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Ecology and Conservation

  • Msci (Hon)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-time
  • 09/2026
  • Undergraduate
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More about University of Sussex

Course options

2025-20262026-2027
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Course summary

94% of our research overall in Biological Sciences was assessed to be world leading or internationally excellent (REF 2021)

Top 20 in the UK for Environmental Sciences (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023)

About the course

Managing environmental change, and conserving rare animals and plants are among today’s key ecological challenges. There’s never been a greater need for trained ecologists and conservation biologists to find solutions.

On your course, you’ll be taught by ecologists who are active in conservation projects at local, national and international levels. Our experts influence global debates on topics including:

  • evolutionary biology

  • species conservation

  • environmental sustainability.

You’ll join a friendly and supportive community of students and scientists in the School of Life Sciences.

At Sussex, you’re in the ideal place for studying Ecology and Conservation. You’ll have the UNESCO-recognised South Downs National Park on one side, and the coast on the other. If you’d like to go further afield for inspiration, we offer field trip opportunities across the UK, Portugal, Southern Africa, the Red Sea and Ecuador.

Your specialist knowledge and rich skillset prepare you for a career in a wide range of related sectors. Recent graduates are now making a positive difference to our world working for:

  • Natural England

  • the Environment Agency

  • the RSPB

  • World Wildlife Fund

  • Greenpeace.

And in addition, in your integrated Masters year, you gain a strong theoretical and practical foundation for a career in – or related to – research. You’ll spend a semester working on an individual research project in one of our Ecology and Conservation research teams. In this year, you’ll develop advanced skills in technical, analytical and scientific communication skills.

MSci or BSc?

We also offer this course as a three-year BSc.

Location

Study on our beautiful, green campus on the edge of the South Downs National Park and just minutes from the vibrant seaside city of Brighton & Hove. We’re near to Gatwick airport and just over an hour from London.

About the University of Sussex

Our courses, research, culture and campus aim to stimulate, excite and challenge. From scientific discovery to global policy, from student welfare to career development, Sussex innovates and takes a lead. And today, in every part of society and across the world, you'll find someone from Sussex making an original and valuable contribution.

Modules

See the modules you will study by year by going to the ‘visit our course page’ link at the bottom of the page.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • Msci (Hon) • Full-time • 4 Years

Start dates

  • 09/2026

Apply by
14 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:
CD01
Institution code:
S90
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1, 2

University of Sussex 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
14 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:
CD01
Institution code:
S90
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2

Open days

Entry requirements

A level

AAB
A-levels must include at least one from Biology, Chemistry, Human Biology, Marine Science, Mathematics, Physics or Sports Science. You will also normally need to pass the separate science practical assessment in at least one of the science subjects. If you are not able to take the science practical assessment, applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis. You will also need GCSE (or equivalent) in Mathematics and two Science subjects with grade 5 in each (or grade B).

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

DDD
The BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma will need to be in Applied Science and will need to include specific modules - please see the University website for more information. You will normally need GCSE (or equivalent) Mathematics and two Science subjects with grade 5 in each (or grade B).

Access to HE Diploma

Pass Diploma with at least 39 level 3 credits at Merit or above including 27 credits at Distinction. The Access to HE Diploma will need to contain substantial amounts of Level 3 credits in relevant science subjects. You will also need GCSE (or equivalent) in Mathematics and two Science subjects with grade 5 in each (or grade B).

Scottish Higher

AAABB
Highers must include one or two science subjects (other than Maths). Ideally, you will have at least one science subject (Biology, Chemistry or Physics) at Advanced Higher. You will also need Scottish National 5 in English, Mathematics and two sciences with grade B in each.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

34 points
This score should be from the full IB Diploma. Higher Levels must include at least one from Biology, Chemistry or Physics, with a grade of 5.

Extended Project

We take the EPQ into account when considering your application and it can be useful in the summer when your results are released if you have narrowly missed the conditions of your offer. We do not routinely include the EPQ in the conditions of your offer but we sometimes offer alternative conditions that include the EPQ. If you wish to discuss this further please contact Admissions at ug.applicants@sussex.ac.uk

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6Including at least 5.5 in each component. We accept IELTS One Skills Retake. We do not accept IELTS Online.
PTE Academic59Including at least 59 in all four skills. We do not accept the PTE Academic Online test.
TOEFL (iBT)80TOEFL (iBT), including at least 17 in Listening, 18 in Reading, 20 in Speaking, 17 in Writing. We do not accept TOEFL (iBT) Home Edition.

Please see our English language requirements. http://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/apply/international-qualifications/english-language-requirements

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 Sussex, we recognise that not everybody has the same support to help them get to higher education. At Sussex it’s important to us to have a diverse, inclusive university community with a range of voices and experiences. Contextual offers are one of the ways we remove the barriers to higher education ensuring that we have fair access to all regardless of background. A contextual offer is a reduced grade offer which is given to students who meet certain eligibility criteria.

Learn more on the University of Sussex 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

No fee information has been provided for this course

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

Fees are not yet set for entry in the academic year 2026-27. Note that your fees, once they’re set, may be subject to an increase on an annual basis.

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