BSc (Hons)

Conservation and Community Engagement

Gain the knowledge and skills to collaborate with local communities and develop successful conservation projects anywhere in the world.

Start date
September 2026
Location
Writtle
Duration
3 years
UCAS course code
D595

Start date
September 2025
Location
Writtle
Duration
4 years with foundation
UCAS course code
DF59
Top 10%

in the country for the number of graduates going into paid employment or further study.

Source: GOS

It’s widely acknowledged in the conservation sector that community engagement is key to the success of conservation projects. By studying at ARU in Writtle, you’ll develop skills to support education, science communication and human behaviour change.

You’ll learn about biodiversity, conservation science and local and international conservation issues. You’ll also develop practical skills in habitat and wildlife evaluation and management – learning how to plan and engage in viable projects.

Why ARU?
  • Study on a rural, 150-hectare campus with a working farm and managed wildlife areas.

  • Get involved in projects such as our hedgehog-friendly campus initiative, or the local Forest School.

  • Benefit from our expertise: we've been delivering land-based education since 1893.

  • Continue your studies with a Masters degree in conservation.

Logo: THE Awards 2023
 

Study at an award-winning university

We were named Times Higher Education University of the Year 2023. We've also been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a reflection of the outstanding education we offer our students.

Careers

Get the skills to develop and take part in conservation work, and to communicate conservation issues and science to different audiences.

It's a growing sector: the Department for Education policy paper Sustainability and climate change: a strategy for the education and children's services systems, highlights a significant increase in the number of green jobs by 2030, noting that substantial increases in conservation and sustainability learning are key to meeting those targets.

Graduation doesn't have to be the end of your time with us. You might decide to at ARU and study for a Masters, such as our MSc Animal Welfare and Conservation or MSc Conservation Education and Engagement.

Teaching and modules

Explore the conservation of animals, plants and ecosystems; how humans interact with them and how use of the environment is regarded and regulated across the world.

This course features a mix of classroom, digital and field-based learning, including a residential field trip.

You’ll learn how to research and communicate your ideas, and develop leadership and people skills. You’ll also develop evidence-based projects in varied areas of conservation engagement, education and advocacy.

Modules are subject to change and availability, and may vary by location. If you have the choice of optional modules, these are indicated with a *.

Year 1
  • Personal and Professional Wellbeing (30 credits)
  • Fundamentals of Biology (30 credits)
  • Environmental Policy (15 credits)
  • Human-Animal Interaction (15 credits)
  • Science Communication (15 credits)
  • Ecology and Evolution (15 credits)
  • Into ARU
Year 2
  • Research Methods (15 credits)
  • Plant-Animal Interactions (15 credits)
  • Habitat Management (15 credits)
  • Animal Rescue, Rehabilitation and Rehoming (15 credits)
  • Wildlife Conservation Skills (15 credits)
  • Nature and Human Wellbeing (15 credits)
  • Community Engagement (15 credits)
  • Residential Field Trip (15 credits)
Year 3
  • Major Project (30 credits)
  • People Management, Training and Support (15 credits)
  • Conservation Planning and Development (15 credits)
  • Applied Issues in Wildlife Conservation (15 credits)
  • Decolonising Conservation (15 credits)
  • Behaviour Change (15 credits)
  • Applied Engagement, Education and Advocacy (15 credits)
Module details

To prepare you for university study, you can take a foundation year at the start of this course. Find out more about foundation years.

Year 1
  • Academic and Personal Management Skills (20 credits)
  • Biological Concepts (Introduction to Laboratory Skills) (20 credits)
  • Maths for IT and Science (15 credits)
  • Chemistry for Life Sciences (15 credits)
  • Applied Industry Techniques (30 credits)
  • Independent (Themed) Project (20 credits)
Module details

Facilities

Study on a beautiful campus in the Essex countryside, learning from experienced tutors who'll provide encouragement and feedback.

As a student in Writtle you can make full use of facilities and services including:

  • extensive library and IT resources
  • support, should you need it, with study skills, careers advice, health and wellbeing, and more
  • social spaces including a restaurant, coffee shop and recreation centre.

Entry requirements

Fees and funding

Apply for Conservation and Community Engagement

Apply through Clearing

UK students

Clearing places available for the 4-year course with foundation year – apply today

UK students

Apply through UCAS for 2026

International students

Apply direct

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