Cornwall College
UCAS Code: Not applicable | Foundation Degree in Science - FdSc
Entry requirements
64 UCAS Tariff points to include at least 48 from A2 level study in scientific subjects
At least 45 credits at level 3 in a scientific subject area
GCSE/National 4/National 5
GCSE Maths, Science and English Language at grade C/4-5 We may accept Functional Skills Level 2 in Literacy and Numeracy
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Must contain some science based subjects
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
In a scientific subject
64 UCAS Tariff points to include some science subjects
UCAS Tariff
About this course
**More than ever before, the natural world needs our help.**
We need to set our sights on understanding the big issues that stand in the way of a sustainable future. Issues like deforestation, habitat fragmentation and the unprecedented decline of wildlife populations across the globe. These are problems that won’t solve themselves, and it’s the talent and passion of graduates that will drive the necessary science to get our natural world back on track. We’ve designed our FdSc Zoology with Ecology and Conservation programme with this in mind. Emphasising practical skills underpinned by a strong academic and scientific core, and placing employability and real-world relevance squarely at the heart of what the course is all about. Ultimately, it’ll give you everything you need to progress to working in the sector, whether that’s on conservation programmes in the UK or abroad, or working in ecological consultancy.
The structure of our FdSc programme is important to how you will build these vital skills. The modules themselves provide a solid grounding in the basics of ecological theory, survey techniques, statistics and scientific report writing. You’ll look at how organisms have adapted to their environments, and in some cases, how they’ve changed the ecology around them. The fundamentals of zoology will also be covered - looking at the diversity of life and how evolution has led to the organisms we see today. You’ll be building your practical skillset throughout; collecting data, surveying and monitoring wildlife in their natural habitat. You’ll gain experience using GIS, operating machinery such as chainsaws or brush cutters and working towards licences to work with species such as bats or dormice. Exactly the type of hands-on field experience that employers are looking for. The second year of study gives you the space to specialise, and you can choose to focus on global conservation or in conservation closer to home. This can mean rewilding or habitat restoration or protected species survey or reintroduction programmes.
Our inspirational location makes Cornwall College Newquay unlike any other university setting in the UK. With its diverse range of wildlife and habitats, there’s no better place to study the natural world than Cornwall. Not only that but you’ll be joining a collective of trailblazing students, challenging the status quo. Inquisitive minds finding new ways to protect, restore and develop the natural world around us. They are part of a new generation whose passion for the environment is flourishing in this time of crisis. They are the generation restoration. Cornwall has a vibrant conservation community to match its surroundings, and our students take an active role in collaborating with likeminded groups, charities and businesses in the region. As well as an ongoing 20-year partnership with Newquay Zoo, the college has strong ties with Cornwall Wildlife Trust, Newquay Marine Group, Cornwall Birds and many more. This allows industry-focused, ground-roots conservation work experience to be embedded directly into your programme of study.
Another advantage is the smaller size of our campus. Unlike larger universities, you’ll find that student-teacher collaboration is commonplace at our campus. We often encourage students who write exceptional and publishable project reports to work with our research-active lecturers for scientific publication, with them as the lead author.
**So, what are you waiting for? There’s never been a more important time for you to explore your passion for ecology and conservation. Take your next step here in Newquay and join GenerationRestoration**
Modules
**(Note there is some flexibility in order or modules studied, particularly for part-time routes and in addition some module titles and content may change.)**
**First year modules include:**
*Skills for Scientific Success
*Fundamentals of Ecology
*Diversity of Life
*Wildlife Survey Techniques
*Expedition techniques
*Animal Ecophysiology
**Second year modules Include:**
*Ecological Conservation in Practice
*GIS for Conservation*
*Population and Community Ecology
*Individual Research Project
*Global Conservation Issues (optional)
*One Plan Conservation (optional)
*Protected Species Survey (optional)
*Ecological Restoration: Applications and Management (optional)
Assessment methods
Mix of coursework, exam, test and practice
Tuition fees
Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:
The Uni
Newquay University Centre Cornwall College
Animals, Horticulture, Land-Use and Food
What students say
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This is usually because there were too few respondents in the data we receive to be able to provide results about the subject at this university.
After graduation
The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Ecology
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
Zoology
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
Unsurprisingly, the most common job for a zoology graduate on leaving is to work in a zoo or similar organisation - but there are a lot of other options available if you take this subject. Nearly a quarter of graduates take some kind of further qualification when they leave — mostly Masters degrees in zoology or related subjects, like biology or ecology — but a graduate from a zoology course can go into pretty much anything, with science, conservation, management, finance and marketing some of the most popular areas. Zoology graduates are also rather more likely than others to get a job overseas so if an international career appeals to you, this might be a degree to consider.
Biodiversity conservation
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
What about your long term prospects?
Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Ecology
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£15k
£18k
£19k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
Zoology
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£15k
£18k
£19k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
Biodiversity conservation
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£15k
£18k
£19k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
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Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF):
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This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).
This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.
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This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.
You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.
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Post-six month graduation stats:
This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.
It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.
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Graduate field commentary:
The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show
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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.
While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?
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