BSc (Hons) Wildlife and Conservation Management

SRUC’s Wildlife and Conservation Management course is aimed at those who care about wildlife and the environment and want to protect it so that everyone may enjoy it.

Location: Barony
Study mode: Full Time - International Applicants (4 years), Full Time (4 years)
Subject area: Environment, Conservation and Sustainability
Start date: September 2027
Agency code: F751

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Programme overview

Our Wildlife and Conservation Management Degree has been created to provide students with a broad range of skills and knowledge to prepare them for careers in the conservation, ecology and land management sector.

Biodiversity conservation, ecological surveying, habitat management, visitor management and environmental education are just a few examples of topic areas covered in this dynamic course taught by enthusiastic lecturers with direct experience in research and practice.

Wildlife and Conservation Management students will be taught practical and applied skills underpinned by academic theory to be able to understand, manage and restore a wide variety of national and international species and habitats. This programme also teaches the knowledge and skills to work with people in the environment to ensure our natural spaces and the wildlife within are protected, enjoyed, and understood by all.

The programme offers a wide variety of local, national and international field trips to immerse the students in conservation projects, recent trips include – Kenya and South Africa to undertake training in wildlife conservation, as well as making the most of Scotland's remote and remarkable highlands, islands and coastal areas, to develop field study skills and study marine ecology.

By working in partnership with a wide variety of conservation organisations, students graduating from the course will leave with a dynamic skillset to be able to respond to the changing demands of the conservation sector.

Additional Information

: You can apply for this course using the apply now button located at the top and bottom of this page. Detailed information on how to apply can be found on our applications instructions page.

International students can also speak with a local authorised agent in their country who can assist you in applying for this course. Find your local agent by visiting our SRUC in your country page.
: Four Highers (BBCC).

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

Comparable Qualifications:

3 A-Levels BCC with GCSE passes in Maths and English.

JCPA plus 4 Irish Leaving Certificate subjects at Higher Level at H3, H3, H3, H3.
: 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.
: Scotland has so much to offer, it’s no wonder that each year thousands of students from across the globe make it their number one choice for their study destination.

Learn more about studying at SRUC in Scotland
: Although not mandatory, our annual study trips are designed to complement SRUC’s practical, hands-on approach to learning, allowing you to engage directly with agricultural, environmental, and rural industries in diverse global contexts.

Learn more about where we're going this year.
: SRUC offers a choice of campus locations and accommodation options. Learn more about each campus, including its facilities and accommodation options, by visiting our campus pages.
: Phone:

From inside the UK: 0800 269 453
British Sign Language (BSL) users can contact us through an interpreter via Contact Scotland BSL

From outside the UK: +44 (0) 131 535 4000

Email:

Scottish, Irish, and UK students: study@sruc.ac.uk

International students: interrnationalstudents@sruc.ac.uk

Online:

All prospective students are welcome to contact us by filling in our online enquiry form
: HNC Wildlife and Conservation Management

HND Wildlife and Conservation Management

NC Countryside Management

HNC Animal Care

HNC Environmental Management

HNC Forestry

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

Watch

What you'll learn

By the completion of the Wildlife Conservation Management BSc Hons students will have been supported and enabled in their studies to:

Engage critically with ecological knowledge and methodology required in the practical application of conservation and land management
Engage critically with the techniques and methods to manage human impact on natural assets.
Explain debate and demonstrate the need for action in conservation, outdoor access or land management projects and have the pragmatic knowledge and skills to address them.
Interrogate range of data sources (species, habitat, climatic, etc.) to produce models for improved management and ecological status.
Manage themselves, team and projects in preparation for careers in diverse range of conservation organisations.
To be innovative, creative practitioners, graduates will research, critically analyse and apply new processes, data, and technology and management systems in real world scenarios.
Demonstrate strong communication skills to explain, debate and demonstrate to multiple audience types the theory and application of wildlife conservation.

Course content

Biodiversity Conservation
Ecology and Ecosystems
Geology and Geomorphology
Rural Land Use
Environmental Awareness
Interpretation and Visitor Management Techniques
Classification and Identification of Organisms
Leadership of Countryside Activities
Planning and Development: An Introduction
Biology: An Introduction
Heritage Studies
Wildlife Management
Animal Care: Wildlife
Wildlife Husbandry and Rehabilitation
Information Technology

Data Collection and Handling Methods
Ecological Surveying
Tourism: Sustainability and Rural Communities
Education for Sustainability: Principles and Practices
Terrestrial Ecosystems
Habitat Management
Applied Interpretation
Geographic Information System
Marine Environments
Freshwater Environments
Forestry: Woodland Conservation
Soil Management
Conservation Skills
Work Experience
Business Management

Compulsory modules include:

Conservation Site Management
Ecological Principles and Applications
Rural Planning and Environmental Assessment
Integrated Catchment Management
Community Project Management
Research Skills and Data Analysis

Elective modules include (2 to be selected):

Geographic Information System and Remote Sensing
Interpretive Planning and Evaluation
Climate Change and the Global Environment
Land and Habitat Restoration
Multipurpose Woodland Management
Field Study Skills

Compulsory modules include:

Honours Project or Work Based Research Project
Action for Biodiversity
Wildlife and Resource Management Conflicts
Professional Skills for Conservation

Elective modules include (2 to be selected):

Landscape Scale Conservation
Marine Ecology and Conservation
Upland Management
Practical Applications in Multi-Purpose Woodland Management
Advanced Geographic Information System
Evolutionary Ecology
Issues in Heritage
Interpretation

Student experience

Hannah Gordon

I’m from Fort William and chose to study Wildlife and Conservation Management at SRUC because I wanted to expand my career opportunities and explore the many different pathways within conservation. The course has given me the chance to discover a wide range of specialisms while developing the knowledge and skills needed for a career in the sector.

I chose SRUC because of its focus on Scottish wildlife and conservation, using real case studies and projects that are directly relevant to the challenges facing our natural environment. I also liked the flexibility to tailor coursework around my own interests.

One of the highlights of my time at SRUC has been the field trips, where I’ve learned alongside great friends while gaining valuable practical experience. I’ve also grown in confidence and am proud of the work I’ve produced throughout my degree.

After graduating, I’ll be travelling to Norway with SRUC to learn from rewilding projects and explore how those ideas could help shape conservation in Scotland.

My advice to future students is to make the most of every opportunity. Speak to your tutors, build your network and get involved—they’re there to help you succeed and prepare for your future career.

“One of the highlights of my time at SRUC has been the field trips, where I’ve learned alongside great friends while gaining valuable practical experience."

Hannah Gordon, BSc (Hons) Wildlife and Conservation Management

Meet the lecturer

Ian Lewis

I'm based at Oatridge and occasionally our Ayr campus. Before teaching at SRUC I studied Countryside Management at Oatridge and spent six years rangering with Historic Environment Scotland.

I'm mostly interested in Heritage and Interpretation, communicating and inspiring engagement in nature, but also biology, and wildlife identification.

View my Pure profile

Get in touch

Catherine Seeds

Programme/Team Leader – Wildlife and Conservation Management

I have been with SRUC for 9 years both as a teacher and programme lead.

When teaching, my focus is on biodiversity conservation, habitat management, marine ecology, community projects, and conservation site management. I'm 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 I enjoy supporting students on their journey through the programme and on into industry to have fulfilling careers.

View my Pure profile

Get in touch

Ely Blyth

I joined the Wildlife and Conservation Management team in 2022 as a Teaching Instructor, following a career as an outdoor educator and estate ranger.

My teaching focuses on the practical elements of working in conservation: Habitat Management, Path Building, Conservation Skills and Volunteer Management.

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James Banks

I have been a lecturer in Wildlife Conservation and Ecological Restoration at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) since 2021, following work as an Ecologist, Biodiversity Consultant, and Wilderness Guide. I have been involved in many forms of practical ecological restoration work for over 30 years and lead the world-leading Peatland Assessment and Restoration Course at SRUC in association with NatureScot. Currently I'm developing the first Master’s degree in Ecological Restoration in the UK.

I am a member of the Society for Ecological Restoration and the International Peatland Society. I have worked as an Engagement Ranger in Glencoe for the National Trust for Scotland and as a Senior Tutor for the Field Studies Council. An enthusiastic educator, I have an extensive Environmental Science teaching and examining background and love learning from my students.

Get in touch

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

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for this course:

Detailed information about these fees can be found on our higher education fees page.

Eligible full-time students studying BSc/BSc (Hons) 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.

Funding available:

Scottish students: you may be eligible to apply for a tuition fee loan through SAAS. Learn more
RUK students: you may be eligible to have your tuition fees paid as part of a bursary through your local government department. Learn more
International students: you may be eligible for international student scholarships through SRUC. Learn more

BSc (Hons) Wildlife and Conservation Management

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