Explore what Ecology and Conversation graduates do
A degree from the University’s Centre for Ecology and Conservation provides a solid foundation in scientific research, data analysis, fieldwork and critical thinking. This blend of scientific understanding and practical experience prepares graduates for a wide range of careers across various sectors.
This page covers all non-marine subjects from the Centre for Ecology and Conservation. For information on career destinations for marine-focused subjects, please see our Marine Studies page.
Ecology and Conservation graduates from Exeter commonly work in the following sectors:
- Charities, NGOs, Development Work and International Relations
- Education and Teaching
- Environment, Conservation and Ecology
- Hospitality, Travel and Tourism
- Politics, Government and Public Sector
While these sectors are popular among Ecology and Conservation graduates, alumni from your course enter a broad range of jobs, sectors and further study, as you can see below.
Interested in career options that directly relate to your discipline or where your degree gives you a strong advantage? Start by exploring the relevant What can I do with my degree? page(s) on Prospects for example Animal Science and Management and Zoology.
Destinations of Exeter Ecology and Conservation graduates
Each year, UK graduates are surveyed 15 months after finishing their degrees via the Graduate Outcomes survey.
Graduates from your discipline have entered a wide range of job roles. You can explore some recent examples below.*
Business Operations and Management
- Deputy Retail Manager
- Operations Partner
Charities, NGOs, Development Work and International Relations
- Community Partnership and Network Coordinator
- Graduate Operations Manager
- Operational Quality Support Officer
- Science Officer
- Social Media Officer
- Youth Representative
Education and Teaching
- Field Research Assistant
- Laboratory Support Teaching Assistant (HE)
- Postgraduate Teaching Assistant
- Research Technician
- Student Opportunities Coordinator
Energy and Earth Resources
- Farm Advisor
- Technician
Engineering and Manufacturing
- Ecologist
- Environmental Consultant
Environment, Conservation and Ecology
- Ecological Data Technician
- Farmer
- Field Ecologist
- Veterinary Care Assistant
- Zookeeper
Health and Social Care
- Associate Practitioner
- Business Development Manager
- Pharmacy Technician
Hospitality, Travel and Tourism
- Animal Welfare Assistant
- Countryside Ranger
- Marine Biologist
Politics, Government and the Public Sector
- Data Analyst
- Marine Officer
- Nature Recovery and Greener Farming Lead Advisor
- Risk Analyst
Most employers accept applications from graduates with any degree subject, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed above.
Graduates from your discipline have gone on to work for a range of employers. You can explore some recent examples below.*
- Acer Ecology Ltd
- Animal and Plant Health Agency
- Aspect Ecology
- Born Free Foundation
- Bumblebee Conservation Trust
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture (CEFAS)
- EAD Ecology
- Eden Projects Cornwall
- Focus on Nature
- National Trust
- Natural England
- RSPCA
- Ramboll
- South West Water
- Tearfund
- The Wildlife Trusts
- Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust
- University of Exeter
- University of Oxford
- WSP
- Wear Rivers Trust
- Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust
- ZX Lidars
Graduates from your discipline have pursued various programmes of further study. You can explore some recent examples below.**
Further study related to your discipline
- MSc Advanced Biological Sciences
- MSc Evolutionary and Behavioural Ecology
- MSc Global Ecology and Conservation
- MSc Land and Ecological Restoration
- MSc Primate Conservation Human-Primate Interface
Further study in other disciplines
- BVMSci Veterinary Medicine and Science
- MSc Environmental Technology
- MSc Science Communication
- PGCE Secondary Science
Useful resources
- Discover what matters to you in a future career using our Know Yourself page.
- Explore your career options using our Employment Sectors page.
- Consider your further study options by visiting our postgraduate study page.
- Browse Exeter alumni career paths using the University's alumni profiles database and LinkedIn's University of Exeter Alumni Tool (LinkedIn account required).
- View national graduate destinations for your discipline in the What do graduates do? report. Please note it does not cover all disciplines.
*Data is based on responses from full-time, UK-domiciled students who graduated between 2021/22 and 2022/23, as reported in the Graduate Outcomes surveys.
**Individual course titles are taken from the University of Exeter’s Career Destination Survey (2023/24).