Join in on our 'Guess the Rep' Competition! >>

What's the best path into a wildlife/conservation course?

I'm currently studying an access course in humanities - Law, Psychology and Sociology. I had a different plan for what I was going to do after, but I realised halfway through that I should have done the Science access course so I could go onto a conservation degree which is the field I want to work in and have been volunteering in.

Most degrees I've seen need a science qualification, most specify that it needs to be something like Biology but some I've seen do accept Psychology like Bangor. Would it be better to just try and apply for a science foundation year instead? I haven't done Biology since GCSE and I'm not sure if I would need that first.

Currently I've been looking at Lancaster, Bangor and Aberdeen due to their locations and proximity to nature.

Reply 1

Lancaster Student Ambassador

Official Rep

Original post by hereisamemory

I'm currently studying an access course in humanities - Law, Psychology and Sociology. I had a different plan for what I was going to do after, but I realised halfway through that I should have done the Science access course so I could go onto a conservation degree which is the field I want to work in and have been volunteering in.
Most degrees I've seen need a science qualification, most specify that it needs to be something like Biology but some I've seen do accept Psychology like Bangor. Would it be better to just try and apply for a science foundation year instead? I haven't done Biology since GCSE and I'm not sure if I would need that first.
Currently I've been looking at Lancaster, Bangor and Aberdeen due to their locations and proximity to nature.

Hello!

It’s great you’re interested in conservation! Lancaster offers a range of degrees in this area. There is biology, biodiversity and conservation as well as zoology, all of which may be of interest to you!
https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/ecology-and-conservation-bsc-hons-c180/2025/
https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/zoology-bsc-hons-c300/2025/#course-entry
https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/biology-bsc-hons-c100/2024/
Lancaster does require two science qualifications one of which does include psychology however you could email the department and ask what qualifications they would take.

Hope this helps and good luck!
Lucy
Lancaster University Student Ambassador

Reply 2

BetaVersion2.9

Some geography courses offer a route into conservation work, but check the uni prospectus carefully to see which offer this on their degree. Biology A'level would be useful though.

Reply 3

UoA Enquiry Team

Official Rep

Original post by hereisamemory

I'm currently studying an access course in humanities - Law, Psychology and Sociology. I had a different plan for what I was going to do after, but I realised halfway through that I should have done the Science access course so I could go onto a conservation degree which is the field I want to work in and have been volunteering in.
Most degrees I've seen need a science qualification, most specify that it needs to be something like Biology but some I've seen do accept Psychology like Bangor. Would it be better to just try and apply for a science foundation year instead? I haven't done Biology since GCSE and I'm not sure if I would need that first.
Currently I've been looking at Lancaster, Bangor and Aberdeen due to their locations and proximity to nature.

Hi, this is the University of Aberdeen rep account! We actually have an access team who are able to advise on the best path to take into university other than standard school qualifications. I'd advise that you send an email to [email protected] explaining what qualifications you're currently studying and what you're interested in and they should hopefully be able to let you know a route into uni that will work for you.

Just for some more information on studying Conservation with us, you might also be interested in looking at the student Conservation Society at our university who hold talks and volunteering activities like litter-picks and tree planting: https://www.ausa.org.uk/organisation/auconservation/
There are definitely ways to get involved in conservation and nature work anywhere in the UK, but here are a couple of links which you might find interesting also.
North East Scotland Biodiversity Partnership: https://www.nesbiodiversity.org.uk/get-involved-in-biodiversity/conservation-volunteering-north-east-scotland/
Scottish Wildlife Trust: https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/local-group/aberdeen/
Our School of Biological Sciences page on local biodiversity and volunteering opportunities: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/sbs/outreach/biodiversity/local-biodiversity-1083.php

I hope some of this was helpful, and if you have any more information about studying at Aberdeen just let me know!

- Matthew, Enquiry Team