Why Fieldwork Matters: A Guide for Life Science Students
Photo credit: Arron Roberts
Fieldwork isn’t just a “nice-to-have” part of your life science course, it’s a vital step in developing practical skills, real-world experience, and confidence for a future in ecology, conservation, and environmental science. This guide will help you understand why fieldwork matters, the challenges students face, and how you can make your voice heard to secure more opportunities.
Why Fieldwork Matters
1. Practical Skills & Employability
Time spent in the field equips you with skills that cannot be learned in a classroom:
Species identification and habitat assessment
Data collection and analysis
Teamwork and problem-solving in real-world contexts
Employers consistently report that graduates who have hands-on field experience are better prepared to start careers in ecology, conservation, and environmental management.
2. Supporting Biodiversity & Policy Goals
Fieldwork isn’t just about your career, it contributes to wider environmental outcomes. Skilled ecologists are needed to:
Monitor and protect declining species populations
Restore degraded habitats
Help the UK meet ambitious nature recovery targets, including halting species decline and improving protected sites by 2042
Practical field skills are critical if the next generation of ecologists is to tackle the biodiversity and climate crises effectively.
“Everyone deserves the chance to get out into nature and learn by doing – no matter who they are or where they come from. First-hand field experience is essential for anyone hoping to work in conservation. You wouldn’t expect a nurse to qualify without clinical training – and the same should be true for those entering the environmental sector. If we want a future that’s fair, skilled, and diverse, we have to make access to fieldwork equal for all.”
Lyndon Howson, Youth Board Member, Chester Zoo
Current Challenges
Despite its importance, fieldwork opportunities in life science courses are declining:
Some courses now treat fieldwork as an optional extra, often at an additional cost.
Students from lower-income backgrounds can miss out, creating inequality in skills and career readiness.
Overseas field courses can be prohibitively expensive, and some universities reduce fieldwork due to budget or carbon footprint concerns.
These barriers make it harder for many students to gain the experience they need.
How Students Can Make Their Voice Heard
You can play an active role in shaping fieldwork opportunities at your institution:
Write to heads of department or course leads: Explain why fieldwork is essential for your education and career.
Gather peer support: Signatures, testimonials, or short quotes from fellow students can strengthen your case.
Highlight sector support: Mention backing from organisations like the Mammal Society or UK Youth4Nature to show wider recognition of the issue.
Download our Template Letter or Email – ready-to-use for contacting your department.
Template Letter Request for Expanded Fieldwork Opportunities .docx
Template Email Request for Increased Field Work .docx
Tips for Effective Communication
When reaching out, remember to:
Be polite, concise, and evidence-based
Explain personal impact and career aspirations
Reference wider sector support to show your argument is backed by experts and organisations
Clear, professional communication makes your request more persuasive and more likely to be taken seriously.
Creative Solutions: What to do if all else fails
If your university still doesn’t provide enough field work opportunities there are still other options! Even where resources are limited, there are ways to expand fieldwork opportunities:
Partnerships with local conservation organisations, ecological consultancies or local record centres.
Weekend field trips or mini-projects in nearby habitats
Student-led initiatives to survey wildlife, restore habitats, or monitor species
“Fieldwork has become one of my favourite aspects in my education and has given me the confidence and freedom to carry out investigations and conservation projects independently, like footprint surveys and constructing a hibernaculum to protect great crested newts. I do wish it was more available and accessible to take part in while studying, as it is a key element for my future career.”
Kayleigh, Mammal Society Youth Ambassador
Download our Guide to Finding Local Fieldwork Opportunities – discover practical ways to gain hands-on experience in your area.
Finding Local Fieldwork Opportunities.pdf
Take Action
Fieldwork is not a luxury, it’s an essential part of your education and career development. By understanding its value, recognising the challenges, and taking action, you can help ensure that all students have access to meaningful, practical field experiences, regardless of background or budget.