Environmental Science

UCAS code: F900

Here's what University of Southampton says about its Environmental Science course.

About this course Explore some of the biggest environmental challenges of today and the future, on a course ranked 7th in the UK (Guardian University Guide 2026), where you'll delve into how science can be applied to protect our planet in one of five specialist pathways: Business and the Environment, Biodiversity and Conservation, Environmental Change, Water and the Environment, or Sustainability.

You'll graduate with extensive theoretical and practical experience, which you'll have mastered on our many fieldwork opportunities. In your first and second year you'll go on UK-based residential field courses to learn and apply a range of practical skills. These are included as part of your course fees. In your third year, we offer a range of optional international field trips where you'll see how our research is changing the world for the better. Current projects are in Namibia, Cambodia, and Switzerland.

Key features of the course:

• Study a degree orientated around employability and accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences

• Specialise in your chosen pathway whilst exploring a wide range of subjects including environmental science, geography, ecology, geology, law, and oceanography, to shape your degree to your individual interests, passions, and career goals, with wide ranging and frequently updated module choice

• Develop the knowledge and skills required to tackle the complex major environmental challenges of the twenty-first century and integrate theory-based learning with practical and project work, to work towards sustainable solutions to environmental problems

• Gain real-life skills suited to industry, with our extensive range of field trips and modern equipment used by working professionals, to enhance your employment prospects

• Join a University where 100% of Environmental Science graduates were in employment or further study 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes 2021/2022 and 2022/2023, published in 2024 and 2025).

Student support Your Personal Academic Tutor will work with you throughout your degree. They will act as your first point of contact for pastoral support. They will also help you decide on optional modules, and discuss your future career plans.

The degree is orientated to employability, and your core modules and assessments are aligned with the needs and practices of the professional environment sector. As such, the degree is accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences. Support and development of employability skills starts in the first year. As part of your tutorials, you will develop a Curriculum Vitae (CV) and discuss career opportunities related to your pathway. You will also have access to the University’s Career Services which include online resources and toolkits to develop your CV and interview techniques. You will retain access to these services for up to 5 years after graduating.

Further information This course is open to UK and international applicants and is accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences. The flexibility of the programme develops throughout your studies and includes field trips and optional opportunities such as study abroad.

Year 1: Environmental Science core knowledge, concepts and skills.

Year 2: Explore, specialise and gain hands-on experience within your chosen pathway.

Year 3: Undertake original research, explore environmental policy, and further specialise within your chosen pathway.

A full list of modules is available on the course page on our website.

Your learning is delivered, and assessed, through a wide range of methods to ensure you develop a broad variety of skills that will set you up for success after graduation.

You will be assessed through coursework; laboratory reports and essays; design and problem solving exercises; individual and group projects; written and practical exams; creative projects; oral presentations; dissertation.

Throughout, you'll be supported by a personal academic tutor, your peers, and have access to a senior tutor.