People have an enormous impact on their environment through resource use, habitat loss and degradation, and climate change. Understanding how our actions impact the ecological balance across the planet has never been more important.

Our BSc (Hons) Ecology and Conservation course will teach you the science of ecology and conservation and provide practical training in field and laboratory techniques. You will understand how animals, plants, fungi and microorganisms interact with their environment, as well as the relationship between people and the rest of the biosphere. It will also provide you with a deep understanding of the complex relationships between environments and their inhabitants. You’ll learn about the policies and management strategies that aim to safeguard our biodiversity and the ecosystem services upon which humans depend.

Stirling is a superb place to study Ecology and Conservation. We’re near to diverse landscapes and can link up with more environmental and conservation organisations than anywhere else in the UK. Several organisations have offices on our campus, including the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, British Trust for Ornithology and the Bumblebee Conservation Trust. We work closely with these and other organisations, including conservation charities and Government agencies in conducting research, arranging placements and field training for our students.

Many graduates progress to scientific careers in research or advisory roles in government agencies and non-governmental organisations. However, the skills learned in the Ecology and Conservation degree are fundamental to those required in a wide range of other careers. Our graduates have progressed to a range of jobs in academic and applied ecology and conservation positions such as:

• conservation advisor / ecologist with NGOs, government agencies and local authorities, or in industry
• scientific researchers at universities, research institutes or conservation NGOs
• ecological consultancy positions
• warden and ranger positions
• project and programme management conservation positions
• environmental education communications and marketing positions
• fundraising and development positions