Wildlife Conservation & Animal Science Internships Abroad
Work With Real Researchers & Wildlife Conservationists Abroad
Gain Real Field Experience in Animal and Environmental Work
Adelante Abroad is one of the few international internship providers offering genuine wildlife conservation, animal science, and horticulture research placements for students, based in one of the world’s great cities for natural and environmental sciences: Edinburgh, Scotland.
These aren’t observation-only experiences. This program is a hybrid of internship and research: rigorous, hands-on, and conducted alongside esteemed professionals, practicing veterinarians, and active researchers in the field. Placements are available with the Royal Zoological Society, National Wildlife Rescue Centers, veterinary practices, agricultural businesses, botanical gardens, and animal behavior and welfare programs. Every placement is different. Each one is genuinely impactful.
These programs are competitive; placements are limited and fill quickly, with several already at capacity for the current season. If you’re serious about wildlife conservation, animal science, or ecological research as a career, this international experience will set your application apart.
Current Placement Availability — Apply Before Spots Fill
The following placements are available for the current summer season. Spots are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis following the application and interview process:
*Select ‘Observation & Research Assignments in Scotland’ on the application program field.
Why Choose a Wildlife Conservation or Animal Science Internship Abroad?
International field research experience sets candidates apart in conservation and animal science. Here is why students in these fields choose to intern abroad:
Work within world-class Scottish conservation and research institutions
The Royal Zoological Society, National Wildlife Rescue Centers, and Royal Botanical Garden are internationally recognized organizations. A placement with any of them is a genuine career credential.
Gain research experience that strengthens graduate school applications
Active involvement in ongoing research projects, data collection, and field work is exactly what leading conservation and animal science programs look for in applicants.
A hybrid of internship and research
Unlike purely academic programs, Adelante’s Scotland placements combine hands-on work experience with rigorous research, giving you both practical skills and academic depth.
Work alongside esteemed professionals and practicing researchers
You will be in the field with people who have dedicated their careers to these disciplines, learning in a way that goes far beyond any textbook.
Edinburgh is one of the world’s great cities for science and conservation
Scotland’s capital is home to world-class universities, research institutions, and a natural environment of extraordinary richness right on its doorstep
Earn academic credit
Most Adelante interns receive academic credit through their home university, with full documentation support from our team.
These placements are open to students and recent graduates in wildlife conservation, animal science, zoology, biology, ecology, horticulture, veterinary science, agricultural science, and related fields. The Scotland programs are conducted in English where as the Spain and Ecuador programs require a low intermediate Spanish speaking level. All placements are limited. Apply early.
What Will You Do? A Look at Each Placement Track
Each placement within Adelante’s Scotland wildlife and animal sciences program offers a distinct research and work experience. Here’s what to expect from the available tracks:
Royal Zoological Society
Work within one of Scotland’s most respected zoological institutions, contributing to animal care, welfare assessments, behavioral research, and conservation education programs. This rare and highly competitive placement offers genuine zoo science experience alongside professional zoologists and animal care staff.
Royal Botanical Garden
The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is one of the world’s leading plant science institutions. Interns work alongside botanists and horticulturists on plant science research, conservation projects, and horticultural practice, contributing to work with global significance for plant diversity and ecosystem preservation.
Veterinary Practice
Work within a professional veterinary practice, gaining clinical and patient-care experience alongside practicing vet surgeons and vet nurses.
Veterinary Public Health
A specialized veterinary placement focused on the intersection of animal and public health, working within institutional or governmental veterinary public health programs.
Animal Behavior & Welfare
Contribute to active research on animal behavior, cognition, and welfare, working with researchers studying how animals experience and interact with their environments. A strong fit for students in animal science, zoology, or psychology focused on behavioral science.
National Wildlife Rescue Center
Work at the frontline of wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, assisting with the care, treatment, and release of injured and orphaned wild animals.
Scottish Plant Hunters Garden & Agricultural Business
Both the Scottish Plant Hunters Garden (specialist horticulture and plant conservation) and Agricultural Business (farm animal science, agricultural management) placements are full for this season. These are excellent tracks for students in horticulture, ecology, or agricultural sciences.
Every Adelante Program Includes
AFFORDABLE PROGRAMS
Both our Internship Abroad and Study Abroad Programs are among the most affordable you’ll find. Explore a new country and gain meaningful internship experience that makes a difference, without being limited by your budget.
CENTRALIZED ACCOMMODATIONS
Enjoy your own private room in a shared city-center apartment, conveniently located near your placement, local life, and weekend adventures.
GUARANTEED, CONTRACTED INTERNSHIP PLACEMENT
You’ll receive a signed contract from your host organization before you arrive. We have placed 100% of our candidates in one of their requested fields and stand behind that with a guarantee.
CUSTOMIZED PROGRAM BUILDING
Your Adelante director builds your placement around your background, interests, Spanish proficiency level, and areas of interest. No cookie-cutter placements.
GUIDED REFLECTION EXERCISES
We help you identify and articulate the skills you’ve built abroad, an essential step in translating impactful international work into language that resonates on your resume, in interviews, and on graduate school applications.
ACADEMIC CREDIT SUPPORT
Nearly every Adelante intern who needed academic credit has received it. We provide full documentation and can work with your home institution to meet their requirements.
How the Application Process Works
1. Apply Online
Fill out our simple online application. There is no fee to apply, and it takes only a few minutes to get started.
2. Get on the Calendar
Eligible candidates receive a link to schedule a free, first assessment interview by phone or Google Meet.
3. Interview
We’ll learn about your background, areas of interest, Spanish level, and goals so we can start building the right placement for you.
4. Interview Results
In real time or within 1–2 business days, you will receive your interview results by email. Successful candidates receive an acceptance letter with clear next steps.
5. Confirmation
Confirm your spot within one week of acceptance with a $325 confirmation fee. This means there is no tire-kicking, and you are committed to going abroad. A second interview and full placement details follow soon after.
6. Pre-Departure
Once confirmed, you will receive a comprehensive Pre-Departure Information Packet with everything you need to prepare for your time abroad, including visa guidance if required, along with cultural prep.
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Wildlife Conservation & Animal Sciences FAQs
How can I get into a wildlife conservation internship abroad?
To get into a wildlife conservation and animal sciences international internship, all you need to do is apply. Once you apply and get on our calendar to speak with our program director, we will ask for a resume where you can show off any volunteer work or classes you have taken related to wildlife conservation and animal sciences.
What degree or major do I need for wildlife conservation or animal science?
For an animal sciences and wildlife conservation internship abroad, many people get degrees in
- Wildlife biology
- Environmental sciences
- Veterinary
- Zoology
- Ecology
- Wildlife Management
- Wildlife Conservation
After obtaining one of these degrees, employers tend to look for internship or lab experience and this is where Adelante Abroad comes in.
Can environmental science majors work with animals during the internship?
There is a possibility of environmental science majors working with animals during their internship abroad. This is depending on the placement and country the intern is in and if they have had previous experience working with animals. While you are interning abroad to learn, you also need to have the right foundations before handling animals.
What do wildlife conservation and animal science interns do?
While all internships are different depending on the location and time abroad, Wildlife conservation and animal science interns support the care, research, and protection of animals in a variety of settings such as rehabilitation centers, sanctuaries, research facilities, and conservation projects.
Responsibilities vary by placement, but often include assisting with animal feeding and habitat maintenance, observing and recording animal behavior, supporting ongoing research or conservation initiatives, and helping staff with daily operational tasks. Interns may also contribute to educational outreach efforts or community-based conservation programs.
These programs are designed to provide insight into animal welfare, conservation practices, and environmental sustainability, while allowing interns to learn directly from professionals in the field.
What can I do with a degree in animal science?
Graduates often pursue roles in veterinary medicine, wildlife conservation, animal nutrition, livestock management, research, or animal welfare organizations.
Some may work in hands-on roles such as animal care specialists or rehabilitation staff, while others go into research, policy, or education. The field also opens opportunities in areas like sustainable agriculture, zoological management, and environmental conservation, depending on your interests and experience.
Can I receive academic credit for a wildlife conservation or animal science internship abroad?
Yes, many students are able to arrange academic credit for their wildlife conservation and animal sciences internship abroad through their university. Students will need to coordinate with their university’s internship office or academic advisor to see what requirements are needed to be met.
When will I know my host company and internship placement?
After you’ve been accepted into the program, our team carefully matches you with a host company based on your background, goals, and interests. Your internship placement will be finalized 1 month before your departure date, giving you plenty of time to prepare for your experience abroad.
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Read MoreReady to Make Your Mark in Wildlife Conservation or Animal Science?
The natural world needs passionate, globally-minded scientists and conservationists, and Adelante's Scotland program is where careers in wildlife conservation and animal science gain an international foundation. With placements at the Royal Zoological Society, Royal Botanical Garden, National Wildlife Rescue Centers, and more, this is one of the most distinctive and competitive internship programs in our portfolio. Only a few spots are remaining across all programs this season. Apply today so you do not miss this opportunity.
Start Your ApplicationContact UsWhy Choose Adelante Abroad?
Adelante Abroad has earned the trust of thousands of candidates worldwide through 25+ years of guaranteed placements and life-changing experiences. Since 1999, we’ve specialized in providing affordable, customized internship and study abroad programs across Spain, Latin America, and Scotland, and we’re not a large, impersonal agency. We’re a team of seasoned travelers and international education professionals who’ve lived abroad ourselves and know what it takes to make your experience a success.
Every program is built around you: your goals, your values, your background. With in-country directors operating full-time in every city where we have programs, you’re never on your own. No matter where in the world you are.
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“My trip to Barcelona has been truly amazing. My internship is great and has helped me expand my career. It’s going by so fast, but I’ve been soaking up every minute of it.”
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