Your course during COVID-19

Whilst things will not be the same when you join us in September, this course page is intended to give you insight into what to expect from your course and your learning experience for the duration of your degree.

We have updated all course information where there are specific changes in the first semester.

Facilities

Most of our student services are now available online. As COVID-19 restrictions lift, we'll be opening up our on-campus facilities as soon as it is safe to do so, so that you can get the best out of your studies.

Your learning experience

Your teaching will be a mixture of online and in-person on-campus teaching. In semester one, as a result of physical distancing requirements, all lecture materials will be delivered online along with many tutorials, workshops and labs.

Our aim, if Government guidance allows us, is to deliver up to three hours of labs, seminars and tutorial teaching in-person on campus where this is possible and safe to do so. We'll review this regularly and plan to return to full in-person, on-campus teaching in semester two if restrictions allow.

If you’re studying for an MRes, MMus or MLitt programme, the number of hours may vary from this. For more information, please contact your supervisor or academic school.

Assessment

In semester one, we will not be running face-to-face, on-campus examinations. We will instead use different approaches to assessment. These will test and support your learning.

Field trips

We will be running some but not all of our planned field trips. Some of those that do run, will be run virtually. For those that do not run, we will be offering alternative learning activities. These learning activities will give you the opportunity to achieve the same learning.

Work placements

There may be some restrictions on work placement opportunities. 

Further information

Our COVID-19 Study page gives more information about your Newcastle University 2020 study experience.

Terms and conditions and student complaints

The University has terms and conditions which create a positive environment for learning and academic achievement.

Given the changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the commitments outlined are subject to the guidelines that may be in place at the time.

About this course

About this course

You will gain the knowledge and skills you need to work in conservation biology and other environmental or ecological roles. You’ll study an area of ecological science, from both a UK and international perspective.

Areas covered include:

• global wildlife conservation policy and practice
• environmental impacts
• international sustainable development

This course has a professional focus, which will help prepare you for the workplace. You'll learn advanced methods to analyse published ecological literature, global conservation policies and assessment methods.

You’ll develop:

• an understanding of wildlife conservation policy and practice in the UK and internationally
• the ability to undertake complex, cutting-edge environmental data analysis and methods for effective communication of results to non-specialists
• skills to handle large datasets, including spatial data (GIS), remote-sensed data, camera traps, and machine learning
• techniques to review and analyse before published ecological research
• the skills necessary to work at the interface of science and policy
• the knowledge to launch a global career in organisations such as:
  • International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
  • Intergovernmental Panel on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)
  • World Wildlife Fund (WWF)

You’ll benefit from our relationships with notable wildlife organisations and be able to take part in projects with institutions, such as:

• the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
• other local, national (UK) and international conservation organisations, including government and NGO

Module changes

Course content changes 

The information above is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Optional module availability

Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

Graduate destinations

Our graduates have found employment with organisations including:

• Animal Plant Health Agency
• Chester Zoo
• Edinburgh Zoo
• Environment Agency
• Natural England
• The National Trust
• Scottish Natural Heritage

Careers Service

Our award-winning Careers Service will help you to explore your options and make informed choices to achieve your career goals.

Work experience

Work experience placements are a great way to develop relevant skills to excel in your chosen career.

Find out about paid and unpaid work experience options and other ways you can add to your degree.

Find out more about our tuition fees, including how to pay them and available discounts.

EU students starting at Newcastle in 2020 will pay the UK (Home) tuition fee for the full duration of their course.

Funding opportunities

If you have lower English Language scores, you may be accepted onto a Pre-sessional English course. 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will be offering our Pre-sessional courses online only from June to September 2020.

Start dates

The course starts in September. There is no application closing date for this course.

We suggest international students apply at least two months before the course starts. This is so that you have enough time to make the necessary arrangements.

Deposit