Ecological Surveying (SCQF level 7) PDA
Course code: 581C
Study mode: You take fewer course units/modules per week compared to full time.
Course type: PDA
International: Not eligible for international students
Study at: Perth
Start in: June
Learning mode: You attend classes in person at your local campus or learning centre., You will learn off campus, including at industry partner locations.
How: You attend classes at scheduled times, shown on your timetable.
What is special about this course?
Do you want to build real-world ecological skills in the field? Could you create meaningful impact by contributing to biodiversity conservation?
Step into hands-on ecological surveying in the heart of Perthshire during Scotland’s peak survey season. Over four intensive weeks in June, work directly in real habitats, developing practical skills that employers value right now. Identify species, carry out habitat and protected species surveys, map environments using GIS, and manage ecological data with confidence. Apply your learning in the context of current environmental legislation and conservation priorities, so every skill connects to real industry practice.
Build a professional survey portfolio that showcases your abilities and strengthens your next step, whether that means employment or further study. Learn alongside insights from environmental agencies and consultancies, and gain a clear view of how the sector operates. Experience a focused, immersive format that mirrors authentic ecological work and earn SCQF Level 7 credit, opening pathways to HND, BSc, or MSc study, while developing the confidence and capability to move forward in your career.
Special features
- Intensive four-week delivery in June, aligned with peak ecological survey season
- Extensive hands-on fieldwork across multiple habitats in Perthshire
- Consultancy-ready skills in species identification, habitat surveys, GIS, and data management
- Protected species and biodiversity legislation embedded in practice
- Development of a professional ecological survey portfolio
- Guest input from environmental agencies and ecological consultancies
- Clear progression to HND, BSc, and MSc pathways
- Fieldwork across local woodlands, freshwater habitats, farmland, and conservation sites in Perthshire
- Experienced ecological survey lecturers and practitioners with expertise in habitat assessment, species identification, GIS, and ecological consultancy
- GIS-capable computers with QGIS or ArcGIS software
- Field equipment including quadrats, sweep nets, GPS units, and bat detectors
- Minibus transport for supervised field visits
- Laboratory and classroom spaces for workshops, data analysis, and practical identification exercises
- 1 Scottish Higher at grade C or above in a relevant subject such as Biology, Environmental Science, or equivalent OR
- 1 A level at grade C or above in a relevant subject such as Biology, Environmental Science, or equivalent
- Alternatively, successful completion of an HNC or related PDA in environmental or biological sciences
- Students from vocational or applied science backgrounds may progress after review of prior learning or work experience
- Seasonal workers, volunteers, or professionals entering the environmental sector can gain entry with relevant practical experience, even if academic qualifications are limited
- Mature applicants with relevant practical experience in ecology, conservation, land management, or field survey work (assessed via RPL – Recognition of Prior Learning)
You will study the following modules:
- Biodiversity conservation: legislation, planning, and conservation policy
- Classification and identification of organisms: species identification across plants, invertebrates, birds, and mammals
- Data management for ecological surveying: handling and analysing ecological datasets
- Ecological surveying: habitat and protected species survey techniques
- Ecology and ecosystems: ecological processes and environmental drivers
- Geographic information systems (GIS): digital mapping and data capture
How will I study my course?
- Part-time
- This course is a fully practical field course, delivered in-person, on campus and on-site
- Any online study will be done via the university's virtual learning environment (VLE), with support from your tutors
How long will my course last?
- Part-time: 4 weeks @ 35 hours per week
The number of hours per week indicates the total number of hours you should dedicate to the course, which includes time spent on online material as well as individual study and research.
- Perth
Start date
- June
Fees
For information on costs of this course please contact the campus where you wish to study.
Funding
External scholarships and financial support may be available. Contact the relevant UHI partner college for more information or explore the links below:
- Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) – possible part-time fee grants for eligible Scottish students (subject to residency and income criteria)
- Scottish Government Green Skills funding – occasional subsidised places linked to environmental and net zero skills priorities
- Peatland ACTION Training Fund (via NatureScot) – partial funding for field and spatial skills relevant to ecological careers
- Lantra sustainable skills funding – periodic support for land-based and environmental training
- Employer sponsorship – ecological consultancies, conservation bodies, and renewable energy companies may fund staff development
Additional costs
Costs may be incurred for the following items:
- Personal field clothing (waterproofs, sturdy boots, outdoor layers)
- Travel to and from UHI Perth campus
- Packed lunches during full-day field visits
- Personal laptop (recommended for GIS and report writing, though campus facilities are available)
- Optional specialist field guides for personal use
- Printing and binding of portfolio (if a hard copy is desired)
- Professional memberships (optional), e.g. student membership of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM)
What can I do on completion of my course?
Once you have successfully completed this course, you might like to consider careers in:
- Ecological consultancy
- Wildlife surveying and habitat assessment
- Environmental impact assessment (EIA) support
- Biodiversity and conservation management
- Renewable energy environmental compliance
- Planning and environmental regulation
- Forestry and land management
- Freshwater and wetland monitoring
- Peatland restoration and habitat restoration
- GIS and ecological data analysis
- Local authority biodiversity services
- Environmental NGOs and conservation charities
- Research assistant roles in ecology and environmental science
- Graduate trainee ecologist positions
Can I progress into further study?
You may be able to progress from PDA Ecological Surveying (SCQF level 7) to year one or two of the following courses:
- HND Wildlife and Conservation Management
- HND Environmental Management
- BSc (Hons) Ecology
- BSc (Hons) Environmental Science
- BSc (Hons) Conservation Biology
- BSc (Hons) Environmental Management
- BSc (Hons) Geography (environmental focus)
- BSc (Hons) Sustainable Development
Apply for Ecological Surveying (SCQF level 7) PDA
We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.