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The world is facing many environmental challenges. Join us and make a difference, develop your understanding of environmental issues and learn skills to tackle global challenges sustainably. Cultivate the knowledge to predict and mitigate complex environmental challenges, and graduate ready to apply yourself globally in environmental management and protection.
The course is completely relevant to the working world at the moment. Everything in business is about being sustainable and cost-efficient, so that nothing is wasted.
Discover more about your chosen subject at one of our Open Days or by asking us a question.
Here is a short overview of what you can expect when choosing our Environmental Science programme at Birmingham.
In your first year, you’ll explore ecosystems, geochemical processes, and geographical information systems (GIS) mapping. You’ll master research methods, understand environmental dynamics, tackle global challenges, and develop statistical analysis skills. This foundation prepares you to address the Earth’s most complex environmental issues.
in the UK for Geography and Environmental Science
Complete University Guide 2025
In the UK for Environmental Science
The QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
Hear more about studying at Birmingham. Chat to one of our friendly students to find out more about your favourite course, our beautiful campus and life in our vibrant and cultural city.
Consider a placement year as part of your degree programme at Birmingham, offering a year-long work experience with an external organisation. Gain valuable skills and experience in sectors related to or outside of your discipline. Past placements include finance companies, the Highways Agency, environmental charities, travel companies, and food manufacturers. You can decide on this option after joining us, with support from our teams on campus. The placement takes place between your second and third year.
Through our mixed teaching methods, your learning will be delivered through lectures and tutorials, fieldwork and lab based projects as well benefiting from a Centre dedicated to nurturing mathematical and academic skills.
Our purpose-built Collaborative Teaching Laboratory supports cutting-edge methods in STEM education. You'll work in diverse lab types, including biological, wet-chemical, dry-rock, and e-laboratories. Here, you will receive advanced training in environmental analysis, mastering skills like risk management, calibration, quality control, experiment design, and replication. This hands-on experience is designed to prepare you for professional practice in environmental analysis, ensuring you're ready to tackle real-world challenges with confidence.
Fieldwork is a cornerstone of our program, starting with a 4-day trip to the Peak District National Park in your first year, where you will study geology, soil, vegetation, habitats, land use, and water chemistry. In your second year, you can choose from diverse field courses, such as freshwater ecology in North Wales, mountain environments in Switzerland, urban environments in Germany, and inter-tidal ecology in Pembrokeshire. You'll develop core skills in collecting and recording environmental data using field analytical techniques, all while maintaining a zero-impact approach. These experiences also provide early opportunities to bond with lecturers and peers, fostering a positive and supportive learning community.
Your final year research project is designed to foster independent scholarship and enhance employability. Building on advanced training in Year 2, where you'll develop a comprehensive Skills Portfolio through Advanced Research Methods, you'll embark on a project that showcases your expertise. You'll have the opportunity to employ diverse methodologies, including field and laboratory data collection, environmental simulation, remote sensing, secondary data analysis, or climate data modelling. This project not only hones your research skills but also prepares you for professional challenges, making you a well-rounded and highly employable graduate.
You will have access to our comprehensive support system to help you make a smooth transition to university-level study.
Personal academic tutors – You will be assigned your own personal tutor who will get to know you as you progress through your studies. They will provide academic support and advice to enable you to make the most of your time here at Birmingham.
Wellbeing Officers - We have dedicated wellbeing officers who provide professional support, advice and guidance to students across a range of issues. They can meet with you to discuss extensions, disabilities, reasonable adjustments, extenuating circumstances, or talk through any problems you might be experiencing, and help you access wider support on campus and beyond.
Academic Skills Centre - The centre aims to help you become a more effective and independent learner through a range of high-quality support services. The centre offers workshops on a range of topics, such as note-taking, reading, academic writing and presentation skills.
Student Experience Team - Our Student Experience Team will help you get the most out of your academic experience. They will offer research opportunities, study skills support and help you prepare for your post-university careers. They will also organise social events, such as field trips, to help you meet fellow students from your course.
In Years 1 and 2 of your Environmental Science degree you can expect between 12-17 contact hours per week with additional tutorials and fieldtrips. In your final year, more of your time will be spent on independent study and research; therefore, you can expect between 7-10 hours of contact time, depending on your choice of modules
The Environmental Science degree assessment methods vary by module and may include individual or group projects, exams, oral presentations, library or web-based research, and fieldwork assessments.
At the start of each module, you'll receive details on assessment methods and timelines. Feedback is provided within four weeks to help you improve for future modules.
Exemplify academic excellence and professional relevance.
The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. The optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.
The following must be taken:
Module Title | Credits | Semester |
---|---|---|
LC Applied Geographical Information Systems (GIS) | 10 | Semester 1 |
LC Ecological Concepts and Plant Sciences | 20 | Semester 2 |
LC Environmental Geochemistry | 20 | Full Term |
LC Environmental Research Frontiers A | 10 | Semester 1 |
LC Environmental Research Frontiers B | 10 | Semester 2 |
LC Global Challenges in the Anthropocene A | 10 | Semester 1 |
LC Global Challenges in the Anthropocene B | 10 | Semester 2 |
LC Research Methods in Environmental Science | 20 | Semester 1 |
LC Statistics | 10 | Semester 2 |
Assistant Professor in Hydrology and Water Resources
Dr Shasha Han is a Lecturer in Physical Geography (Hydrology and Water Resources) in the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Birmingham.
To secure a place at Birmingham, you'll need to meet our general entry requirements as well as those specific to your course.
AAB Including 1 Required Science
6,6,5 32 points overall.
BTEC Diploma and Subsidiary Diploma are accepted but subjects are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us for further guidance.
Number of A levels required: 3
Biology/Chemistry/Computing/Electronics/Environmental Studies/Further Maths/Geography/Geology/Human Biology/ Maths/ Physics/ Psychology/Statistics
General Studies is not accepted but a good performance may be taken into account if you fail to meet the conditions of the offer.
6,6,5 in Higher Level subjects plus 32 points overall.
BTEC Extended Diploma not accepted.
BTEC Diploma accepted in combination with a science A level.
BTEC Extended Certificate accepted in combination with two A levels to include one science.
If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.
Students who are eligible and complete a Pathways to Birmingham programme will receive an alternative offer, which is typically two grades below the standard offer. For more information, please contact outreach@contacts.bham.ac.uk.
Our Contextual Offer scheme recognises the potential of students whose personal circumstances may have restricted achievement in school or college. If you are eligible to benefit from the Contextual Offer scheme, you will receive an offer which is one grade lower than the standard offer. You don’t need to apply for this – it will be assessed and applied at the point of application if you’re eligible.
BBB - A Level including 1 required science
ABB - A Level including 1 required science
The University tuition fee covers the cost of your tuition, examination and graduation, and includes membership of the Guild of Students.
The University will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year. If your offer is for 2025 year of entry, we expect that the tuition fee for your first year of study will be £9,535 for UK students. If Parliament agrees on an increase in tuition fees, the University will increase fees for each year of study normally in line with these changes and will communicate any change in the fees to you without delay. If you are applying for 2026 year of entry, you will be advised of the annual tuition fee closer to the time.
per year for domestic (UK) students for 2025/26
To help with the cost of studies, undergraduate students from the UK can apply for student finance through the Student Loans Company. The support available is made up of a tuition fee loan and a maintenance loan which helps to cover living costs.
At Birmingham, we believe that financial worries should not be a barrier to accessing higher education. That’s why we offer a range of additional financial support for students through scholarships, bursaries and other awards.
Whatever your journey to university looks like, we’re here to support you every step of the way. For all undergraduate courses at Birmingham, you apply online through UCAS. The UCAS website has lots of information and advice around the process.
Application deadline for September 2025 entry. Applications close at 18:00 GMT.
View further information on how to apply for undergraduate courses, including advice for UK and overseas applicants.
Our graduates are highly sought after – Birmingham is the top UK university targeted by top graduate employers (High Fliers ‘Graduate Market in 2024’ report). Our earth and environmental science graduates excel in fields such as scientific civil service, local government, environmental consultancies, conservation, and education. Many pursue teaching, while a quarter continue with Masters and PhD studies in areas like environmental management systems, water resources technology, and air pollution management. University is just the beginning of your career journey and your future is yours to shape.
The University is the top choice for the UK's major employers searching for graduate recruits.
The Graduate Market in 2024, High Fliers report
Receive one-to-one careers advice, including guidance on your job applications, writing your CV and improving your interview technique.
Meet employers face-to-face at on-campus recruitment fairs and employer presentations.
Our aim is to make sure that success in your studies leads you on to a fulfilling career. Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offer support to help you identify your options, develop your skills and gain access to opportunities that propel you towards your career goal.
Hear from some of our inspiring alumni who have gone on to work for leading employers such as the UK Space Agency and BBC Sport.
By studying a variety of modules I gained a variety of skills that are valued by employers but also allowed me to try out different fields in Environmental Sciences
Your experience studying at Birmingham will give you the opportunity to discover new experiences, develop different skills and make friends for life.
Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community, and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.
Coming to Birmingham to study might be your first time living away from home. In our student accommodation, you can enjoy your independence in safe, welcoming and sociable surroundings.
Our cosmopolitan city has a unique history and so much to see and do. With an ever-changing food and drink scene, a vibrant nightlife and plenty of culture, our city is more than somewhere to study.
Whoever you are and wherever you come from, we are committed to providing the best possible support to our students, both before you start and throughout your time on campus.
Our beautiful campus is the place where our diverse community comes together to learn and socialise. Like a town of its own, it’s just minutes from the hustle and bustle of the UK’s second city.
Explore our beautiful campus from wherever you are. Get a feel for the wide range of historic and modern spaces and state-of-the-art facilities.