Information about when and where we have our undergraduate and postgraduate field courses. There is fieldwork within both undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate taught (PGT) courses.There are often opportunities for staff to participate in field courses, please contact the relevant Course Organiser for further guidance. Undergraduate field courses Field ZoologyThis field course is for the 3rd year Field Zoology course on the first week following semester 2. The course takes place at the Field Studies Centre at Millport on the Island of Cumbrae.Course OrganiserEmailDr Nathan Meddnathan.medd@ed.ac.ukDr Deirdre McCleanDeirdre.McClean@ed.ac.ukPlant Sciences HonoursThis course is for those students undertaking the Plant Sciences Honours degree and takes place in late June. This group typically visit Norfolk.Course OrganiserEmailDr Richard MilneR.Milne@ed.ac.ukEcology HonoursThis course is for those students undertaking the Ecology Honours degree and takes place prior to the start of semester 1. This group have been visiting Glen Prosen in Scotland.Course OrganiserEmailDr Matt BellMatt.Bell@ed.ac.ukZoology and Evolutionary Biology HonoursThis field course takes place at the Urra field centre in Spain prior to the start of semester 1.The Field Centre, Urrá, Sorbas, EspañaCourse OrganiserEmailProfessor Tom Littlenathan.medd@ed.ac.ukProfessor Andrew Rambauta.rambaut@ed.ac.uk Postgraduate field courses Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity Master of ScienceThis postgraduate taught field course takes place on the Island of Aran and usually held before the teaching semester starts.Course OrganiserEmailDr Ally Phillimoreaphillim@exseed.ed.ac.ukQuantitative Genetics Master of ScienceThis PGT group join the Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity Master of Science (MSc) field course at the Island of Aran for 4 days prior to the start of semester 1.Course OrganiserEmailDr Jacob Mooradjacob.moorad@ed.ac.uk Travel and Field Work - Administrative tasks Guidance on travel and field work can be found within the School's Health and Safety website. Risk assessments and insurance must be completed prior to fieldwork. Travel and Fieldwork Field trip costs Undergraduate students are required to contribute £120 towards the cost of their field trips. Please note that the contribution will increase to £300 is as follows:Undergraduate Year 3 Field Course – academic year 2026/27All Undergraduate Year 4 Field Courses – academic year 2027/28Payments are made through the University’s ePay system.School of Biological Sciences ePay Risk assessments The School requires that all field trips have appropriate risk assessments in place to cover travel and work activities. Further information can be found on the Health and Safety web pages:Risk assessments guidance Insurance Following completion and approval of risk assessments, all field work and associated travel needs to be covered by the University’s insurance provider. Travel insurance policies can be raised on the University's insurance website:Apply for insurance Vehicle - hiring, insurance and registering an authorised driver Vehicle hireUK hire - Vehicles for use in the UK can be hired through the University’s preferred supplier, Enterprise. Other options are available if Enterprise cannot service the requirement. Overseas hire - a local supplier should be used and suitable insurance arranged as the University’s vehicle insurance does not apply overseas.Vehicle insuranceInsurance for vehicles on university business should be raised through the University’s insurance website:Apply for insuranceRegister as an authorised driverAll drivers need to be registered as an authorised driver. Contact the School’s Vehicle Coordinator, Dr David Hills, to do this. Dr David Hills Teaching Support Technical Manager Biology Teaching Organisation (BTO) School of Biological Sciences Contact details Work: +44 (0)131 650 7196 Email: David.Hills@ed.ac.uk This article was published on Tuesday 28 July 2026
