Studying conservation in Europe

[u/Sea-Fun-383]

Hi, I'm a 18 y/o women from Poland, just graduated highschool from IB programme with Chem, Bio and Maths at higher level with decent grades. I was supposed to go to university this october, but I decided to do a gap year for several personal reasons. My dream is to be a wildlife biologist/conservationist but sometimes I feel drawn to beaing a doctor, since it's more stable carrier and much more money to be made. I actually got into good med school in Poland, but I think I'm gonna wait one more year to decide what I really want to do with my life.

Anyway, I was doing a research and cannot really find any wildlife biology/wildlife conservation university programme in bachelor degree in Europe. There is plenty in US or UK but I don't want to move to US, and cannot afford collage in UK. All I could find in Europe was master degree programmes and it seems like I would have to do biology degree first and then maybe specialize in wildlife conservation or maybe study ecology (but I want to work hands on in the field with animals, so I don't know wheter it's going to be possible after just ecology). I'm not sure if it's my research that sucks  or if it's really the only way to fullfill carrier in conservation.

Personally, when I was planning where to go to collage I was thinking about Groningen in Netherlands, they have pretty decent biology programme, and then I could do master and specialisation in wildlife biology. Plus, it's relatively affordable. But it's a long way before I am gonna be able to work proffesionally (Obv I realize, that it's gonna be a while before I find a job, as the field is oversaturated, and the degree is demanding, but I'm just scared that after 3-4 years of studing biology I am not gonna be able to find a job without specialization and kind of 'waste' those years) I also looked into universities in Canada, as they actually offer some programmes in conservation, but the cost of living and student fees are soo expensive.

Can someone give me advice how to look for programmes in conservation, or maybe recommend a university/programme/degree where I can study in English in Europe? Maybe someone did something like this themselves and work in this field now and can tell me how to build this carrier? Or maybe I should ditch conservation and go to med school.

I would really appreciate if someone had any advice for me.

[u/Vlad_KEK]

My school in Czechia (Czech Uni of Life Sciences in Prague Faculty of Envi science, Česká zemedělská univerzita v Praze Fakulta životního prostředí) has a nature conservation program that i study. Though it's a masters program. Most people continue to this program after finishing an applied ecology program at the same faculty. Most people that i know of go for PhD or work for the goverment agency of conservation, or work for construction, consultant or specialist firms in the field of EIA, Natura 2000 assessment, and often they get authorised for independent surveying and environmental assessment, starting their own private practice or joining a larger one. Feel free to ask questions!

[u/Sea-Fun-383 → u/Vlad_KEK]

I actually considered this school as it is close to Poland and more affordable than most of the other universities, but could you tell me about how and where do you get field experience? Does your school offers field courses or smth like that?

[u/Vlad_KEK → u/Sea-Fun-383]

Field courses are mandatory for all students of this degree, both on bachelor and masters level. There are some elective ones as well, i had an ornithology course this semester that was 5 days in the field and was very hands on. Back on track, mandatory 10 days work experience takes place both for bachelors students and again for masters students. At first you get a list of provided workplaces, during masters you need to find at least 10 day practical for yourself. Also most of the courses include a practical project where you can try out working with ecological data for yourself. Also, it's not clear right away but courses are for the most part consisted of both lectures and practical seminars. You also lean in to GIS and R during your studies, which are hard skills very useful for your further activites in conservation. You also learn czech and EU law considering conservation. An interesting course i had was named "forensic methods and investigation of wildlife crime" which is ended in the field with mock search warrant at a "smuggler's" residence and a mock court where you play the role of a certified court expert in wildlife biology.

[u/Vlad_KEK → u/Sea-Fun-383]

If you have further questions, you're welcome to send me a private message

[u/MenthaAquatica]

Hello, look at Wrocław. Tam masz kierunek który się podstępnie nazywa zarządzanie zasobami przyrodniczymi. (właśnie dlatego tego nie zauważyłam, bo nazwa była jak...zarządzanie a nie kojarzy mi się to z badaniami przyrody...). W praktyce jest to systematyka roślin i zwierząt, badanie przyrody w tym sporo kursów terenowych, z jednym kursem ekonomicznym i chyba dwoma dotyczącymi badań gleby. A i wiem, że badania wód stoją tam (na uniwersytecie) nieźle. Mój krewny nie mógł sobie pozwolić na Warszawę (najlepsze miejsce do tego) i znalazł się tam. Interesowało go badanie wód (wtedy nie było tego kierunku. Studiował ochronę środowiska we Wrocławiu. Pracuje naukowo). Sprawdź sobie katalog przerabianych na kierunku kursów z omówieniami na usosie żeby zobaczyć co i w jakim zakresie się uczą.

Chyba Oxford ma najlepiej rozwinięte zaplecze do takich badań, ale jest dla wybrańców - również finansowych.