HND Wildlife and Conservation Management

This course provides an introduction to the practical management of informal recreation and biodiversity in the countryside.

Locations: Barony, Oatridge
Study mode: Full Time (2 years)
Subject area: Environment, Conservation and Sustainability
Start date: September 2027
Agency code: 157F

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Programme overview

This programme is designed to develop your ecological and environmental knowledge and make sure you have a solid understanding of the principles of conservation and wildlife management.

You'll develop core skills around working with geographic information systems and data handling. You'll also study ethical and professional issues relating to current codes of practice.

Virtual Experience

Take a look around the SRUC Virtual Experience for lots of great student videos and examples of what it’s like to study our courses, along with campus and facility tours.

SRUC holds open days regularly. Visit our listings page for details of our up-coming events.

Entry requirements

Two Highers (CC) in a relevant subject.

National 5 (A-C) or equivalent pass in English and Maths

Alternative entry qualifications (eg a related National Certificate) are also accepted.

Mature applicants looking for a change in career will be assessed individually — contact the college to find out more.

Programme guide

Are you interested in nature and the outdoors?

Do you wish to conserve our planet and the flora and fauna within it?

Do you want to learn the skills you need to manage a variety of habitats?

Maybe you already have an already understanding but want to take it to the next level?

Perhaps you would like to become a countryside ranger, an ecologist or work with community groups in the environment?

Then Wildlife Conservation Management is the course for you!

Click here to read the full Wildlife and Conservation Management programme guide.

Wildlife and Conservation Management

Find out more about our Wildlife and Conservation Management course

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What you'll learn

You'll learn about all aspects of the countryside, including nature, conservation and wildlife as well as ecology, recreation, access and visitor management.

The course also includes practical experiences and examples through visits to reserves, country parks and wildlife sites.

Visits and residential trips are an integral part of the programme.

Example modules include:

Ecological Surveying
Ecological Management of Ecosystems
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Tourism: Sustainability and Rural Communities
Wildlife Management

Meet the lecturer

Catherine Seeds

Programme/Team Leader – Wildlife and Conservation Management (Ayr and Barony Campus)

Cath has been with SRUC for 9 years both as a teacher and programme lead.

When teaching, her focus is on biodiversity conservation, habitat management, marine ecology, community projects and conservation site management. Cath is interested in how emerging technology can improve the research and work in conservation, especially in the fields of remote sensing, drones and GIS in support of landscape scale conservation.

Teaching is a wonderfully rewarding role and Cath enjoys supporting students on their journey through the programme and on into industry to have fulfilling careers.

View Catherine's Pure profile

Dr Nick Littlewood

Senior Lecturer

I'm a Senior Lecturer in Wildlife and Conservation Management, based at SRUC’s Aberdeen campus. I run the MSc in Wildlife and Conservation Management and teach across the HNC, HND and BSc hons courses.

With a wide-ranging interest in ecology and wildlife conservation, I conduct research on the impact of management on species and habitats, spanning plant, invertebrate, bird, and mammal assemblages and the interactions between these. I use camera traps and bioacoustics in research and teaching and am passionate about promoting evidence-based practice in conservation.

PURE profile

Ian Lewis

Ian is based at Oatridge and occasionally our Ayr campus. Before teaching at SRUC he studied Countryside Management at Oatridge and spent six years rangering with Historic Environment Scotland.

Ian is mostly interested in Heritage and Interpretation, communicating and inspiring engagement in nature, but also biology, and wildlife identification.

View Ian's Pure profile

Fees and funding

Eligible full-time students studying HND Wildlife and Conservation Management should apply to SAAS for fees and funding. A student loan is also available to help students with living costs.

If you do not apply, you will have to pay your fees yourself and if you have studied at HNC/D/degree level before SAAS may not pay your fees.

More information about funding your course

Find out more about your payment options for this course in our fees and funding section

Fees & funding

Other possible routes to funding

Care experienced bursary: There are a number of bursaries available to care-experienced students studying full time. Find out more from our student funding teams at: registryfunding@SRUC.ac.uk
Discretionary fund
- SAAS student bursary
- Care Experienced Accommodation Grant
- Childcare
- Going further bursary
- RUK bursary (for students from outside Scotland)
- The Gregor Thomas Royan Lamb Bursary for Future Farmers
- Centenary bursary
- Change your path bursary

HND Wildlife and Conservation Management

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Study overseas

Expand your horizons and gain even more hands-on practical experience in your field with a study overseas trip.

About SRUC

Building on our traditions in tertiary education, research excellence and industry expertise to deliver sustained impact and innovation in the natural economy.

Student life

Explore what life is like at SRUC from before your arrival all the way through to graduation. Find campus and accommodation information, tips, checklists and helpful information on getting started at SRUC. You can also find information on student support services, term dates & timetables, Moodle and more.