Qualifications available
Successful completion of our part-time courses allows you to gain credits which can be used towards higher education qualifications.
The qualifications that you can study towards in Ecology and Science are:
Certificate of Continuing Education
This is a departmental award that you achieve when you gain 120 credits in any combination of courses.
Certificate of Higher Education in Field Ecology
A Certificate of Higher Education (CHE) is a part-time programme of short courses, totalling 120 credits, which leads to a University undergraduate qualification. A scientific background is not required to study for the CHE.
The courses are specifically tailored for people who cannot contemplate full time study due to other commitments. They are ideal for professional development and to broaden your knowledge and skills base.
This Certificate is ideal for people who want to learn more about the environment, are interested in ecology, passionate about nature, enjoy working outdoors and want to contribute to conserving the natural environment. It would also enhance any CV, especially for those looking to establish or develop a career in ecology or environmental management.
Studying the various courses as part of the CHE will allow you to:
- Understand how to manage the natural environment
- Understand how ecosystems work
- Learn about species diversity
- Understand how human activities are altering ecological systems
- Understand how natural changes in the environment (such as climate change, flooding, erosion etc.) affect species and habitats
- Learn plant, bird and animal identification skills and ecological survey techniques
The CHE is made up of 120 credits and our courses range from 5, 10 and 20 credits each. Each CHE has its own Framework which has been agreed by the University and which outlines the courses available and any specific courses that have to be studied in order to gain the CHE (core courses).
Students have up to five years to complete the CHE and during this time can study courses at their own pace. Not all courses are on offer each year but we ensure a wide variety each term including at least one core course.
It is free to enrol onto the CHE and then you pay as you study each course. The cost of courses depend upon their level and credit value (a 10 credit course currently costs £130) so the maximum cost for the CHE is £1560 (based on 2024 - 2025 pricing). You can register on the CHE at any time during the year - some students prefer to study a few courses before joining the CHE programme. Any courses that have been successfully completed will still count towards the final qualification.
Find out more about the Certificate of Higher Education in Field Ecology
Enrol now on the Certificate of Higher Education in Field Ecology
Diploma of Higher Education in Field and Conservation Ecology
The Diploma in Higher Education (DHE) gives progression after gaining the Certificate of Higher Education in Field Ecology.
A Diploma in Higher Education (DHE) is a part time programme of short modules, totalling 120 credits, which leads to a University undergraduate qualification. A Diploma follows on from the completion of a Certificate of Higher Education (120 credits), with a further 120 credits taken to reach a total of 240.
The DHE is made up of 120 credits and our courses range from 10 and 20 credits each. The DHE has its own Structure which has been agreed by the University and which outlines the courses available and any specific courses that have to be studied in order to gain the DHE.
Students have up to five years to complete the DHE and during this time can study courses at their own pace. Not all courses are on offer each year but we ensure a wide variety each term including at least one core course.
The courses offered through the DHE are designed to extend field and conservation knowledge, understanding and skills. The knowledge and skills gained are essential for any job within the environmental or ecological field - providing hands on experience and developing identification skills that are often neglected in other higher education courses.
The Diploma in Field and Conservation Ecology is equivalent to Level 5 National Qualifications Framework (NQF).
You can only enrol for the Diploma of Higher Education in Field and Conservation Ecology if you have already completed your Certificate of Higher Education in Field Ecology.
Find out more about the Diploma of Higher Education in Field and Conservation Ecology
Enrol now on the Diploma of Higher Education in Field and Conservation Ecology