Bachelor of Marine and Wildlife Conservation
Make a real impact
Conservationists observe, preserve and discover life. Whether swimming with colourful marine creatures or reforesting for native birds, they pursue their passions and connect with nature. Unfortunately, many species are vanishing—and more will disappear during our lifetime.
What will you do?
Our Bachelor of Marine and Wildlife Conservation gives you the knowledge and skills to safeguard ecosystems and protect animals in crisis. You will:
- build foundational knowledge of ecology, biology, evolutionary science, statistics, botany and zoology
- learn to identify plants, animals, and marine life in natural settings
- use new technology, like drones and satellites, to collect data and monitor habitats
- build valuable industry connections with organisations—from Arid Recovery and BioR in South Australia to Conservation International
- reflect on the social, political and economic constraints of your field
- access cutting-edge technology and facilities
- learn from nationally and internationally acclaimed researchers.
Where could it take you?
You might run breeding programs in sanctuaries, research the impact of micro-plastics in fish, or deep dive on underwater volcanoes. You could explore future life in a high-CO2 world. Perhaps you’ll lead moonlit ecotours in the outback or make documentaries to educate the wider public.
Direct access to industry leaders and paid internship opportunities: The Academy by Deloitte
This degree gives you the opportunity to be part of our new The Academy by Deloitte You’ll be part of a supportive student cohort that learns from one another and industry leaders. Formal and informal experiences will allow you to build relationships within the Deloitte network.
*QS World University Rankings by Subject, Earth and Marine Sciences, 2022
**Good Universities Guide, 2021
Thinking of studying soon?
Entry Requirements
Choose your applicant type to view the relevant admissions
information for this program.
I am a:
Before applying make sure you understand the eligibility and entry requirements for your chosen degree.
Look out for any prerequisites or assumed knowledge subjects. Some degrees also have additional entry requirements like interviews and auditions.
Domestic applicants
| SATAC Code | 354551 |
|---|---|
| 2024 CSP ATAR | 65 |
| 2024 CSP IB | 24 |
| Guaranteed Entry Score - ATAR | 75 |
| Guaranteed Entry Score - IB | 27.5 |
| Deferment | Yes - 2 year |
| Intake | February and July |
Selection Criteria
| Recent Secondary Education | Applicants with recent secondary education are those whose admission is primarily based on the completion of Year 12 within the last two years, however if you completed your secondary education more than two years ago, you may still be able to be considered on the basis of your secondary schooling. You must not have completed more than 2 years full time equivalent university study (48 units). You compete for a place with your Selection Rank (ATAR plus any applicable adjustment factors). Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information. |
|---|---|
| Higher Education Study | You must have completed at least six months full time equivalent higher education study (the number of courses and units will vary depending on your prior institution however at the University of Adelaide, this equates to 4 courses / 12 units). A Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated for each separate program you have undertaken (apart from some double degree programs where the GPA is combined). You compete on the basis of your best GPA. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information. |
| Vocational Education and Training (VET) study | You must have completed an AQF Certificate IV or above from a Registered Training Organisation. Your application will be ranked according to the level of the award. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information. |
| Work and life experience | To be eligible to sit the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) as as pathway for entry, you must be 18 years or over before 1 February 2025. If you have studied at higher education level in the last two years (for 2025 entry this means you were enrolled in either 2024 or 2023), you must not have accumulated more than a TOTAL of 2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) higher education study (ie. including any study prior to 2023). If you meet this criteria, you will be ranked according to your result in the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). Your STAT result is not weighted between verbal and quantitative components. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information. |
| Other Entry Pathways | |
2024 Admissions Data for school leavers
| ATAR (raw ATAR, excluding any applicable adjustment factors) |
Lowest ATAR to receive an offer | 59.65 |
|---|---|---|
| Median ATAR to receive an offer | 76.55 | |
| Highest ATAR to receive an offer | 99.3 | |
| Selection Rank (ATAR plus any adjustment factors) |
Lowest Selection Rank to receive an offer | 65.55 |
| Median Selection Rank to receive an offer | 79.45 | |
| Highest Selection Rank to receive an offer | 99.95 | |
| Minimum eligibility score | 65 | |
| Additional criteria considered | Selection rank only | |
Fees and Scholarships
Choose your applicant type to view the relevant fees and scholarships information for this program.
I am a:
Domestic applicants
| Indicative annual tuition fees |
Commonwealth-supported place: $9,530
|
Where the standard duration of the program is less than one year the full cost of the program is displayed.
More information on Student Contribution Amounts.
Scholarships
Scholarships are not only for high achievers—they are also available to provide students with an equal opportunity to study at university, no matter where they live or what their financial situation might be.
Scholarships are available to both new and continuing students. We encourage students to apply for any scholarships for which they may be eligible.
To browse scholarships offered by the University, visit: University Scholarships
To explore scholarships offered by organisations external to the University, visit: External Scholarships
Careers
Career Readiness
Gain unique experience through the opportunity to explore our field stations
Fieldwork is a vital element of environmental education and research within the Bachelor of Maine and Wildlife Conservation. A number of field stations provide excellent facilities to support these activities, some maintained with the support of volunteers, donors and research partners.
Coobowie Marine Research Station - Yorke Peninsula
Providing an ideal base for education and research in South Australian coastal, marine and estuarine environments. The site is used for teaching and research, and by affiliate organisations including the SA Museum for regular monitoring programs. Coobowie is often a base for University scuba enthusiasts diving at the nearby Edithburgh jetty.
The camps pose real-world challenges to students that encourage teamwork. Activities include exploration and sampling of the rocky shore habitats and organisms to understand their ecology and answer research questions.
Koonamore Vegetation Reserve - Far North
Koonamore Vegetation Reserve is one of the longest running ecological monitoring sites in the world. Since 1926 the reserve has provided generations of scientists, students and volunteers the opportunity to study and preserve the unique arid ecology of the region. The reserve is set in low open chenopod shrubland and woodlands on Koonamore Station, a sheep grazing lease 400 km north-east of Adelaide, South Australia.
Gain real life experience through participation in our study tours
Beneath the Waves - Timor-Leste in the coral triangle region of southeast Asia.
Be immersed in a 12-night experience focusing on marine biodiversity, conservation issues and the challenges around ensuring food security today and into the future.
- Undertake a SCUBA diving course and learn monitoring methods for coral reefs, seagrasses and marine debris.
- Experience a young nation rebuilding and quickly developing, but facing numerous challenges.
- Learn about community monitoring of no-take conservation areas, and the increasing ecotourism opportunities.
- Visit the University in Dili, the capital of Timor-Leste, meet students studying marine biology.
Downstream Traffic - Cambodia
Experience observing ecology and animal trafficking in South Eastern Asia.
- Visit live animal markets, conservation parks and undertake wilderness experiences.
- This immersive cultural experience will enable students to gain knowledge and understanding of the South East Asian animal trafficking trade and conservation efforts.
The University of Adelaide Careers Service prepares, inspires and empowers students to achieve successful career transitions and connect with industry.
Potential careers
Graduates of this program have gone on to roles such as:
Environmental Manager; Environmental Scientist; Marine Biologist; Aquaculture; Catchment Management; Conservation Officer; Conservation Scientist; Conservationist; Scientist; Environmental Management
Degree Structure
To qualify for the degree of Bachelor of Marine and Wildlife Conservation, the student must satisfactorily complete a program of study consisting of the following courses with a combined total of not less than 72 units, comprising:
- Core courses to the value of 48 units
- Elective courses to the value of 24 units.
- Level I courses not exceeding 30 units
- Level III Science courses to the value of at least 24 units
- Broadening experience
Areas of Specialisation
Through a combination of courses within both the Marine and the Conservation specialised areas, graduates have a broad range of exciting prospective career paths.
You will study the science behind Marine Biology, learning about genes, molecules, cells and organisms. Then you will move through to learn about the art of animal identification and zoology.
Example Study Plan
To satisfy the requirements for core courses, students must complete courses to the value of 48 units.
| Level I | |
| All of the following courses must be completed: | ABORIG 1001 Indigenous People, Country and Protocols BIOLOGY 1101 Biology I: Molecules, Genes and Cells BIOLOGY 1202 Biology I: Organisms ENV BIOL 1002 Ecological Issues I GEOLOGY 1103 Building a Habitable Planet SCIENCE 1410 Foundations in Research I (Marine and Wildlife Conservation) STATS 1000 Statistical Practice I |
| Level II | |
| All of the following courses must be completed: |
ENV BIOL 2500 Botany II ENV BIOL 2502 Ecology II ENV BIOL 2510 Plant Identification II ENV BIOL 2520 Animal Identification (Wildlife Conservation) II |
| and courses to the value of 3 units from the following: | ENV BIOL 2503 Zoology II ENV BIOL 2530 Zoology II (Marine Biology) |
| Level III | |
| All of the following courses must be completed: |
ENV BIOL 3010 Marine Ecology III ENV BIOL 3510 Research Methods: Ecology, Marine & Wildlife III |
| and courses to the value of 3 units from the following: | ENV BIOL 3505 Marine & Wildlife Conservation III ENV BIOL 3580 Conservation Biology III |
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Testimonial
My degree gave me theoretical and practical skills in a multitude of animal species that I wouldn't have gotten anywhere else, and I use those skills on a day-to-day basis in my job.
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Last updated: Thursday, 12 Sep 2024
