Ecology and Conservation

Ecology and conservation address one of the defining challenges of the twenty-first century: the rapid decline of biodiversity and the need to understand and protect the living systems that sustain life on Earth. Ecology is the science of how organisms interact with each other and with their physical environments, examining the patterns and processes that structure communities, populations, and ecosystems. Conservation applies ecological knowledge to the protection and restoration of species and habitats, and it operates at the interface of biology, policy, economics, and ethics.

At Plymouth this three-year full-time programme explores the principles guiding ecological systems and the diversity of life on Earth, investigating ecological patterns, evolutionary relationships, and the processes that sustain natural communities. You will gain a clear understanding of ecology's central role in conservation and sustainable management, studying how biodiversity is surveyed and monitored, how populations respond to environmental pressures, and how conservation strategies are designed and evaluated. The programme includes a foundation year for students who need additional academic preparation before engaging with degree-level content, as well as a sandwich year and a year abroad, providing the opportunity for both professional placement and international study.

Work placements are integrated throughout, giving you direct experience of working in conservation contexts.

You will develop skills in ecological field survey methods, data analysis, scientific communication, and the critical evaluation of evidence, as well as the broader analytical and problem-solving capacities that the discipline requires.

Graduates move into careers in nature conservation, ecological consultancy, environmental impact assessment, national parks and nature reserves, land management, government agencies, and research. Many continue to postgraduate study in ecology, conservation biology, or environmental science, building towards specialist professional or research careers in a field where the need for qualified ecologists and conservation practitioners continues to grow.