Level 3 Diploma in Sustainable Wildlife Conservation and Biodiversity Management (RQF)

Level 3 Diploma in Sustainable Wildlife Conservation and Biodiversity Management (RQF)

Key points

• Prepare for a fulfilling career in sustainable wildlife conservation and biodiversity management
• Eligible to apply for ZSL Fellowship
• Achieve a Level 3 Diploma qualification
• Start and study at any time
• Contributes to UCAS points*

About your Course

This Level 3 Diploma in Sustainable Wildlife Conservation and Biodiversity Management will show you how soil is the basis for all wildlife conservation, and how important soil, vegetation and the climate are for wildlife conservation and biodiversity.

During the qualification you will study:

• The ecological concepts and functions important to conservation
• The role of biodiversity and how it can be managed
• The methods and techniques used to sustainably manage wildlife populations
• The biodiversity-based economy and how this can contribute to addressing modern global challenges related to socio-economics

All the material is readily available once you enrol, so you’re able to start right away!

*UCAS Tariff points apply to Level 3/SCQF Level 6 qualifications. We advise checking on the UCAS website for course tariff points and your further training course entry criteria.

Getting Started

learndirect is the UK’s leading online course provider. Our online courses give you the flexibility to engage with your studies whenever suits you best.

The benefit of online learning means that you can plan your studies around your existing commitments. So, you’re able to progress with your learning in a way that works for you, without the stressful balancing act. With no classes to attend or a timetable to stick to, you’re in control of the pace and place of your learning.

What’s more, we have dedicated and experienced online tutors to support you throughout your course. As well as all the material being readily available as soon as you enrol so you’re able to start right away.

For over 25 years, our training partner, African Insight Academy has been working closely with international and local schools, universities and colleges to develop and facilitate meaningful hands-on field trips, internships and volunteer projects that give people a once-in-a-lifetime African wildlife, conservation and authentic cultural experience, hosting over 12,000 students to date.

Adventure travel is supposed to be challenging! However, regardless of your age, destination or chosen activity, your safety must be of paramount importance. Our training partner holds a British Standards Institute BS8848 health and safety accreditation which is specifically designed for adventurous activities abroad.

Modules

Unit 1: The Role of Soil and Rock in Conservation and Biodiversity Management

On completing this first unit, students will be able to:

• Understand why wildlife conservation and biodiversity management starts with the soil
• Understand rock types and how they affect soil composition
• Understand the rock cycle
• Understand the process by which soil is made
• Understand the role and mechanisms of weathering and erosion

Unit 2: The Role of Vegetation and Climate in Conservation and Biodiversity Management

On completing this second unit, students will be able to:

• Understand how the climate affects soil and vegetation
• Understand the role of vegetation in soil conservation
• Understand plant succession and climax vegetation
• Understand the influence of soil and climate in determining vegetation types
• Understand the concept of ‘invasive alien vegetation’ and its implications for wildlife conservation and biodiversity

Unit 3: Principles of Conservation Ecology

On completing this third unit, students will be able to:

• Understand ecology in the context of wildlife conservation and biodiversity management
• Understand ecosystems in the context of wildlife conservation and biodiversity management
• Understand ecosystem services in the context of wildlife conservation and biodiversity management
• Understand trophic levels, the energy cycle, food chains and food webs in the context of wildlife conservation and biodiversity management
• Understand ecological niche in the context of wildlife conservation and biodiversity management

Unit 4: The Role of Biodiversity

On completing this fourth unit, students will be able to:

• Understand the pivotal role of biodiversity in the natural world
• Understand how biodiversity can be lost and what actions might be taken to protect biodiversity
• Understand how animals and plants relate and communicate with each other
• Understand how ecosystems interconnect and support life
• Understand how biodiversity contributes to the resilience of ecosystems

Unit 5: Principles of Biodiversity Management

On completing this fifth unit, students will be able to:

• Understand open and closed natural systems
• Understand succession and the factors which influence it
• Understand cumulative change and its impact on biodiversity
• Understand how the vegetation of a closed system determines the wildlife the system can sustain
• Understand how invasive alien plants threaten biodiversity and the management interventions which can mitigate these threats

Unit 6: Conservation, Preservation and Wildlife Management Options and Interventions

On completing this sixth unit, students will be able to:

• Understand conservation, preservation and wildlife management
• Understand when and why it is necessary to manage wildlife populations and the management options that are available
• Understand factors that aid in wildlife management decision-making
• Understand different management interventions within the different management options available
• Understand animal behavioural ecology within population dynamics and management

Unit 7: Principles of a Biodiversity-Based Economy

On completing this seventh unit, students will be able to:

• Understand the concept of a biodiversity-based economy
• Understand the value of sustainable-use conservation within a biodiversity-based economy
• Understand how management interventions can generate economic benefits
• Understand the role of animal rights organisations within biodiversity conservation

Practical Placement

This qualification comes with the option of booking a four-week Wildlife Conservation Work Experience programme on a Game Reserve in South Africa - scheduled to run from 03 June - 01 July 2024.

The placement costs £2,000 (excluding flights) and is payable directly to our partner when booking the practical dates.

Learners will gain exposure to a cross-section of ecosystems and learn about a variety of wildlife and conservation techniques. South Africa is the only country in Africa that can claim to have more wildlife today than it had a century ago.

Entry Requirements

There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification but learners must be aged 16 or over.

Minimum Age restriction

16

Average completion timeframe

You have 24 months to complete your course.

Placement or Practical required

This qualification comes with the option of booking a four-week Wildlife Conservation Work Experience programme on a Game Reserve in South Africa. The placement costs £2,000 (excluding flights) and is payable directly to our partner when booking the practical dates.

If placement or practical required, when?

The placement is optional and is organised directly with our partner.

Certification Timeframe

Learners can expect their certification within 6 months of completing the course, following the (EQA) External Quality Assurance of assessment.

Course Fees

In addition, there is an optional 4-week work experience programme at a Game Reserve in South Africa. This costs £2,000.00, payable directly to our partner when booking the practical dates.

*You will have access to the course for 24 months.

To successfully gain the Level 3 Diploma in Sustainable Wildlife Conservation and Biodiversity Management, students must achieve 40 credits.

You will be assessed through internal assessments conducted online at the end of each unit and assessed by one of our qualified animal tutors.

When are you assessed?

As you’re in control of how you learn, you’re also in charge of when you hand in your assignments.

This enables you to take as long as you need to thoroughly understand the unit before completing any assignments.

Gatehouse Awards

Upon successful completion of this diploma, you will be awarded a Level 3 Diploma in Sustainable Wildlife Conservation and Biodiversity Management, an Ofqual regulated qualification (Qualification Number: 610/0048/3).

Gatehouse Awards (GA) qualifications are designed to give candidates the skills to be active in the modern labour market and progress in their career and/or into higher level study. This qualification is regulated by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulations (Ofqual) in England and are part of the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF).
Careers

The Level 3 Diploma in Sustainable Wildlife Conservation and Biodiversity Management is ideal if you’re interested in working in a career related to wildlife conservation and biodiversity management, or if you currently work in the industry and would like a qualification to top up your knowledge. 

This qualification will support your job prospects within the conservation and biodiversity management sector. After completing your qualification, you may choose to progress straight into employment, or you may choose to apply for higher level study, practical occupational training or a volunteering position.

Gatehouse Awards Ltd is a leading awarding body recognised by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation, England (Ofqual). They also have a significant international presence providing language testing services.

Frequently Asked Questions