Ecologist

About

A career as an Ecologist

Ecologists study the relationships between animals, plants, people and their physical surroundings. They help to protect and restore the natural environment by providing important information about ecosystems - the quantity and distribution of organisms and the relationships between them and their environment.

Ecologists usually specialise in a particular area, such as freshwater, marine, terrestrial, fauna or flora, and carry out a range of tasks such as surveys to identify, record, and monitor species and their habitats.

Skills/Knowledge

You’ll need:

expertise in one or more groups of organisms
to understand and use statistics and other ecological data
to use your initiative
excellent written communication, research, report writing and presentation skills
teamworking and project management skills
to use computer software for recording, analysing and presenting data and reports

Depending on their job, Ecologists may spend some of their time travelling to sites or meetings, so a driving licence is useful.

Salary

NB These figures are only a guide, as actual rates of pay may vary depending on the employer and the skills/qualifications and experience of the employee.

£20,000

Typical salaries
range from

£42,000

Typical Hours

Around 35-40 hours per week, depending on the role. Environmental consultants work long hours to meet deadlines. The work is often seasonal and undertaken on a contract basis, so the spring and summer months may be busier, particularly if field survey work is required.

Day to Day

Field surveys of plants and animals, monitoring protected areas and assessing the impact of air, land and water pollution on ecology
Analyse and interpret data, using specialist software programs
Liaise with and advise site managers, engineers, planners and others on survey results
Provide advice on civil engineering projects on the likely impact of a new road scheme on ecosystems
Advise on land restoration and water use
Teach in universities, colleges, schools and field study centres
Keep up to date with new environmental policies and legislation

Ecologists may also be involved with science communication, which includes writing about the environment for newspapers, magazines and journals, and making films, radio and television programmes.

Working Environment

You may work indoors, assessing data or working on specimens in a laboratory. For many, office-based work is a significant part of the job. Others spend most of their time working outdoors, in all weather conditions. You’ll be provided with protective clothing (PPE), tools and equipment required to undertake the job.

Training Available

Training is an essential part of any job, giving you the skills and knowledge you need to do your job safely and correctly. It also helps to strengthen your current skill set and prepares you for the next stage in your career.

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships help you build the experience and skills that employers want to see. No matter what stage you’re at, they’ll help set you up for a bright future. There are lots of ways to get involved.

About

A career as an Ecologist

Skills/Knowledge

Salary

Typical Hours

Day to Day

Working Environment

Training Available

Apprenticeships

Ecologist opportunities and careers paths

Industries

Qualifications

Qualifications for a Ecologist

Select level

Popular training courses

Training for a Ecologist

About Apprenticeships

Work, earn and learn

Apprenticeships in England

Apprenticeships for a career as an Ecologist

All about Apprenticeships

What is an Apprenticeship?

Benefits of an Apprenticeship

Vacancies

Apprenticeship Stories

Alternatives to Apprenticeships

England

What are T Levels?

What are Traineeships?

Useful Information

Useful Links

Funding Options

Further Education

16 – 19:

19+:

Higher Education:

Skills Hub Scotland

STEM

Not sure what you want to do?

Title	Level
BSc (Hons) Ecology	RQF Level: Level 6
University of York University of York University of York University of York University of York University of York
BSc (Hons) Ecology and Conservation	RQF Level: Level 6
Anglia Ruskin University Edge Hill University Keele University Lancaster University Nottingham Trent University Royal Holloway, University of London University of Lincoln University of Brighton University of East Anglia University of Sussex Anglia Ruskin University Edge Hill University Keele University Lancaster University Nottingham Trent University Royal Holloway, University of London University of Lincoln University of Brighton University of East Anglia University of Sussex Anglia Ruskin University Edge Hill University Keele University Lancaster University Nottingham Trent University Royal Holloway, University of London University of Lincoln University of Brighton University of East Anglia University of Sussex Anglia Ruskin University Edge Hill University Keele University Lancaster University Nottingham Trent University Royal Holloway, University of London University of Lincoln University of Brighton University of East Anglia University of Sussex Anglia Ruskin University Edge Hill University Keele University Lancaster University Nottingham Trent University Royal Holloway, University of London University of Lincoln University of Brighton University of East Anglia University of Sussex Anglia Ruskin University Edge Hill University Keele University Lancaster University Nottingham Trent University Royal Holloway, University of London University of Lincoln University of Brighton University of East Anglia University of Sussex
BSc (Hons) Ecology and Conservation (with Foundation Year)	RQF Level: Level 6
Keele University University of Brighton Keele University University of Brighton Keele University University of Brighton Keele University University of Brighton Keele University University of Brighton Keele University University of Brighton
BSc (Hons) Ecology and Conservation (with Industry Year)	RQF Level: Level 6
Royal Holloway, University of London Royal Holloway, University of London Royal Holloway, University of London Royal Holloway, University of London Royal Holloway, University of London Royal Holloway, University of London
BSc (Hons) Ecology and Conservation (with Placement Year)	RQF Level: Level 6
Lancaster University Lancaster University Lancaster University Lancaster University Lancaster University Lancaster University
BSc (Hons) Ecology and Conservation (with Year Abroad)	RQF Level: Level 6
University of East Anglia University of East Anglia University of East Anglia University of East Anglia University of East Anglia University of East Anglia
BSc (Hons) Ecology and Environmental Management (Top-up)	RQF Level: Level 6
Bishop Burton College & University Centre Bishop Burton College & University Centre Bishop Burton College & University Centre Bishop Burton College & University Centre Bishop Burton College & University Centre Bishop Burton College & University Centre
BSc (Hons) Ecology and Environmental Science	RQF Level: Level 6
University of Gloucestershire University of Gloucestershire University of Gloucestershire University of Gloucestershire University of Gloucestershire University of Gloucestershire
BSc (Hons) Ecology and Wildlife Conservation (Top-up)	RQF Level: Level 6
Moulton College Moulton College Moulton College Moulton College Moulton College Moulton College
BSc (Hons) Ecology and Wildlife Conservation (with Foundation Year)	RQF Level: Level 6
Bournemouth University University of Reading Bournemouth University University of Reading Bournemouth University University of Reading Bournemouth University University of Reading Bournemouth University University of Reading Bournemouth University University of Reading
BSc (Hons) Ecology and Wildlife Conservation (with Placement Year)	RQF Level: Level 6
University of Reading University of Reading University of Reading University of Reading University of Reading University of Reading
BSc (Hons) Environmental Science (with Foundation Year)	RQF Level: Level 6
Keele University Liverpool Hope University Bournemouth University Teesside University University of Greenwich University of Manchester University of Plymouth University of the West of England Keele University Liverpool Hope University Bournemouth University Teesside University University of Greenwich University of Manchester University of Plymouth University of the West of England Keele University Liverpool Hope University Bournemouth University Teesside University University of Greenwich University of Manchester University of Plymouth University of the West of England Keele University Liverpool Hope University Bournemouth University Teesside University University of Greenwich University of Manchester University of Plymouth University of the West of England Keele University Liverpool Hope University Bournemouth University Teesside University University of Greenwich University of Manchester University of Plymouth University of the West of England Keele University Liverpool Hope University Bournemouth University Teesside University University of Greenwich University of Manchester University of Plymouth University of the West of England
BSc (Hons) Environmental Science (with Placement Year)	RQF Level: Level 6
Keele University Lancaster University Newcastle University University of Reading University of York Keele University Lancaster University Newcastle University University of Reading University of York Keele University Lancaster University Newcastle University University of Reading University of York Keele University Lancaster University Newcastle University University of Reading University of York Keele University Lancaster University Newcastle University University of Reading University of York Keele University Lancaster University Newcastle University University of Reading University of York
BSc (Hons) Environmental Science (with Year Abroad)	RQF Level: Level 6
Lancaster University University of Birmingham Lancaster University University of Birmingham Lancaster University University of Birmingham Lancaster University University of Birmingham Lancaster University University of Birmingham Lancaster University University of Birmingham
BSc (Hons) Environmental Sciences	RQF Level: Level 6
Brunel University London University of Brighton University of East Anglia Brunel University London University of Brighton University of East Anglia Brunel University London University of Brighton University of East Anglia Brunel University London University of Brighton University of East Anglia Brunel University London University of Brighton University of East Anglia Brunel University London University of Brighton University of East Anglia
BSc (Hons) Marine Ecology and Conservation (Top-up)	RQF Level: Level 6
Kingston Maurward College Bournemouth University Kingston Maurward College Bournemouth University Kingston Maurward College Bournemouth University Kingston Maurward College Bournemouth University Kingston Maurward College Bournemouth University Kingston Maurward College Bournemouth University
BSc (Hons) Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Science	RQF Level: Level 6
Canterbury Christ Church University University of Suffolk University of the West of England Canterbury Christ Church University University of Suffolk University of the West of England Canterbury Christ Church University University of Suffolk University of the West of England Canterbury Christ Church University University of Suffolk University of the West of England Canterbury Christ Church University University of Suffolk University of the West of England Canterbury Christ Church University University of Suffolk University of the West of England
BSc (Hons) Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Science (with Foundation Year)	RQF Level: Level 6
Canterbury Christ Church University University of the West of England Canterbury Christ Church University University of the West of England Canterbury Christ Church University University of the West of England Canterbury Christ Church University University of the West of England Canterbury Christ Church University University of the West of England Canterbury Christ Church University University of the West of England
BSc (Hons) Woodland Ecology and Conservation	RQF Level: Level 6
University of Cumbria University of Cumbria University of Cumbria University of Cumbria University of Cumbria University of Cumbria
BSc (Hons) Woodland Ecology and Conservation (with Foundation Year)	RQF Level: Level 6
University of Cumbria University of Cumbria University of Cumbria University of Cumbria University of Cumbria University of Cumbria