FdSc Wildlife and Environmental Conservation
Course Details
-
Department
Animal Management -
Qualification
Level 5 -
Course Type
Full Time -
Length
2 Years -
Location(s)
York
Course at a glance
This comprehensive Foundation Degree is designed to spark your passion for the natural world and equip you with the skills to protect it. This course offers you the opportunity to develop skills the scientific study of wildlife and the rich tapestry of life that inhabits our planet. Whether you're aiming for a career in wildlife conservation, habitat management, or ecological consultancy, this programme could be your springboard into these vital industries.
UCAS Code
D329
Awarding Body: Askham Bryan College
Centre Code
A70
What you will learn
You would get to the chance to explore a diverse curriculum that encompasses wildlife biology, habitat management, evolution and taxonomy, alongside practical field research and industry standard techniques and technologies.
Students on this course have unique resources including our own BIAZA accredited Askham Bryan Wildlife and Conservation Park. This on-campus facility not only offers a fully working collection for practical learning but also provides you with opportunities to engage directly with conservation projects. These projects can complement your research modules and deepen your understanding and commitment to wildlife conservation.
Beyond the campus, our location in York opens doors to a variety of wildlife trusts, RSPB sites, and local nature reserves. These invaluable resources support the practical application of your skills, making our programme not just a degree, but a journey into the heart of conservation and environmental management.
This course is 2-years full time (part-time study may also be available – contact he@askham-bryan.ac.uk for more information about part-time study).
Year 1 Modules
- Academic Research and Writing
- Diversity of Life
- Conservation & Wildlife Management
- Ecological Conservation Skills
- Anthroecology
Elective Modules (choose one)
*We cannot guarantee placement on your preferred elective if the module does not meet the minimum enrolment requirements or is oversubscribed due to resource limitations*.
Year 2 Modules
- Independent Research Project
- Professional Skills in Wildlife and Land Management
- Introduction to GIS
- Management of Habitats and Protected Areas
- Introduction to Conservation Genetics
Elective Business Modules (elect one)
*We cannot guarantee placement on your preferred elective if the module does not meet the minimum enrolment requirements or is oversubscribed due to resource limitations*.
Programme Specification
Programme Specification FdSc Wildlife and Environmental Conservation
Key Information
Applicants should have achieved:
- 64 UCAS Points (2025/26 entry)
• 5 GCSE’s including Maths English and Science at Grade C/4 or above. Equivalent qualifications may be accepted in lieu of GCSE’s. Applicants must have successfully completed a full Level 3 study and/or have significant industry experience.
Some students may be asked to attend an interview.
Applicants who believe they may be eligible for Accreditation of Prior Certificated and/or Experiential Learning (APCL/APEL) will be considered on an individual basis.
If you have any queries in relation to entry qualifications, then please contact the University Centre directly.
On successful completion, students may wish to consider progressing onto one of the University Centre’s top-up courses, (BSc Animal Conservation, BSc Zoo Management or BSc Animal Management) allowing students to graduate with a BSc or BSc(Hons) degree.
Students studying the course may enter a wide variety of roles in the industries focused on ecological surveying, habitat management, species and environmental conservation as well as conservation planning and policy or working on the field of conservation education.
UK, Isle of Man and Channel Isles Students on BSc Honours Degree/ BSc Top up/ Foundation Degree/ Extended Foundation Degree – £9,000
Please note that the fee status of each applicant will be assessed prior to any offer being made (Home Fee or Overseas/International Fee). Where required further information may be requested ensure the correct fee status is allocated. For further information about on studying in the UK and fee status, please visit UKCISA
Non-Home (Overseas Students) on Honours Degree/ Foundation Degree/ Extended Foundation Degree – £14,000
This programme requires students to undertake 300 hours of work placement, with 150 completed each academic year. Work placement is completed with an external provider which is arranged by the student.
All work placements are subject to a health and safety check by the college to ensure that placements are suitable and safe. Support can be made available via the module tutor to help locate a suitable placement.
If you are already working in the sector, it may be possible to APEL (Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning) this element of the course. Evidence of such employment will be needed, outlining duties etc for consideration at the APL panel, where applications will be considered on an individual basis. If you have any queries in relation to this, then please contact the University Centre team directly.
University Centre Askham Bryan fosters diverse talents and skills through a range of engaging assessment methods tailored to hone industry standard subject skills, as well as transferable skills and graduate attributes. From traditional coursework to time-constrained assessments that sharpen quick thinking, with each assessment opportunity you can showcase your abilities.
Engage in online assessments blending technology with information for adaptable problem-solving. Whilst presentations amplify your voice, and scholarly viva-voce discussions deepen understanding. Practical assessments bridge theory with real-world application, helping to shape your subject expertise.
With our varied approach, learning isn’t just about meeting standards—it’s about discovering your potential within an educational landscape.
In addition to tuition fees and accommodation if applicable. Students will need to budget for some extra costs as part of this course, which you will need to pay for yourself.
Below is a link to a list with approximate additional course cost to help with your budgeting.
Additional Course Costs (UCAB)
Meet the staff
International Trip Opportunities
Our students get great opportunities for study trips abroad to experience some amazing places such as Borneo, South Africa, Bangkok, Tenerife and even sunny South Wales.
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Student Voice
Here what it's like to study Wildlife and Conservation.
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