University of Essex
Wivenhoe Park
Colchester
CO4 3SQ
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Course contact details
Undergraduate Admissions Office
Email:admit@essex.ac.uk
Phone:01206 873666
Fax: 01206 872808
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Ecology and Environmental Biology (Including Year Abroad)
- BSc (Hons)
- 4 Years
- Full-time
- 10/2026
- Undergraduate
- Colchester Campus
Course summary
Our BSc Ecology and Environmental Biology course explores the diversity of the living world, across levels of biological organisation from genes to individuals, their populations and the communities they form, up to entire ecosystems.
Building on research produced in our School of Life Sciences, you will examine these concepts across terrestrial, marine and freshwater systems, examining taxa from smallest microbes to the largest organisms on Earth.
You will investigate the crucial role of biodiversity in supporting ecosystem functions and securing the flow of ecosystem services on which humanity depends. The strong theoretical, practical and data-handling skills you develop will help you to understand how biodiversity and ecosystem functioning are changing in response to multiple interacting stressors in the Anthropocene (eg climate change, chemical pollution and habitat loss). You will be equipped to design management solutions to tackle current and future challenges to ecosystems and have the option to train in tropical marine biology in Indonesia, as well as environmental biology and ecology on our new Arctic field course.
Modules
Many of our courses offer a choice of optional modules to tailor your learning experience. More information about these can be found on the University of Essex website.
Ways to study this course
Campuses
- Colchester Campus
Study options
- BSc (Hons) • Full-time • 4 Years
Start dates
- 10/2026
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:
- C522
- Institution code:
- E70
- Campus name:
- Colchester Campus
- Campus Code:
- -
- Points of Entry:
- Year 1
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
University of Essex 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:
- C522
- Institution code:
- E70
- Campus name:
- Colchester Campus
- Campus Code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
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Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 112 - 120 points
Offers will be made from a minimum of the equivalent of 2 full A-levels.
A level - BBB - BBC
Offers will be made in the range of BBB to BBC
or 120-112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of the equivalent of 2 full A-levels
Including B in Biology or Environmental Science (or equivalent). Acceptable A-level equivalents are Environmental Technology, Geography, Life and Health Sciences and Marine Science.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDM - DMM
Offers will be made in the range of DDM to DMM
or 120-112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of the equivalent of 2 full A-levels
Entry requirements for students studying BTEC qualifications are dependent on subjects studied. Advice can be provided on an individual basis.
Access to HE Diploma - D: 6 credits M: 39 credits
We will consider science based Access to Higher Education Diplomas. Advice can be provided on an individual basis.
We can only accept QAA approved Access to HE Diplomas
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 29 - 30 points
or three Higher Level certificates with 555-554. Either must include Higher level Biology or Chemistry grade 5, plus Standard Level Mathematics grade 4
Maths in the IB is not required if you have already achieved GCSE Maths at grade C/4 or above or 4 in IB Middle Years Maths.
We are happy to consider a combination of separate IB Diploma Programmes at both Higher and Standard Level. Exact offer levels will vary depending on the range of subjects being taken at higher and standard level, and the course applied for. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for more information.
T Level - D
For our Life Sciences courses we can consider T-levels taken in Science on a case-by-case basis. The offer for most courses is Distinction overall. Depending on the course applied for there may be additional requirements, which may include a specific grade in the Core. We cannot accept the T-levels in Health or Healthcare Science.
Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.
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 Essex we consider your whole application – not just grades. If you don’t meet the exact grade requirements, you may still be considered.
We’re dedicated to helping students from underrepresented groups to access an Essex education. We may give you a Contextual Offer up to two A-Level grades below our standard conditional offer based on where you live, your school, and other details from your application. Involvement in our on-campus events may also support eligibility for a Contextual Offer.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| England | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| EU | £23200 | Year 1 |
| International | £23200 | 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
Fees displayed are for the 2025-26 academic year. Fees may increase for each academic intake and each academic year of study.
Related courses
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