Top 20 for careers
We're in the top 20 UK universities for Geography and Environmental Studies careers after 15 months (source: Guardian University Guide 2021).

BSc (Hons)
Undergraduate degree - single honours
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.
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 skills to do something about them. Expect to ‘get your hands dirty’. We get 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.
“The campus was perfect for an Environmental Science course, as the natural world was just on the doorstep.”
Ewan Gibson, Environmental Science, Graduated 2014
This course will give you knowledge of Environmental Science from biological and geographical perspectives. You can design a programme of study to suit your interests and career aspirations.
You have the option 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.
You can pick which of these topics you’ll study, alongside core topics such as ecology, environmental management and sustainability.
Year one
Environmental science is a wide-ranging subject; at Bath Spa it is studied from two related perspectives: biological and geographical. You’ll cover both these aspects in Year 1, along with biodiversity and conservation. You also select another module to suit your particular interests, such as global food issues, global development, or earth environments.
Year two
You’ll study critical aspects of environmental science in more depth – in particular ecology and environmental management/sustainability. There is 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 applied microbiology; 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.
Year three
Now 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 have plenty of opportunity to develop your practical skills with project work on campus and residential fieldtrips in the UK and abroad. And 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.
You’ll generally be assessed by a mixture of coursework and examination.
We offer an excellent learning environment, with small class sizes. Staff and students are on first name terms and you’ll be assigned a Personal Tutor 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.
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 (below the main image on this page) for more information.
You’ll have the opportunity to study in a wide range of locations around the world. Our students have completed Erasmus programmes in a variety of countries including Spain and Finland.
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 – 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.
Short-term work experience is available in the Second Year optional Work Placement module. 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, Ecosulis ecological consultancy, county Wildlife Trusts, and Mankwe Wildlife Reserve in South Africa.
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:
Many graduates have gone on to postgraduate programmes, leading to a teaching qualification (PGCE), MSc or PhD.
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.
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.
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.
On your return to University for your final year, you'll submit your Placement Portfolio, detailing your development on your placement.
You'll be taught at our Newton Park campus. You'll have access to a range of facilities including our:
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.
Please note: Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland are no longer eligible for the UK (Home) fee status. Please refer to the international student rate.
Year 1 | £9,250 |
Year 2 | Published Jan 2022 |
Year 3 | Published Jan 2023 |
Year 1 | Published Jan 2022 |
Year 2 | Published Jan 2023 |
Year 3 | Published Jan 2024 |
Year 1 | Published Jan 2023 |
Year 2 | Published Jan 2024 |
Year 3 | Published Jan 2025 |
Year 1 | £14,925 |
Year 2 | Published Jan 2022 |
Year 3 | Published Jan 2023 |
Year 1 | Published Jan 2022 |
Year 2 | Published Jan 2023 |
Year 3 | Published Jan 2024 |
Year 1 | Published Jan 2023 |
Year 2 | Published Jan 2024 |
Year 3 | Published Jan 2025 |
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.
We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry to our undergraduate programmes. The main ones are listed below:
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.
Ready to apply? Click the "apply now" button in the centre of this page.
Need more guidance? Head to our how to apply pages.
Admissions service: +44 (0)1225 876 180
Email: admissions@bathspa.ac.uk
Course leader: Samantha Lane
Email: s.lane@bathspa.ac.uk
Website feedback to web@bathspa.ac.uk