Conservation and Community Engagement (with Foundation Year)

Gain the knowledge and skills to collaborate with local communities and develop successful conservation projects anywhere in the world.

It’s widely acknowledged in the conservation sector that community engagement is key to the success of conservation projects.

As a student at ARU in Writtle, you’ll learn about biodiversity and conservation science, and local and international conservation issues.

You’ll also develop practical skills in habitat and wildlife evaluation and management – learning how to plan and engage in viable projects.

Finally, you’ll develop skills to support education, science communication and human behaviour change.

Study on our rural campus and take the opportunity to get involved in conservation and community projects. You could consider joining the campus sustainability group, championing our hedgehog-friendly campus, or getting involved with the local Forest School.

There are a number of ways to study this course. As well as our 3-year full-time degree, you have the option of studying over:


- 4 years including a foundation year, to gain a BSc


You can apply through UCAS (UK students) or directly to us (international students).

All BSc students study the same modules (with the addition of foundation year modules for those taking the 4-year course).

At ARU, you’ll be supported from day one with wellbeing services, money advice and careers guidance to help you through university and beyond.

Their courses are built around the skills and experience employers value. ARU are proud to be in the top 20% of UK universities for teaching quality (TEF 2023), and ranked #1 in the East of England, and #8 in the UK, for UG graduates in senior roles 15 months after gradudation (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2025). You'll have access to fantastic facilities thanks to £95m of investment - think SuperLabs, TV studios, law courts, mock hospital wards, gaming studios and more.

Wherever you're heading, ARU will help you get there.