| UCAS code | F750 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 3 years |
| Entry year | 2024 |
| Campus | Penryn Campus |
| Discipline | Environmental Science |
| Contact | Web: Enquire online |
| Typical offer | A-Level: AAB - ABB |
|---|---|
|
A-Level: BBB - BBC Prof. Placement/Study Abroad: |
| UCAS code | F753 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 years |
| Entry year | 2024 |
| Campus | Penryn Campus |
| Discipline | Environmental Science |
| Contact | Web: Enquire online |
| Typical offer | A-Level: AAA - AAB |
|---|---|
|
A-Level: BBB - BBC Prof. Placement/Study Abroad: |
| UCAS code | F752 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 years |
| Entry year | 2024 |
| Campus | Penryn Campus |
| Discipline | Environmental Science |
| Contact | Web: Enquire online |
| Typical offer | A-Level: AAA - AAB |
|---|---|
|
A-Level: BBB - BBC Prof. Placement/Study Abroad: |
Overview
- Learn the science behind Earth’s amazing complexity and its environmental processes
- Take a hands-on approach to the collection and analysis of environmental data in the field and laboratory
- You will develop a wide range of practical skills to increase your employability, from working with satellite data and using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to guide real-world environmental decision making
- You will have the opportunity to participate in a wide range of field courses, in the south west and further afield
- Learn practical and theoretical insights from inspirational, world-leading research experts in a range of environmental disciplines and benefit from exposure to research through the programme’s close relationship with our Environment and Sustainability Institute (ESI) on the Penryn Campus
Top 30 in the world for Geography
QS World University Subject Rankings 2023
Top 20 in the UK for Geography and Environmental Science
The Complete University Guide 2023
Study climate change, biodiversity, sustainability and environmental decision-making
Unique field course and work placement opportunities in the UK and abroad
You won’t find another university which has a stronger sense of community, good quality teaching and the chance to travel the world during the course with awesome field trips! The field trips are fantastic for getting to know your peers and staff in a more relaxed and fun environment.
My advice for anyone considering applying for the University of Exeter would be to go for it! The teaching is absolutely world class. The lecturers in Cornwall are fantastic, incredibly helpful and will go out of their way to make sure that you get the most out of the degree. Dr Karen Anderson and Dr Jon Bennie are two lecturers who particularly stand out for me, but they're all fantastic.
Living on campus and in Falmouth in Cornwall has been amazing. The university has such a tight-knit atmosphere and you feel part of a community. There's always something going on and it’s never dull with both university and public events on campus and in the towns of Penryn and Falmouth. The laboratories on campus are fantastic. There’s plenty of computers in the computer labs and the other labs are amazingly well kitted-out.
I am vice-president of the Geography Society at the Penryn Campus, and involved in lacrosse, hockey, kayaking, running and climbing.
I would like to pursue a career in the wildlife filming and documentary production sector, educating the public about wildlife and our impacts on the world and wildlife.
Michael
BSc Environmental Science, Penryn Campus
Accreditations
Accredited by the Committee of Heads of Environmental Sciences (CHES), the education committee of the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES). As a graduate of this programme you will be eligible to apply for Associate Membership of the IES. Find out how membership can progress your career here.
Entry requirements (typical offer)
| Qualification | Typical offer | Required subjects |
|---|---|---|
| A-Level | AAB - ABB
AAA - AAB (with Study Abroad/Professional Placement) |
B in one of the following Science subjects: Biology/Human Biology, Chemistry, Computing, Design and Technology, Electronics, Environmental Studies, Geography, Geology, Life and Health Sciences (Double Award only), Marine Science, Maths/Pure Maths/Further Maths, Physical Education, Physics, Psychology, Science (applied), Sport Science, Statistics |
| IB | 34/665 - 32/655
36/666 - 34/665 (with Study Abroad/Professional Placement) |
HL5 in one of the following Science subjects: Biology/Human Biology, Chemistry, Computing, Design and Technology, Electronics, Environmental Studies, Geography, Geology, Life and Health Sciences (Double Award only), Marine Science, Maths/Pure Maths (Analysis and Approaches OR Applications and Interpretations)/Further Maths, Physical Education, Physics, Psychology, Science (applied), Sport Science, Statistics |
| BTEC | DDD - DDM
DDD (with Study Abroad/Professional Placement) |
Applicants studying one of the following BTEC Extended Diplomas will be considered without GCE A-level requirements: Applied Science, Countryside Management, Environmental Sustainability |
| GCSE | C or 4 | English Language |
| Access to HE | 30 L3 Credits at Distinction Grade and 15 L3 credits at Merit Grade - 24 L3 Credits at Distinction Grade and 21 L3 credits at Merit Grade. 30 L3 credits at Distinction Grade and 15 L3 credits at Merit Grade (with Study Abroad/Professional Placement) |
To include 12 L3 credits at Merit in a Science subject area*
To include 12 L3 Credits at Merit grade in a science subject area* (with Study Abroad/Professional Placement) |
| Contextual Offer | A-Level: BBB - BBC Prof. Placement/Study Abroad: |
Specific subject requirements must still be achieved where stated above. Find out more about contextual offers. |
| Other UK, EU and International equivalences | ||
| English language requirements |
International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B. Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country. |
|
NB General Studies is not included in any offer.
Grades advertised on each programme webpage are the typical level at which our offers are made and provide information on any specific subjects an applicant will need to have studied in order to be considered for a place on the programme. However, if we receive a large number of applications for the programme we may not be able to make an offer to all those who are predicted to achieve/have achieved grades which are in line with our typical offer. For more information on how applications are assessed and when decisions are released, please see: After you apply
*Accepted science subjects: Biology/Human Biology, Chemistry, Computing, Design and Technology, Electronics, Environmental Studies, Geography, Geology, Life and Health Sciences (Double Award only), Marine Science, Maths/Pure Maths/Further Maths, Physical Education, Physics, Psychology, Science (applied), Sport Science, Statistics
Course content
Environmental science is a quantitative and interdisciplinary approach to understanding and managing the world in which we live. Environmental scientists are concerned with understanding spatial patterns in physical, biological and chemical phenomena in the Earth’s system at local, regional and global scales. They find appropriate solutions to environmental problems by assessing, reporting and quantifying environmental risks. They work in areas as diverse as contaminated land assessment and remediation, natural resource management, practical conservation, pollution mitigation, ecosystem service assessment, environmental monitoring, mapping and consultancy.
Our degree in Environmental Science will give you the skills and expertise you need to address the world’s greatest challenges in climate change, such as biodiversity, sustainability and environmental decision-making.
The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.
Your first year will provide you with a solid scientific grounding in themes and topics of the integrated environmental sciences. Core modules will give you a broad range of knowledge, allowing you to pursue your interests further on in your degree.
In your second year, you have more flexibility to explore your interests, tailoring your degree through module choice. You will also gain a more detailed understanding of key issues and practical training in implementing environmental science strategies.
Find out more about placement and study abroad options under Course variants.
with Study Abroad
with Professional Placement
In your final year, you will gain specialist training in the skills necessary to acquire jobs in the environmental sector. You will have an opportunity to specialise in your preferred subjects through an independent research dissertation and a choice of optional modules. Another highlight is the residential field course, where you will be immersed in a new environment and taught how to understand its environmental and cultural challenges from multiple geographical perspectives.
A great thing about Penryn is the amazing Gylly Beach located just 30 minutes away from campus! And as an Environmental Scientist, I simply must mention that the air we breathe here is 100% fresher! When I graduate I intend to work with the Environmental Agency in Singapore to better understand the recycling predicament we are facing and how we can resolve that.
Cheryl, from Singapore
BSc Environmental Science
Course variants
UCAS code: F753
Why choose a professional placement year?
In your professional placement year you will learn to apply the knowledge learnt during your first and second years, improve personal and transferable skills, make new contacts and enhance your employability. Work placements allow you to gain experience of a professional workplace prior to graduating and develop your career focus, and are extremely valued by employers.
Where can I do my placement?
On the professional placement between the second and final years, you will gain valuable experience by spending a year working within an organisation appropriate to your degree. We have established collaborations with local, national and international organisations that you can consider when applying for placement positions.
Previous students have undertaken work placements at:
- Echo Foundation
- Field Studies Council
- JBA Consulting
- Office for National Statistics
- Schaeffler Group
- University of Exeter: Environment and Sustainability Institute
- Wild Planet Trust
What support is available during my placement?
The module convenor provides support while you are researching and applying for positions and you are encouraged to consider a range of organisations, including consultancies, charities, NGOs, research institutes and universities.
Does it count towards my degree?
The professional placement year counts towards your degree through the completion of your placement and associated coursework. It contributes to your final degree classification, and the words ‘with Professional Placement’ will appear in your degree title.
How does it affect my tuition fee?
If you spend a full year on a work placement (in the UK or abroad) you will pay a reduced fee. Find out more in the Fees section.
How do I apply?
You can apply to BSc Environmental Science with Professional Placement directly through UCAS using the code above.
How are the placements organised?
You are responsible for organising your own placement; however, we have established collaborations with local, national and international organisations that you can consider when applying for placement positions.
UCAS code: F752
Why study abroad?
Students who have studied abroad demonstrate initiative, independence, motivation and, depending on where they stay, may also have gained a working knowledge of another language – all qualities employers are looking for.
Where can I study abroad?
Our Study Abroad programme enables you to spend a year abroad at one of our partner universities across the globe. You can find a complete list of partner universities on the Study Abroad website.
What will I study whilst I am abroad?
Whilst abroad you will study approved modules at the host university to the value of 120 credits; these will be credited towards your degree, which you would then complete after four years of study rather than three.
Does it count towards my degree?
All assessments during the year abroad are undertaken at the host university and count towards your final degree. Upon return, you would then complete your degree in a fourth year (equivalent to the current Year 3 of the standard BSc Environmental Science course).
How does it affect my tuition fee?
If you spend a full academic year studying abroad you will pay a reduced fee for that year. Find out more in the Fees section.
How do I apply?
You can apply to BSc Environmental Science with Study Abroad directly through UCAS using the code above. To qualify for your Study Abroad year, we would expect you to have successfully completed your Year 1 studies with an average mark of at least 60%. More information about applying.
Further information
For further information on where you can go and all the issues surrounding study abroad, see the Study Abroad website.
Fees
Tuition fees for 2023 entry
UK students: £9,250 per year
International students: £27,000 per year
Year abroad
If you choose the four-year version of this degree programme and spend a full academic year studying abroad, you will pay a reduced fee of 15 per cent of the maximum fee for that year.
Professional placement year
If you choose the four-year version of this degree programme and spend a full year on a work placement (in the UK or abroad) you will pay a reduced fee of 20 per cent of the maximum fee for that year.
Fieldwork
Please note, some optional/alternative field courses may incur additional costs. When participating in field courses, you will be required to cover any visa costs and, if necessary, purchase anti-malarial medication and relevant immunisations. You may also need to provide your own specialist personal equipment appropriate to the field course destination. You may incur additional costs dependent upon the specific demands of the research project chosen.
Scholarships
The University of Exeter has over £2.5 million in scholarships available for students applying to study with us in 2023 - including our Global Excellence Scholarships* for international fee paying students and financial support for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, lower income households and other under-represented groups to help them access, succeed and progress through higher education.
* Terms and conditions apply. See online for details.
Fieldwork
Fieldwork is an integral part of all of our programmes, taking learning into the field to explore the incredible landscapes in the region and beyond. Several modules, including day and residential field courses in the UK and further afield will allow you to develop key field skills, enable you to put them into practice and gain new research skills.
Led by expert staff, field trips are embedded into modules throughout your degree to give you a first-hand understanding of the subject.
We begin in Year 1 with a range of local field excursions, exploring ecological and environmental principles in West Cornwall.
In Year 2 you will undertake a week-long residential field course on the Isles of Scilly*. It will enable you to develop the conceptual, analytical and practical research skills necessary for you to carry out independent research work.
In your final year we take you further afield to think about bigger issues in environmental science and give you an opportunity to apply your research and practical skills.
We also make the most of our location in the South West of England, organising a range of day trips each year as part of modules. These provide fantastic opportunities to study distinctive human and physical processes.
By the end of the programme you will have gathered a suite of unique field working skills that will place you in a strong position to move into environmental employment.
» Find out more about our field courses
*Please note that field course destinations are subject to change. Some optional/alternative field courses may incur additional costs.
Learning and teaching
How will I learn?
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Tutorials
- Hands-on interactive learning
- Field work
- Laboratory sessions
- Independent study
- Embedded GIS, remote sensing and data analysis
From Year 1 you will engage with hands-on enquiries using databases, maps and satellite data, developing GIS tools to help you understand the local, regional, national and global picture of the natural world and all of its processes. Lecture material will be global in scope but practical work will build from a local focus in Year 1 to a global perspective by Year 3. By the end of your degree you will be able to use spatial datasets to answer environmental questions important to the future of our planet.
Where will I learn?
At the Penryn Campus in Cornwall you will be welcomed into an intimate and supportive learning environment that encourages enthusiasm and passion for Environmental Science, and promotes interest in the global challenges geographers seek to address.
Research undertaken at the Environment and Sustainability Institute (ESI) – which leads research into various aspects of the relationship between people and the environment – inspires much of the teaching.
We believe every student benefits from being part of a research-inspired culture. You will discuss the very latest ideas in seminars and tutorials and be taught by expert staff who are actively engaged in research on a wide range of specialisms, including climate change, remote sensing, landscape evolution, energy policy, environment and sustainability, social innovation and cultural landscapes.
We have strong links with research projects across every continent of the globe from Antarctica to Asia.
Academic support
As a student in Environmental Science you will benefit from excellent student-to-staff ratios, small group tutorials and accessible staff. From week 1 onwards you will join a group of around 6 students led by an academic personal tutor, who will support you throughout your studies. You will meet with your tutor group frequently during term and remain with the same tutor throughout your 3 years of study.
In addition to participating in taught modules you are expected to undertake extensive independent and self-motivated study as part of your degree. You will learn to work independently and become a scientific thinker during this programme – learning these skills is not easy but we will be on-hand to guide you throughout. Your independent study will culminate in an individual project (dissertation) in Year 3 where you will research an environmental subject of your choice.
Assessment
Assessment methods vary depending on your choice of modules, but are likely to include exams and coursework-based assessment. You must pass your first year assessment in order to progress to the second year. The assessments in the second and final years all contribute to your final degree classification.
Facilities
We have a large variety of equipment that can be used on student research projects. These include a wide range of devices to assess soil, water and air conditions and a cutting edge handheld XRF analyser to directly measure heavy metal concentrations in soil and river sediment. Digital media such as iPads, cameras and voice recorders are also available.
Taking modules outside of your programme
Depending on your programme you can take up to 30 credits each year in another subject, for instance a language or business module, to develop career-related skills or widen your intellectual horizons.
Proficiency in a foreign language
You can boost your employability by using up to 30 credits each year to study a foreign language. If you study the language for more than one year you may be entitled to have ‘with proficiency in’ added to your degree certificate. The Foreign Language Centre will be offering modules in French and Spanish language from complete beginners up to advanced levels, plus German and Mandarin Chinese from beginner’s level.
If you achieve at least 60 credits in a language via our Foreign Language Centre you may be able to have the words ‘with proficiency in’ and the language added to your degree title.
Further details can be found on the Language Centre webpages
Proficiency in Law
Students on this course are now able to add ‘with proficiency in Law’ to their degree title, by gaining a strand of additional legal knowledge and skills that adds value to their degree.
The ‘With proficiency in Law’ modules being offered to non-law students provide a theoretical and technical basis for understanding the regulatory and legal frameworks that you might encounter within your main field of study. These modules lend themselves strongly to students wishing to develop their skillset to work across the environment and sustainability sector and in wider business.
If you accrue at least 60 credits in elective law modules you will have ‘with proficiency in Law’ added to your degree title.
Your future
Employer-valued skills this course develops
Your degree in Environmental Science will give you the skills and expertise needed to address the world’s greatest challenges in climate change, and make you highly employable across a diverse range of careers.
These skills include:
- Data gathering
- Information retrieval
- Problem solving
- Project planning and management
- Organising and communicating information
- Report production and presentation (written and oral)
- Plus the ability to work effectively on your own and as part of a team.
Membership of the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES)
Upon graduation you will receive a certificate stating that you have completed a course accredited by the Institution of Environmental Science (IES). The IES is a charitable organisation which promotes and raises public awareness of environmental science by supporting professional scientists and academics working in this crucial arena.
The Institution is an international organisation attracting professionals of high standing with significant specialist and interdisciplinary experience, from countries including Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Hong Kong, Ireland, Kenya, Malta, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Portugal, Rwanda, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, USA and Zimbabwe.
Before graduating you are eligible to join the IES (at no cost) as a student member. You are eligible to apply for Associate Membership upon graduation using a free fast-track application process. For more information, please visit the IES website.
How will membership help my career?
- Gain the experience of being a member of a long-established, highly reputable professional body.
- Take the first steps on an environmental career path which could take you to Chartered Status.
- Membership is recognised by employers as evidence of your professional status.
- Gain access to job opportunities, career development events and reports on the environmental science sector.
- Join a global network of scientists.
Supporting your career in Environmental Science
A range of employability sessions are put on for students such as: career talks with visiting alumni and employers from a range of backgrounds, career conversations and employability seminar series events with employers, a Careers in Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection Careers and Networking event and visits to the Met Office and UKHO, plus an annual Careers Fair and opportunities to access high-quality work placements through an employability optional module.
Careers services
We have a dedicated, award-winning Careers Service ensuring you have access to careers advisors, mentors and the tools you need to succeed in finding employment in your chosen field on graduation. We offer the Exeter Award and the Exeter Leaders Award which include employability-related workshops, skills events, volunteering and employment which will contribute to your career decision-making skills and success in the employment market.
The University of Exeter has an excellent reputation with graduate recruiters and our students and graduates compete very successfully in the employment market. Whatever path you wish to follow, we’re here to help and support you with all your career and employability needs.
Royal Geographical Society (RGS) Ambassador Scheme
You will have the opportunity to apply for the RGS Ambassador Scheme. The scheme recruits, trains and supports geographers currently at university and graduate geographers from the workplace to act as ambassadors for geography in the classroom. Ambassadors act as positive role models for pupils and can illustrate, with enthusiasm, both the specific and transferable skills they have developed as a geographer. For more information you can visit the RGS Ambassador Scheme website.
Career paths
The breadth of career opportunities open to graduates is vast, such as environment, health, conservation, education, third sector work, culture and heritage and community work. With training in both biological and social sciences, your options are likely to be broader than from a more narrowly focused subject.
Whatever you choose to do after graduation, your Environmental Science degree will stand you in good stead, with excellent employment prospects and transferable skills.
Below are a few examples of initial jobs undertaken by graduates from our Environmental Science and Geography undergraduate programmes*
Recent graduates are now working as:
- Chartered and certified accountants
- Business and related research professionals
- Data analysts
- Brokers
- Property, housing and estate managers
- Marketing associate professionals
- Estimators, valuers and assessors
- Project support officers
- Primary and secondary education teaching professionals
- Information technology professionals
Recent graduates are now working for:
- Babcock International
- BNP Paribas
- Centrica
- Environment Agency
- Ernst & Young
- European Space Agency
- NHS
- Ordnance Survey
- Oxborough Surveyors LLP
- Skanska
- UK Hydrographic Office
Further study
Further study is a popular choice for a number of students following graduation from a Geography or Environmental Sciences undergraduate degree. Below are a few examples of further study undertaken by recent graduates of undergraduate programmes*.
- Graduate Diploma in Law
- MA Quantity Surveying
- MRes Sustainable Development
- MSc Environmental Consultancy
- MSc Flood and Coastal Engineering
- MSc Geospatial Sciences
- MSc International Development and Humanitarian Emergencies
- MSc Management
- MSc Public Health
- MSc Rural Land and Business Management
- MSc Transport and Planning
*This information has been taken from aggregating the responses from full-time, first degree, UK domiciled students who completed 2017/18 and 2018/19 Graduate Outcomes surveys. Please note that, due to data protection, the job titles and organisations are listed independently and do not necessarily correspond.
