Ecology and Conservation

Ecology and Conservation are disciplines at the heart of one of the most urgent challenges of our time. Ecologists study the relationships between organisms and their environments, examining how species interact with each other and with the physical systems that sustain them. Conservation biology applies that knowledge to the practical work of protecting and restoring biodiversity in a world where habitat loss, climate change, invasive species and pollution are driving species extinctions at an unprecedented rate.

Together they form the scientific foundation for informed environmental stewardship.

At the University of Lincoln, this three-year full-time programme develops your understanding of ecology, biodiversity, and conservation science through a combination of rigorous academic study and extensive fieldwork. You will study population ecology, community ecology, biogeography, conservation genetics, environmental policy, and the practical techniques used to survey, monitor and protect wildlife and habitats. Lincoln's campus and the surrounding Lincolnshire landscape provide fieldwork opportunities close to the university, and the programme includes a sandwich year in professional practice and a year abroad, giving you substantial experience working in ecological or conservation organisations before you complete your degree.

Work placement is also integrated throughout the programme.

Graduates of Ecology and Conservation programmes work in conservation organisations, wildlife trusts, environmental consultancies, national parks, government agencies, ecological survey companies, and international conservation bodies. Some move into education, science communication or environmental policy. Others pursue postgraduate research degrees, deepening their expertise in areas such as conservation genetics, landscape ecology, or climate adaptation.

The combination of scientific rigour, fieldwork skills and professional experience that this programme provides is a strong foundation for a career working to protect the natural world.