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The BSc in Wildlife Conservation provides comprehensive training in natural science aspects of conservation (including genetics, ecology, wildlife management and species reintroductions) together with training in the human dimensions of conservation (for example, environmental economics, international biodiversity regulation, the politics of climate change and work with rural communities).
Overview
The programme includes a significant lab- and field-based component. Additionally, there is an opportunity to conduct a research project in the UK or abroad at the end of the second year. Recent locations include South Africa, Russia and the Peruvian Amazon.
This programme is taught by members of the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE) research centre. DICE, in the School of Anthropology and Conservation at Kent, is a leading international research and training centre dedicated to the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems around the world.
DICE was founded in 1989 with a clear mission: to conserve biodiversity and the ecological processes that support ecosystems and people, by developing capacity and improving conservation management and policy through high-impact research. That is why DICE is in a School that also includes anthropology alongside conservation.
One component of DICE’s work is to train a new, interdisciplinary generation of conservationists who think innovatively about the challenges that lie ahead. As undergraduates, you are part of a dynamic and growing community of conservationists whose work spans all major regions of the world.
Think Kent video series
In this talk, Dr Tatyana Humle, Senior lecturer in Primate Conservation and member of the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE) at the University of Kent, summarises some of the main challenges faced by people and chimpanzees in West Africa and highlights the key drivers putting at risk co-existence between them.
Independent rankings
In the National Student Survey 2015, Conservation was ranked 1st in the UK for learning resources with 98% of students being satisfied with the facilities and learning provision made for them at Kent.
Course structure
The course structure below gives a flavour of the modules that will be available to you and provides details of the content of this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation. Most programmes will require you to study a combination of compulsory and optional modules. You may also have the option to take ‘wild’ modules from other programmes offered by the University in order that you may customise your programme and explore other subject areas of interest to you or that may further enhance your employability.
Teaching and assessment
In addition to lectures and seminars, we run laboratory-based practicals and field trips. You also have an opportunity to conduct a field-based research thesis in your final year. This gives you practical experience of developing a research proposal and research questions, finding appropriate methods, conducting research, analysing and interpreting results, writing up a full research project and giving an oral presentation.
We offer you the opportunity to conduct your research project either in the UK or abroad – for example, many students have taken part in the annual expedition to the Peruvian Amazon, one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth. Most modules are assessed by 50% coursework and 50% unseen exam. Some modules are assessed only by coursework, which takes a variety of forms, including essays, short answer tests, oral presentations, laboratory reports, individual and team projects, field reports, commentaries, management plans and statistical analyses.
Programme aims
Our aims are to provide students with:
- knowledge of the science and practicalities of wildlife conservation, including the biological, social and economic aspects of the subject
- an understanding of theoretical issues, methods and practical tools
- awareness of sustainability and wildlife exploitation
- knowledge of wildlife conservation at local, national and international levels
- the abilities necessary for professional development such as analytical problem-solving, interpersonal skills, autonomous practice and team-working
- the knowledge to play a leading role in the field of wildlife conservation
- innovative opportunities for fieldwork.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
You gain knowledge and understanding of:
- ecological and biodiversity-related concepts
- species, habitat and landscape conservation
- practical understanding of wildlife conservation
- principles of sustainable use and wildlife management
- the relationship between local communities and conservation
- issues and practices when managing wildlife within or outside protected areas
- the role of behavioural ecology in conservation
- genetics in conservation issues
- wildlife laws and legislative frameworks
- the role that statistics has in conservation.
Intellectual skills
You develop intellectual abilities in the following:
- learning and study
- critical and analytical methods
- expressing ideas in writing and orally
- design, implementation, analysis and write-up of a research project
- ability to interpret scholarly publications
- how to formulate and test theories
- presenting a structured and logical argument.
Subject-specific skills
You gain wildlife conservation skills in the following:
- field biology (such as surveys and sampling)
- social science (such as interviews and questionnaires)
- research design, statistics
- analysing case studies
- environmental education
- how to evaluate sustainability of resource use
- management of protected areas.
Transferable skills
You gain transferable skills in the following:
- IT
- presentations
- writing reports and proposals
- time management
- using library resources
- independent research
- group work.
Careers
The conservation and environmental sector is an expanding area for employment opportunities. Wildlife Conservation graduates go into many kinds of work, ranging from technical posts involving ecological surveying, habitat management and species conservation to work with local people through environmental education and community extension to jobs in planning and policy. Potential employers include local, regional and national UK government departments, voluntary organisations and the private sector, as well as international conservation and environmental organisations. Many students also go on to pursue postgraduate studies.
Entry requirements
Home/EU students
The University will consider applications from students offering a wide range of qualifications, typical requirements are listed below, students offering alternative qualifications should contact the Admissions Office for further advice. It is not possible to offer places to all students who meet this typical offer/minimum requirement.
| Qualification | Typical offer/minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| A level | ABB at A level including natural science (eg, Biology, Geography, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Psychology or Geology) grade B or above. |
| GCSE | Mathematics grade C |
| Access to HE Diploma | The University of Kent will not necessarily make conditional offers to all access candidates but will continue to assess them on an individual basis. If an offer is made candidates will be required to obtain/pass the overall Access to Higher Education Diploma and may also be required to obtain a proportion of the total level 3 credits and/or credits in particular subjects at merit grade or above. |
| BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC National Diploma) | The university will consider applicants holding BTEC National Diploma and Extended National Diploma Qualifications (QCF; NQF;OCR) on a case by case basis please contact us via the enquiries tab for further advice on your individual circumstances. |
| International Baccalaureate | 34 points overall or 16 points at HL, including Biology, Geography, Environmental Systems and Society, Psychology, Geology or Chemistry 5 at HL or 6 at SL. |
International students
The University receives applications from over 140 different nationalities and consequently will consider applications from prospective students offering a wide range of international qualifications. Our International Development Office will be happy to advise prospective students on entry requirements. See our International Student website for further information about our country-specific requirements.
Please note that if you need to increase your level of qualification ready for undergraduate study, we offer a number of International Foundation Programmes through Kent International Pathways.
English Language Requirements
Please see our English language entry requirements web page.
Please note that if you are required to meet an English language condition, we offer a number of pre-sessional courses in English for Academic Purposes through Kent International Pathways.
General entry requirements
Please also see our general entry requirements.
Fees
The 2016/17 annual tuition fees for this programme are:
| UK/EU | Overseas | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | ||
| Part-time |
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
The Government has announced changes to allow undergraduate tuition fees to rise in line with inflation from 2017/18.
The University of Kent is currently considering whether to increase its regulated full-time tuition fees for all returning Home and EU undergraduates from £9,000 to £9,250 in September 2017. This would be subject to us satisfying the Government's Teaching Excellence Framework and the access regulator's requirements. The equivalent part-time fees for these courses might also rise by 2.8%.
For students continuing on this programme fees will increase year on year by no more than RPI + 3% in each academic year of study except where regulated.* If you are uncertain about your fee status please contact information@kent.ac.uk
Funding
Kent offers generous financial support schemes to assist eligible undergraduate students during their studies. Details of our proposed funding opportunities for 2016 entry can be found on our funding page.
General scholarships
Scholarships are available for excellence in academic performance, sport and music and are awarded on merit. For further information on the range of awards available and to make an application see our scholarships website.
The Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence
At Kent we recognise, encourage and reward excellence. We have created the Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence. For 2016 entry, the scholarship will be awarded to any applicant who achieves a minimum of AAA over three A levels, or the equivalent qualifications as specified on our scholarships pages. Please review the eligibility criteria on that page.