Study the environment from a scientific perspective, and discover how to solve some of the most-critical challenges facing planet Earth, with our accredited BSc Environmental Science with Professional Experience.

You’ll explore Earth’s natural systems – its physical, chemical and biological interactions – and use this knowledge to develop strategies for tackling major environmental issues such as climate change and pollution.

This three-year degree has a strong scientific focus. Your learning will span from the single cells and atoms that form the building blocks of our world, to the cycling of matter and flows of energy into, between, and within the:

- solid Earth and its surface

- hydrosphere

- atmosphere

- biosphere.

Gain essential skills needed by today’s professional environmental scientists. Our balance of practical and theoretical learning enables you to gain experience in the field and enhance your specialist subject knowledge with real-life experience – preparing you for a career, or further research, in the environmental sector.

Choose BSc Environmental Science with Professional Experience at the University of Reading

- Accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES).

- The University is ranked in the top 10 in the UK for Environmental Studies, and 54th in the world (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021).

- Ranked 4th in the UK for research power for Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences (Research Fortnight’s Analysis Power Rankings, 2014, based on its analysis of Research Excellence Framework 2014).

The flexibility of this degree allows you to make an informed decision about where to focus your study, providing the opportunity to adapt your degree to your chosen interests as they develop.

Alternatively, you can choose from a variety of specialist pathways, including:

- water resources and quality

- conservation and sustainability

- climate and palaeoclimate change

- pollution and remediation.

**BSc Environmental Science with Professional Experience placement year**

A key component of this degree is a year-long professional placement, which occurs between your second and final year.

Working with a local company or organisation, you will:

- deepen your knowledge and put your learning into practice

- develop your research, survey, data analysis and presentation skills

- build your professional network

- gain insight into the sector and potential career options.

Some of our students choose to complete their dissertation in conjunction with an outside agency, engaging in research for major organisations such as Natural England and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Professor Hilary Geoghegan leads on the £1.3m national ‘Community for Engaging Environments’ project, giving students an opportunity to get involved with professional environmental research.

**Careers**

Your BSc Environmental Science with Professional Experience degree will equip you with a wide variety of skills – from teamwork writing and presenting, to the ability to adapt to changing circumstances – highly desirable to a range of employers.

You’ll be well placed to enter a variety of technical and scientific roles in areas such as:

- environmental protection

- renewable energy

- sustainable transport

- water

- environmental consultancy.

Recent students have gone on to work for a range of major organisations, including:

- AWE

- Centre for Alternative Technology

- Thames Water

- Sustrans

- Syngenta

- Jacobs Engineering

- Environment Agency.

Your degree also offers a route into postgraduate study, research or teacher training.