should note members of the teaching team might change.
Postgraduate students sometimes assist in teaching and assessing some modules. However, experienced academics teach the vast majority of lectures and seminars.
Teaching is at the heart of what we do and this is reflected in the number of contact hours we offer students, especially for practical skills development.Chris HarveySection Director of Natural and Applied Sciences
96%
overall satisfaction with this course.
National Student Survey (NSS 2022)How you’ll be assessed
The course provides you with opportunities to test your understanding of the subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark. Practice assessments are developmental and any grades you receive for them do not count towards your module mark.
There is also a formal or 'summative' assessment element for each of the modules. Assessment methods includes a range of coursework assessments, such as laboratory reports, literature reviews, skills assessments, presentations and your final year major project. Some modules also have a formally assessed exam. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark.
Percentage of the course assessed by coursework
The balance of assessment by examination and assessment by coursework depends to some extent on the optional modules you choose.
Typically, there will be two coursework assessments weighted at 50% each a practical skills portfolio. Some modules from Level 5 will have an exam that replaces the 50% piece of coursework.
Feedback
You will receive feedback on all practice assessments and on formal assessments undertaken by coursework. Feedback on examination performance is available upon request from the module leader. Feedback is intended to help you learn and you are encouraged to discuss it with your module leader or personal academic tutor.
We aim to provide you with feedback within 15 working days of hand-in (formal coursework assessment).
Your future career
Our recent graduates have gone on to a wide range of exciting and satisfying careers, such as a park ranger, consultant ecologist, wildlife foundation fundraiser, museum curator, wildlife park education manager and air quality consultant.
I loved the course for so many reasons. The academic team was very special - they put their heart and soul into their modules which made learning very easy to enjoy. We had lots of lab-based practicals and a huge number of field trips built into the course. These were some of my absolute favourite memories at uni, and also brought the ecology team very close together.Csenge MocsonokyLaboratory technician
Fees
The 2025/26 annual tuition fees for this course are:
| UK | Overseas | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time - Foundation Year 0 | £9,535 | £15,500 |
| Full-time - years 1-3 | £9,535 | £15,500 |
Tuition fees for all courses are payable on an annual basis, except where stated.
The tuition fees relate to 2025/26 only. Please read the 2025/26 Tuition Fee Statement for further information regarding tuition fees and year on year fee increases.
Home (UK) Fees
Home (UK) tuition fees for Foundation Years at Canterbury Christ Church University will be set in line with the maximum tuition fee cap for foundation years in classroom-based subjects or non-classroom based subjects, as set by the UK Government.
Home (UK) tuition fees for subsequent years 1-3 are currently set in line with the maximum tuition fee cap for standard undergraduate degrees set by the UK Government.
The Government has announced that it will increase the tuition fee cap by 3.1%, in line with inflation, for the 2025/26 academic cycle. Subject to parliamentary approval, the University intends to increase our tuition fees in line with this and as per our terms and conditions. This means that from September 2025 onwards, our undergraduate home tuition fees for subsequent years of study are expected to be £9,535.
Overseas/International Fees
Undergraduate / PGCE tuition fees for international students are not set by the UK Government.
- Read advice about funding your degree
- See information about the financial support available for undergraduate studies
- If you would like information about paying your fees, please contact accounts.receivable@canterbury.ac.uk
- For specific fee queries, please contact fees@canterbury.ac.uk
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Duration:
4 yearsUCAS code:
C181Location(s):
Canterbury