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Environmental Science

BSc (Hons)

Undergraduate degree - single honours

Award
BSc (Hons) Environmental Science
School/s
School of Sciences
Campus or location
Newton Park
Course length
Three years full time, or four years full time with professional placement year. Part time available.
UCAS codes
Institution Code: B20
Course Code: F900 or K923
Campus Code: A,BSU

Entry requirements

We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry to our undergraduate programmes. The main ones are listed under 'Typical offers' in the main column below. For combined courses, please check both subjects. If your qualification is not listed, please email admissions@bathspa.ac.uk with your specific details.

Explore biological and geographical perspectives of the natural world with this hands-on Environmental Science course.

  • Learn from qualified and accredited professionals who are enthusiastic, committed, and supportive.
  • Design a specialised programme suited to your interests and aspirations.
  • Develop your practical and fieldwork skills, based on industry standard tools and techniques, with opportunities in the UK and abroad.

Climate change, pollution, loss of biodiversity, environmental mismanagement, energy use, waste management, sustainability, and protection of natural systems are among the planet’s most pressing problems. We’ll help you understand these issues and develop the evidence-based skills you'll need to do something about them.

Taught at Newton Park campus, surrounded by a natural laboratory of parkland, woodland, streams and lakes, we’ll take you out of the classroom and into the environment as much as possible so that you’ll develop the practical skills that employers look for – expect to get your hands dirty!

University of the Year for Social Inclusion

Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2024

#10 in UK

for Student-Staff Ratio in Geography and Environmental Science (Complete University Guide 2024)


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Bath Spa has been great in allowing me to study about the natural world in a really natural environment, while being surrounded by passionate staff members and other likeminded people who want to be a part of positive planetary change.

Angel Plumb, Environmental Science, graduated 2022

What you'll learn

Overview

This course will give you knowledge of Environmental Science from biological and geographical perspectives. You’ll study core topics such as ecology, environmental management and sustainability, and you’ll be able to choose from a range of optional areas to design a programme of study to suit your interests and career aspirations.

You’ll be able to specialise in such areas as aquatic environments, environmental protection and conservation, science communication, and earth systems. Optional topics include marine biology, climatology, sustainable development, river and coastal management, environmental hazards, environmental consultancy, and biodiversity assessment.

There will be opportunities to participate in residential field trips, both in the UK and overseas.

Course structure

Year one
Environmental science is a broad field of study and at Bath Spa it’s studied from two related perspectives – biological and geographical. You’ll cover both these aspects in your core first year modules, along with ecology and biodiversity.

Year two
You’ll study critical aspects of environmental science in more depth – in particular ecology and conservation, environmental management and sustainability. There’s also a wide range of further topics to choose from, either building your course around your particular career aspirations, or keeping your options open with a more general approach. Topics include microbial applications and biotechnology, biodiversity, river and coastal systems, environmental hazards, climate change and sustainability, and science communication.

You’ll have plenty of opportunity to do practical work in the field and laboratory, and you also have the opportunity to further enhance your employability skills with a work placement.

The optional field trip to Italy offers a unique opportunity to explore geographical themes in a highly dynamic, real-world context. On this trip you’ll learn about a range of topics such as earthquake disasters, flood hazards, air quality and pollution, climate change impacts and vulnerabilities, regional development, sustainability and urban geographies. You’ll also have opportunities to experience the regional diversity, food and culture of Italy.

Please note that some of our field trips may incur additional costs on top of your course fees. Financial support for field trip costs may be available via the Bath Spa University International Travel Fund.

Year three
You’ll choose a subject to research in-depth through your dissertation, and select optional modules from topics as wide-ranging as animal behaviour, nature conservation, climatology, marine biology, plants and people, digital imaging, development and disasters, and coastal and river management.

You’ll also continue to develop your practical skills with project work on campus and residential field trips in the UK and abroad. You can also bring in modules from other areas if you want to develop interests in managing sustainability, science publishing, preparing to be a freelancer or starting your own business.

An optional field trip to Barcelona allows you to study topics such as urban development, wildfires and cascading hazards, social inequalities, urban sustainability policies, city planning, coastal erosion, nationalism and independence movements, heat waves, Olympic legacies or urban flood risks.

How will I be assessed?

You’ll generally be assessed by a mixture of coursework and examination.

How will I be taught?

We offer an excellent learning environment with small class sizes. Staff and students are on first name terms and you’ll be assigned an Academic Advisor from day one. We get you out of the classroom and into the environment as much as possible, so you can develop practical skills that are highly valued by employers.

You’ll be taught in relevant, challenging and interesting ways, including lectures, laboratory practicals, seminars, simulations of professional practice, fieldwork-based projects, tutorials, and interpretation exercises. You’ll be taught by professionals who are trained to teach and who will bring their own research and industry based experience to the course.

To find out more about how we teach and how you'll learn, please read our Learning and Teaching Delivery Statement.

Course modules

This course offers or includes the following modules. The modules you take will depend on your pathway or course combination (if applicable) as well as any optional or open modules chosen. Please check the programme document for more information.

Year one (Level 4) modules
  • Biological Techniques
  • Ecology and the Diversity of Life
  • Environmental Change
  • Environment, People and Place
  • Communicating Science
  • Sustainability in Life and Work
Year two (Level 5) modules
  • Conservation Ecology
  • Environmental Management
  • Research Skills for Environmental Science
  • Biology Work Placement
  • Microbial Applications and Biotech
  • Geomorphology and Environmental Hazards
  • Geographical Fieldwork: Hazards, Disasters and Sustainable Development
  • Climate and Society
  • Geotechnologies for Society and Environment
  • Environment and Education
  • Professional Placement Year
Year three (Level 6) modules
  • Dissertation Planning
  • Dissertation Publication
  • Geography Dissertation
  • Animal Behaviour
  • Plants and People
  • Environmental Practice
  • Marine Biology and Conservation
  • Wildlife Photography
  • Managing Sustainability
  • Advanced Geographical Fieldwork: Society, Culture and Environment
  • Disaster Risk Reduction
  • Coastal and River Management

Opportunities

Study abroad

As part of your degree, you could study abroad on a placement at one of Bath Spa’s partner universities.

Fieldwork

Fieldwork and practical work is an important part of the course – you’ll go beyond the lecture theatre to study a range of environments and habitats. Many are available on site as our Newton Park campus has a rich variety of terrestrial and aquatic environments. We also offer opportunities to venture further afield, in day-long and residential field trips in the UK and beyond. Please note some of these activities may have additional costs.

Work placements, industry links and internships

Short-term work experience is available in the optional Work Placement module in your second year. A year-long placement in professional practice is available within our sandwich degree. Our students have worked with organisations such as Somerset Earth Science Centre, Snowdonia National Park Authority, local environmental records centres, professional environmental consultancy companies including Ecosulis, Nicholas Pearson Associates, Johns Associates Ltd and Kier, county Wildlife Trusts, and Mankwe Wildlife Reserve in South Africa.

Careers

Students have gone into roles including Assistant Ecological Consultant, Land Management and Conservation Adviser, Policy Adviser at Defra, and Waste Awareness Officer. Example employers include:

  • Wiltshire Wildlife Trust
  • Bath and North East Somerset Council
  • Ecosulis ecological consultancy
  • Soil Association
  • The Environment Agency
  • Natural England
  • Ministry of Defence
  • Office for National Statistics
  • Natural Environment Research Council [NERC]
  • EDF Energy

Many graduates have gone on to postgraduate programmes, leading to a teaching qualification (PGCE), MSc or PhD.

Competitions and awards

Each year we award prizes to our students. These are: Best Environmental Science student (at each of years one, two and three), and for our graduating cohort, Oxford University Press Achievement in Biosciences Prize, Royal Society of Biology Top Student Award, and the Chartered Institute of Wastes Management (CIWM) Outstanding Student in Wastes Management Award.

Global Citizenship

If you’re a full-time undergraduate student starting your first year at Bath Spa University, you can apply for the Certificate in Global Citizenship, which you’ll study alongside your degree.

You’ll gain global awareness and add an international dimension to your student experience, and funding is available. On successful completion of the programme, you’ll be awarded a Certificate in Global Citizenship. This is in addition to your degree; it doesn’t change your degree title or results.

Adobe Creative Campus

Develop a wealth of indispensable digital skills that you can take into your future career. One of only three Adobe Creative Campuses in the UK, we provide all Bath Spa students with access to the full Adobe Creative Suite, giving you the tools to communicate creatively, whatever your course or chosen professional field.   

“The campus was perfect for an Environmental Science course, as the natural world was just on the doorstep.”

Ewan Gibson, Environmental Science, Graduated 2014

Professional placement year

Overview

This optional placement year provides you with the opportunity to identify, apply for and secure professional experience, normally comprising one to three placements over a minimum of nine months. Successful completion of this module will demonstrate your ability to secure and sustain graduate-level employment.

By completing the module, you'll be entitled to the addition of 'with Professional Placement Year' to your degree title.

Preparation

Before your Professional Placement Year, you'll work to secure your placement, constructing a development plan with your module leader and your placement coordinator from our Careers and Employability team.

How will I be assessed?

On your return to University for your final year, you'll submit your Placement Portfolio, detailing your development on your placement.

Facilities and resources

Where the subject is taught

You'll be taught at our Newton Park campus. You'll have access to a range of facilities including our:

Resources

A wide range of analytical instruments, field and mapping equipment, and ICT resources are available for Environmental Science students.

You'll also have access to Newton Park Library our digital mapping platform that compiles environmental data collected by students, staff and the public from across our University campuses. 

Fees

2024 entry
Student Annual tuition fee
UK full time £9,250
UK part time £4,625
International full time £15,750

Professional Placement Year

During the placement year, the fee is reduced to 20% of the full time fee. This applies to UK and EU/International students.

  • UK: £1,850
  • International: £3,150

Interested in applying?

What we look for in potential students

We’re looking for students who are passionate about the environment. You’ll be interested in environmental issues and want to do something about them.

Typical offers

We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry to our undergraduate programmes. The main ones are listed below:

  • A Level – grades BBB-BCC preferred including a Grade B in a Science of Geography.
  • BTEC – Extended Diploma grades from Distinction Distinction Merit (DDM) to Distinction Merit Merit (DMM) in a related subject.
  • T Levels – grade Merit (M) preferred in a relevant subject.
  • International Baccalaureate - a minimum of 32 points are required with a minimum of Grade 5 in a Science of Geography at Higher Level.
  • Access to HE courses – typical offers for applicants with Access to HE will be the Access to HE Diploma or Access to HE Certificate (60 credits, 45 of which must be Level 3, at Merit or higher) in a related subject.

If you don’t meet the entry requirements above, we may be able to accept your prior learning or experience from outside of formal education. See our Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) page to learn more.

English Language Requirements for International and EU Applicants

IELTS 6.0 - for visa nationals, with a minimum score of IELTS 5.5 in each element.

Course enquiries

For further information about the programme or entry requirements, please email us at admissions@bathspa.ac.uk.

How do I apply?

Ready to apply? Click the "apply now" button in the centre of this page.

Need more guidance? Head to our how to apply pages.

Three year course
With placement year

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