BSc (Hons) Wildlife and Conservation (Top-Up)

Name: BSc (Hons) Wildlife and Conservation (Top-Up)
Price: -80008000 £

Wildlife and Conservation

Strengthen your expertise in wildlife conservation to degree-level and support your employability prospects in a growing sector. The BSc (Hons) Wildlife and Conservation (Top-Up) will deepen your knowledge and practical skills, enabling you to add real-world value to your future employer. Supported by a talented team of lecturers and unique experiences at our award-winning estate, you’ll graduate equipped to undertake important work that will have a positive impact on the world.

This programme is validated by The Open University.

If you’re only applying to Activate Learning, use the Apply Direct button below. If you’re also applying to other institutions, use Apply via UCAS.
For further advice, see How to Apply for a Higher Education Course or contact us via our Contact Us page

Apply – Sep 2026 – Merrist Wood Apply via UCAS

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Course Details

Study Mode

Merrist Wood – Full Time
Merrist Wood – Part Time

Start

14/09/26
17/09/26

End

11/06/27
08/06/28

Day of week

Thursday and Friday

Thursday or Friday

Duration

1 Year
2 Years

Guided Learning Hours

320 hours per year
160 hours per year

Self Study Hours

880 hours per year
440 hours per year

Fees

£8,240 per year
£4,120 per year
Home/EU students.
International students not accepted.

Programme Specification – Open University Academic Regulations

Open University Student Guide

Activate Learning is an Office for Students (OfS) approved (fee cap) provider of Higher Education with an OfS approved Access and Participation Plan.

The challenges relating to sustainability, climate change and the environment as a whole are growing in urgency. Wildlife and conservation is central to this, and more people are needed with the relevant skills to support local, national and global efforts to protect the planet. With more legislation being implemented to support wildlife conservation, and with sustainability roles being introduced into almost every sector, there are broadening opportunities for employment in this area. Embarking on the BSc (Hons) Wildlife and Conservation (Top-Up) is your opportunity to turn your love of nature and wildlife into expertise that will make a difference.

This course is taught at Merrist Wood, a 400-acre estate with ancient woodland, wetlands, livestock, threatened species, a farm, an equine centre, and our Animal Management Centre – which has an animal activities licence to support students’ training. This is your live classroom for real-world learning, and we take every opportunity we can to help you put your knowledge into practice. Our lecturers have also worked and volunteered extensively in the animal industry, and their knowledge will elevate your learning experience. With guest lectures, work placement opportunities and the possibility to travel and visit various animal-related businesses, this course will set you up for the future.

Following on from the Foundation Degree Wildlife and Conservation, the BSc (Hons) Wildlife and Conservation (Top-Up) is a top-up programme that can be completed in one year (full-time) or two years (part-time). During this programme you will gain in-depth knowledge of behavioural ecology, learn more about creating a sustainable future, and develop your understanding of conservation technologies and communicating about science. You will also complete an-depth research project on a topic of your choice.

Student wellbeing is a priority at Merrist Wood, and we provide dedicated extra support to enable each and every student to overcome personal obstacles and thrive. You’ll also benefit from small class sizes, exclusive access to the Higher Education Student Centre, and being around likeminded people in our inclusive community.

Being part of Activate Learning – one of the largest education providers in the South East – means you’ll benefit from a wide range of resources and regular investment in our facilities. Our approach is multi-award-winning, and we’ve achieved everything from the Silver rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) assessment, to awards for our use of digital technologies. You’ll also get to use a range of technology such as camera traps, drones and artificial intelligence (AI), which can all be brilliant non-invasive monitoring tools for animals.

Merrist Wood is a place to learn, grow and innovate. If you want to be a voice for animals and the environment, the BSc (Hons) Wildlife and Conservation (Top-Up) will develop your theoretical knowledge, practical skills and expertise, currently sought-after by employers in a wide range of sectors.

Your timetable

If you are studying full-time, your timetable will be over two consecutive days of the week.

If you are studying part-time, your timetable will be on one day per week.

Your timetable is spread over one academic year starting in September and ending in June, and consisting of 32 weeks of teaching with study breaks in October, December, February, April, and May.

Teaching and Independent study hours

Each module includes 90 hours of scheduled teaching which consists of lectures, practical activities, workshops and tutorials which all students are expected to attend.

In addition, students are expected to undertake 210 hours of independent study which may consist of reading, research, report writing, practical experiments, work-based learning, and other activities related to assessment. In total, each module equates to 300 learning hours.

Over the duration of an academic year, your total teaching contact time will equate to approximately 360 hours if you are studying full-time (180 part-time) and you will be expected to undertake 840 hours of independent study (420 part-time).

As you continue to move through your programme of study, a greater emphasis will be placed on the importance of engaging in independent study.

Teaching strategies

Throughout your programme you will experience a range of teaching strategies to support your learning, these will include lectures, workshops, seminars, practical sessions, and tutorials. The teaching strategies will vary for each module depending on the content and learning outcomes, which are detailed in each module descriptor.

In addition, you will also benefit from industry speakers, which in the past have included:

Animal Science academics
Canine Behaviourists
Animal Trainers
Wildlife Officers
Zoo Vets
Surrey Police Wildlife Officers

We also embed trips, excursions and visits where appropriate in your programme. In the past, these have included:

Chessington Zoo
Birdworld
The Knepp Estate
ZSL – London Zoo & Whipsnade Zoo
UK Wolf Trust
Petworth Park
Pirbright Vet Labs (Institute Animal Health)
Laverstoke Park
Shamwari Private Game Reserve in South Africa

A range of different assessment methods have been developed to assess your knowledge, understanding, practical skills and transferable skills such as communication, teamwork and problem-solving. Assessment methods will vary according to the learning outcomes for each module, but will include essays, reports, examinations, presentations, practical demonstrations, collaborative group projects and posters.

The majority of assessment will be through coursework (80-90%), with 10-20% being assessed through examinations.

The balance of assessments for each module is detailed in the module descriptors, but normally includes at least two assessments which are individually weighted, for example, the Research Project module has two assessments:

Assessment task	Weighting
Project proposal	15%
Dissertation	85%

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Each application will be considered on an individual basis, following the principle of widening access to those who might not meet the traditional academic entry criteria. As such, it is anticipated that applicants will come from a diverse range of backgrounds.

Typical Entry Requirements

Normally, students applying for BSc (Hons) Wildlife and Conservation (Top-Up) would be expected to have completed either a Foundation Degree in a related subject area, such as Foundation Degree Wildlife and Conservation, or an equivalent Higher National Diploma (HND).

Activate Learning is not currently accepting International applicants.

Mature Students

Activate Learning welcomes applications from mature students who may not meet our typical entry requirements, but who now wish to take the opportunity to develop their knowledge and practical skills. We are committed to supporting you throughout the application process and view our interview process as an opportunity to get to know applicants.

Normally, the requirement for mature students would be:

a minimum of the equivalent of four years of relevant work experience and a current role in an appropriate workplace setting; and,
evidence of ability to study at academic level 6; and,
evidence of support/recommendation from your employer.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

We welcome applications from people with a wide range of experiences and backgrounds.

If you do not meet the formal entry requirements above but have relevant work experience, training, or alternative qualifications, you may still be eligible to apply through our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process.

This process allows us to recognise the learning you have gained through professional practice, previous study, or other experiences when we assess your RPL application.

If you need any further advice or guidance, please see our How to Apply for a Higher Education Course, or send an enquiry through our Contact Us page.

Admissions Information

Our Admissions Policy outlines our commitment and responsibilities to applicants, while the Admissions Procedure for Higher Education explains the application and enrolment process.

All applicants are also encouraged to read our Higher Education Terms and Conditions, which provide important information and reference the relevant policies and procedures that apply to applicants and enrolled students. These can be found at the bottom of our Higher Education Policies page.

Please note: Tuition fees are published for the first year of entry and will remain the same for continuing students e.g. if you are studying a BSc (Hons) part-time across two years, the tuition fee will remain the same for both years.

Paying your tuition fees

The most common way to pay tuition fees is through accessing a student loan which can be done by making an application to the Student Loans Company

*Fee information for European Union (EU) students: If your course starts on or after 1 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

If you have any queries related to funding, please email HE@ActivateLearning.ac.uk

Additional Costs associated with your Course

While tuition fees cover the core aspects of your education, we also provide the essential resources that you will requires for your studies. Should you wish to purchase additional materials, the suggested costs are listed below.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Certain courses, particularly those involving practical work or fieldwork, may require specific PPE such as a polo shirt (approx. £15), cargo trousers (approx. £14), fleece/hoody (approx. £20) and waterproof jacket (£38), as well as your own suitable footwear. During your first week at Induction, you will have the opportunity to purchase branded versions of these clothing items. Should you choose to supply your own, please avoid bright or vivid tones, colours/patterns that some animals may find challenging, such as red.

Laptop/Computer: We have desktop computers readily available for you to use on campus in our Higher Education hub and accessible library. However, owning your own reliable laptop or computer is also very useful for completing coursework, accessing online resources, and participating remotely in any virtual elements. We recommend budgeting for this expense if you do not already own one. The average cost of a laptop is £500 – £800.

Non-mandatory Field Trips, Conferences, and Excursions: During your studies, there may be non-mandatory field trips or excursions which include local, national or international travel to enhance your learning through practical experience. Any non-mandatory field trips (local or further afield) will incur additional expenses for travel, accommodation, and fees, which will be communicated to you at the earliest possible opportunity, to ensure you have ample time to prepare and budget.

These costs are subject to change each year; however, we are always exploring ways to reduce the cost of extra-curricular opportunities. A recent example was our visit to Shamwari Private Game Reserve in South Africa which cost £2,639 and included accommodation, flights, meals and excursions.

Textbooks and Course Materials: Every module has an associated reading list. Much of this literature, as well as other relevant resources, is available through your course content, online, or through our library. However, you may also wish to purchase specific textbooks or materials to enhance your learning experience. If you were to purchase 3-4 core texts for your course (new), you would realistically expect to spend £50-75.

Consumables: We want to ensure you have all the specialist equipment you need for your studies, such as conservation technologies for research or dissertation modules. Sometimes, this equipment requires consumables such as disposable batteries or SD cards. We do our best to provide these items, and we’ll always lend you consumables whenever possible. However, we strongly encourage you to purchase your own if needed.

‍Vaccination: 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. These are available free of charge via the NHS.

Campus accommodation: Whether you are seeking newfound independence or aiming to avoid a long commute, we offer students the option to live in our catered accommodation (7 nights catered across the full academic year is typically £6,350) or self-catered accommodation (typically £ 4,390 across the full academic year). You can find out more about our halls of residence, facilities, and fees here.

Activate Learning offers a range of bursaries and funds to help support students during their studies. For further details, including eligibility and how to apply, please click here.

Module Title	Level	Full-time	Part-time
Module Title	Level	1^st year	1^st year	2^nd year
Behavioural Ecology	6	X	X
Conservation Technology and Science Communication	6	X	X
Creating Sustainable Futures	6	X		X
Research Projects	6	X		X

BSc (Hons) Wildlife and Conservation (Top-Up)

Course Details

IMPORTANT INFORMATION