About the course

Our BSc Ecology and Environmental Biology (including foundation year) course will be suitable for you if your academic qualifications do not yet meet our entry requirements for the three-year version of this course and you want a programme that improves your academic skills to support your academic performance.

　　This four-year course includes a foundation year (known as Year Zero) which is delivered by our Essex Pathways Department, followed by a further three years of study in our School of Life Sciences. During Year Zero, you study three academic subjects relevant to your chosen course as well as a compulsory academic skills module, with additional English language for non-English speakers. After successful completion of Year Zero, you progress to complete your course with our School of Life Sciences.

　　Our course explores the diversity of the living world, across levels of biological organisation from genes to individuals, their populations and the communities they form, up to entire ecosystems.

　　Building on research produced in our School of Life Sciences, you will examine these concepts across terrestrial, marine and freshwater systems, examining taxa from smallest microbes to the largest organisms on Earth.

　　You will investigate the crucial role of biodiversity in supporting ecosystem functions and securing the flow of ecosystem services on which humanity depends. The strong theoretical, practical and data-handling skills you develop will help you to understand how biodiversity and ecosystem functioning are changing in response to multiple interacting stressors in the Anthropocene (eg climate change, chemical pollution and habitat loss). You will be equipped to design management solutions to tackle current and future challenges to ecosystems and have the option to train in tropical marine biology in Indonesia, as well as environmental biology and ecology on our new Arctic field course. Scholarships - View all scholarships Internships

　　

Start dates and prices

Course fees are indicative and should be used as a guide. Speak to a counsellor to get an accurate price.

　　Duration: 4 Year(s)Fees: Not available

Intake	Location
Autumn (October), 2024	Colchester
Autumn (October), 2025	Colchester

　　

How to apply

Entry requirements for University of Essex

UK and EU applicants:

　　All applications for degree courses with a foundation year (Year Zero) will be considered individually, whether you

　　think you might not have the grades to enter the first year of a degree course,

　　have non-traditional qualifications or experience (e.g. you haven?t studied A-levels or a BTEC),

　　are returning to university after some time away from education, or

　　are looking for more support during the transition into university study.

　　Standard offer:

　　Our standard offer is 72 UCAS tariff points from at least two full A-levels, or equivalent.

　　Examples of the above tariff may include:

　　A-levels: DDD (including a science subject)

　　BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma: MMP (in a science subject)

　　T-levels: Pass with E in core, depending on subject studied - advice on acceptability can be provided.

　　For this course we require evidence of previous level 3 (i.e. A-level, BTEC, etc.) scientific study. Science subjects include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, Maths, Geography, Sports Science and Applied Science.

　　All applicants must also hold GCSE Maths and Science at grade C/4 or above (or equivalent). We may be able to consider a pass in Level 2 Functional Skills Maths where you cannot meet the requirements for Maths at GCSE level. However, you are advised to try to retake GCSE Mathematics if possible as this will better prepare you for university study and future employment.

　　IELTS - 5.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each component, TOEFL IBT -72 overall, with a minimum of 18 in reading, 17 in listening, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing

　　

English language requirements

　　5.5

　　Overall IELTS band score

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　　TOEFL Internet based overall score: 72.0

　　

Application deadline:

This date isn’t available – speak to an IDP counsellor to get detailed information.

　　

Further information

Career outcomesIf you aren’t eligible for the above entry requirements, you might want to explore pathway options at University of Essex. If you want to find out more, please speak to our counsellors.

　　Pathway options to study at this institution

　　

Reviews and rankings

World ranking

　　301st / 1250

　　THE World ranking32nd / 130

　　Complete University guide

　　

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