Royal Holloway, University of London
Egham
TW20 0EX
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Course contact details
Main Contact
Email:Admissions.Enquiries@RoyalHolloway.ac.uk
Phone:01784 414944
Ecology and Conservation
- BSc (Hons)
- 3 Years
- Full-time
- 22/09/2025
- Undergraduate
- Main Site
Course summary
Ecological considerations factor among the key concerns facing our planet today. The decline of bee populations, for example, poses a real threat to agricultural crop yields and the health of flowering plants, and groundbreaking research at Royal Holloway, University of London is helping to uncover the reasons behind this crisis.
Studying Ecology and Conservation at Royal Holloway will teach you the fundamental principles of how plants and animals interact with each other and the wider environment, applying both theoretical and practical tools to understand diverse aspects of ecology including both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, behavioural ecology and conservation.
The first year of Ecology and Conservation provides a strong foundation in plant, animal and ecosystem topics, including vertebrate evolution and diversity, plant evolution, form and function, cell biology, genetics and biomes and ecosystems. Acquiring skills in biological data analysis and practical field ecology form a key part of the second year, alongside studies in evolution, invertebrate biology, and insects, plants and fungi. You can also choose to study animal behaviour, microbiology, or to attend the residential field course on marine biology. The final year includes the study of population and community ecology, and marine ecology and biodiversity. There are options to study conservation biology, evolutionary ecology, entomology, extreme animal physiology, circadian biology, as well as to take part in the overseas field course that examines Mediterranean conservation and ecology. This flexible programme allows you to tailor your learning in years 2 and 3, to suit your own interests.
Our biodiverse campus is in easy reach of sites of special scientific interest including Windsor Great Park, Box Hill and Chobham Common, providing the opportunity for rewarding field work and independent study. You will gain practical experience across all three years of the degree, with many laboratory-based or field-based practicals in years 1 and 2, and an individual research project in year 3. The project can involve laboratory, field, or computer-based approaches, but whichever project you choose, you will join our renowned research culture.
Understand how ecological principles can be used to tackle conservation challenges.
Learn the principles of how plants and animals interact with each other and the wider environment.
Take part in an overseas field course that examines Mediterranean conservation and ecology.
Modules
Please refer to our website for information:
https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/biological-sciences/ecology-and-conservation.aspx
Assessment method
Your course will be assessed by a combination of examinations and in-course assignments in the form of essays or presentations.
Ways to study this course
Campuses
- Main Site
Study options
- BSc (Hons) • Full-time • 3 Years
Start dates
- 22/09/2025
Apply by
29 January
This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.
Application codes
- Course code:
- C150
- Institution code:
- R72
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
- Points of Entry:
- Year 1, 2
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
Royal Holloway, University of London has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?
How to apply
Apply by
29 January
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.
Application codes
- Course code:
- C150
- Institution code:
- R72
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
- Year 2
Entry requirements
UCAS Tariff
Not acceptedA level
BBC - BBBWhere an applicant is taking the EPQ alongside A-levels, the EPQ will be taken into consideration and result in lower A-level grades being required.
Socio-economics factors which may have impacted an applicant's education will be taken into consideration and alternative offers may be made to these applicants.
Required subject: Either Biology, Geography or Environmental Science; plus 1 other science (Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Further Maths, Statistics, Psychology, Geography, Environmental Studies, Applied Science, Geology). A Pass is required in the practical element of all Science A-levels taken.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Not acceptedAccess to HE Diploma
D: 24 credits M: 21 creditsIncluding all Biology units at Distinction.
Please note that the Access to Higher Education Diploma will only be acceptable if the applicant has had a considerable break from education
Scottish Higher
BBBBBIncluding either Biology, Geography or Environmental Science; plus 1 other science (Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Further Maths, Statistics, Psychology, Geography, Environmental Studies, Applied Science, Geology).
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DMIn Applied Science plus grade B in either A-level Biology, Geography or Environmental Science. A Pass is required in the practical element of all Science A-levels taken.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
DPlus A-levels grade BB in either A-level Biology, Geography or Environmental Science; plus 1 other science (Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Further Maths, Statistics, Psychology, Geography, Environmental Studies, Applied Science, Geology). A Pass is required in the practical element of all Science A-levels taken.
Scottish Advanced Higher
BBB - BBCIncluding either Biology, Geography or Environmental Science; plus 1 other science (Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Further Maths, Statistics, Psychology, Geography, Environmental Studies, Applied Science, Geology).
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
30 points5,5,5 at Higher Level including either Biology, Geography or Environmental Systems and Societies; plus 1 other science (Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Further Maths, Psychology, Geography, Environmental Systems and Societies), with a minimum of 32 points overall.
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)
Requirements are as for A-levels where one non-subject-specified A-level can be replaced by the same grade in the Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate.
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
H3, H3, H3, H3, H3Including either Biology, Geography or Environmental Science; plus 1 other science (Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Further Maths, Statistics, Psychology, Geography, Environmental Studies, Applied Science, Geology).
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
Applicants with the Cambridge Pre-U are strongly encouraged to apply to Royal Holloway. Offers will be made on the basis of equivalent A-Level grades as can be found on the Royal Holloway website.
GCSE/National 4/National 5
We require at least five GCSEs at grade A*-C or 9 - 4 including English and Mathematics.
T Level
MT-Level should be in a Science Pathway with Merit achieved overall, Merit in the occupation specialism and B in the Core Component.
Combinations of qualifications will be considered on an individual basis, please contact us on study@royalholloway.ac.uk to discuss your situation
Contextual admissions
Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.
At Royal Holloway, we know every student approaches university with different experiences and backgrounds. We look at each application individually, and different factors can affect the exact offer a student receives. For instance, our contextual offer scheme means students from disadvantaged socio-economic background can receive a different offer. For full details please see our website.
Learn more on the Royal Holloway, University of London website
Historical entry grades data BETA
This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
Not enough data available
We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| EU | £28900 | Year 1 |
| International | £28900 | Year 1 |
| England | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9535 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Additional fee information
The tuition fee for Home (UK) undergraduates is controlled by Government regulations. The fee for the academic year 2025/26 is £9,535.
This figure is the fee for EU and international students starting a degree in the academic year 2025/26.
Royal Holloway reserves the right to increase tuition fees annually for all students. For further information see fees and funding and the terms and conditions.
These estimated costs relate to studying this particular degree at Royal Holloway during the 2025/26 academic year and are included as a guide. Costs, such as accommodation, food, books and other learning materials and printing, have not been included.
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