Foundation Degree in Environmental Conservation

Only you can change the world!

Do you care about our environment? If so, this course is for you.

Through studying for the Foundation Degree in Environmental Conservation, you will develop the scientific knowledge, practical and management skills suitable for a wide range of jobs within conservation and environmental research. This degree takes a ‘big picture’ approach, looking at the environment as a whole and how it can be managed as well as specialising in specific subjects such as habitats, climatology and environmental science.

If we can conserve a habitat, we conserve everything living within it – including us.

Environmental and conservation concerns such as pollution, climate change, and biodiversity are becoming ever more significant in the 21st century. Preservation of the natural world is vital, and graduates with the knowledge, skills, and drive essential to achieving this aim will be better prepared to develop a career in this fast-moving sector.

The qualification achieved through this foundation degree opens up a range of opportunities and routes to work for organisations in the environmental conservation sector, including work overseas. Employment opportunities include: Reserves officer/supervisor, conservation officer, ecologist, science officer, nature recovery officer, biodiversity project officer, woodland delivery officer, reserves warden, conservation scientist, peatland conservation officer, reserves officer, environmental consultant and people and wildlife officer. 

Following successful completion of this course, you may study an additional top-up year in BSc (Hons) Environmental Conservation.

University Centre Reaseheath is an academic partner of the University of Chester. Foundation degrees, Honours degrees, and Cert Ed are awarded by the University of Chester.

UCAS Entry Points

A minimum of 64 UCAS points

Start Date

September 2021

September 2022

Course Length

Full-time: 2 years

Real word scenarios, hands on training, field trips and projects.

Our beautiful 330 hectare campus is full of possibilities. We have the following habitats within our grounds:

Woodland
Two lakes
Two rivers
Willow carr
Grasslands
Marl pit ponds
Wildflower meadows
Ancient hedgerows
Designated conservation area
Designated Site of Biological Interest

We also have access to:

Coastal sand dunes and salt marsh
The Goyt valley and the Peak District
The Cheshire Beaver Reintroduction project
Salt flashes

Any many other exciting places!

What will I study?

This course gives you the opportunity to study the science behind the environmental processes that shape and influence our environment, and examine the impact on both the natural and man-made worlds. You will be able to develop your personal and academic skills, as well as gain specific knowledge and practical skills that are essential for a career in the environmental science/conservation sectors.

The course is comprised of 16 modules spread over 2 years of study, 15 of which are compulsory, and the final module is a choice of one of two optional units related to gaining work experience.

Level 4

Level 5

Optional Modules

Please note that availability of optional modules is subject to availability of subject-specialist staff and the recruitment of the minimum viable student number (7 individuals). Should a module not be deemed viable for operation then all students whom selected for that module will be communicated to in writing in advance of the academic year, and will be informed of the alternative options available to select from. Students will be expected to make their module choices for the following academic year during March/April, via on online module selection service. Confirmation of module selections will be provided via email following approval.

Teaching and Learning

Overall workload

Your overall workload consists of class contact hours, independent learning and assessment activity, plus field trips. Your actual contact hours may depend on which optional modules you select, but the following information gives an indication of how much time you will need to allocate to different activities at each year of the course:

Year 1:

30% of your time is spent in timetabled teaching and learning activity

Teaching, Learning and Assessment: 360 hours

Independent Study: 840 hours

Year 2:

20% of your time is spent in timetabled teaching and learning activity

Teaching, Learning and Assessment: 288 hours

Placement: 100 hours

Independent Study: 812 hours

Cohort sizes vary and can be up to 15 students. Some units are taught with other cohorts.

Assessment and Feedback

Assessment Methods

Assessments are designed to encourage both academic skills and skills valued in the workplace. They include a combination of coursework and examinations. Coursework may take many forms including: essays, reports, data processing, presentations, academic posters, seminar discussions, interviews, critical reviews, portfolios of evidence and practical competency assessments. The examinations vary, depending on the nature of the module, but may take the form of multiple-choice papers, essays, practical assessments, data handling questions, short answer quizzes, and in class examinations.

The balance of assessment by examination and assessment by coursework depends to some extent on the optional modules you choose. The approximate percentage of the course assessed by coursework is as follows:

Year 1

80% coursework

20% written exams

Year 2

80% coursework

20% written exams

Feedback

Feedback is supplied not only on assignments but also throughout the course in several ways. These include Turnitin, directly from module leaders, through one to one and group tutorials, during lessons and will be both oral or written. The majority of submissions for assessment are made via Turnitin and feedback for coursework is provided within twenty working days after the submission date.

For summative assessments, written feedback will be supported verbally should the student require clarification. Formative assessment feedback will be provided at the time of completion where possible, with more detailed summative feedback for reports.

Timetable Information

Course Information

Students are given the opportunity to study an optional module at level 5 (yr 2) entitled Work Based Learning for the Land Based Industries. Students are expected to source their own placement, and complete a minimum of 100 hours of work, which can be accrued either in a block or cumulatively over weekends and holiday periods. When selecting a placement, students should consider the financial implications associated with accommodation, travel/commuting and the possible need for a Disclosure Barring service (DBS) check, as UCR is unable to subsidise such costs.

Entry requirements

A minimum of 64 points UCAS Tariff points
CCC – A*A*A*- A Levels including a science subject
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) – MMM – D*D*D* in relevant subject
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) – DD – D*D* in relevant subject
Access to HE Diploma
Mature students (aged 21+) will be considered on an individual basis and substantial work experience will be considered, as well as, or in place of, formal qualifications.
UCAS code

Further Study

Following completion of this course you may study an additional top-up year in BSc (Hons) Environmental Conservation

Career Options

These may include a career for organisations such as The Environment Agency, Natural England, The Wildlife Trusts, RSPB, or working overseas in Environmental Conservation roles

Reserves officer/supervisor
Conservation officer
Ecologist
Science officer
Nature recovery officer
Biodiversity project officer
Woodland delivery officer
Reserves warden
Conservation scientist
Peatland conservation officer
Reserves officer
Environmental consultant
People and wildlife officer

There is also an opportunity for various field trips such as:

Costa Rica
Botswana
Cornwall Beaver Project
Somerset habitats and adders

Please note these trips will incur an additional cost.

Useful Information

How much will this course cost?

Tuition Fees

As a Higher Education student you will have two main costs to meet; your tuition fees and living costs.

Our full-time tuition fees for UK and EU students, entering University, can be found on the student finance page. These fees are charged for each academic year of a course and are set by the college annually.

If you are an international student or for the latest information on tuition fees visit the student finance page on our website.

Additional Costs

Students will need to purchase their own waterproofs, warm clothing, steel toe-capped boots, a x10 magnification hand lens and good quality wellington boots for practicals.

It is also strongly recommended that students have an up-to-date tetanus vaccination record before starting this course.

Reading lists are provided for each module studied and some students chose to purchase key texts.

Students will be offered the chance to engage in both domestic and overseas learning opportunities with which to enhance their classroom-based learning experience. Students will have the option to undertake overseas study for academic credit in year 2 of the programme, or simply participate for experiential purposes. These may include opportunities to undertake conservation field courses within locations such as Southern Africa, South America and the UK.

The main emphasis placed on these field courses is the development of professional, industry relevant skills and the application of students’ knowledge in a novel, stimulating, yet challenging environment. Costs associated with the field courses range from £500 – £1000 (UK & Europe), and between £2,200 – £2,800 (South America & Southern Africa). Please note that precise pricing of all field courses is subject to change, pending availability and recruitment.

Equipment Costs

Pens
Pencils
Notepad
A laptop that is windows compatible
A scientific calculator (£10-20)
Leaver arch files or equivalent
USB memory stick/hard drive or cloud based digital storage space
Wellies (£20 min)
Protective steel-capped boots (tip: steel capped boots are more comfortable when worn with a pair of thick walking socks) (£20 min)
Protective gardening gloves (£5 min)
A magnifying x10 hand lens (£5)
Waders are recommended but not essential
Plenty of warm, waterproof clothing – layers are the best!
A copy of ‘Maths Skills for Biologists’- available from the FSC online (£3.75)

Prices of equipment are subject to change dependent on retailer.

Additional financial support

Accommodation

All Higher Education students are given the opportunity to apply for residential accommodation. First year students are guaranteed accommodation and this offer is made to all applicants who live more than a reasonable daily travelling distance from Reaseheath and who apply before 31st July of the year they intend to start their course. For full details on our halls of residence visit the accommodation pages.

Student support

How do I apply?

Before you apply you can come and visit us at one of our HE Open Events to see what we have to offer. Once we have received your application we will invite you to attend an Offer Holder Day.

Applications for full-time Degrees and Foundation Degrees are made through UCAS. Applications for all other full-time courses such as Access to HE and Level 4 Diplomas should be made directly to Reaseheath via the online application form. You can find out more here.

Student contract

For students to get the best out of their time at University Centre Reaseheath, we must both recognise that we owe obligations to each other. These obligations are set out in our Higher Education Student Contract. Before you accept an offer of a place at University Centre Reaseheath, it is important that you read these contract conditions. If you are going to be living in Halls of Residence, you will also need to read the Student Accommodation Licence Conditions. Both of these contracts can be found here.

Click here to view the University Centre Reaseheath Student Protection Plan.

My Reaseheath degree opened up a new world for me, enabling me to see things in a different light. I was able to fit studying round work, which was a big bonus, and the lecturers were so inspiring.

Jamie Stevenson Foundation Degree in Countryside Conservation and Recreation Management

Read the full profile

Foundation Degree in Environmental Conservation

Only you can change the world!

Do you care about our environment? If so, this course is for you.

UCAS Entry Points

Start Date

Course Length

What will I study?

Entry requirements

Further Study

Career Options

Useful Information

My Reaseheath degree opened up a new world for me, enabling me to see things in a different light. I was able to fit studying round work, which was a big bonus, and the lecturers were so inspiring.

Jamie Stevenson Foundation Degree in Countryside Conservation and Recreation Management

BSc (Hons) in Environmental Conservation (Top-Up)

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Contact Us

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Foundation Degree in Environmental Conservation

Only you can change the world!

Do you care about our environment? If so, this course is for you.

What will I study?

Entry requirements

Further Study

Career Options

Useful Information

My Reaseheath degree opened up a new world for me, enabling me to see things in a different light. I was able to fit studying round work, which was a big bonus, and the lecturers were so inspiring.

Jamie Stevenson Foundation Degree in Countryside Conservation and Recreation Management

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BSc (Hons) in Environmental Conservation (Top-Up)