“I really appreciate large number of students who care about the environment and put in huge amounts of effort into protecting it and fighting for climate justice. I really liked that class sizes were smaller in fourth year, and the range of module topics was more diverse. The ability to contribute to a vertically integrated project, which has helped with the University’s official biodiversity monitoring, gave me real-world experience and taught me species identification.”
- East Lothian, Scotland
Entry requirements
The University offers different entry requirements, depending on your background. Find out more about Standard, Minimum and Gateway entry requirements using academic entry explained and see which entry requirements you need to look at using the entry requirements indicator.
For degrees combining more than one subject, the subject with the higher entry requirements determines the grades you need. You will also need to meet any further subject-specific entry requirements as outlined on their pages.
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- Standard entry grades:
- AAAB, including Biology (or Human Biology) and one other science from the following: Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics.
- Minimum entry grades:
- AABB, including Biology (or Human Biology) and one other science from the following: Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics.
- Gateway entry grades:
- Applicants who have narrowly missed the minimum entry grades, but meet the University's contextual criteria, may be interested in one of the University’s Gateway programmes.
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- Standard entry grades:
- AAB, including Biology and one other science from the following: Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics.
- Minimum entry grades:
- ABB, including Biology and one other science from the following: Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics.
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- Standard entry grades:
- 36 (HL 6,6,5), including HL6 in Biology and HL6 in one of the following subjects: Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics.
- Minimum entry grades:
- 36 (HL 6,5,5), including HL6 in Biology and HL5 in one of the following subjects: Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics.
General entry requirements
All applicants must have attained the following qualifications, or equivalent, in addition to the specific entry requirements for individual programmes.
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SQA National 5 (B) in English and one SQA National 5 (B) from the following:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computing science
- Geography
- Applications of Mathematics
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Psychology.
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GCSE (5) in English language or English literature, and one GCSE (5) from the following:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computing Science
- Geography
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Psychology.
Other qualifications
We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry on to our programmes. Please see our entry requirements for more information.
More information on how to apply via other entry routes or accreditation of prior learning and experience can be found on the University’s entry requirements web page.
Do I need to have studied this subject before?
Students must have studied Biology (or Human Biology) at SQA Higher, GCE A-Level or equivalent. Preference will be given to candidates offering strong science qualifications over and above the stated minimum requirements.
Alternative study options
Direct entry to second year
Well-qualified school leavers may be able to apply for admission directly into the second year of this course.
Gateway programmes
Applicants who have narrowly missed the minimum entry grades but meet the University's contextual criteria may be interested in the Gateway to Science programme.
Study abroad
Ecology and Conservation students can apply to participate in the University-wide St Andrews Abroad programme. You may also have the opportunity to apply to participate in the School Abroad exchange programme. For information about study abroad options, please see the study abroad site.
International applicants
If English is not your first language, you will need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability. Find out more about approved English language tests and scores for this course.
Course details
The BSc (Hons) in Ecology and Conservation is a four-year course run by the School of Biology. The programme begins with a broad foundation in biology and then progresses to ecology and evolution with options across a range of relevant topics. It incorporates substantial practical and field training, and development of quantitative skills.
Alongside biology, in the first year of your studies you will be required to study an additional two subjects. In the second year, you will usually carry on at least one of these subjects, sometimes two. Find out more about how academic years are organised.
In third year, there is a shift from core, broad-themed modules to more specialised modules that allow students to prepare for their Honours degree. In fourth year, students continue specific research in their chosen area through student-led, inquiry-based learning.
Centres of research within the School of Biology offer students the experience of working alongside experts and the opportunity to develop their own research in Honours years.
These facilities include:
- The Scottish Oceans Institute houses a modern aquarium and laboratories for molecular, developmental and physiological studies of marine systems. The institute is ideally placed on the seashore near grey and common seal colonies and bottlenose dolphin feeding areas.
- The Centre for Biological Diversity has excellent facilities for behavioural, ecological and evolutionary research on animals (including birds and insects) and plants. Many members of the CBD also run active field studies as part of their research, allowing access to field-based projects as well as laboratory studies.
- The Biomedical Sciences Research Complex offers large multi-group laboratories which are focused on structural biology, molecular microbiology, virology, chemical biology, cell biology and molecular medicine.
Field trips
From first year to Honours, students studying Ecology and Conservation will also have the opportunity to go on field trips to gather data. Those who have a particular interest in ecology or marine biology will be perfectly located in St Andrews on the shores of the east coast.
During third year, Ecology and Conservation students will participate in a week-long field course involving field-based exercises in a range of aquatic or terrestrial habitats. You will be able to examine and measure biodiversity, ecophysiological adaptation and community structure with both plant and animal materials.
In Honours years, students can explore further afield where recent courses have visited places such as the Red Sea and Antarctica.
The University of St Andrews operates on a flexible modular degree system by which degrees are obtained through the accumulation of credits. More information on the structure of the modules system can be found on the flexible degree structure web page.
Modules
Typically, you will take core modules during your first two years (known as Sub-Honours) and advanced modules during your third and fourth year (known as Honours).
In first year, modules introduce you to core subject material relevant to all biology degree programmes. Both of the following modules are compulsory:
- Biology 1: provides an introduction to molecular and cellular biology. It covers cell diversity and the origins of life, evolution, cellular structures and fundamental processes.
- Biology 2: provides an introduction to the diversity of life on Earth and addresses key elements of organismal, behavioural and ecological aspects of life.
In second year, modules are chosen which will best prepare you for your intended degree (or group of possible degrees), and new topics are introduced in some second-year modules. Students intending to study Ecology and Conservation at Honours level must take the following compulsory modules:
- Research Methods in Biology: develops essential academic and transferable skills, with major emphasis on problem solving. This is achieved through a combination of interactive lectures, independent data-handling workshops and group work on a mini research project.
- Evolutionary Biology: gives an overview of the history and major principles of modern evolutionary biology.
- Ecology: introduces essential concepts in population and community ecology and how they relate to biodiversity.
- Vertebrate Zoology: explores the diversity of vertebrate animals, providing a detailed look at the defining characteristics of the body plans and lifestyles of the key vertebrate group.
In third year, you will continue to specialise in Ecology and Conservation via a wide range of modules covering core topics. Modules that have been offered in previous years include:
- Animal Behaviour: A Quantitative Approach
- Biology of Marine Organisms
- Ecosystems and Conservation
- Evolution
- Methods in Aquatic Biology
In fourth year, you will study your chosen subject area at a deeper scientific level and will also have the opportunity to select from a wide range of small-group specialised modules. These modules are taught by academics at the forefront of their discipline.
In this year, students also undertake a substantial final year research project. This research project is designed to develop skills in experimental design and problem-solving, the evaluation and interpretation of data, and communication skills. The project is selected and supervised by a member of academic staff and occupies half of the year.
The modules above are examples of what has been taught in previous academic years and may be subject to change before you start your course. Please see the module catalogue for more details of each module, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment.
Teaching
The BSc in Ecology and Conservation is taught through a combination of:
- lectures
- seminars
- tutorials
- practical classes
- field work
- research projects
Typical class sizes include:
- First year: lectures 250 to 300 students, practicals 80 to 100 students
- Second year: lectures 80 to 175 students, practicals 40 to 60 students
- Third year: lectures 20 to 140 students, practicals 20 to 60 students
- Fourth year: 5 to 25 students per module
The practical elements of the course taught in state-of-the-art teaching laboratories and in the field enable you to learn the wide range of skills required of a modern ecologist.
Alongside the development of practical biological skills, students are also given the opportunity to expand on their presentation and IT skills.
Fourth year allows you to focus on a major project which occupies half of the year. Working on this project will enable you to develop key research skills which are desired by both prospective employers and by graduate schools offering postgraduate degrees. The project can also lead to your first publication in a scientific journal.
When not attending lectures, tutorials and labs, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve:
- working on individual and group projects
- undertaking research in the library or in PC classrooms
- preparing coursework assignments and presentations
- preparing for examinations
First-year Biology modules are entirely assessed by coursework.
During second and third year, most Biology modules are assessed by an equal weighting of coursework and written examinations.
In fourth year, most Biology modules are entirely assessed by coursework, while some include written examinations in addition to coursework.
Most examinations are held at the end of the semester during a dedicated exam diet, and revision time is provided beforehand.
The School of Biology aims to provide feedback on every assessment within three weeks to help you improve on future assessments.
Undergraduates at the University of St Andrews must achieve at least 7.0 on the St Andrews 20-point grade scale to pass a module. To gain access to Honours-level modules, students must achieve the relevant requisites as specified in the policy on entry to Honours and in the relevant programme requirements. To find out the classification equivalent of points, please see the common reporting scale.
You will be taught by an experienced teaching team with expertise and knowledge of biology, ecology and conservation. Postgraduate research students who have undertaken appropriate training may also contribute to the teaching of laboratory classes and seminars under the supervision of the module leader.
You can find contact information for all staff in the School of Biology on the School of Biology website.
The University’s Student Services team can help students with additional needs resulting from disabilities, long-term medical conditions or learning disabilities. More information can be found on the students with disabilities web page.
Fees
Scotland
£1,820
England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland, Channel Islands, Isle of Man
Following the decision of the UK Government to raise undergraduate tuition fees and maintenance loans in line with inflation from April 2025, we are reviewing the consequences of that decision for fees payable by students from the rest of the UK who have chosen to study in Scotland. We will update the information on this page as soon as possible.
EU and overseas
£31,670
More information on tuition fees can be found on the undergraduate fees and funding page.
Additional costs
There are no additional fees for any of the compulsory modules. However, all students need to cover the costs of a laboratory coat and dissection kit and may be asked to contribute towards the costs of participation in optional residential field-trip modules.
Accommodation fees
Find out about accommodation fees for University accommodation.
Funding and scholarships
The University of St Andrews offers a number of scholarships and support packages to undergraduate students each year.
Joint Honours degrees
You can also take Ecology & Conservation as part of a joint Honours degree in which you will take core modules of your chosen subjects.
- UCAS code C761: Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biology and Chemistry
- UCAS code F899: Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biology and Computer Science
- UCAS code CFC6: Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biology and Earth Sciences
- UCAS code CL11: Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biology and Economics
- UCAS code CF18: Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biology and Geography
- UCAS code CG11: Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biology and Mathematics
- UCAS code CV16: Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biology and Philosophy
- UCAS code CC18: Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biology and Psychology
- UCAS code CG13: Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biology and Statistics
- UCAS code F896: Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biology and Sustainable Development
"With" degrees
You can take Ecology & Conservation as part of a "with" Honours degree in which the majority of the course deals with the first name subject. St Andrews offers the following "with" degrees in Ecology & Conservation:
- Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biology with Arabic - UCAS code CT16
- Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biology with French (With Integrated Year Abroad) - UCAS code C1R1
- Bachelor of Science (Honours) Biology with French - UCAS code CCR1
- Bachelor of Science (Honours) Psychology with Biology - UCAS code C8C1
"With" degrees taken with Arabic or French are also available 'With Integrated Year Abroad'.
Careers
Graduates from the School of Biology are in high demand and are keenly sought after by institutions including the government, universities, research centres and major companies.
Graduates have gone on to find success in a wide variety of careers including:
- professional biologists in biological research, conservation, higher education, and the pharmaceutical and biomedical industries
- researchers and advisers in government
- journalists
- advisers, researchers and managers in the National Health Service
- teachers
- forensic scientists
- management consultants
- marketing and advertising experts
The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students to build their employability skills.
What to do next
Online information events
Join us for one of our information events where you can find out about different levels of study and specific courses we run. There are also sessions available for parents and college counsellors.
Undergraduate visiting days
We encourage all students who are thinking of applying to the University to attend one of our online or in-person visiting days.
Contact us
- Phone
- +44 (0)1334 46 3401
- bioadmissions@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Address
- School of Biology
Biomedical Sciences Research Complex
North Haugh
St Andrews
KY16 9ST
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