Overview
People and nature are inseparable. By studying ecology and conservation, you’ll be equipped to help tackle global challenges such as climate change, habitat loss and species decline.
Now is the ideal time to study an ecology and conservation degree. The global market for environmental, conservation and wildlife organisations is forecast to reach £31.61 billion ($41.45 billion) by 2029 (The Business Research Company April 2025). Government and parts of the private sector are both committed to solving environmental issues. This leads to a growing demand for ecology and conservation graduates.
Gain the tools to make a difference in ecology and conservation
The BSc (Hons) Ecology and Conservation course teaches you core science skills. It provides practical training in field, laboratory and analytical techniques.
On the course, you’ll:
- Explore how animals, plants, fungi and microorganisms interact with their environment.
- Study how people influence the biosphere.
- Learn how to protect natural systems.
- Understand the policies and management strategies that are designed to safeguard biodiversity and ecosystem services.
- Develop in-demand computational and analytical skills, including:
- Geographical Information Systems (GIS) for creating, managing and visualising spatial data.
- Remote sensing techniques for monitoring environmental change.
- Advanced statistical analysis using R.
You’ll carry out an independent research project on an ecological or environmental question. Past projects have included:
- Assessing the implications of rewilding for freshwater biodiversity.
- Examining the impacts of oil-palm dominated landscapes on plant communities.
- Quantifying the response of biological communities to woodland restoration.
Learn through exciting fieldwork opportunities
Our ecology and conservation course gives you practical fieldwork experience in different settings.
You’ll develop practical skills in a variety of environments, starting with our biodiverse campus. Short trips to nearby sites introduce you to environmental monitoring, flora and fauna identification, plant ecology, and landscape history and management.
You’ll also have the option to take part in one of our immersive residential field courses:
- A 7-day field ecology and animal biology course at the Merops Field Station in southern France. It introduces you to the process of designing, conducting and analysing your own scientific project.
- A 10-day field course to South Africa to develop your field research skills. It develops your understanding of different physical and environmental processes and ecosystem functioning. Learn about the conservation and management challenges of international landscapes.
These are the current locations for field trips, but they are subject to change.
On either trip you’ll gain knowledge on:
- Regional biogeography
- Ecosystem processes
- Anthropogenic impacts
- Conservation practices
- Anthropogenic impacts
The course fees do not include travel, accommodation, and subsistence on residential field courses.
Get industry experience on a placement
You can take an optional placement with an organisation working in conservation or environmental management. These include environmental charities, government agencies and industry partners.
Previous students have completed placements with:
- Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)
- Highland Wildlife Park
- Butterfly Conservation
- Bumblebee Conservation Trust
- Scottish Water
- Bat Conservation Trust
- Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
- Water of Leith Conservation Trust
- The Conservation Volunteers
- Forest Research
Top reasons to study with us
Prizes or awards
Each year a research based prize is awarded for best dissertation performance.
Faculty Facilities
Take a tour of our Environmental Sciences labs
Entry requirements
Year 1 entry – Four-year honours
Highers
ABBB
A-levels
BBB
IB Diploma
28 points
BTEC (Level 3)
DDM
Essential subjects
To include one of Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Geography, Geology, Mathematics or Physics.
Essential subjects must have been taken within the last five years to ensure your required subject knowledge is current. Recent work experience can be taken into consideration in place of a formal qualification.
Widening access students
Widening access students may be eligible for an adjusted offer of entry. To find out if this applies to you go to our widening access pages.
Care-experienced applicants will be guaranteed an offer of a place if they meet the minimum entry requirements.
Year 2 entry – Three-year honours
Advanced Highers
ABB
A-levels
ABB
IB Diploma
32 points
Essential subjects
To include Biology and one of Environmental Science, Geography or Geology.
Essential subjects must have been taken within the last five years to ensure your required subject knowledge is current. Recent work experience can be taken into consideration in place of a formal qualification.
Other Scottish qualifications
Scottish HNC/HND
Year one minimum entry - Bs in graded units.
Access courses
University of Stirling access course - for mature students only. You must pass the course with 50% or above.
SWAP access course - for mature students only.
Email our Admissions Team for advice about other access courses.
Foundation Apprenticeships
Considered to be equivalent to 1 Higher at Grade B
Essential subjects
To include one of Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Geography, Geology, Mathematics or Physics.
Essential subjects must have been taken within the last five years to ensure your required subject knowledge is current. Recent work experience can be taken into consideration in place of a formal qualification.
Other qualifications
English, Welsh and Northern Irish HNC/HND
Merits and Distinctions
English, Welsh and Northern Irish access courses
Access to Higher Education - 60 credits, minimum 45 at QCF Level 3, pass at 60% or above.
Email our Admissions Team for advice about other access courses.
Essential subjects
To include one of Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Geography, Geology, Mathematics or Physics.
Essential subjects must have been taken within the last five years to ensure your required subject knowledge is current. Recent work experience can be taken into consideration in place of a formal qualification.
International entry requirements
Advanced entry
Year 2 entry
Entry into Year 2 may be possible depending on your HNC/HND course. To find out more go to our articulation pages.
Other qualifications
Advanced entry may be possible depending on your qualifications. For more information, contact our Admissions Team at admissions@stir.ac.uk.
Other routes of entry
If you don't currently meet our academic requirements, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need to progress onto some of our courses. Explore University of Stirling International Study Centre to see the routes available.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill.
- IBT TOEFL 80 overall with a minimum of 18 in reading, 17 in writing, 17 in listening and 20 in speaking.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses
Course details
On our BSc (Hons) Ecology and Conservation course you can choose a range of general and specialist modules.
Modules
Course details
Teaching
The University of Stirling achieved five stars for teaching in the QS Stars University Ratings 2024.
Our teaching builds on the latest thinking in Ecology and Conservation. Teaching is delivered in the form of formal lectures and practical classes, tutorials, seminars, computer-based learning and guided reading and research.
Fieldwork
Our BSc (Hons) Ecology and Conservation course places great emphasis on practical training, hands-on experience and preparation for a wide range of careers in conservation.
We have a wide range of habitats on campus and regularly use them for practical work. Some modules also include short excursions to visit sites and species close to the University.
You will have the choice of two residential field trips:
-
A 7-day field ecology and animal biology course in southern France. It introduces you to the process of designing, conducting and analysing your own scientific project.
-
A 10-day field course to South Africa to develop your field research skills. It provides an opportunity to develop an understanding of different physical and environmental processes and ecosystem functioning, alongside the conservation and management challenges of international landscapes.
Travel, accommodation, and subsistence on residential field courses are not included in the course fees.
We know that residential field courses can be difficult for some students to attend and incur an environmental cost. To widen participation and increase sustainability in our teaching, there is the option of a non-residential field course module based on day trips around the University.
Assessment
For many modules the marks awarded for coursework contribute 40 – 50 percent of the final grade, but for some modules this is as high as 100 percent.
Work placement opportunities
The course includes an optional placement with an organisation involved in ecology and conservation biology and management. Students are free to arrange their own placements or work with a member of staff to find suitable options.
Study abroad
Study abroad opportunities are available to all Stirling students, and we have a well-established environmental course with the University of Guelph in Canada. Students in Biological and Environmental Sciences have also taken part in exchanges in Canada, Florida, Alaska, Sydney, and Hawaii. You can spend one semester there during your third year, studying courses equivalent to those taken at Stirling, giving you the opportunity to broaden your environmental and cultural experience.
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
Scottish students
This fee is set by the Scottish Government and is subject to change.
Although you’re liable for annual tuition fees, if you are domiciled in Scotland you can apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish Government on your behalf.
You will be charged the annual tuition fee each year when you enrol.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
This tuition fee may be subject to change depending on guidance provided by the UK Government.
You can apply for financial assistance, including a loan to cover the full cost of your tuition fees, from your relevant funding body. Students from the Republic of Ireland are eligible for a tuition fee loan of up to £9,535 from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).
We also offer additional funding for students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. See our funding opportunities section below for more information.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy and terms and conditions.
International students (including EU)
Eligible students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £10,000-£20,000 over the duration of your course. See our range of generous scholarships for international undergraduate students.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Additional student costs are kept as low as possible, but include purchase of lab coat and some personal lab kit.
We subsidise costs for field trips, but you’ll be required to make a financial contribution towards your travel, accommodation and subsistence for the Scottish field class in Year 2 and the optional field classes in Years 3 and 4.
Additional costs will be approximately £400.
Funding
See what funding opportunities and loans are available to help you with tuition and living costs.
Students from Scotland
Find funding opportunities for Scottish students.
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
Eligible students will receive our Stirling Success Scholarship which is worth £5,000.
International students
Eligible international students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £10,000-£20,000 over the duration of your course. Find funding opportunities for international students.
Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay.
After you graduate
Ecology and conservation graduates can work in many different areas including:
- Conservation, sustainability, and environmental research
- Charities and non-governmental organisations
- Wildlife trusts
- Environmental monitoring
- Education
- Tourism
- Policy development
- Utilities
Conservation careers course
You can take a free eight-week career course. It’s specifically designed to improve the employability of students interested in conservation. The course is run by Conservation Careers.
Companies we work with
We've strong links with research and conservation bodies in Scotland (e.g. NatureScot, Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, Plant Health Centre), the rest of the UK (e.g. Forest Research, Natural England, Defra) and international (e.g. International Union for Conservation of Nature, European Environment Agency, Gabonese National Parks Service, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research).
We also have strong links various conservation non-government organisations, such as the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, British Trust for Ornithology, Bat Conservation Trust, Bumblebee Conservation Trust, wildlife trusts and environmental consultancies.
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