Skip navigation
You are viewing our beta course page.

Ecology and Conservation

Study level:
Undergraduate

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.

About Sussex

Sussex graduates change the world. Our students become the leaders of the future, making discoveries, improving lives and changing things for the better.

Study with us to join a welcoming and inspiring community of staff and students from more than 140 countries.

Location

We shape the world from a fantastic campus on the UK’s beautiful south coast.

We are the only UK university surrounded by a national park, so you can step off campus to explore the hills and woodlands of the South Downs. The vibrant, colourful and creative seaside city of Brighton & Hove is just nine minutes away.

With Brighton voted the happiest city in England for students, (Student Living Survey, Sodexo, 2018) there can be few better places to study.

Modules

See the modules you will study by year by going to the 'view course details' link.

Discover University of Sussex

Learn what it's like to study at University of Sussex. From key stats to campus highlights, open days, and more - find everything you need to know here.

Discover now

How to apply

This course is not accepting applications at this time. Please contact the provider to find out more.

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:
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

Qualification 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

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades students 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.

Data from:
This course and 12 other biosciences courses
Date range:
2022-2024

Grades held by accepted students

BBC Most common
  1. AAA
  2. Highest grades
  3. CCC
  4. Lowest grades

Offer rate for UK school & college leavers

97% Students aged 17/18 who applied to this course were offered a place.

How do you compare?

See how students with your grades have been accepted onto this course in the past.

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students

60 Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)

85 Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

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 2025-26. Note that your fees, once they’re set, may be subject to an increase on an annual basis.

Like this page