A deep academic understanding of life on earth is now more important than ever. Studying living organisms in all their epic variety helps us to identify critical threats and major opportunities, from the smallest scale to the biggest.The Year in Applied Research provides an opportunity for students to spend a period of 9- 12 months (minimum of 40 weeks) in a research organisation in order to gain first-hand research experience. During the placement, students work within a research group and carry out the day-to-day research-based activities relevant to the discipline within that specific research area. Students should expect to be involved in multiple research projects, often being undertaken consecutively. Throughout the placement, students develop advanced research skills, such as mastering appropriate technology, analyses, surveying, while learning to use and apply relevant methods of experimental design, data collection and analysis. Students may also be involved in writing technical reports, searching for and synthesising relevant literature and communicating technical information via a range of modes. While on the research placement, there should be opportunities to network and build a professional profile.Our graduate have become Ecologists, Project Officers, Hydrometry and Telemetry Officers, Benthic Taxonomists, Wildlife and Education Officers, Animal Keepers and Crop Technicians.Our department has strong connections with international and national organisations such as Natural Resources Wales, The British Mammal Society and The National Wetlands Centre Wales which will add value to your studies.