BSc (Hons)
Wildlife and Countryside Management (Top Up)
This course builds on your existing wildlife or countryside management knowledge to provide the necessary expertise for future managers in this important and diverse sector.
Overview
Do you see yourself pursuing a career as an ecological consultant, a field ecologist, biodiversity officer, or perhaps a wildlife reserve or country park manager? These and other routes will be open to you as a graduate of this wildlife and countryside management top-up course, which has been designed with the help of employers and organisations directly involved in conservation.
As the world of countryside management finds itself confronted by ever more complex challenges, the industry is eager to recruit highly skilled, trained people who know how to balance environmental, economic and agricultural demands. This course will give you that know how.
You will study Animal Ecology, including animal behaviour, evolution and ecological processes over a range of ecosystems and species. You’ll also study Ecological Consultancy, to ensure you’re trained in report writing, client liaison, legislation and policy and conducting key protected species surveys.
An elective 7-10-day ecology study tour will provide you with the practical understanding of ecology, land-use and research in a contrasting environment. The current destination is Namibia, although alternative locations are a possibility.
The course has been designed with our partners at Cirencester College, utilising the expertise and resources of both institutions, including use of the animal centre with more than 80 species.
Structure
You will study three core modules and complete a research project. You will also select three elective modules, to give you the opportunity to pursue specific areas of interest, and better position yourself in the job market.
The countryside management course will be delivered through a series of lectures, seminars, group projects, and visits and demonstrations. Modules are assessed through a range of techniques, including research projects, examinations, presentations, and case studies.
Timetables
Timetables are normally available one month before registration. Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week. Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and societies activities.
Modules
Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Each credit equates to 10 hours of total study time. Total study time includes scheduled teaching, independent study and assessment activity.
Full-time students normally take modules worth 60 credits per 15 week semester but this can vary depending on your elective choice. Part-time students taking proportionally fewer credits per semester. All students take a total of 120 credits per level and 360 credits for the degree as a whole. Your overall grade for your degree is based on marks obtained for modules taken at level 5 and level 6 (weighted 30:70 accordingly.)
The modules available for this course are as follows:
Core Modules
- 3015 Honours Research Project OR 3101 Work-based Research Project*
- 3092 Countryside Management
- 3222 Animal Ecology
- 3223 Ecological Consultancy and Business
Plus THREE electives selected from:
- 3010 Game and Deer Management
- 3013 Sustainable Management of Soil and Water
- 3090 Forestry and Woodland Management
- 3093 Farmland Ecology
- 3102 Improving Personal Professional Practice*
- 3203 Natural Resource Management
- 3230 Ecology Field Tour
*If you’ve already secured employment, you may elect to follow the Improving Personal Professional Practice module and the Work-based Research Project, thus reducing the time required to attend campus-based modules
Entry requirements
Typical offers
- A foundation degree or a HND award (merit) in a subject related to the Honours degree.
- Depending on previous studies, you may be required to complete additional ‘bridging’ studies prior to enrolling on the Honours course in order to cover identified gaps in previous learning.
Further information
Read more general information about our entry requirements.
For any further help, please contact our admissions team:
- E-mail: admissions@rau.ac.uk
- Telephone: +44 (0)1285 889912
Fees
Tuition fees cover the cost of a student’s academic studies. This usually includes teaching costs, registration and examination fees (not repeat or trailing modules, re-sit fees or coursework resubmission). Any costs associated with work placements will be the student's responsibility.
2018-19 Applicants
For the academic year 2018-19 the tuition fees for this course are:
| UK/EU | Overseas | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | £9,250 per year | £10,000 per year |
| Part-time | N/A | N/A |
For full details, please visit the fees and funding webpage.
2019-20 Applicants
For the academic year 2019-20 the tuition fees for this course are:
| UK/EU | Overseas | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | £9,250 per year | £10,000 per year |
| Part-time | N/A | N/A |
The tuition fees quoted for 2019/20 applicants may rise in line with inflation, subject to government policy.
For full details, please visit the fees and funding webpage.
Scholarships
The University offers a wide range of generous fee waivers and bursaries. To find out more about the scholarships, awards and bursaries available, please visit the scholarships webpage.
Prospects
Graduates are highly likely to pursue a range of careers within a number of organisations:
- Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group
- Wildlife Trusts
- National Trust
- Forestry Commission
- Local government
Fulfilling roles within many areas:
- Ecological Consultant
- Conservation/Biodiversity Officer
- Landscape Ecologist
- Community Wildlife Officer
- Environmental Education Officer
- Wildlife centre worker
- Field Surveyor
- Reserve Ranger
- Estate Manager
- Country Park Manager
On average over the past five years, 96% of our graduates have gone on to enter employment or further study within six months, 70% in graduate or professional positions.
Apply now
Applications to study at the Royal Agricultural University must be made through the UCAS system. This applies to all undergraduate courses.
Applications need to be made by the UCAS deadline to ensure we are able to offer you a place on your first choice course.
If you would like to apply during UCAS Extra or Clearing, please check that we have places available.
Applicants wishing to study on a course on a part-time basis will need to apply directly to the RAU.
Please contact admissions@rau.ac.uk to discuss your requirements and obtain an application form.
