FdSc Countryside Conservation

Foundation degrees, as well as being good qualifications in themselves, also provide an entry route onto a full honours degree for those who do not have the initial entry requirements. To conserve the natural resources of our countryside we must understand the pressures that wildlife and its associated habitats are facing. Land for conservation is a limited resource and efficient management of our wildlife is essential if there is to be a diverse and vibrant countryside. We must not only manage the formal nature reserves but must also integrate farming and conservation and bring wildlife into our urban areas. If these are issues that you would like to know more about or would like to plan a career around, then you should strongly consider this Countryside Conservation foundation degree.

Key features

• Vocational 2 year course with work experience
• Specialisation in conservation
• Option to progress to full honours degree
• Year 1 HND modules / year 2 BSc modules
• Summer work experience
• Skills development
• Continuous assessment as well as examinations
• Study tours and visits
• Realism and relevance
• Knowledgeable, enthusiastic and supportive staff

Content and Structure

This course has been designed to provide you with the skills and knowledge to enter a conservation career. As such the subject matter focuses on developing an understanding of the natural systems that underpin the diverse countryside that we have in the UK.

Year 1
The first year of study is made up of HND modules - ecology; geology and geomorphology; landscape history; farming; countryside organisations; rural communities; countryside recreation; practical
estate skills; information technology.

Practical estate skills - you will spend one day a week learning the skills required to carry out practical estate work. This will include such crafts as dry stone walling, hedge laying, fencing, tree planting and rights of way work such as bridges, gates steps and stiles.

Work Experience
On Foundation Degree courses such as this you are required to undertake a period of work experience of at least 6 weeks in the summer between year 1 and 2. This must be related to nature conservation
and will be for an organisation such as the RSPB, the Countryside Council for Wales, The National Trust or a country wildlife trust.

Year 2
The second year of study is made up of BSc modules - wildlife and habitat management; site management planning; landscape assessment; woodland management; planning and development control; human impact on the environment; statistics and research methods.

Progression to BSc (Hons)

Upon successful completion of the Foundation Degree, students may progress into the third year of one of our countryside related (Hons.) Degree schemes.

Assessment

Each module will have an element of coursework. This may involve making presentations, writing reports or examining case studies. The emphasis throughout the course will be on relevance to the practical management of countryside issues. Examples of the course work may include:

• Creating a management plan for a conservation site
• Undertaking botanical survey of a woodland
• Surveying mammal populations
• Developing an environmental web page