Course summary

An abundance of rivers, lakes and coastline on your doorstep will inspire your marine conservation degree studies and prepare you to make a difference to the environmental conservation of our planet. With a shortage of marine and freshwater scientists in the UK, there’s never been a better time to study to become a future expert in the world of marine biology and aquatic conservation. Our 'sandwich-route' mode of study gives the real world experience you need to put your studies into focus. Course Overview On this degree course, you’ll receive a thorough introduction to a range of marine and freshwater environments from upland springs to coastal zones. Once you’ve mastered the fundamental understanding of biodiversity and its conservation we’ll move on to the processes affecting the behaviour and characteristics of aquatic habitats. You’ll also be able to choose from a number of modules to suit your interests so you can tailor your own degree, backed up by laboratory and field-based teaching from research-active tutors to boost your practical and analytical skills. If you choose the ‘with placement’ version of the degree you will also complete a year away from campus, undertaking a UK or international placement; some of our former students have chosen to study in countries including Cambodia, Canada, Mexico and Montenegro. We also offer our students and abundance of conservation volunteering opportunities as well as field trips across the UK and overseas. On this course you will...

• Have the opportunity to conduct a 7-month placement with a conservation organisation or research group in the UK or abroad.

• Benefit from the only UK conservation degrees taught inside a national park. This provides you with easy access to charismatic wildlife and diverse and distinctive habitats and ecosystems.

• Be taught by experts in aquatic conservation, each with a wealth of experience in the conservation of marine and freshwater species and their habitats.

• Enjoy small class sizes which allows us to provide a personal approach to teaching and student support.

• Be actively involved in the reintroduction of endangered wildlife species in Cumbria. So you can gain hands-on experience in species reintroduction as part of your degree.

• Study in a vibrant community within the landscape of the English Lake District. This provides amazing recreational opportunities and you will live and breathe conservation.

• Conservation Skills & Practice

• Introduction to Conservation Biology

• Biodiversity 1

• Biodiversity 2

• Introduction to Ecology

• Aquatic Environments

• Biodiversity Monitoring

• Evolution and Biogeography

• Freshwater Ecology

• Research Methods and Data Analysis

• Marine Ecology

• Conservation Genetics (Optional)

• Geographic Information Systems (Optional)

• Valuing the Environment (Optional)

• Conservation Placement

• Dissertation

• Management of Aquatic Resources

• Applied Field Studies

• Conservation in Marine & Freshwater Ecosystems

• Advanced GIS and Remote Sensing (Optional)

• Conservation Strategies (Optional)

• Wildlife Management (Optional)