This course is also available part time and as a foundation degree.
Merrist Wood is highly regarded in the animal industry as the leading animal education establishment in Surrey, with a wide range of animal care courses. It was awarded a zoo licence in June 2018, allowing it to share its collection of exotic animals, some of which are of conservation importance, with the wider community. The College has wide links with industry and tuition is by highly qualified and experienced tutors who will ensure you gain the best possible grounding in your chosen career.
This programme provides you with the opportunity to develop an understanding of ecology, habitat management as well as conservation science, policy and practice. Underpinning theory is delivered in the classroom, but the College’s extensive grounds are used to provide experience in ecological survey and assessment, including in woodland, wetland and grassland habitats. Learning is reinforced through visits to local protected or restored sites owned and managed by voluntary and statutory bodies. There are also opportunities to study or work with captive animals in our Animal Management Centre.
What you'll learn
- Conservation Technologies and Science Communication (30 credits)
- Creating Sustainable Futures (30 credits)
- Behavioural Ecology (30 credits)
- Research Project (30 credits)
How you'll learn and be assessed
Teaching and learning will include a range of strategies including lectures, seminars, group work, tutorials, and work experience. Teaching takes place on the 400-acre Merrist Wood campus and is supported by an extensive animal collection that is utilised throughout the course where students will encounter a range of familiar and unusual species.
Assessments are designed to allow students to research into their topics and species of interest for subject areas they would wish to specialise in, linking to career aspirations. The teaching team undertake vocational continuous professional development to keep up to date with their subject specialism. This vocational currency gives a real edge to course content and value is added through guest speakers, visits, and realistic work-based learning assignments. These are shared with our colleagues employed within the animal behaviour and welfare sector.
Throughout the course you will be able to research chosen topics and species of interest for your assessments enabling you to focus on subject areas that you wish to specialise in, and link to career aspirations. Each module will be assessed with 2-3 pieces of work. These could include academic poster creation, conference style presentations, written exams, reports, seminars, media article design, portfolios, video productions, case studies and a dissertation.
Academic skills support is available throughout the year to help you prepare for this range of assessments, including exam preparation.
Course duration: 1 Year full-time. This course can also be studied on a part-time basis over 2 years. Fees for part-time study are £4,000 per annum. To apply for the part-time option please email: HE@activatelearning.ac.uk
Progression
Continue your studies with a Masters degree in a range of specialist areas or apply for membership of professional bodies including the Zoological Society of London, Institute of Biology or the British Ecological Society and attend further courses.
This programme can lead to a wide range of careers within wildlife conservation and ecology, in areas of wildlife protection, biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management. Roles include but are not limited to wildlife conservation officer, wildlife biologist and countryside warden/park ranger.
Entry requirements
A Foundation Degree or HND (or suitable equivalent subject) with a minimum Pass profile in a relevant subject.
Plus a minimum of Grade C at GCSE for English, maths and science.
A minimum IELTS score of 6 /TOEFL equivalent is required for those for whom English is not their first language.
Additional information
Home/EU* Full-time Fee for September 2025 entry: £8,000 per year. (Part-time: £4,000 per year)
Please note:
Tuition fees are published for the first year of entry only and may increase in subsequent years both for new and continuing students in line with an inflationary amount determined by the Office for Students.
*Fee information for European Union (EU) students: If your course starts on or after the 1st August 2021, you will no longer be eligible for financial support from Student Finance England unless you meet one of the following criteria:
- you are able to benefit from the citizens’ rights agreements
- you are an Irish national living in the UK or Republic of Ireland – benefits of Irish nationals under Common Travel Area guidance arrangement will continue
Additional costs include:
We strongly recommend purchasing a laptop to support you in your studies on the course.
Optional trips for work experience and professional development, especially if you wish to volunteer overseas, as some of our previous students have done.
We recommend that you budget £100 a year for additional costs such as for stationary to undertake your studies. You can borrow textbooks and access journals from the recommended reading lists most of these are available from the Learning Resource Centre. If you choose to buy textbooks, they may cost up to £60 each.
You are advised to ensure that anti-tetanus protection via a course of injections or booster is up to date prior to the commencement of the course. You should also ensure that you have adequate clothing for outdoor work in inclement weather. You will also need a pair of boots or wellingtons.
Merrist Wood College offers accommodation for new and existing full-time students who wish to live in our halls.
How to apply
Applicants should apply online through the Activate Learning website.
