Wildlife Conservation (Level 5 FDA) - Foundation Degree

Northumberland College

The FdSc Wildlife Conservation programme is an interdisciplinary degree, designed to equip students with the knowledge and ability needed to work within the rapidly expanding conservation sector. You will acquire essential practical experience (including the handling of animals, ecological and behavioural monitoring and practical conservation techniques), as well as in-depth theoretical knowledge (including biodiversity, ecology, animal behaviour, conservation and zoo conservation). Conservation at both local and global levels is considered. Key transferable skills are also embedded within all modules Year one is designed to develop the essential knowledge, academic and practical skills needed to study and pursue work across the animal management and wildlife conservation sectors. As such, modules that form the first year of the Wildlife Conservation course are also those that form the first year of the Foundation Degree in Animal Welfare and Management. This has the advantage of permitting a switch of programmes after successful completion of year one, should students develop a strong interest in the animal welfare sector during this time and wish to pursue modules more suited to their change in interests. As the FdSc Wildlife Conservation programme specialises more in year two, students will learn the fundamentals of conservation theory, and how to apply this knowledge in both a natural and zoo setting. Here, students will undertake a practical projects to put their knowledge and skills into practice. Ultimately, the course is geared towards developing the knowledge and essential practical and transferable skills that we know employers in our sector value. Academic skills development modules run over both years to develop research, academic communication, information technology, project management and critical evaluation skills. Students are introduced to entrepreneurship: a business skills module run in the second year provides practical experience of event management and commercial enterprise, to give graduates a competitive edge and broader career horizons should they wish to pursue self-employed work. Career prospects are enhanced further through a mandatory 150 hours’ work experience component, to be completed at a placement(s) of the student’s choosing and at times to suit the individual and placement provider.