Environmental science

Address the climate change emergency – make a difference on issues that really matter
Fieldwork at Slapton Ley – BSc (Hons) Environmental Science

Why Plymouth?

  • (Opportunities to participate in fieldwork in the UK and overseas

  • "International exchange programme with USA, Canada, Australia and European countries

  • 'Benefit from an extensive network of placement providers

  • <Institution of Environmental Sciences accredited degrees

Which undergraduate course?

Rain forest from air near Kuranda, Queensland, Australia. Image courtesy of Getty Images.

BSc (Hons) Environmental Management and Sustainability

A group of students completing research on Dartomoor

BSc (Hons) Environmental Science

Students conducting research on Dartmoor.

BSc (Hons) Environmental Science with Foundation Year

Angela Milne
Welcome to environmental sciences at the University of Plymouth. Environmental experts are at the cutting edge of addressing global environmental challenges. Our range of degrees provide students with the knowledge, expertise and skills to investigate and understand the impact of humans on the environment and start building sustainable solutions. Our academic staff share their pioneering research from a range of fields including climate change, pollution, biodiversity, conservation and sustainability, in marine and terrestrial ecosystems. 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.

Dr Angela Milne
Programme Leader

Read about our student and staff success in our latest newsletter.

Recent edition: Spring 2025

Jon ShawProfessor Jon Shaw
Head of School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

SoGEES newsletter cover Spring 2025

Why study environmental science?

Get to know some of the pressing topics that led some of our students to study environmental science with us here in Plymouth.
There are so many different environmental issues in today's world; identifying and discovering ways in which to prevent future damage are just some of the subjects you will cover in your time with us.

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.
In their final year environmental scientists can join multidisciplinary teams of geographers, environmental chemists, and earth scientists to investigate sustainability issues in a study location overseas and then tackle a core issue through a research project of their own creation.
For the academic year 2025/2026, fieldwork will be based in Namibia, South West Africa, working with scientists from the Gobabeb Research Institute and local communities. The fieldtrip, focused on issues related to the Sustainable Development Goals, will take place in the spring of 2026.
Fieldwork may be subject to change due to staffing and external factors.

Discover facilities in the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

As student in the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences you will have access to a range of cutting-edge resources and facilities.
These will support your learning in the field and in the laboratory – whether in traditional chemistry lab or a high-performance computing room. Many are solely for the use of our students and researchers and you will also have access to LABplus Resource Centre and the Marine Station.
Students using a petrographic microscope

Discover our range of postgraduate taught programmes and research opportunities

Green technology. Environmental technology concept. Sustainable development goals. SDGs

MSc Environmental Consultancy

Two women working on the beach by a pool of water collecting and analysing samples to assess environmental damage. They are wearing protective gloves and reflective clothing (full-bleed)

MSc Environmental Geochemistry

Beautiful landscape of skylines in Shenzhen,China

MSc Sustainable Environmental Management

Getty images 610447526 Countryside FogFoggy morning in Yorkshire UK

MRes Sustainable Environmental Management

Laguna Colorada view, Bolivia

ResM Environmental Sciences

Environmental technology concept. Sustainable development goals. SDGs.

MSc Data Science and Environmental Intelligence

Research centres and groups

Centre of Research Excellence in Intelligent and Sustainable Productive Systems (CRISPS) lead image showing a hand holding soil and a plant.

Centre of Research excellence in Intelligent and Sustainable Productive Systems (CRISPS)

Earth Smart logo

Earth Smart

Tractor mowing field by the sea

Sustainable Food Production Research Group

Aerial view from high altitude of little planet earth with small village houses and distant green cultivated agricultural fields with growing crops on bright summer evening

Sustainable Earth Institute

Research highlight - Why wetlands should be a key topic of conversation at COP26

Wetlands are found all over the world, from peatlands and tropical swamps to mangroves. As a Lecturer in Ecosystem Resilience in the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, my research is focused on increasing awareness of them.
Aerial view of salt marshes at Stiffkey, Norfolk, UKScott Davidson PR
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 .

Academic staff