Environment and geography · Biological and life sciences
Environmental science
BSc
Overview
Environmental science studies how physical, chemical and biological processes shape environments, and how human activity changes them. You mix fieldwork, laboratory analysis and some policy. It is broader than ecology and more scientific than a purely social environmental studies course, though titles overlap and you must read the modules. It can lead towards conservation, consultancy and research, none of which is guaranteed by the degree title. Students who enjoy it like joining science to real places and current environmental problems.
You want a science degree about environments, not only geography essays or only ecology.
Geography can be physical, human or both. Ecology is more organism-focused. Geology is about the solid Earth.
People who like fieldwork and more than one science.
What you will study
Universities do not teach the same modules. The lists below are a general shape, not a syllabus.
Year 1
- Earth systems
- Ecology
- Chemistry of the environment
- Field skills
Later years
- Pollution
- Climate and land use
- Research project
Skills
Useful before you start
- A science or geography
- Writing
- Field confidence
Developed during the degree
- Environmental measurement
- Data interpretation
- Reporting
Teaching and assessment
Teaching often includes Lectures, Fieldwork, Laboratory practicals.
Assessment often includes Exams, Field reports, Project.
Typical weekly commitment
Estimate. Manchester's 2027 environmental science course is a separate published record in the course checker.
Entry requirements
Indicative patterns from published UK admissions information. Not an offer. Actual requirements vary by course, university and year. Pearson Edexcel International A Level and Cambridge International A Level are not treated as the same qualification as GCE A level.
Indicative requirements by qualification
The A-level band is the catalogue reference. IB and American lines come from the named university guides under the table. They are not a conversion every university uses, and they are not an offer.
| Qualification | Indicative requirements |
|---|---|
| A Levels | BBC–ABB. One relevant science or geography is a common pattern. Two sciences are often preferred. |
| IB Diploma | UCL publishes 34 points for ABB. The other end of this band is not in that table. A required A-level subject must be Higher Level in UCL's rule. Each Higher Level subject in that table is at least 5. UCL equates A* to 7, A to 6 and B to 5. This is one university's table. |
| American curriculum | That Manchester guide gives AP 5, 4, 4 for ABB. The other end of this band is not in the guide. Bristol publishes a GPA of 3.2, or 3.4 for competitive courses, and does not use one AP pattern for every degree. |
- University College London: Undergraduate entry requirements. Retrieved 2026-10-14. Not a universal rule.
- University of Manchester, School of Social Sciences: Americas country guide. Retrieved 2026-10-14. Not a universal rule.
- University of Manchester, Civil Engineering: USA country entry requirements. Retrieved 2026-10-14. Not a universal rule.
- University of Bristol: USA international qualifications. Retrieved 2026-10-14. Not a universal rule.
A-level subjects
One relevant science or geography is a common pattern. Two sciences are often preferred.
Often recommended: Geography, Biology, Chemistry.
Useful preparation: Mathematics.
GCSE and IGCSE
English and mathematics at GCSE or IGCSE are commonly requested. Science grades matter more for science degrees. No single national grade is stored. International GCSEs are not automatically accepted as GCSEs.
Indicative UK pattern only. Highly selective universities can ask for higher grades in the sciences than the typical band. Not an offer.
Other ways in
- Consultancy is not an automatic job outcome.
Admissions tests and extra requirements
No admissions test is stored as usual for this course. A university can still set one for a particular year.
Course costs
For many standard full-time courses in England, the home-fee maximum in 2026 to 2027 is Up to £9,790. This is the maximum standard full-time fee published for approved English providers with a TEF award and an access and participation plan. It is not the fee a named university charges, and it does not decide whether you pay home or international fees.
Clinical, laboratory and studio courses are not given a different home-fee figure here, because the regulated maximum is not the same thing as an international or clinical fee.
International tuition is set by each university and is not stored here. Clinical courses are often much higher than classroom-based courses. A school in Qatar does not decide home-fee status.
Source: Changes to tuition fees: 2026 to 2027 academic year. Retrieved 2026-10-14. Living costs, field trips and professional fees are not included.
Where you could study
UK degrees in this subject are numerous. This page does not list every university, because a list without a checked entry requirement would look more certain than it is.
Published courses already checked
The University of Manchester
BSc Environmental Science. 2027 entry. 3 years.
This is one published course, not the general pattern above.
Official course page
No overseas course has been checked for this subject yet.
Where could this degree take you?
Ecologist
Alternative route
Possible with the right modules and field experience.
Geoscientist
Alternative route
Closer if the degree includes substantial earth science. Geology is the more direct title.
Meteorologist
Related, but not enough on its own
Useful context, but meteorology usually expects mathematics and physics.
Oceanographer
Alternative route
Only if marine systems are a real part of the degree.
Explore your pathway
A course sits between school subjects and a career. It does not guarantee either admission or a job.