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Environmental Geoscience

Entry requirements


112 - 120 UCAS points to include a minimum of 2 A Levels with a relevant science subject: Biology, Maths/Use of Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Environmental Science/Studies, Applied Science, Geography, Geology or Technology.

Considered in combination

Pass a Science based Access to HE Diploma with at least 33 credits at merit to include 18 credits in science units

Considered in combination

Considered in combination

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

28-30

To include 4 at Higher Level in two Science subjects

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)

H2,H2,H2,H3,H3

112 to 120 UCAS points. To include relevant science subjects: Biology, Maths/Use of Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Environmental Science/Studies, Applied Science, Geography, Geology or Technology. English and Maths considered within

Considered in combination

Considered in combination

Considered in combination

Considered in combination

Considered in combination

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

DDM-DMM

Science/Technology related subject required

Considered in combination

Considered in combination

Range from 112 to 120 UCAS points to include a minimum of 2 Advanced Highers to include a Grade C in a relevant science subject: Biology, Human Biology, Maths, Use of Maths, Further Maths, Statistics, Electronics, Physics, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Psychology, Computer Science, Computer Programming, Information Technology, Applied Science, Geography, Geology.

Considered in combination with Advanced Highers

T Level

M

Must be a Science Pathway

UCAS Tariff

112-120

112 - 120 UCAS points to include a minimum of 2 A Levels with a relevant science subject: Biology, Human Biology, Maths, Use of Maths, Further Maths, Statistics, Electronics, Physics, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Psychology, Computer Science, Computer Programming, Information Technology, Applied Science, Geography, Geology, BTEC Applied Science, BTEC Engineering.

Considered in combination

Considered in combination

About this course


This course has alternative study modes. Contact the university to find out how the information below might vary.

Course option

3years

Full-time | 2024

Other options

4 years | Sandwich | 2024

Subject

Environmental geoscience

Interdisciplinary scientists play a vital role in addressing critical environmental challenges such as climate change and environmental degradation. This degree combines an understanding of earth materials and planetary change on geological timescales with environmental science concepts. You will explore complex issues around the transition to a low carbon economy, zero waste construction, carbon capture and storage, and sustainable development.

- Develop a range of knowledge and skills essential to a range of careers in the Earth and environmental sectors.

- Our approachable staff share their cutting-edge research and expertise through varied teaching practices in lectures, tutorials, practical classes and field courses.

- Learn to apply the latest techniques in the field and laboratory. Our substantial fieldwork programme uses the unrivalled local range of geological and geographical locations. Residential overseas fieldwork visits regions of active tectonics such as Death Valley, Italy and Sicily.

- All students have the opportunity to spend your second year studying abroad in Europe, Canada, Australia, USA or elsewhere through our bilateral and ISEP exchange programmes.

- Students can undertake a placement year, between the second and final year, working full time for a geological employer.

- Improve your skills in our open access laboratory, LABplus .

- Develop your confidence with your personal tutor, providing you with regular guidance throughout your degree.

- Get support from students in the year ahead via our PALS mentoring scheme.

- Live and study close to the sea, Dartmoor and two geological UNESCO World Heritage sites.

- Receive free essential field safety equipment as part of your welcome package.

- Work towards becoming a Chartered Geologist, our accreditation by the Geological Society, the world’s oldest and most prestigious national learned society for geology, helps you to gain the required experience.

Modules

Year 1
Laying the foundations with modules that build core knowledge, your first year provides you with an introduction to essential laboratory and field skills. You'll learn about key Earth processes, take a practical approach to the study of minerals and rocks, develop your understanding of core concepts in sustainable geoscience. Our tutorials will help you gain effective study techniques and computing skills with a personal tutor, providing you with weekly guidance throughout your first year.

Year 2
Year 2 consolidates the knowledge and skills developed in year one, with an emphasis on practical skills. You'll develop observational, analytical and interpretive skills and the ability to use them to answer fundamental questions. You'll also learn how to use a GIS and develop new field skills during a field course in the UK. You’ll also have the opportunity to spend your second year studying abroad in Canada, Australia, USA or elsewhere through our direct exchange, Erasmus or ISEP programmes.

Optional placement year
Take advantage of our optional placement year, giving you the opportunity to develop your knowledge and skills in the workplace gaining valuable experience. Find your perfect placement with the help of our employability service and benefit from specialist workshops and tutorials in your second year, helping you prepare for your year in industry.

Final year
Your third year gives you the opportunity to develop specialised knowledge and skills through selecting optional modules from the Earth and environmental science courses. Optional modules include engineering geology, global environmental solutions, climate change: adaptation and mitigation. You may also undertake advanced fieldwork and will complete an independent research project, which will develop your professional skills.

The modules shown for this course or programme are those being studied by current students, or expected new modules. Modules are subject to change depending on year of entry and up to date information can be found on our website

Assessment methods

For up to date details, please refer to our website or contact the institution directly.

The Uni


Course location:

University of Plymouth

Department:

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

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What students say


We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.

85%
Environmental geoscience

How do students rate their degree experience?

The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Earth sciences

Teaching and learning

86%
Staff make the subject interesting
90%
Staff are good at explaining things
86%
Ideas and concepts are explored in-depth
83%
Opportunities to apply what I've learned

Assessment and feedback

Feedback on work has been timely
Feedback on work has been helpful
Staff are contactable when needed
Good advice available when making study choices

Resources and organisation

85%
Library resources
90%
IT resources
91%
Course specific equipment and facilities
70%
Course is well organised and has run smoothly

Student voice

Staff value students' opinions
Feel part of a community on my course

Who studies this subject and how do they get on?

88%
UK students
12%
International students
60%
Male students
40%
Female students
73%
2:1 or above
10%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

C
B
C

After graduation


The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Earth sciences

What are graduates doing after six months?

This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.

£20,000
med
Average annual salary
90%
low
Employed or in further education
64%
med
Employed in a role where degree was essential or beneficial

Top job areas of graduates

17%
Natural and social science professionals
12%
Engineering professionals
7%
Business, finance and related associate professionals

What about your long term prospects?

Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.

Earth sciences

The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.

£19k

£19k

£25k

£25k

£26k

£26k

Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.

Explore these similar courses...

Higher entry requirements
University of Portsmouth | Portsmouth
Earth Science
BSc (Hons) 3 Years Full-time 2024
UCAS Points: 112-128
Same University
University of Plymouth | Plymouth
Physical Geography and Geology
BSc (Hons) 3 Years Full-time 2024
UCAS Points: 112-120

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This is what the university has told Ucas about the course. Use it to get a quick idea about what makes it unique compared to similar courses, elsewhere.

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Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF):

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This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).

This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.

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This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.

You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.

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Post-six month graduation stats:

This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.

It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.

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Graduate field commentary:

The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show

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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?

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