Short Course: Biodiversity Management
About
The ongoing climate and biodiversity crises are two key reasons for the adoption of the UN’s 2030 Sustainability Development Goals. Their promotion and adoption, across a wide variety of sectors, has led to a growing need for people to have knowledge and understanding of how we impact our world.
This course will introduce you to: the legislative and policy drivers used to support the management of nature; the history of environmental management and; the approaches we take to manage different aspects of biodiversity.
This course is relevant to those already within the environmental sector wishing to undertake Continuing Professional Development and those outside wishing to gain a better understanding of environmental management practices to improve the sustainability of their own organisation.
If you have an interest in the environment and how we manage it, this course is for you.
Term dates
Start Date: Monday 26 January 2026, this course runs for 12 weeks over Semester 2.
Attendance
This is a fully online course with no on-campus attendance required.
Teaching, Learning and Assessment
This course is delivered through Blackboard, Ulster University’s Virtual Learning Environment. Through this platform, you will be able to access all teaching materials associated with the module.
Students can use learning materials whenever suits them.
Participants should expect to spend around 25 hours a week on the course.
Teaching is supported via a combination of online materials, videos, discussions and drop in sessions.
Assessment is 100% coursework.
Academic Profile
This module is led by Dr David Tosh who has worked in the environmental sector for over 20 years. He combines his experience from across the academic, private and voluntary sectors to provide a practical understanding of the issues we face in managing biodiversity and how we overcome them. David is an expert in terrestrial mammals with particular experience in the distribution and populations of protected and invasive species.
Career Options
If you wish to change careers and join the environmental sector, this course will give you an insight into the broad nature of the topic and diversity of challenges it faces. If you wish to bring knowledge of sustainability issues to your current workplace, then this course will expose you to main challenges biodiversity faces and the solutions that are being implemented.
Further Information
Modules
This course consists of a single module on Biodiversity Management.
Entry requirements
Academic qualifications
A degree in science (2:2 or above) is required or other equivalent and relevant qualifications e.g. NEBOSH.
Relevant experience gained within the environmental sector will also be considered on an individual basis.
Eligibility
Places are limited and open to applicants who:
- are 18 or over at the point of enrolment;
- have a right to work and undertake training in the UK at the point of application and for the duration of the course and must not be disqualified from doing either by reason of their immigration status. Proof of this will be required to progress your application. Prove your right to work to an employer: Overview - GOV.UK
- meet the course specific entry requirements. See course pages for requirements.
- meet the Ulster University general entry requirements including competency in English (as evidenced by GCSE Grade C in English or alternative). For English competency, a degree taught in UK or Ireland covers this requirement. If your degree is from outside the UK or Ireland, please see our list of acceptable qualifications or tests.
- are available to register in person at the campus as required.
Apply now - limited places available
There are a limited number of places for this course. Offers will be extended to those applicants who meet the entry requirements following successful completion of the application process, and have provided evidence of such, on a first come, first served basis. Applications will no longer be accepted or processed once all offers are extended. Applications will no longer be accepted or processed once all places are filled. Applications cannot be considered once a course has started.
Please note you can only be funded by DfE for a maximum of two courses at any one time across all institutions who offer courses as part of SkillUp. You will only be permitted to study one course at Ulster in each academic year or a maximum of two microcredentials up to 45 credits per semester.
When creating your application you will need to have the following documents saved electronically as they need to be uploaded as part of the application process:
- Passport
- Evidence of having right to work and undertake training in the UK*
- Degree Certificate
- English Competency (If you have a degree from UK/ROI, you don't need to provide anything else)
* Holders of UK or Irish passports automatically have this right. if you hold a passport from another nation, please provide evidence of UK immigration permissions to include a ShareCode and/or BRP.
To select the correct course, in the field called Please select the subject area, select Green Skills from the drop down box. Then select Biodiversity Management from the next drop down box.
