Study Ecology, why & how to study
Ecology is the study of living organisms and their ecosystems. Read our guide to decide if a degree and career in the area are for you.
CONTENTS
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What’s Ecology?
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What Ecology degrees can you study?
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What do you need to get onto an Ecology degree?
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What topics does an Ecology degree cover?
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How will you be assessed?
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Why study Ecology?
- Are scholarships and bursaries available to students studying an Ecology degree?
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What do Ecology graduates earn?
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What jobs can you get as an Ecology graduate?
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What are the postgraduate opportunities?
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Similar subjects to Ecology
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Have any questions?
What’s Ecology?
Ecology examines the behaviour of plants, animals and organisms within their environments and ecosystems. Degree courses cover areas of biodiversity, conservation, genetics and environmental management, where you learn how to protect and preserve our natural world.
What Ecology degrees can you study?
Undergraduate Ecology degrees on offer in the UK include:
- Conservation Biology and Ecology MSci
- Ecology MBiol
- Ecology and Conservation BSc
- Ecological and Environmental Sciences BSc
Several options include a year abroad or placement year as part of the course.
What do you need to get onto an Ecology degree?
Must have
Most undergraduate Ecology courses ask for around 104–153 UCAS points. Not every university will base an offer on UCAS points, and some courses may have lower or higher requirements.
- A Levels: ABB–BCC
- BTECs: DDM–DMM
- Scottish Highers: AABB–BBBC
- International Baccalaureate: 32–28
- Universities will usually ask that you have studied biology and another science subject like chemistry or physics
Good to have
- Studied subjects like mathematics, geography or environmental science
- Volunteered or had work experience in a conservation environment, like a wildlife trust or helped in a park or nature centre
What topics does an Ecology degree cover?
Typical modules for courses in this subject include:
- Biodiversity
- Global environmental challenges
- Evolution and environmental physiology
- Animal behaviour
- Zoology
- Aquatic ecology
- Genetics
How will you be assessed?
Depending on your modules, you could be assessed through:
- Coursework such as essays and reports
- Written examinations
- Group presentations
- Oral presentations
- Field assessments
Why study Ecology?
Career-specific skills:
- Data interpretation
- Survey techniques
- Taxonomy
- Development and testing of hypotheses
- Ecological research
Transferable skills:
- Problem-solving
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Critical thinking
- Presentation
- IT literacy
- Numeracy
- Communication
Professional accreditations:
- Associateship of the Royal College of Science (ARCS)
- Royal Society of Biology
Some universities offer Ecology students specific scholarships, bursaries, or grants so it’s worth checking if you are eligible, how to apply and what it covers such as materials, tuition fees and/or living costs.
What do Ecology graduates earn?
When starting as a graduate ecologist, you can expect an entry-level salary of around £22,000.
As you become more experienced the average salary ranges from £30,000–40,000. Salaries can be higher than £50,000 for those with lots of experience in senior positions.
What jobs can you get as an Ecology graduate?
Ecology graduates work in areas like conservation, research, health, forensic science and sustainability for organisations such as charities, NGOs, government agencies, universities and environmental groups. Examples of graduate roles include:
- Ecological consultant
- Data manager
- Experimental officer
- Research analyst
- Business development executive
- Laboratory technician
- Clinic coordinator
- Data manager
- Medical writer
What are the postgraduate opportunities?
Examples of postgraduate courses available at universities in the UK:
- Ecological Survey Techniques PgCert
- Ecology MSc
- Ecology and Evolution PhD
- Ecology and Conservation MRes
Similar subjects to Ecology
Other subject areas that might appeal to you include:
Have any questions?
Get in touch with our experts by emailing ask@thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk. We’ll be happy to hear from you!
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