Animal & Conservation Biology

Animal and Conservation Biology is a field that brings together the scientific study of animal life with the urgent practical work of protecting biodiversity in a world of accelerating environmental change. It draws on ecology, evolutionary biology, zoology, genetics, and environmental science to understand how animal populations function, how ecosystems maintain their complexity, and what happens when those systems are disrupted by habitat loss, climate change, pollution, or the introduction of invasive species. Conservation biology takes this knowledge and applies it to the design and evaluation of strategies for protecting species and the habitats on which they depend.

At Edinburgh Napier University, this programme is offered on a part-time basis, making it accessible to students who are managing other work or personal commitments alongside their studies. A year abroad is available within the programme, giving you the opportunity to study or conduct fieldwork in a different country and ecological context, which is particularly valuable in a discipline where understanding biodiversity across different biomes and regions is important. You will study core areas including animal behaviour, population dynamics, ecological methods, genetics, conservation planning, and environmental policy.

Fieldwork is central to the discipline, and the programme develops practical skills in data collection, species identification, and ecological survey alongside the theoretical frameworks needed to interpret what you observe.

Edinburgh Napier's Scottish location places you within reach of varied and ecologically significant landscapes, from upland moorland and ancient woodland to coastal habitats and freshwater systems, all of which provide contexts for applied ecological study.

Graduates pursue careers in conservation organisations, national parks, environmental consultancy, wildlife management, research institutions, and government agencies. Many go on to postgraduate study in ecology, conservation science, environmental management, or related fields. The discipline is genuinely demanding, but it is also one of the most direct ways to contribute to the protection of the natural world.