School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

BSc (Hons) Environmental Science

UCAS tariff 104 - 112 Contextual offers
A contextual offer is an offer to study at university that takes personal circumstances that may affect grades into account.
UCAS course code F850
Institution code P60
Duration

3 years

(+ optional placement)
Course type

Full-time
Study location Plymouth
Register for open day
Apply at UCAS.com

Environmental scientists are critical to addressing global environmental challenges. Your degree will provide you with the knowledge and skills to identify and develop solutions to a wide range of environmental challenges on land and in our oceans, including climate change, biodiversity loss, conservation and sustainability. Applying the latest techniques in the laboratory and the field, you will graduate ready to shape the future of fields from ecosystem management to environmental monitoring.

Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2022*

The University of Plymouth has been named among the top 5% of universities globally in 2022 for its contribution to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals*, in particular, work on marine issues and on climate change. In the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, sustainability is at the heart of our research and teaching. From sustainable cities, affordable and clean energy, to climate policy, biodiversity, and natural hazards, our academic staff work with partners locally and overseas to help understand, communicate and solve fundamental and pressing sustainability challenges.
Find out more in our press release

50 years of BSc (Hons) Environmental Science

Our environmental science degree first opened in 1973 and has been running continuously for over 50 years.
In that time, more than 6,000 graduates have gone on to build incredible careers, showing the enduring relevance of this field in a changing world.

Careers with this subject
Our environmental science students have tremendous opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment in a variety of work settings. Our hands-on approach to teaching and learning throughout the course will provide you with the topical skills and experience that you can apply to the wide range of career options as graduates.

Key features
  • In the 2022 National Student Survey (NSS), 100% of students agreed that staff were good at explaining things and 93% were satisfied with the quality of the course*.
  • Benefit from enthusiastic, supportive staff and teaching informed by our renowned research.
  • Take part in fieldwork in the UK and/or overseas in a variety of locations.
  • Flexible workspace, computing facilities, experimental glasshouses , specialist software, access to microscopes, microscope cameras and bespoke resources.
  • Work placements – enhance your employability by gaining work experience via an optional 6 week or 6–12 month work placement in the UK, EU or further overseas.
  • Take the opportunity to spend your second year studying abroad in Europe, Canada, Australia, USA or elsewhere through our bilateral and ISEP exchange programmes.
  • Qualify as a professional diver (HSE SCUBA) as an additional qualification to your academic studies.
  • Benefit from an Environmental Science Careers Fair to build your all-important employer networks and share career success stories from our graduates.
  • Our tutorial programme provides invaluable transferable skills, small group and one-to-one support. Our externally recognised Peer Assisted Learning (PALS) scheme helps increase your confidence with support from student mentors.
  • A diverse and respectful place in which to work and study is fundamental to everything we do. Find out more about equality, diversity and inclusion in the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Science .

Course details

  • Year 1

  • In your first year, you'll establish solid foundations across a range of scientific, legal and economic subject areas in order to explore environmental challenges and enable you to propose solutions. Field and laboratory work are key, and our residential field course promotes team building and provides you with an opportunity to gain experience with scientific equipment and data interpretation. Your personal tutor will support and guide you throughout the course.

    Core modules

    GEES2000
    Placement Preparation 0 credits

    This module explores the role of placements, work experience and volunteering for enhancing employability whilst at university and as a future graduate. It considers placement options (types, durations) and supports students in developing applications and preparing for interviews.

    100% Assessments

    Optional modules

    OS205
    Managing Human Impacts in the Marine Environment 20 credits

    This module will introduce how human activities (such as fisheries, energy supply and mineral extraction) can impact the marine environment, including through pollution and biodiversity loss. The concepts of marine management and conservation will be introduced and methods of preventing and managing anthropogenic impacts will be introduced and evaluated and their role in marine conservation discussed.

    100% Coursework

    OS207
    Scientific Diving 20 credits

    This module allows suitably qualified students (HSE SCUBA or equivalent) to develop industry and research-relevant skills in measurement and monitoring in the underwater environment using professional SCUBA and related techniques. These will then be applied in a multi-disciplinary context to the planning, execution, analysis and reporting of a field-based sampling activity.

    80% Coursework

    20% Practicals

  • Year 2

  • Year 2 covers the themes of economics and resources, global sustainable development and environmental law and policy. Your research skills will be developed through a residential field course in the UK or overseas. Our optional diving module will qualify you for underwater work with the HSE SCUBA certification. You'll also have the opportunity to study the following topics: biodiversity and conservation; climate change; marine conservation; environmental management.

    Core modules

    GEES3000
    Placement 0 credits

    This module is a placement position, where a student undertakes a programme of work within a host company or organisation. The placement occurs within a yearlong period, meeting minimum duration requirements. Students experience applying their degree, experience professional practice, develop enhanced subject-related knowledge and skills, and undergo personal-professional development.

    100% Coursework

  • Optional placement year

  • You can take an optional placement year before completing your degree, an invaluable opportunity to gain workplace experience from research institutes, companies and government organisations. Previous placements have included the Marine Biological Association (marine ecology, surveying and conservation), Pell Frischmann (environmental consultancy), the National Trust (landscape and habitat conservation), Kew Royal Botanic Gardens (species inventories), and the Eden Project (ecological studies).

    Optional modules

    OS307
    Marine Conservation Policy and Planning 20 credits

    This module explores issues surrounding the maintenance of a healthy marine environment. It will develop an understanding of marine governance, including policy frameworks and agencies responsible for implementing marine conservation strategy. Topics include the range of measures and approaches for successful marine conservation and the importance of taking holistic approaches to management, including policy and planning

    50% Coursework

    50% Remotely delivered assessments

    OS309
    Marine Pollution and Environmental Change 20 credits

    This module will consider the sources, transport, sinks and impacts of a wide range of pollutant types (including nutrients, trace elements, sediments, anthropogenic pollutants and carbon dioxide). Practical field techniques will be introduced and used to assess the environmental condition of estuarine waters. Emphasis will be placed on critical evaluating the links between human activities and marine water quality.

    60% Coursework

    40% Examinations

  • Final year

  • In the final year, you will develop an understanding of concepts and practice of environmental impact assessment. You’ll learn how to debate and evaluate contemporary environmental issues, and your research project will see you working alongside world-leading scientists in state-of-the-art facilities. A choice of modules across four pathways allows you to pursue interests within the areas of climate change, environmental management and sustainability, biodiversity and conservation, and marine conservation.
The modules shown for this course are those currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new modules. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to amendment from time to time as part of the University’s curriculum enrichment programme and in line with changes in the University’s policies and requirements.

Entry requirements

UCAS tariff

104 - 112

Contextual offers: Typically, the contextual offer for this course is 8 points below the advertised tariff. A contextual offer is an offer to study at university that takes into account individual circumstances that are beyond your control, and that can potentially impact your learning and your exam results, or your confidence in applying to university.

Check your eligibility for a contextual offer

A level:104–112 points, to include a minimum of 2 A levels and preferably from one of the following subjects: Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Psychology, Geography, Geology, Applied Science, Use of Maths, Applied Science, Biology or Human Biology, Statistics, Science in the Environment, Design Technology. General Studies not accepted.
IB: 26–27 points overall from an International Baccalaureate to include science/technology-related subjects. English and mathematics must be included.
BTEC: 18 Unit BTEC National Diploma/QCF Extended Diploma: DMM preferably from a science/technology related subject (applied science, animal management, countryside management, forensic science).
BTEC National Diploma modules
If you hold a BTEC qualification it is vital that you provide our Admissions team with details of the exact modules you have studied as part of the BTEC. Without this information, we may be unable to process your application quickly and you could experience significant delays in the progress of your application to study with us. Please explicitly state the full list of modules within your qualification at the time of application.
GCSE: mathematics grade C required. English language grade C or above.
Access: pass an Access to HE Diploma (science-based) with at least 33 credits at merit, and to include at least 12 credits in a relevant science units at merit. Including GCSE English and Maths grade C or above or equivalent.
T level: Merit, science/technology related subjects.
Applications from international students and those with no recent formal qualifications are welcome and will be assessed on an individual basis.
Direct entry to year two or the final year is possible.
Accepted subject include: applied science, animal management, countryside management, forensic science.
The BSc (Hons) Environmental Science course is also available for Intercalating students .
We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary .

Fees, costs and funding
New student 2024-2025 2025-2026 *
Home £9,250 £9,535
International £18,100 £18,650
Part time (Home) £770 £795
Full time fees shown are per annum. Part time fees shown are per 10 credits. Please note that fees are reviewed on an annual basis. Fees and the conditions that apply to them shown in the prospectus are correct at the time of going to print. Fees shown on the web are the most up to date but are still subject to change in exceptional circumstances. More information about fees and funding.

* UK Government announcement on tuition fees

On Monday 4 November 2024, the UK Government announced a proposal to increase tuition fees for home undergraduate students from £9,250 to £9,535 per annum from September 2025 onwards. The University of Plymouth intends to apply this new fee from September 2025. However, implementation of this increase will be subject to parliamentary procedure. This change applies to new students starting their studies in September 2025. For current and returning students, the University is reviewing fees and will update you as soon as possible.

Undergraduate scholarships for international students

To reward outstanding achievement the University of Plymouth offers scholarship schemes to help towards funding your studies.

Additional costs

This course is delivered by the Faculty of Science and Engineering and more details of any additional costs associated with the faculty's courses are listed on the following page: Additional fieldwork and equipment costs .

Tuition fees for optional placement years

The fee for all undergraduate students completing any part of their placement year in the UK in 2024/2025 is £1,850.
The fee for all undergraduate students completing their whole placement year outside the UK in 2024/2025 is £1,385.
 Learn more about placement year tuition fees

How to apply
All applications for undergraduate courses are made through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service).
UCAS will require the information contained in the box at the top of this course page including the UCAS course code and the institution code.
Apply for this course on the UCAS website.
For more information about submitting an application including application deadline dates, visit the UCAS website.
For enquiries about direct entry to years two and four, contact Admissions Tutor John Bull .
Intercalating students wishing to apply for the final year of this course please contact our admissions team on 01752 585858 or email admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

Progression routes

International progression routes

The University of Plymouth International College (UPIC) offers foundation, first-year and pre-masters programmes that lead to University of Plymouth degrees. Courses are specially designed for EU and international students who are missing the grades for direct entry to the University, and include full duration visa sponsorship. You can start in January, May or September, benefitting from small class sizes, top-quality tuition and 24/7 student support.
Find out more at plymouth.ac.uk/upic or contact our team at info@upic.plymouth.ac.uk

Environmental science fieldwork

Fieldwork is an important part of studying the environmental sciences. Our programme of residential and non-residential fieldwork enables students to immerse themselves in different environments where they can experience and investigate environmental challenges in a range of national and international locations.
Fieldwork may be subject to change due to staffing and external factors.

Why study environmental science?
Students using a petrographic microscope

Our world-leading new suite of scientific microscopes include touch screen and video capabilities to enhance your learning

Researchers in the arctic

Research in the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

Student researcher

Careers

Student experience: International students
Ben Ellet, Plymouth Pioneers

Discover why Ben wants to inspire others to save the planet

Academic staff

Find out what our graduates are doing now

Are sunscreens damaging our marine environment?

BSc (Hons) Environmental Science graduate, Anneliese Hodge, explores how sunscreens impact a range of marine species.
PhD researcher Anneliese Hodge collecting seaweed as part of her studies into the effect of sunscreen on the marine environment Anneliese Hodge

Digging deeper into the science of soil


"When I attended the open day the environmental science ambassadors were inspirational and clearly happy with the course."
Gain an insight into studying at Plymouth and discover some top tips for your university experience from BSc (Hons) Environmental Science graduate, Harry Barrat, who is now undertaking research as a soil scientist.
Harry Barrat – BSc (Hons) Environmental Science graduate
Lewis Bird

"Buy a decent pair of walking boots that won't leak"

Lewis Bird shares his advice and experiences.
"Plymouth gave me a good heads up of what to expect working in the field. Be it getting drenched during field exercises on Dartmoor or tight report deadlines."
After graduating Lewis actively pursued a career in the environmental sector. He is now an Environmental Consultant for OHES Environmental Ltd in Birmingham.
Photo of Nim Kwan Cheung
Nurdle
BSc (Hons) Environmental Science graduates Jeff Lamb and Josh Beech
*These are the latest results from the National Student Survey. Please note that the data published on Discover Uni is updated annually in September.
** This course is accredited by the Committee of Heads of Environmental Sciences (CHES), the education committee of the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES). CHES is the collective voice of the environmental sciences academic community and serves to enhance the quality of environmental education worldwide. A programme accredited by CHES is assured to meet high standards, contain a strong component of practical, field and theoretical activities, and has excellent opportunities for training, work experience and links to the professional environmental sector. Students enrolled on CHES accredited programmes can apply for free Student Membership of the IES and for a fast-track route to membership once they graduate, starting you on a route towards becoming a Chartered Environmentalist or Chartered Scientist.