Science, Natural Resources and Outdoor Studies

Science

We have invested £1.2 million over the past year in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) area to ensure that there are HE level progressions routes readily available in Cumbria. Careers in STEM are much sought after and we're working closely with local employers to form links for our trained graduates.

In addition, we have also created innovative science programmes to ensure you have the best possible course options when considering study at the university.

Conservation

Cumbria's natural habitats support 25% of all species in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan and 80% of our coastline is classified as being of international wildlife importance.

Practical use of these resources in our teaching and the opportunity to study or work abroad make our conservation courses a fantastic choice.

National School of Forestry

Our Ambleside campus has been home to the National School of Forestry since 2014.

Producing award-winning graduates, who now occupy some of the most senior positions in the forestry and woodland sector, the school is the ideal location to pursue a career in forest management, conservation or woodland ecology.

Outdoors Studies

We are the largest provider of outdoor study degrees in the UK, and with our Ambleside Lake District campus as your base, the great outdoors is right on your doorstep!

Our excellent facilities, such as lakeside access and an indoor climbing wall, will help take your studies to the next level.

Ambleside

Our courses in the outdoors, forestry and conservation are delivered at our newly redeveloped Ambleside Campus: a centre of excellence for conservation and outdoor studies and the home of the National School of Forestry. 

The campus is located in the heart of the Lake District National Park offering access to fantastic learning facilities in one of the most outstanding areas of natural beauty in the UK. 

Carlisle

Our science programmes are delivered just over an hours drive away at our Fusehill Street campus in Carlisle. Our students love the city for its small size, close community and friendly atmosphere. It's the ideal place for someone who wants to live in a city environment without being lost in a huge urban sprawl.

In 2015, we opened a high-spec £3.5m STEM laboratory on our Fusehill Street campus.

Placements

Many of our courses have built-in placement options included, with the aim of helping you gain valuable work experience that employers look for when recruiting. We have well-established industry links, not just across the UK but around the world too.

If your course doesn’t have a placement included within the programme, there are plenty of other ways you can build experience and gain valuable knowledge, such as through a summer internship. Our summer internships are available locally and internationally, with partnership organisations such as the Lake District National Park, Cumbria Wildlife Trust and the Freshwater Biological Association amongst others. 

Research

We currently have two research areas in the department

• Centre for National Parks and Protected Areas which looks at Wildlife Conservation, Ecosystem Services, Community Collaboration and Governance, Health and Well-being and Citizenship and Environment.

• Experiential Learning in the Outdoors which considers Outdoor Education and Outdoor Recreation.