Wildlife Conservation with Zoo Biology with Foundation Year

Wildlife conservation and zoo biology together form a discipline that is both scientifically rigorous and urgently relevant. Human activity has altered habitats, driven species to extinction, and placed pressure on biodiversity at a scale that demands deep scientific understanding and practical skills in conservation management. Zoo biology adds a specific and valuable dimension: zoos and wildlife parks play significant roles in captive breeding, species rescue, public education, and the support of field conservation programmes.

Understanding how conservation works both in the wild and in managed settings is increasingly essential to the field.

At the University of Salford, this part-time programme explores conservation theory and practice across both contexts, drawing on biology, ecology, animal behaviour, and the science of population management. You will examine the causes and consequences of biodiversity loss, the methods used to monitor and protect wild populations, and the role that zoos and wildlife organisations play in conservation at a global level. The course highlights the devastating effects of human impact on wildlife habitats and biodiversity, and explores responses to those effects from both zoo-based and field conservation perspectives.

Studying part-time allows you to progress at a sustainable pace while developing the specialist knowledge and practical understanding the sector requires.

Graduates from wildlife conservation programmes work in a wide range of settings, including nature reserves, national parks, zoos, aquariums, conservation charities, government agencies, and international environmental organisations. Roles include conservation officer, wildlife biologist, species manager, environmental consultant, and education officer. For those interested in research or academic careers, postgraduate study in conservation biology, ecology, or zoo biology is a natural progression, and many graduates also go on to contribute to fieldwork and species recovery programmes around the world.