Environmental Science
UCAS Code: F900
Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Entry requirements
A level
Typical offer: ABB, including two science subjects from Geography, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Psychology, Geology and Environmental Studies; plus a pass in the associated practical science assessment where applicable. Contextual offer: BBB, to include two sciences from the above list; plus a pass in the associated practical science assessment where applicable. General Studies, Use of Mathematics, Core Mathematics, Thinking Skills and Critical Thinking are excluded for entry.
Access to HE will be considered on a case by case basis. The Access to HE should be in a science subject, or applicants must meet science requirements from additional A Level equivalent qualifications. We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants?who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
to include two science subjects from Geography, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Psychology, Geology and Environmental Studies. Cambridge Pre-U's can be used in combination with other qualifications such as A-levels to achieve the equivalent of the typical offer, where D3 can be used in lieu of A-level grade A and M1 can be used in lieu of A-level grade B. We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants?who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
Extended Project
Typical offer: BBB, to include two science subject from Geography, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Psychology, Geology or Environmental Studies, and Grade A in Extended Project Qualification. A pass in the associated science practical is required where applicable. General Studies, Thinking Skills and Critical Thinking are excluded for entry.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Typical offer: Pass, with overall score of 32 points, with 16 points required at Higher Level, including a minimum of 5 in two higher level sciences. Science subjects accepted are geography, biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, psychology, geology and environmental studies. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP): The University of Southampton accepts the IBCP for entry to their degree programmes, recognising the value of combining academic skills with practical skills, providing a solid preparation for university level work. Offers will be made on the individual components of the IBCP. Applicants not taking the full IBCP but presenting with a combination of a Level 3 vocational qualification and IB Certificates may still be considered. Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information. We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants?who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
BTEC qualifications must be accompanied by two acceptable science A levels
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
plus AB in two acceptable science A Level subjects
BTEC qualifications must be accompanied by two acceptable science A levels
Pearson BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (QCF)
plus AB in two acceptable science A Level subjects
Scottish Advanced Higher
Typical offer: ABB to include two sciences from Geography, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Psychology, Geology and Environmental Studies. All applicants will be required to have achieved a pass in Mathematics and English at Standard Grade, Grade 3 or National 5, Grade C, the equivalent of GCSE Grade C/Grade 4. We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants?who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
We normally consider applicants who offer at least 1 Advanced Higher. Applicants presenting with only Highers will be considered on a case by case basis. Where Highers are taken over two years it might be expected that higher grades are achieved, particularly in any specific subjects required. For example, S5 – S6 (2 years): AABBB (A in specific subject) or S6 (1 year): ABBBB (A in specific subject). Unless a more advanced level (Higher or Advanced Higher) is specified in the stated entry requirements, all applicants will be required to have achieved a pass in Mathematics and English at Standard Grade, Grade 3 or National 5, Grade C, the equivalent of GCSE Grade C/ Grade 4" We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)
Typical offer: AB in two A-level science subjects from Geography, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Psychology, Geology and Environmental Studies (pass in practical science assessment is required where applicable), and grade A in the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate. We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants?who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
UCAS Tariff
We've calculated how many Ucas points you'll need for this course.
About this course
Your BSc Environmental Science degree will give you the opportunity to study one of four specialist pathways: Aquatic Environments and Resources, Biodiversity and Conservation, Environmental Change, and Sustainable Environmental Management.
This challenging and interdisciplinary course embraces a wide range of subjects including environmental science, geography, ecology, geology, law, and oceanography. It focuses on applying science to some of the biggest environmental challenges of today and in the future. It will prepare you for a rewarding career in many fields, like environmental management and conservation.
Specialising in your chosen pathway, you will develop the knowledge and skills required to tackle the complex major environmental challenges of the twenty-first century. As with all University of Southampton Environmental Science courses, this programme will integrate theory-based learning with practical and project work, to work towards sustainable solutions to environmental problems. Geography and Environmental Science is ranked 8th in the Guardian best UK universities league table, 2021.
Modules
In each year of study, you will complete compulsory modules, plus a further number relating to your chosen pathway. Core modules (for all four pathways):
Year 1:
Dangerous World
Earth and Ocean System
Ecology & Evolution
Environmental Field Techniques and Applications
Environmental Science: Concepts and Communication
Environmental Science: Research and Applications
Quantitative Methods
The Earth System
Year 2:
Environmental Impact Assessment
Environmental Pollution
GIS for Environmental Scientists
Sustainability (No-Fly Field Course)
Year 3:
Advanced Quantitative Methods (UG)
Environmental Law and Management
Individual Project
Year 4:
Advanced Research Project
Work-Based Learning
Please see the course page on the website for the full list of modules:
https://www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/environmental-science-degree-menvsci#modules
Assessment methods
Assessment is conducted through a combination of unseen written examinations and coursework, such as essays and project reports. You will also complete assessed tasks such as writing impact reports and an environmental policy for a small business. University of Southampton students regularly have work from their dissertations published in international research journals.
Tuition fees
Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:
The Uni
Main Site - Highfield Campus
Geography and Environmental Science
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.
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.
Environmental sciences
Teaching and learning
Assessment and feedback
Resources and organisation
Student voice
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
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.
Environmental 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.
Top job areas of graduates
What about your long term prospects?
Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Geography, earth and environmental studies
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£22k
£26k
£31k
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.
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Post-six month graduation stats:
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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:
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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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