Ecology and Conservation with Integrated Master's - MSci
Analyse the actions needed to tackle society’s ecological and conservation problems. Study in detail how we can protect species, habitats, landscapes and ecosystems on our four-year integrated master’s programme. Develop the research, field and laboratory skills that are essential in making a difference in the sector.
We are in the process of refreshing our curriculum for the 2025/26 academic year to reflect best practices and the latest advancements in academia. New course content and modules will be available on this course page in Autumn 2024.
Year of entry
- 2025
Course type
- Integrated Master's
UCAS code
- C181
Duration of study
- 4 years / 5 years with international or placement year
Why study Ecology and Conservation with Integrated Master's at Keele University?
Teaching Excellence Framework GOLD
Keele University has been awarded the highest rating of gold in the teaching excellence framework (TEF), 2023. The TEF assessment identifies excellence in the educational experience and outcomes of our students, focusing on all undergraduate courses and students.
Learn from our campus - our own 'living laboratory'
Our unique 600-acre campus offers a fantastic experimentation environment to perform fieldwork, test new ideas and discover solutions to real-world problems. From our lake system and extensive woodlands to the mining and industrial heritage of the local area, there are many opportunities to study in an authentic environment whilst practicing sustainably. In previous years our students have undertaken field courses in the UK to the Peak District, Pennines, Lake District, North Wales and the Welsh Borders.
Additional opportunities
There are a range of additional opportunities available when studying this course.
Please note, undertaking one may impact upon the availability of another.
Entry requirements
The following section details our typical entry requirements for this course for a range of UK and international qualifications. If you don’t see your qualifications listed, please contact us to find out if we can accept your qualifications. If you don't think you'll meet the entry requirements specified, you may be able to gain entry to this course via a Foundation Year.
Typical offer
Please ensure that you read the full entry requirements by selecting your qualifications from the dropdown menu below. This will include any subject specific, GCSE/Level 2 Maths, and English language requirements you may need.
Please select your qualification from the drop-down list below for the full entry requirement information
A Level
BBB in three A Levels.
Contextual Offer: BCC in three A Levels.
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).
BTEC Extended Diploma / National Extended Diploma
DDM in any BTEC Extended Diploma / National Extended Diploma.
Contextual Offer: DMM in any BTEC Extended Diploma / National Extended Diploma.
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).
BTEC National Diploma / Diploma
Distinction and Distinction in any BTEC National Diploma / Diploma and C in one A Level, or
Distinction and Merit in any BTEC National Diploma / Diploma and B in one A Level.
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).
BTEC National Extended Certificate / Subsidiary Diploma
Distinction in any BTEC National Extended Certificate / Subsidiary Diploma and BC in two A Levels, or
Merit in any BTEC National Extended Certificate / Subsidiary Diploma and AB in two A Levels.
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).
T Level
Merit in any T Level.
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).
International Baccalaureate Diploma
555 in three Higher Levels or 30 points.
Contextual Offer: 544 in three Higher Levels or 28 points.
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).
International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme
We encourage applications with the IBCP but recognise that your combination of qualifications may differ depending on where you are studying.
If you are taking a BTEC National Diploma / Diploma with one or more Higher Levels, your offer will be similar to our BTEC + A Level offer (see 'BTEC National Diploma / Diploma') but with an HL requirement of 6 for A, 5 for B, or 4 for C.
For any other combination, please contact the University Admissions Team for advice.
Access to HE Diploma
122 UCAS points in any Access to HE Diploma including Distinction in at least 30 Level 3 credits.
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).
Welsh Baccalaureate / Bagloriaeth Cymru
The Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate is equivalent to one full A Level at the same grade and can be included alongside 2 other A Levels in a standard A Level offer for this course (see A Level). All subject specific requirements will still need to be met.
Scotland - Highers and Advanced Highers
BBBCC in five Highers, or CC in two Advanced Highers and CC in two Highers, or CCC in three Advanced Highers.
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).
Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
If you have B or higher in the EPQ and are studying A Levels, BTEC, the International Baccalaureate Diploma, or an Access to HE Diploma, you will typically receive an alternative offer which will be lower than the standard offer. Please see 'Alternative and contextual offers' below.
Core Maths
If you have B or higher in Core Maths and are studying A Levels, BTEC, the International Baccalaureate, or an Access to HE Diploma, you will typically receive an alternative offer which will be lower than the standard offer. Please see 'Alternative and contextual offers' below.
Ireland - Leaving Certificate
H3, H3, H4, H4, H4, H4 in the Irish Leaving Certificate.
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).
China - Gaokao
73% in the Gaokao.
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).
India - Standard XII
Average of 70% from four subjects in the ICSE, CBSE or Western Bengal Standard XII, or average of 75% from four subjects in any other Standard XII.
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).
Germany - Abitur
2.2 overall average in the Abitur.
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).
France - Baccalaureate
13 in the French Baccalaureate / International Option Baccalaureate, or 12.5 in the Baccalauréat Français International.
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).
Hong Kong - Diploma
444 from two electives and one core subject in the HKDSE.
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).
Spain - Bachillerato
Overall average of 7.4 in the Título de Bachillerato.
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).
Italy - Diploma di Esame di Stato
80% in the Esame di Stato.
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).
Cyprus - Apolytirion
18 / 86% in the Apolytirion.
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).
Portugal
Overall average of 15.5 in a Secondary Certificate.
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).
Canada - Diploma
65% / BBBCC in five courses in the Grade 12 Diplomas.
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).
Kenya - KCSE / Diploma
We do not accept the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education for direct entry. However, you can apply to study an International Foundation Year at Keele University International College. On successful completion, you can progress to an undergraduate degree at Keele.
We may accept a two year Diploma. Please contact the University Admissions Team for advice.
Nigeria - Senior School Certificate / OND
We do not accept the Senior School Certificate (WAEC or NECO) for direct entry. However, you can apply to study an International Foundation Year at Keele University International College. On successful completion, you can progress to an undergraduate degree at Keele.
We may accept an Ordinary National Diploma with GPA of 2.5 or a Merit / Lower Credit. Please contact the University Admissions Team for advice.
USA - Advanced Placement
444 from three Advanced Placement subjects.
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).
Ghana
We do not accept the West African Senior School Certificate Examination for direct entry. However, you can apply to study an International Foundation Year at Keele University International College. On successful completion, you can progress to an undergraduate degree at Keele.
Sri Lanka - Advanced Level
BBB in three Advanced Levels.
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).
Malaysia - STPM
BBB in three Principal Level subjects in the STPM.
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).
Pakistan - Secondary School Certificate
We do not accept the Secondary School Certificate for direct entry. However, you can apply to study an International Foundation Year at Keele University International College. On successful completion, you can progress to an undergraduate degree at Keele.
Singapore - A Levels (H2)
BBB in three H2 Levels.
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).
European Baccalaureate
72% overall.
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).
NCUK
Pass NCUK Foundation Year with BBB and a C in EAP English Language module and grade B in EAP for Law courses.
Uganda - Advanced Certificate of Education
BBB in three Principal Level subjects in the Advanced Certificate of Education.
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).
Zimbabwe - Advanced Level GCE
BBB in three Advanced Level subjects.
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below).
English language requirements
All of our courses require an English language qualification or test. For most students, this requirement can be met with a 4 or C in GCSE English. Please see our English Language guidance pages for further details, including English language test information for international students. For those students who require an English language test, this course requires a test from Group A.
Alternative and contextual offers
We're committed to ensuring equality of opportunity to all our applicants with the potential and motivation to succeed, regardless of background. That's why we operate a range of alternative offer schemes with clear eligibility criteria, including contextual offers, offers for those studying within the Keele region, and recognising a range of additional qualifications in your offer.
General information
The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the typical offer which would be made to candidates, along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate's application.
Sector-leading in environmental education
At Keele we're leading the sector in sustainability, not just in our ambitions to become carbon neutral by 2030 but also through our teaching and our ground-breaking research into climate change and renewable technologies.
We are proud to be named Global Sustainability Institution of the Year (International Green Gown Awards, 2021), which demonstrates our commitment to embedding sustainability into all that we do.
Find out more about Keele’s commitment to sustainability.
Central Science Laboratories
Develop your practical skills in Keele's state-of-the-art Central Science Laboratories
Foundation year
Our Foundation Year provides an excellent alternative route to Keele, providing a unique opportunity to better prepare for your chosen degree, and with guaranteed entry onto your undergraduate course once you successfully complete your Foundation Year.
This extra year of study can improve your academic skills, expand your subject knowledge, give you a better understanding of higher education and, perhaps most importantly of all, build your confidence.
Keele University is consistently ranked among the top universities for student satisfaction, and we have over 70 years' experience of teaching a foundation year to students. On the Keele Foundation Year, you'll study on campus, joining our undergraduate community from the outset, with access to all the facilities and support that you'd get as an undergraduate student at Keele.
The information in this Foundation Year section is for UK/Home applicants. Where an international Foundation Year is available, please see the 'Information for international students' tab.
The information within this page is for students wishing to start their studies in September. If you would like to start this course in January, please visit our January pages for further details.
Course content
Our Foundation Year allows you to develop your critical thinking, academic reading, writing, and communication study skills along with subject-specific knowledge and skills which will be invaluable in your academic studies and beyond. Upon meeting the progression criteria and successfully completing our Foundation Year, you will automatically progress into your Keele undergraduate degree with the confidence that you have the skills, and knowledge needed to successfully complete your course.
This Foundation Year is a two semester programme which provides a tailored pre-degree programme of study to better prepare you for the MSci Ecology and Conservation Integrated Master's. For example, the Advancing Geography, Geology and the Environment module takes the knowledge built in 'Foundations of Geography, Geology and the Environment' module and applies it to a variety of human interactions, such as exploitation of the Earth’s resources, rural and urban development, monitoring and management of natural hazards, and environmental change. Course content has been developed in collaboration with degree teaching teams, so that by the time you begin Year 1, you will be ready to excel at your studies, as the majority of our Foundation Year students do.
Find out more about the Keele Foundation Year, including information about teaching and assessment methods by visiting the Foundation Year homepage.
Course structure
The module details given below are indicative, they are intended to provide you with an idea of the range of subjects that are taught to our current students. The modules that will be available for you to study in future years are prone to change as we regularly review our teaching to ensure that it is up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. The information presented is therefore not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules available in any given year.
Semester one modules
FYO-00185 | Practical and Academic Skills in Science | 15 credits |
FYO-00211 | Foundations in Numerical and Quantitative Methods for Scientists | 15 credits |
FYO-00193 | Foundations of Geography, Geology and the Environment | 15 credits |
FYO-00197 | Foundations of Life Sciences | 15 credits |
Semester two modules
FYO-00195 | Advancing Geography, Geology and the Environment | 30 credits |
FYO-00199 | Advancing Life Sciences | 30 credits |
Entry requirements
The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the likely offer or range of offers which would be made to candidates along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate’s application. Read more about our undergraduate entry requirements.
- 40 UCAS points including at least one Level 3 qualification (such as an A Level, BTEC, Access Course, or T Level).
- Plus C in GCSE English / Level 2 Functional Skills English
How to apply
Students will need to apply for BSc (Hons) Ecology and Conservation with Foundation Year (UCAS code C182) through UCAS at www.ucas.com
Direct entry students
If you already have your qualifications, are not expecting any further results and only wish to apply to Keele, please contact the Admissions Office directly.
The information in this Foundation Year section is for UK/Home applicants. Where an international Foundation Year is available, please see the 'Information for international students' tab.
We also offer a January start for some of our Foundation Year courses. Adopting a blended learning approach, the January start is particularly useful for students wishing to return to education following time out of studying, or who are seeking a flexible approach to their Foundation Year studies. Our January start is available across most of our Science, Humanities, Social Science, Health and Business courses.
Whilst still being a full-time course, our blended delivery model combines live teaching sessions - both online and on-campus - with self-directed study, enabling you to predominantly study at a time that suits your lifestyle. You will benefit from weekly online taught sessions which encourage you to engage with your teachers and peers.
In addition to online study there will be a series of full study days that you will be required to attend throughout each semester. These sessions may include lab-based activities, group work, review of course and assessment materials studied online. They will emphasise opportunities for you to deepen your knowledge and understanding of your chosen route.
Please refer to the September start tab for more information about the entry requirements and what you will study. The modules that you will take on a January start Foundation Year will be similar to those for the September start, but on a compressed timescale and tailored to a blended learning approach (with the majority of learning taking place online).
For more information, including fees, the UCAS code for this course, how to apply, and how you will be taught, please visit our January Start Foundation Year webpage.
Our International Foundation Year is delivered on campus through Keele University International College (KUIC). Find out more about the International Foundation Year options on the KUIC website.
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