Conservation Biology and Ecology
Conservation biology and ecology is a discipline that addresses one of the most urgent challenges of our time: the global decline of biodiversity and the loss of the ecological systems that support all life on Earth. Conservation biology asks why species and ecosystems are under threat and what can be done to protect them, drawing on evolutionary biology, population genetics, ecology, and policy to develop strategies that work in the real world. Ecology examines how organisms interact with each other and with their environments, providing the scientific foundation for understanding what healthy, functioning ecosystems look like and what happens when those systems are disrupted.
At the University of Exeter, this three-year full-time degree gives you the opportunity to engage with these questions in depth, taught by researchers who have made their life's work in this area, as the course's student voices reflect. You will develop expertise in ecology, conservation science, population biology, and the tools of field biology and data analysis that professional conservation work demands. The programme includes a sandwich placement year, a year abroad, and work placement opportunities, giving you significant professional experience in conservation settings and international exposure that broadens your scientific and cultural understanding of biodiversity challenges.
Graduates in conservation biology and ecology go on to work in conservation charities, national parks, wildlife trusts, government environmental agencies, international conservation organisations, environmental consultancies, and research institutions. Roles include conservation officer, field ecologist, wildlife monitoring specialist, environmental impact assessor, and conservation scientist. Many graduates also pursue postgraduate study in conservation science, ecology, or environmental management, developing the deeper expertise needed for specialist research or senior conservation practice.
The field is genuinely international and graduate careers often involve working across different ecosystems and countries.