Best conservation qualifications & uni's

[Matt Smith]

Originally Posted by Kenyatta1993

Hello, new to the forum,
Just wondering, what in your opinion, is the best qualification to have in conservation related fields? e.g. animal management, wildlife conservation, zoology etc.

I understand all of the above can lead to a career in wildlife conservation, but i am planning on moving abroad so i wander if the actual wildlife conservation ourse will focus to much on uk native species?,

Probably the best question to ask first is "what do you want to end up doing and what field do you want to work in". Bear in mind that although a degree might be useful in helping you get a job, it is the experience you gain along the way that will have a lot of bearing on what you may end up doing long term.

Don't expect a degree to equip you with more than the basics for getting your foot on the ladder, so unless you have a very specific final goal don't focus too tightly are the initial degree stage.

[gliderrider]

Exactly, theres no point doing a university course to be a farmer, when a vocational course would be cheeper, quicker and more relevant path.

Personally I'm going to get every scrap of knowledge covering as wide an area as I can, the way the economy is going at the minute the only way to get a local authority job is if your ridiculesly over qualified.

[Katiehancorn]

Hi there. i was wondering what course you are doing at he OU. i need to stay in full time employment. I really want to work with animals and all things conservation. Are the OU courses seen as recognised qualifications to the same level as going to university?

Do you have a link to these courses. I cant seem to find any. I live in Bristol.

I would be so grateful to you.

Many Thanks,

Katie xxx

[davedotcom]

Hi Katie,

I'm doing a BSc in Natural Sciences with the OU at the moment and working full time... and married... and with kids Yes, they are fully fledged degrees, same as going to a 'real' university. Although not the same as being able to say you went to Oxford, Cambridge etc, the fact that you do it in your own time etc means that they're often looked on very favourably. Here's the link to the Environmental Studies degree:

Environmental Studies | Undergraduate Courses, Degrees, Diplomas, Certificates and Qualifications - Open University

Although I'm not doing that particular degree, happy to let you know how OU works in general if you've any questions - sometimes easier to ask a person than searching FAQ's!

[Adam Cheeseman]

Originally Posted by Matt Smith

Probably the best question to ask first is "what do you want to end up doing and what field do you want to work in". Bear in mind that although a degree might be useful in helping you get a job, it is the experience you gain along the way that will have a lot of bearing on what you may end up doing long term.

Don't expect a degree to equip you with more than the basics for getting your foot on the ladder, so unless you have a very specific final goal don't focus too tightly are the initial degree stage.

Speaking as one who's been in the game for 20 years now, practical experience is as important if not more so than a bit of paper that says you've completed a particular course. I've come across many post grads who can talk the theory and are good at paper exercises, but get them out 'in the field' and I've met volunteers and the like who have better ID skills and who can wield a pair loppers/bowsaw better. Get a qualification that is appropriate to what you want to end up doing. Try not to box yourself in by specialising too much in one subject and, most importantly, make sure the course you do has a good portion of practical and species identification modules. Also, you don't have to go to University. There are plenty of colleges that will give you really good courses with a mix of practical and theory based modules.

Cheers,

Adam

[davedotcom]

Originally Posted by davedotcom

Although I'm not doing that particular degree, happy to let you know how OU works in general if you've any questions - sometimes easier to ask a person than searching FAQ's!

Something that's just sprung to mind and may be good to know is that OU are changing their pricing structure from September following the governments changes to tuition fees. Course fees will double, in some cases treble compared to what they were before. It is still possible (I think) to get on the existing pricing structure but need to register quickly!

[gliderrider]

I'v just started doing the Environment Studies BA Hons, and I've been told that if you are reciev financial support you will be un affected, so if you are on a low income there is nothing to worry about re finding the money to pay for it all.

[nodd]

I am in my second year of a full time FdSc in Ecology and Conservation management at Myerscough College. I plan to go on and do the B.Sc. (Hons)top in Rural Resource Management. The FdSc has been good offering a good mix of plant and animal id along with survey techniques.