Ecology and Conservation Biology with Placement Year BSc (Hons)
The University of Sheffield
Key Course Facts
Course Description
Our four-year BSc Ecology and Conservation Biology with Placement Year course explores how humans, animals and plants interact with each other and their environment, and how this determines their abundance, distribution and the biodiversity we see on the planet. You'll learn about human impacts on ecological interactions, the climate crisis, biodiversity and sustainability, as well as what we can do to manage natural resources in the face of changing environments, with the opportunity to do a year-long, paid work placement as part of your degree.
Previous students have found placements within industry with organisations such as GSK, Atkins Environmental Consulting and EMEC Ecology; with charities like the Wildlife Trusts, Newquay Zoo, and the Field Studies Council; or in government with the Environment Agency. You could even apply your scientific knowledge and transferable skills within or outside of the bioscience industry in areas including market research, communications or business development. It's a great opportunity to test out a career path that you're considering and many students are offered a graduate-level job at the end of it. You'll pay reduced fees for the year you're on placement and you'll still have the support you need from your tutor and the University.
Alongside your specialist ecology and conservation modules, from your first year you’ll have the flexibility to study topics across the breadth of biology to complement your knowledge. Topics range from plant science, biotechnology and zoology, to neuroscience, genetics and physiology. This flexibility allows you to study ecology and conservation in greater depth, keep your interests broad or even switch to another degree programme within the biosciences. No matter what modules you choose to study, you’ll develop practical laboratory and transferable skills that make our graduates attractive to employers including project management, problem solving, communication skills and data analysis.
We’ll give you plenty of opportunities to apply your new skills and knowledge too. You’ll be in the lab completing in-depth practicals, out in the Peak District conducting your own research projects, visiting zoos, aquariums and other scientific spots around the country and embarking on a once in a lifetime field course in the UK or abroad.
Whether you choose to focus solely on ecology and conservation biology, or study a range of topics across the biosciences, your personal tutor will support you to tailor your degree to your interests and career goals.
Whether you want to pursue a career in science, apply your skills in industry, or continue your studies, Sheffield biosciences graduates are highly sought after due to their specialist laboratory and field skills, ability to solve problems, handle and analyse data, and effectively communicate complex ideas to a range of audiences.
Our students secure roles with leading scientific organisations like GSK, AstraZeneca, Cancer Research, the Environment Agency, Wildlife Trusts, and the Natural History Museum. Transferable skills are embedded and developed throughout our degrees, which means year on year many of our graduates join top 100 employers like the BBC, Deloitte, the Civil Service, and the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme. You can also apply your degree to other varied careers including bioinformatics, marketing and science communication, teaching and science policy. Some students go on to further study.
Entry Requirements / Admissions
Qualification requirements
Including one in a relevant subject/science (80 UCAS tariff points)
To find out if you're eligible for additional consideration or an alternative offer, visit: ww.sheffield.ac.uk/undergraduate/apply/access-sheffield
Costs
Tuition Fees Ecology and Conservation Biology with Placement Year BSc (Hons)
England UK | £9250 | year 1 |
---|---|---|
Northern Ireland | £9250 | year 1 |
Scotland | £9250 | year 1 |
Wales | £9250 | year 1 |
International | £26950 | year 1 |
Average student cost of living in the UK
Rent | £518 |
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) | £50 |
Supermarket shopping | £81 |
Clothing | £35 |
Eating out | £33 |
Alcohol | £27 |
Takeaways / food deliveries | £30 |
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) | £24 |
Holidays and weekend trips | £78 |
Transport within city | £17 |
Self-care / sports | £20 |
Stationary / books | £13 |
Mobile phone / internet | £13 |
Cable TV / streaming | £7 |
Insurance | £51 |
Other | £95 |
Average student cost of living | £1092 |
London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.
How to apply
Application deadline:
January 1, 2025
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Possible Entry Points:
- year 1 (Default entry point)
University Rankings
Positions of The University of Sheffield in top UK and global rankings.
See all 34 university rankings of The University of Sheffield
About The University of Sheffield
The University of Sheffield is a government funded research university based in Sheffield, England. The university’s vision is to change the world for the better through the power and application of ideas and knowledge. This university does not have campuses, but instead approximately 430 buildings that are located quite close to each other in Sheffield’s metropolitan city centre.
List of 363 Bachelor and Master Courses from The University of Sheffield - Course Catalogue
Student composition of The University of Sheffield
-
Total number of students enrolled at The University of Sheffield by level Academic year 2021/22 - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on February 2022
- undergraduates:
- 19190
- postgraduates:
- 9285
- Total:
- 28475
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Number of students enrolled in courses of subject “Ecology”: Academic year - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on February 2022
Where is this programme taught
Similar courses
Program | University | Student satisfaction | Unemployed | Dropout | Tuition (UK) | Tuition (International) | UCAS Tariff | City | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ecology BSc (Hons) | The University of York | 91% | 4% | 2% | £9250 | £28800 | 167 | York | On campus Full-time | |
Ecology BSc (Hons) | Aberystwyth University | 87% | 5% | 5% | £9000 | £18830 | 129 | Aberystwyth | On campus Full-time | |
Environment, Economics and Ecology BSc (Hons) | The University of York | - | - | - | £9250 | £28800 | - | York | On campus Full-time | |
Ecology and Conservation BSc (Hons) | University of East Anglia | 82% | 0% | 10% | £9250 | £26100 | 169 | Norwich | On campus Full-time | |
Ecology and Environmental Science (with placement) BSc (Hons) | University of Gloucestershire | 89% | 5% | 15% | £9250 | £15000 £15450 | 119 | Cheltenham | On campus Full-time | |
Environment, Economics and Ecology with a placement year BSc (Hons) | The University of York | - | - | - | £9250 | £28800 | - | York | On campus Full-time | |
Archaeology & Palaeoecology BSc (Hons) | Queen's University of Belfast | - | - | - | £9250 | £25300 | - | Belfast | On campus Full-time | |
Ecology and Conservation with a Year Abroad BSc (Hons) | University of East Anglia | 82% | 0% | 30% | £9250 | £26100 | 149 | Norwich | On campus Full-time | |
Ecology and Wildlife Conservation BSc (Hons) | Bournemouth University | - | - | - | £9250 | £18800 | - | Poole | On campus Full-time | |
Ecology and Environmental Science BSc (Hons) | University of Gloucestershire | 59% | 0% | 4% | £9250 | £15000 £15450 | 149 | Cheltenham | On campus Full-time |