10 universities with the best wildlife conservation degrees

Animals can’t voice their desperation for help as their habitats are being threatened, but the urgency is clear.

More than 163,000 species are currently listed on the IUCN Red List, with over 45,300 species at risk of extinction. In just 40 years, global wildlife has plummeted by 60%.

This situation is not improving, and humans are to blame. 

“We are sleepwalking towards the edge of a cliff,” Mike Barret, the Chief Scientist Advisor of WWF told The Guardian. “This is far more than just being about losing the wonders of nature; it is desperately sad, though. This is now jeopardising the future of people. Nature is not a ‘nice to have’ – it is our life-support system.”

Barret is right.

When species go extinct, it creates an imbalance in the world’s ecosystem and the process it maintains, such as the food chain or biotic pollination.

This is where specialists, geared up with wildlife conservation degrees, step in to safeguard both the creatures and the ecosystems they call home.

Wildlife conservation starts in our backyard

Many people assume that earning a wildlife conservation degree means travelling to distant places like Africa’s savannahs or the Amazon jungles. However, endangered species may be much closer to home than you think.

For those living in Asia, as of January 2024, there are over 18 endangered species in the region, according to the International Fund for Animal Welfare. These include orangutans, Sumatran tigers, bawean deers, rhinos, pangolins, Asian giant tortoises, and Himalayan quals.

In Europe, endangered species like wild hamsters, Mediterranean monk seals, and angel sharks are facing the threat of extinction.

Pursuing a wildlife conservation degree abroad can expand your understanding of global preservation efforts. 

By bringing that knowledge back home, you’re not only contributing to the well-being of your local environment but also helping to protect the endangered species unique to your country.

What do you learn from a wildlife conservation degree? 

A wildlife conservation degree equips you with the skills to preserve, manage, and study wilderness areas, including plants, animals, fungi, and other forms of life.

This expertise extends to careers in zoological environments, aquariums, and other conservation settings.

You’ll also learn how to assess and protect threatened and endangered species, tackling critical issues such as habitat destruction, poaching, climate change, and the impact of human activity on the planet.

In short, you’ll become a guardian of animals and ecosystems worldwide — a real-life superhero for nature.

A list of key areas of study covered in this degree include:

• Ecology and ecosystems
• Wildlife management
• Biology
• Botany
• Soil science
• Animal nutrition and diseases
• Plant and animal biological diversities

The careers a wildlife conservation degree can offer you

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, careers in wildlife conservation are projected to grow by 4% to 5% between 2023 and 2033.

With this degree in hand, you have a list of careers to choose from:

Conservation scientist

Work to protect natural resources by managing and restoring habitats, developing conservation plans, and monitoring environmental health.

Environment consultant

Provide expert advice to businesses, governments, and NGOs on how to reduce environmental impact and comply with conservation regulations.

Park ranger

Oversees and protects natural parks and wildlife reserves, engages in public education, and enforces conservation laws.

Wildlife biologist

Researches animal species, their behaviours, and habitats to inform conservation strategies and understand ecosystem dynamics.

Wildlife rehabilitation specialist

Care for injured or orphaned animals, with the goal of rehabilitating and releasing them back into the wild. 

Zoologist

Studies animals in captivity and the wild, focusing on species behaviour, health, and breeding, often working in zoos or wildlife sanctuaries.

Indoor jobs to help wildlife conservation

Working in wildlife conservation doesn’t always mean spending your days in zoos, jungles, or wildlife parks.

If the idea of braving mosquitos and spiders in tropical forests isn’t appealing, don’t worry — there are plenty of roles that keep you away from the great outdoors.

Here are a few examples:

Environmental consultor

Work with private companies or governments to help them access environmental impact, develop sustainable practices, and comply with wildlife protection laws.

Environmental educator

Work in schools, museums, or community organisations to educate the public about wildlife conservation and sustainability to build environmental awareness.

Government agency worker

Work at governmental agencies such as the US Environment Protection Agency or National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to develop and enforce environmental laws, monitor wildlife populations, and design conversation policies.

Non-profit and NGO worker

Work with conservation organisations like The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), African Wildlife Foundation, or Oceana to engage with the public in advocating, fundraising, policy development, and education. Research, campaigns, and projects can be part of the job.

Research and academia

Working with universities, research institutions, or conservation organisations to conduct wildlife research, publishing studies, or teaching students about conservation biology and ecology.

6 universities with the best Bachelor in Wildlife Conservation degrees

1. University of Prince Edward Island, Canada

If you’re looking to immerse yourself in practical, theoretical, and analytical wildlife studies for only US$11,497 a year, the Bachelor of Wildlife Conservation (BWC) at the University of Prince Edward Island is for you. Classes offered range from wildlife health, conservation genetics, and biogeography and macroecology.

However, the only way for you to be eligible for the BWC programme is by attending an accredited North American Wildlife Technology Association (NAWTA) college programme.

2. Bangor University, Wales

Attending Bangor University’s BSc in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation programme means you’ll be learning things hands-on. You’ll get to travel abroad for class field trips, work at local and international conservation organisations, and learn from the best in the industry.

The three-year programme costs 19,000 pounds (US$19,693) per year.

3. Unity Environmental University, US

Located in Maine, US, the Unity Environmental University is one of the best universities for environmental science, offering programmes in diverse fields of our natural world.

The BS in Wildlife Conservation degree here emphasises sustainable management of wildlife species through consideration of the applicable social, economic, and environmental concepts. Tuition for it costs around US$21,920 and can be completed in two and a half to five years.

4. Bath Spa University, UK

If you attend Bath Spa University, you’ll be able to see a great variety of birds including woodpeckers, nuthatch, kingfishers, or even sparrowhawks. It’s a perfect view of the wildlife Bath has to offer for when you’re enrolled in the BSc in Wildlife Conservation programme.

The programme, accredited by the Royal Society of Biology, allows you the opportunity to study abroad as well as experience hands-on experiences in fieldwork and work placements. The tuition here is 16,905 pounds (US$22,197) per year. 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by University of Guelph (@uofguelph)

5. University of Guelph, Canada

Nestled in Ontario, Canada, the University of Guelph offers one of the best wildlife conservation degrees in Canada and the world. The programme will teach you how to protect biological diversity and tackle issues facing wildlife while gaining hands-on experience.

Additionally, the university is ranked top 20% in the world for Biological Science by QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024 and #3 in Canada for Wildlife and Fisheries Management and Conservation by EduRank 2024. 

Tuition here comes up to 37,190 Canadian dollars (US$27,448) a year. 

6. La Trobe University, Australia

One of the top 1% of universities worldwide, La Trobe University offers a Bachelor of Wildlife and Conservation Biology degree covering areas of science including botany, genetics, and zoology. The university also has an on-campus 30-hectare laboratory Wildlife Sanctuary, allowing for the best hands-on learning experience. 

The three-year programme costs 42,000 Australian dollars (US$28,756) per year.

4 universities with the best Master’s in Wildlife Conservation degrees

1. University of Sassari, Italy

A Master’s Degree in Wildlife Management Conservation and Control from the University of Sassari comprises courses such as wildlife management, animal conservation genetics, microbial infections and control of infectious diseases, and more.

The postgraduate degree is two years long, including a 12-credit traineeship, and costs around 3,600 euros (US$3,951).

2. Edinburgh Napier University, Scotland

Edinburgh Napier University‘s MSc in Wildlife Biology & Conservation has a 100% overall student satisfaction score — proof that a postgraduate education, while hard, can be all you want it to be and more.

As the first and only programme in Scotland to be accredited by the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management, students graduate here well-equipped to step into the world and make their positive mark.

The programme goes on for 12 to 18 months and costs around 20,395 pounds (US$26,698). 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Massey University (@masseyuni)

3. Massey University, New Zealand

Home to unique wildlife that is unheard of in other parts of the world, New Zealand is the place for you to pursue a Master’s degree in Conservation Biology, specifically at Massey University. Here, you’ll learn to address real conservation management problems and take part in multiple field projects to experience the reality of conservation work in New Zealand.

The programme costs around 53,030 New Zealand dollars (US$32,484) to pursue.

4. University of Bristol, UK

In collaboration with the Bristol Zoological Society, the University of Bristol‘s MSc Global Wildlife Health and Conservation programme will allow you to learn from global experts to prepare you for a career as a wildlife professional with the skills and knowledge to deal with a variety of practical situations that professional wildlife biologists face on a day-to-day basis.

The University of Bristol also partners with global conservation organisations to support you in developing and conducting a research project in your area of interest. The organisations include the Cheetah Conservation Fund, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, National Wildlife Management Centre, RSPCA West Hatch Wildlife Centre, and more.

Tuition for the one-year programme costs 32,900 pounds (US$ 43,068).