Ecology and Conservation

取得日期：2026-10-02、2026-10-16

https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/ecology-and-conservation-bsc-hons-c180/2027/

https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/study/international-students/hong-kong/

Ecology and Conservation BSc Hons (C180) - Lancaster University

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Ecology and Conservation

BSc Hons

UCAS code

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A level requirements

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Full time 3 years

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Overview

Top reasons to study with us

11th for Geography & Environmental Sciences (joint)

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide (2026)

11th for Geography

The Guardian University Guide (2026)

13th for Geography & Environmental Sciences

The Complete University Guide (2027)

Ecologists work to protect natural environments and habitats. Their research is essential to understanding the relationship between plants and animals, how different ecosystems are structured, and how human activities impact the places they call home. From this, they develop conservation strategies that tackle the most pressing global, environmental challenges. Could you use your passion for nature and conservation to help protect wildlife and their habitats?

What to expect

Our three-year BSc Hons Ecology and Conservation degree will combine ecological theory and practice through lectures and tutorials, field trips and lab work. In Year 1, you will be introduced to key topics such as ecology, evolutionary biology, and conservation.

As you progress into Year 2, you will begin to hone your interests by choosing from a range of optional modules, with topics including organismal biology, remote sensing technologies, and environmental sciences.

In Year 3, you will undertake an independent research project with support from our renowned team of research-active academics. This will be conducted alongside more advanced modules.

Getting out in the field

As part of your degree you will gain hands-on experience in the field, giving you the opportunity to familiarise yourself with current conservation efforts and a variety of ecosystems and the species that live in them.

You will visit a Scottish island to explore a diverse range of land and marine habitats, observing animals including tiny nudibranchs and starfish, the local grey seal population, red deer and mountain hares, ospreys and golden eagles, and potentially even the elusive basking shark.

You might also explore the Rift Valley of Kenya, where you will evaluate the challenge of balancing tropical conservation and human activity.

Personal development

You will explore a number of unique habitats and ecosystems throughout your degree, whether locally or overseas. This hands-on experience will help you develop key conservations skills, alongside a range of transferable skills desired by employers; some of which include environmental sampling, data handling, analysis, communication, and surveying and identification of wildlife.

3 things our ecology and conservation students want you to know:

Lancaster is a great choice for getting closer than ever to nature. The University’s location means you can quickly access two national parks, the Lake District World Heritage Site and the Yorkshire Dales, and a number of nature reserves and forest areas. Plus, many students join LUSU Green, a group run by the Students’ Union, who are working to create thriving natural environments on campus

There’s no better way to understand ecology than by taking it in for yourself. Our students tell us the global fieldwork experiences are some of the most valuable, helping them explore new environments and building their confidence

Ecology and conservation impacts every area of our economy, so your future career is likely to be more varied than you think. More and more global environmentally focused careers are becoming available, and your insight will be highly valued by employers

Your department

Lancaster Environment Centre

Faculty of Science and Technology

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Telephone +44 (0)1524 510249

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Welcome to Ecology and Conservation at Lancaster University

You will examine the ecology and conservation of different ecosystems, in which organisms are locked in complex interactions with one another and their environment. It's a diverse field and your degree will focus on areas including animal behaviour, evolution and global change biology.

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95.8% positivity score for academic support, National Student Survey 2026.

97.2% positivity score for learning resources, National Student Survey 2026.

93% positivity score overall, National Student Survey 2026.

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Take a tour of Lancaster Environment Centre

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Our planet is the only home we have, so understanding how best to care for it is of the utmost importance. A degree in ecology and conservation can help you to sustain biodiversity, maintain clean air and water, and secure our future – and lead to careers where you play an integral part in that future. From positions as Senior Rangers and Ecologists, to Flood Risk Engineers and Environmental Campaigns Managers or pursuing further study, our graduates have found a way to make a difference. You may also wish to pursue roles in industry or the public sector where your skills in data analysis, report writing, reasoning and design and innovation will be valued. Graduates from our courses are also well-paid, with the median salary of graduates from Lancaster Environment Centre being £28,500, 15 months after graduation (HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey 2025).

Here are just some of the roles that our BSc and MSci Ecology and Conservation students have progressed into upon graduating:

Environmental Sustainability Specialist – Severn Trent

Editorial Assistant – Plants, People, Planet Research Journal

Journal Specialist – Frontiers (Scientific Research Publisher)

Assistant Ranger - Denbighshire County Council / Cyngor Sir Ddinbych

Assistant Ecologist – The Ecology Partnership

Water Performance Analyst – South West Water

Countryside Manager - The National Trust

Community Engagement Coordinator – Canal and River Trust

PhD Candidate – Lancaster University

Seasonal Survey Assistant – Ribble Rivers Trust

Reserve Manager – Foxglove Covert

Lancaster University is dedicated to ensuring you not only gain a highly reputable degree, you also graduate with the relevant life and work based skills. We are unique in that every student is eligible to participate in The Lancaster Award which offers you the opportunity to complete key activities such as work experience, employability/career development, campus community and social development. Visit our Employability section for full details.

Skills for your future

A degree in ecology and conservation will provide you with both a specialist and transferable skill set sought after by employers across a wide range of sectors.

Placement year

Choosing a Placement pathway degree involves spending the third year of your four-year degree working full-time in a business. Many students find that a placement year helps them to decide which career path they would like to take. The experience will give you a strong advantage when looking for employment after your degree.

Learning on Location

From rugged islands of Scotland to the savannah plains of Kenya, our ecology degrees allow you to get hands-on experience working in the field, allowing you to gain the laboratory skills necessary to excel within the environmental sector, and beyond.

Teaching Career Success

In your second year, as part of our teaching we invite alumni and partners from different employers to meet LEC students, providing you with insight into the graduate labour market, as well as providing you with the tools to successfully transition into the world of work.

A future for Abbie

I graduated in 2021 and I am now working as a Journal Specialist for Frontiers, which is an open-access scientific research publisher. Currently, I am working in the Global Women’s Health journal and I find it super interesting – but if I decide that I am not enjoying it I have the option of requesting a transfer to a different section (like ecology and evolution) in a couple months. I love the flexibility it offers. My role involves a lot of collaboration with researchers around the world (maybe one day I will collaborate with a researcher at Lancaster!). I help create Research Topics which will eventually be a curated collection of articles within a chosen scope.

After graduating I spent a bit of time as a waitress while trying to decide what I wanted to go into and I took a liking to the publishing world – especially when it involves important research. I was honestly really lucky as it was one of the first jobs I actually applied to and the one that fit my interests the most. I had an initial interview, a written task and then another interview and when I got the job they did a review interview – it was really organised and it was nice to hear why I was chosen for the job.

Abbie Pilkington, BSc Ecology and Conservation - Journal Specialist at Frontier

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Considering a placement year in LEC?

"I completed a placement year as part of my degree at Lancaster. This means that in my third year I spent 10 months gaining experience, before returning to Lancaster to complete my degree. I did my placement with the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s WildGenes genetics laboratory. This entailed working on-site in a lab at Edinburgh Zoo as well as learning to use genetics and DNA extractions to help support conservation efforts worldwide.

As someone who came straight to university from high school, my placement was the first time in my life I hadn’t been in education. It was a real shock to not have classes to attend or assignments to do, but more importantly, it helped to show me what life might look like beyond academics. The biggest learning curve I had to face wasn’t any of the lab techniques or new concepts, but seeing myself as an employee rather than a student. As I adjusted to my new role and developed skills in and out of the lab, my confidence grew, and I became more comfortable in putting forward my ideas and trusting my intuition. Now I feel self-assured applying for postgraduate study knowing that I have a broad skill set of both academic and practical skills that I can expand on in applications and interviews. If you have the opportunity to do a placement year, take it. You will learn more about yourself and your career aspirations that you could possibly imagine!"

Aimée Olivia Ewington - BSc Hons Zoology (Placement Year)

Find a list of all our Lancaster Environment Centre undergraduate placement year programmes

A place for Emily

“I chose to study Ecology and Conservation at Lancaster as I loved the course offered a wide range of options for Ecology students, covering topics such as biology, environmental science and geography. Opportunities to go on field courses to Cornwall, Kenya and Scotland really interested me, as it is essential to get field experience for a career in ecology.

The range of modules has allowed me to gain knowledge in evolution, vertebrate biology and field skills. These modules often include field trips to local locations, such as the aquariums, Martin Mere, the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales.

Staff are very helpful if we have any queries or if we need help understanding our coursework or exams pieces. Every student also has an academic tutor, which helps you understand your coursework/exam feedback and how you can improve, while also providing pastoral support if you need any help.

I am volunteering with the Northumberland Wildlife Trust during my vacation time, which allows me to develop my conservation skills and meet people who work in the area I wish to go into in the future. LEC (Lancaster Environment Centre) puts on volunteering fairs and advertises opportunities for internships and placements to students.”

Emily Brazier – MSci Ecology and Conservation

Martha Petrou

“The flexibility and ability to tailor your degree to your growing interests was a big plus for me – I would definitely recommend the course to other students entering the world of ecology and/or conservation. The relationships I built and inspirations I acquired from my lecturers will stay with me for a lifetime.

I always knew I wanted to follow a career in conservation and when I contacted BirdLife Cyprus to collaborate with them for my BSc research project, I networked well enough with the organisation to continue work with them.

My day-to-day usually consists of project management work, remote vulture tracking and monitoring and every few weeks I get to go out in the field, monitor, catch and tag vultures. Technical knowledge of my field has definitely been useful throughout my career so far.

The biggest career highlight would have to be seeing the first successful vulture breeding efforts in my home country after 5 years of unsuccessful breeding. All the tireless efforts of our years-long conservation project paid off in that moment.”

Martha Petrou – studied BSc Ecology and Conservation, now working as Conservation Project Officer for BirdLife Cyprus

Our societies

Looking to join a community of like-minded Lancaster Environment Centre students? Look no further!

“LECSoc is a welcoming society with a strong sense of community for students studying LEC degrees, as well as those from other departments. We run regular socials including craft nights and pub quizzes, perfect for meeting new friends. We also run educational events with guest speakers. If you want to find out more, follow us on Instagram. We hope to meet you soon!”

Emily Kerin – LECSoc Co-president

Entry requirements

These are the typical grades that you will need to study this course. This section will tell you whether you need qualifications in specific subjects, what our English language requirements are, and if there are any extra requirements such as attending an interview or submitting a portfolio.

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A levels

BBB. This should include two science subjects from: Biology, Chemistry, Computing, Environmental Science, Geography, Geology, Mathematics, Physics or Psychology.

Access to HE Diploma

Considered on a case-by-case basis. Our typical entry requirement would be 24 Level 3 credits at Distinction plus 21 Level 3 credits at Merit, but you would need to have covered appropriate subject content.

Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

We accept the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales in place of one A level, or equivalent qualification, as long as any subject requirements are met.

BTEC Extended Diploma

DDM to include sufficient science. We require Distinctions in the majority of relevant science units. Not all science-based BTECs will include sufficient relevant science units. Please contact the Admissions Team for further advice.

BTEC in combination with A levels

Our typical entry requirement would be A level at grade B plus BTEC(s) at DM, or A level at grade C plus BTEC(s) at DD, or A levels at grade BC plus BTEC at D, but you would also need to meet the subject requirements, and achieve appropriate grades in those subjects.

International Baccalaureate

30 points overall with 15 points from the best 3 HL subjects including two HL science subjects at grade 6

Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers

We are happy to admit applicants on the basis of five Highers, but where we require a specific subject at A level, we will typically require an Advanced Higher in that subject. If you do not meet the grade requirement through Highers alone, we will consider a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers in separate subjects. Please contact the Admissions team for more information.

T levels

Not accepted

GCSE requirements

Mathematics grade 4/C, English Language grade 4/C.

We will also look at your overall GCSE profile when considering your application as a whole.

We do have flexibility when considering GCSE requirements. Go to our GCSE information for more details.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, we require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component for this programme. English language qualifications for undergraduate study.

Help from our Admissions team

If you are thinking of applying to Lancaster and you would like to ask us a question, complete our enquiry form and one of the team will get back to you.

We also have more details on our website about:

Other qualifications we accept

International qualifications

How to apply and what happens afterwards

International foundation programmes

Delivered in partnership with Lancaster University International Study Centre, our one-year tailored foundation pathways are designed to improve your subject knowledge and English language skills to the level required by a range of Lancaster University degrees. Visit the Lancaster University International Study Centre for more details and a list of eligible degrees you can progress onto.

Contextual admissions

Contextual admissions could help you gain a place at university if you have faced additional challenges during your education which might have impacted your results. Visit our contextual admissions page to find out about how this works and whether you could be eligible.

Course structure

We continually review and enhance our curriculum to ensure we are delivering the best possible learning experience, and to make sure that the subject knowledge and transferable skills you develop will prepare you for your future. The University will make every reasonable effort to offer programmes and modules as advertised. In some cases, changes may be necessary and may result in new modules or some modules and combinations being unavailable, for example as a result of student feedback, timetabling, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes and new research. Where the course offers optional modules, they may not all be available every year.

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Biodiversity and Global Change

Conservation of biodiversity is crucial in a rapidly changing world. This module explores how biodiversity is generated, maintained and distributed across the planet, providing a foundation in biodiversity patterns and processes. You'll examine ecological and evolutionary drivers of biodiversity, from speciation and extinction to ecosystem dynamics. In the ‘threats and responses’ part, you’ll assess human-induced pressures such as climate change, habitat loss, pollution and overexploitation, alongside species’ ecological and evolutionary adaptations to these challenges. Finally, the solution section explores conservation strategies, including habitat restoration, species management, sustainable resource use and agricultural interventions. Drawing on examples from terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems, you’ll develop an evidence-based understanding of conservation challenges. This module provides essential knowledge to help develop solutions for addressing the ongoing biodiversity crisis.

Discover fundamental principles governing interactions between organisms and their environments across marine, freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems. You will explore key concepts, including ecological niches, trade-offs, nutrient limitation, productivity, competition, food web interactions, population dynamics, community structure and linkages between ecosystems. Emphasis is placed on variation over time and space due to both natural and human-induced processes, as well as comparing and contrasting the abiotic and biotic factors that shape the ecology of different habitats. The practical sessions provide you with hands-on experience of microscopy, organism identification, collecting field data and data analysis.

Ecology Field and Data Skills

Collecting, analysing and communicating biological data are core skills you'll need as an ecologist or biologist. In this module, you'll explore research questions about UK ecosystems while learning the essentials of study design, field data collection, data wrangling, statistical analysis and clear communication, both through data visualisations and written reports.

You'll gain hands-on experience with ecological fieldwork during a residential field course in the UK, where you'll apply these methods directly. Throughout the module, you'll focus on best data science practices and develop open, reproducible and robust analyses.

Evolutionary Biology

We introduce some of the key concepts in evolution, focusing on natural selection, sexual selection, coevolution, biodiversity, adaptation and phylogenies. You will learn about natural selection as the primary mechanism of adaptation, shaping species through differential survival and reproduction and you will explore sexual selection, emphasising how mate choice and competition influence animal characteristics and behaviour. Additionally, the module introduces phylogenies, the study of evolutionary trees, which help trace the evolutionary history of species. This will develop your understanding of the diversity and interconnectedness of life on Earth, to provide a solid foundation for future zoology and other biological studies.

Foundation Skills for LEC

Whether studying climate change, habitat loss, or sustainable development, these fields require the ability to identify relevant information, organise data, draw meaningful inferences and communicate findings effectively. This module introduces you to some of the essential skills that you will need to support your studies, including how to access and critique existing information, present findings to a variety of audiences and consider ethical issues related to research design. We introduce you to key software programs that can be used to store and process information, produce figures and summaries from datasets and map spatial data. Mastering these skills will help you to maximise your learning potential during your degree and provide a foundation for your future career.

Optional

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Genetics and Biotechnology

Explore the fascinating world of genetics and biotechnology, from the fundamentals of inheritance to cutting-edge genomics. You’ll examine Mendelian genetics and the molecular basis of inheritance through learning how DNA is replicated and how genes are transcribed and translated. You’ll examine the human genome, genome sequencing and be introduced to the role of bioinformatics in understanding genetic data. You’ll also discover how DNA damage can lead to genetic mutations that can in turn lead to heritable and non-heritable diseases and explore genetic testing techniques used today.

The module also introduces other key molecular biotechnologies, including microbial, plant and animal technologies, and how they are transforming research, healthcare, and industry. By the end of the module, you’ll have a strong foundation in genetics and biotechnology, equipping you with the knowledge and skills needed for further study in biomedical and life sciences.

Microbes, Pathogens and Immunity

This module will introduce you to the incredible world of microbiology. You’ll learn how some microbes are harmful, but others have important roles in the environment, in our bodies and are even exploited in the food industry.

Through hands-on practical sessions and workshops, you’ll learn how to identify microbes and understand the dynamics of microbial growth. You will also learn about how the human host responds to exposure to pathogenic microorganisms. We will explore the intricate relationship between pathogens and human health and explore how pathogens cause disease.

The biology of infecting organisms and the host’s immune response will both be examined as these are vital components in understanding the outcome of different types of infection. Selected infections from viruses to multi-cellular worms will be studied in detail and used as paradigms to illustrate principles of host/pathogen interaction.

Catchment Science

The movement of nutrients and pollutants through catchments is controlled by soils, water flows and pollutant transformations. Improving the water quality of lakes and rivers requires an integrated catchment-based approach. Building on knowledge of water flows, soils and nutrient cycling, this module applies this approach to the Windermere catchment. You’ll visit the Lake District to study lake inflows, the soils of the catchment and water quality parameters. You’ll learn how to describe complex systems using simple models and how to carry out field measurements, followed by laboratory analyses of the samples collected in the field.

Biological Research Design and Delivery

Scientists need to understand scientific method, design robust experiments, collect data unbiasedly, use appropriate statistical methods and present research in a clear and concise format suitable to a relevant audience. They also need to be flexible to adjust research plans as needed, a quality that will make you resilient and resourceful in the face of challenges. In this research skills module, you will work in groups to design and deliver a research project from start to end. Activities include appraising information critically and establishing a working hypothesis or prediction, developing a robust experimental design, performing experiments and collecting data, carrying out statistical analyses, interpreting findings and presenting research orally and in written form. You will train to think and act as scientists and gain the confidence and skills required to complete your final year projects and compete in the jobs market.

Explore the scientific foundations of conservation biology and ecosystem ecology by examining how species, communities and environments interact. You'll develop an understanding of the significant threats to global biodiversity, such as habitat loss, climate change, invasive species and overexploitation and learn the ecological reasons why conservation is vital.

Through a mix of theory, real-world case studies and practical work, you'll learn how to quantify biodiversity, assess population sizes and threats and apply conservation strategies at the genetic, species and ecosystem levels. Key topics include ecosystem resilience, habitat connectivity, conservation prioritisation and designing protected areas to optimise biodiversity conservation. You'll also build essential skills in ecological assessment and conservation planning, which will give you a solid foundation for a career in ecology, environmental management, or conservation science.

Ecology Field Skills

Graduates looking for employment as field biologists or ecologists need to have gained skills in basic field biology, including identification of different kinds or organisms and experience of commonly used field survey techniques. The module will focus on building identification skills and the use of identification keys on several groups of organisms including plants and animals. Experience of sampling methods for these taxonomic groups will also be developed, as well as familiarity with basic habitat survey techniques. During this module there will be excursions to natural habitats in local reserves.

Evolution

Evolution is the fundamental concept in biology and an understanding of its processes and effects are important for biologists in all disciplines. Discover how animals and plants are shaped by the environments they live in and the species they interact with, whether predators, parasites, competitors, or their own kin. You’ll explore how natural and sexual selection influence individual traits and behaviour and how these adaptations ripple out to affect entire populations. Blending key theoretical concepts with real-world examples from cutting-edge research, this module gives you insight into the evolutionary forces that drive biodiversity and behaviour across ecosystems.

Geographical Data Science

The world can appear infinitely complex, but when details are represented digitally it becomes easier to draw back, take new perspectives, simplify patterns and learn more about their underlying causes. Organisations of all kinds are interested in how spatial information can drive decisions, operations and policy; and the volume and variety of information captured about people, their surroundings and the planet is increasing rapidly. Geographical Information Systems (GIS) provide us with the environment and tools to explore and interact with socioeconomic, environmental, topographic and remotely sensed data in order to generate understanding. At the end of this module, you will be able to query and interpret spatial data from multiple sources, create and critically interpret new outputs and appreciate how to visualise data for different audiences.

Living with the Landscape

Explore the dynamic relationships between natural and human processes in landscapes from uplands through lowlands to coastal zones. You will examine how water, sediment and nutrients flow across landscapes, how changes in land use and climate can impact these flows and how disruptions to them can have cascading effects across space and time. You will consider how these interactions shape ecosystems and influence their health, resilience and services to humanity. The module will emphasise the importance of this understanding for developing sustainable land-use practices and natural resource management. Integrated approaches to landscape management will be explored through case studies addressing issues such as climate change adaptation, pollution control and flood risk mitigation.

Microbiology and Immunology

This module explores the positive and negative roles of microbes with regards to human health. You will learn how our indigenous microbes help with numerous physiological functions, protect us from invasion by pathogens and how they are tolerated by our immune system.

We will take a detailed look at the pathogenic mechanisms of a range of microbes and what makes some more virulent than others. You will learn about our natural defence, the innate and adaptive immune system and how its various components (organs, cells, and messengers) collectively function to fight off infections.

We will also examine human interventions to control infections, i.e., prevention (e.g. disinfectants, vaccination) and therapy (anti-microbial compounds) and the challenges associated with each.

Plant Biology

Life on earth is fuelled through plants, algae and other organisms using solar energy to fix carbon into organic compounds. The evolution of oxygenic photosynthesis, which originated in cyanobacteria, marked a turning point in the path of life on Earth. Its adoption through symbiosis in algae and its impact through oxygenation of the atmosphere, enabled the emergence and evolution of multicellular life, including macroalgae and land plants. Building on core ideas from ecology and biology, you will explore the diversity of photosynthetic organisms and their interactions with the environment, with an emphasis on land plants. Topics include insights from the fossil record, functional diversity in modern ecosystems, and the role of photosynthesis in global nutrient cycles. You will also examine how these organisms respond to competition, herbivory, pathogens, environmental stress and human-driven changes such as domestication and agriculture.

Soil Science

Soils are one of the most important, yet often overlooked, resources on the planet. Almost all our food relies on soil - it is the largest active store of carbon. The water we drink is stored and filtered through soils and they support over half of the planet’s biodiversity. In this module you will explore how soils are formed and the underpinning chemical, physical and biological processes that support the major biogeochemical cycles and life itself. We go on to explore some of the threats to soils, including soil erosion and salinisation and what we might do to mitigate them and then consider how soils are linked to the wider environment. You will be taught through a combination of lectures, a walking field lecture, fieldwork looking at soil profiles and laboratory classes to explore this exciting world beneath our feet.

Vertebrate Biology

Vertebrates (including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals) display a staggering diversity of shapes and sizes, and are adapted to a wide array of environments, from hot deserts to freezing oceans. The aim of this module is to introduce you to the broad range of forms and functions, putting physiological and behavioural processes firmly within a whole organism and evolutionary context. You will be able to apply your general knowledge of vertebrate biology to species-specific examples: comparing and contrasting different groups and their adaptations; and critically evaluating hypotheses to explain vertebrate diversity. You will learn through critical discussion, data analysis and interpretation, science communication and a fieldtrip, providing practical skills essential for careers in biodiversity conservation, wildlife management and scientific research. Learn from research-active lecturers and discover how vertebrates are responding to environmental challenges, from habitat loss to on-going climate change.

Dissertation

Conduct an independent research project on a specific topic within your field of study and present your findings in an extensive report. Throughout your project, you will receive one-to-one support from a member of academic staff. This is the largest piece of work that you will complete during your degree and, depending on your subject area, it will enable you to develop skills including formulating a research question; contextualising it within research literature; identifying and using appropriate research methods and techniques with which to address your question; collecting and analysing data; and interpreting your findings. Overall, the aim is to demonstrate your ability to conduct rigorous, independent academic work and communicate its outcomes clearly and effectively.

Animal Behaviour

Animal behaviour has been captivating scientists for centuries and it remains a key subject in ecology, evolution and conservation. Explore how and why animals behave in the way that they do by applying an evolutionary framework to investigate the costs and benefits to the individuals involved. You will learn about the very latest research on animals of all kinds, introducing you to amazing behaviours that at first seem puzzling to understand, but also challenging you to think differently about well-known examples. Topics include reproduction, sociality and communication and how the study of non-human animals helps us to understand behaviour in our own species. You will develop skills in critical thinking, data interpretation and scientific writing.

Coral Reef Ecology

Coral reefs are one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth and have inspired the development of some of the most far-reaching theories in ecology. These ecosystems are distributed throughout the tropics and often dominate shallow seas. They are important for billions of people worldwide yet are under increasing threat from climate change and direct disturbances. This module will provide you with a grounding in biology, ecology and evolution of hard corals and reef fishes, building on broad ecological principles from previous years. You will apply this understanding to evaluate threats and their potential solutions, developing critical knowledge on the most complex habitat in the oceans. Specifically, you will explore how and where coral reefs have emerged through time and thrived in the oceans, the behavioural and community dynamics that allow such an enormous variety of species to coexist and emerging threats and solutions to their continued existence.

Creative Geographies: Place, Space and the Geographies of Imagination

This module gives you an advanced introduction to the geographies of creative practice, an exciting and emerging area within contemporary geographic scholarship. Building on key ideas from earlier modules, you’ll expand your critical thinking and explore new methodological approaches. You’ll examine how place and space are connected to art, politics and creative expression, and develop a deeper understanding of how particular places become hubs of intellectual and artistic activity. You will develop a critical appreciation of how specific types of places (historical and contemporary) become sites of intellectual thought and creative expression. Engage with a range of cultural, social, political and philosophical ideas and interpret these across a range of media, including the visual arts, film, music, narrative/graphic fiction and creative writing. The module will develop your appreciation of the spatial dimensions of critical thought and creative practice and thus deepen your understanding of the geographical imagination.

Eco-Innovation for Sustainable Development

This module takes a critical and yet hands-on approach to exploring the role of eco-innovation as a pathway towards sustainable development. Through action-learning, you will identify and address real-world sustainability challenges by developing your own eco-innovation proposals – viable ideas with the potential to reduce human impact on the environment whilst simultaneously delivering to the economic and social ambitions of global sustainable development. You will work in small teams, while being introduced to key sustainability concepts and business planning approaches that can be combined to develop effective eco-innovations. Gain valuable transferable skills including team working, problem analysis and framing, and effective oral and written communication to professional and non-academic audiences. By the end of the module, you will have developed a deep understanding of the intersection between sustainability and innovation, along with practical skills and increased confidence to help them drive change in the real world.

Food and Agriculture in the 21st Century

Explore the social, political and environmental challenges facing food systems in the world today. You’ll examine the history, culture and development of contemporary food production, focusing on how we interact with plants, animals and the land. Key debates will centre around food security and food sovereignty, using global case studies to reveal the connections between changing diets, landscapes and agrarian reform. You’ll be challenged to think critically and creatively about the future of food, developing innovative alternatives. Practical sessions will give you the chance to explore different ways of thinking about food and agriculture, and how these perspectives are rooted in broader political, environmental and social philosophies.

Interdisciplinary Conservation Science

Conservation is as much about human behaviours and values as it is about species and biological diversity. As a field, conservation science has come to recognise the complex nature of environmental challenges, requiring a blend of knowledge from various disciplines. While the foundations of conservation are still in traditional biology, the incorporation of social sciences, economics and law are increasing. This module introduces you to the increasingly holistic approach to conservation, emphasising the interplay between ecological and social systems, that recognises human behaviours, economic pressures and cultural values alongside biological factors. The need for collaboration across diverse stakeholders will be explored. Through case studies, you will learn to apply interdisciplinary frameworks to real-world scenarios, to recognise and engage with the often conflicting values and priorities. The module will prepare you for careers in conservation organisations, government agencies and research institutions, empowering you to become effective agents of environmental change.

Marine Ecology Field Course

Based on the Isle of Cumbrae in the Firth of Clyde, gain hands-on experience studying UK intertidal and subtidal ecosystems, focusing on ecological patterns, processes and field research techniques. You’ll explore rocky shores, sandy beaches and underwater habitats while investigating biodiversity, species interactions and the effects of environmental gradients. Activities will include ecological surveying, species identification, habitat mapping and experimental design. You’ll learn to analyse ecological data using statistical techniques and interpret marine community structure and function patterns. A major part of the module is an independent research project, giving you the chance to design, carry out and present your own ecological study. With a strong focus on field skills, critical thinking and scientific communication, this module equips you with valuable experience in marine ecological research.

Political Ecology

The modern world is defined by unprecedented social and ecological crises: global heating, biodiversity decline, mounting economic inequality and the wicked problem of decarbonising society justly and equitably. You will approach these challenges head-on, asking how they were produced, by who, why and with what effects. You will be introduced to the field of political ecology and to some of its most influential conceptual approaches (degrowth, feminism, anti-colonialism and more). Together, we will ask and answer questions such as: What is climate justice? Why is it so difficult to decarbonise the global economy? How do items we use every day — from mobile phones, to clothing, coffee and water — impact peoples, animals and environments near and far? You will learn to think critically about the world they live in, to reflect on the implications of social and economic policy and consider how climate justice might be attained.

Spatial Data Analysis

Our planet is shaped by ongoing geological, climatic and ecological processes that are increasingly dominated by mankind. Everywhere you look you will find change, but not all changes are important. To make informed decisions, we need to know how to test ideas and identify reliable trends. This module will teach you how to overlay spatial layers to answer increasingly complex questions about when and where changes are happening, whether they are connected, what is occurring in locations with incomplete data and to predict the magnitude and distribution of impacts? As more and more data is collected and shared by networked devices, corporations and remote sensing technologies, understanding spatial relationships is crucial. The operations of most industries already depend on geospatial analysts and this module will teach you skills needed to take advantage of the digital age.

Sustainable Agriculture

Despite delivering abundant cheap food, farmers and society have economic, environmental and social concerns about our modern resource-intensive agricultural systems. Explore the strengths and weaknesses of current intensive and proposed extensive agricultural systems by examining their food production, resource use, efficiency and environmental impacts. You’ll be introduced to key sustainability metrics such as carbon and water footprints and delve into the biological mechanisms behind a range of agronomic techniques. The module also looks at how agriculture contributes to ecosystem services. Through hands-on workshop sessions, you’ll compare microbial inoculants (bio-fertilisers) with synthetic fertilisers in a greenhouse-based plant growth trial and take part in a virtual farm management exercise to identify strategies for making UK agriculture more economically and environmentally sustainable.

Tropical Ecology and Conservation Field Course

Africa’s Great Rift Valley is home to some of the richest biodiversity on the planet. Take a trip to Kenya to explore a wide range of habitats and encounter a remarkable variety of species, gaining insight into their ecology, behaviour and conservation challenges. You’ll visit locations with varying levels of protection, from private game reserves and national parks to unmanaged landscapes, allowing you to compare conservation strategies in practice. Alongside unforgettable encounters with African wildlife, you’ll build essential field skills and develop a strong understanding of tropical ecosystems and the complex threats they face.

Fees and funding

Our annual tuition fee is set for a 12-month session, starting at the beginning of each academic year.

Our Undergraduate Tuition Fees for 2027/28 are:

International

Fees and funding information

Additional fees and funding information accordion

Additional costs

Additional costs for this course

Students will be required to pay for travel to field sites and will have to purchase wet weather clothing, boots and waterproof notebooks for fieldtrips for which the estimated cost is approximately £110. The course offers optional field trips and students will have to pay for any travel and accommodation costs. If students undertake placements then they may incur additional travel costs. Students on certain modules may wish to purchase a hand lens and compass clinometer but these may be borrowed from the Department.

There may be extra costs related to your course for items such as books, stationery, printing, photocopying, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits. Following graduation, you may need to pay a subscription to a professional body for some chosen careers.

Specific additional costs for studying at Lancaster are listed below.

College fees

Lancaster is proud to be one of only a handful of UK universities to have a collegiate system. Every student belongs to a college, and all students pay a small college membership fee which supports the running of college events and activities. Students on some distance-learning courses are not liable to pay a college fee.

For students starting in 2026 or 2027, the fee is £40 for undergraduates and research students and £15 for students on one-year courses. Students on some distance-learning courses are not liable to pay a college fee.

Computer equipment and internet access

To support your studies, you will also require access to a computer, along with reliable internet access. You will be able to access a range of software and services from a Windows, Mac, Chromebook or Linux device. For certain degree programmes, you may need a specific device, or we may provide you with a laptop and appropriate software - details of which will be available on relevant programme pages. A dedicated IT support helpdesk is available in the event of any problems.

The University provides limited financial support to assist students who do not have the required IT equipment or broadband support in place.

Study abroad courses

In addition to travel and accommodation costs, while you are studying abroad, you will need to have a passport and, depending on the country, there may be other costs such as travel documents (e.g. visa or work permit) and any tests and vaccines that are required at the time of travel. Some countries may require proof of funds.

Placement and industry year courses

In addition to possible commuting costs during your placement, you may need to buy clothing that is suitable for your workplace and you may have accommodation costs. Depending on the employer and your job, you may have other costs such as copies of personal documents required by your employer for example.

What is my fee status?

The fee that you pay will depend on whether you are considered to be a home or international student. Read more about how we assign your fee status.

Fees in subsequent years

Home fees are subject to annual review, and are liable to rise each year in line with UK government policy. International fees (including EU) are reviewed annually and are not fixed for the duration of your studies. Read more about fees in subsequent years.

Fees for study abroad and work placements

We will charge tuition fees to Home undergraduate students on full-year study abroad/work placements in line with the maximum amounts permitted by the Department for Education. The current maximum levels are:

Students studying abroad for a year: 15% of the standard tuition fee

Students taking a work placement for a year: 20% of the standard tuition fee

International students on full-year study abroad/work placements will also be charged in line with the maximum amounts permitted by the Department for Education. The current maximum levels are:

Students studying abroad for a year: 15% of the standard international tuition fee during the Study Abroad year

Students taking a work placement for a year: 20% of the standard international tuition fee during the Placement year

Please note that the maximum levels chargeable in future years may be subject to changes in Government policy.

Scholarships and bursaries

You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.

You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status:

Fee status:

Any fee status

Home students

International students

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We also have other, more specialised scholarships and bursaries - such as those for students from specific countries.

Browse Lancaster University's scholarships and bursaries.

Our Facilities

Teaching Labs

Our new £4.4 million teaching laboratories feature cutting-edge laboratory and teaching equipment, giving you the best environment to begin your degree.

Research Glasshouses

Our 15 purpose-built glasshouse modules provide flexible growth facilities dedicated to our full range of plant science and ecological research.

Hazelrigg Weather Station

Our Hazelrigg Weather Station has been making daily weather observations at Lancaster University since 1966, allowing you to explore a continuous and high-quality record of weather patterns as a part of your degree!

Environmental Chemistry Laboratories

Our chemistry laboratories have among the best analytical facilities in the world for environmental organic chemistry research.

International Field Sites

We work across the tropical forests of South America and Malaysia where researchers and students have been operating since 2003.

Similar courses

MSci Hons : C184

Ecology and Conservation (Placement Year)

BSc Hons : C181

Ecology and Conservation (Study Abroad)

BSc Hons : C183

Important information

The information on this site relates primarily to the stated entry year and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.

The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.

More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.

Our Students’ Charter

We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. Find out more about our Charter and student policies.

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課程頁官方原文 BBB. This should include two science subjects from: Biology, Chemistry, Computing, Environmental Science, Geography, Geology, Mathematics, Physics or Psychology. https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/ecology-and-conservation-bsc-hons-c180/2027/ 取得日期：2026-10-02

香港／國際頁官方原文 Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) You will need to pass the HKDSE, with your best three grades ranging from 544 to 5*55. We will take the best three grades from any combination of the following: elective subjects, extended Mathematics, or English Language. https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/study/international-students/hong-kong/ 取得日期：2026-10-16

院校未公布 DSE 對應等級，請向院校確認。

請查看下方完整入學要求原文，或向院校確認。