Environmental Change and Sustainability BSc

• Tailor your degree - With many paths and opportunities to choose from in this field it is important you are able to explore your subject area in detail. With flexible pathways in Sustainable Earth, Climate, Ecosystems, and Society, enriched by diverse peer perspectives. You can focus on what is really important to you.
• Explore active sustainability projects - Gain the skills that you will need with immersive field expeditions to projects that are at the forefront of environmental change and sustainability such as BIFoR, Net Zero lodges, and Tyseley Energy Park.
• Engage with diverse professionals - Gaining real-world insights from academic experts, practitioners, and the sustainable business community.
• Experience the synergy of science and society - Explore environmental change through social, ethical, and economic dimensions for a well-rounded understanding.
• Students on this course ranked the course top 5 in the Russell Group for how often teaching staff made the subject engaging (NSS 2025)
• Students on this course ranked the course 4th in the Russell Group for Assessment and Feedback (NSS 2025)

Booming green job market

Designed with industry experts, we offer a hands-on experience with transferable skills, and diverse career opportunities. You’ll gain practical knowledge in sustainable development, renewable energy, and more. Graduates are highly valued in roles such as environmental agencies, sustainability officers, and policy advisors. With our employability-focused curriculum, you’ll be prepared to make a significant impact in various green careers, from wildlife conservation to urban planning. Join us to become a leader in environmental change and sustainability.

• Assessment methods vary by module, including exams, oral presentations, videos, project work, and practical exercises. Some modules focus solely on exams or project work. Emphasis is placed on collaboration and group work, culminating in a final year dissertation.
• At the start of each module, you'll get all the details on how and when you'll be assessed.  You will receive feedback within just 15 working days. This means you can quickly learn, improve, and make the most of every opportunity for formative assessment.
• Studying at degree-level is likely to be very different from your previous experience of learning and teaching at school or college. You will be expected to think, discuss and engage critically with your subject and find things out for yourself. We will support you in making this transition to a new style of learning, and the way that you are assessed during your studies will help you develop the essential skills you need to make a success of your time at Birmingham.

Support during your studies

You will have access to a comprehensive support system to help you make the transition to higher education when you start at Birmingham:

Personal academic tutors – You will be assigned your own personal academic 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 – Alongside your personal academic tutor, you will also have access to dedicated wellbeing officers who provide professional support, advice and guidance to students across a range of issues.

Our Student Experience Team will help you get the most out of your academic experience. They offer research opportunities, study skills support, and help you prepare for your post-university career.

Contact hours

For this programme, you can expect 10-14 hours of classes weekly in years one and two, and 6-9 hours in the final year.

Assessment methods and feedback

Environmental Change and Sustainability uses a variety of methods to assess student performance, including exams, essays and dissertations. At the beginning of each module, you'll be given information on how and when you'll be assessed for that particular area of study.

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.

To secure a place at Birmingham, you'll need to meet our general entry requirements as well as those specific to your course.

Number of A levels required: 3

 

General Studies

General Studies is not accepted, but a good performance may be taken into account if you fail to meet the conditions of the offer.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma

6,6,5 in Higher Level subjects plus 32 points overall.

BTEC qualifications

BTEC Extended Diploma, Diploma and Subsidiary Diploma are accepted, but subjects are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us for further guidance.

English language requirements

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 or a Presessional English course.

• TOEFL tests taken before January 2026: 80 overall with no less than 19 in Reading, 19 in Listening, 21 in Speaking and 19 in Writing.
• TOEFL tests taken from January 2026: 4.5 Overall with no less than 4 in each skill
• IELTS*: 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in any band.
• Pearson Test of English (PTE): PTE 64 with no less than 59 in all four skills.
• Cambridge English (exams taken from 2015)***: C1 Advanced - Minimum overall score of 169, with no less than 162 in any component.
• Language Cert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 ‘Communicator’ with no less than 25 in each skill.
• Trinity ISE II: Distinction all skills.
• Trinity ISE III: Pass in each Skill

Presessional English courses

If you have a conditional offer for Birmingham where English is a requirement, you can take a Presessional English course as an alternative to retaking IELTS or a similar qualification. We offer on-campus courses all year round starting from September, including additional online courses in the summer term.  Teaching takes place in small classes with no more than 18 students to maximise class participation.

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

Applicants who take the EPQ and meet our offer criteria will be made the typical offer for their programme of choice, plus an alternative offer which will be one grade lower plus a grade B in the EPQ. This offer would apply if you make Birmingham your firm choice.

Core Maths qualification

Applicants who take the Core Maths qualification and meet our offer criteria will be made the typical offer for their programme of choice, plus an alternative offer which will be one grade lower plus a grade B in Core Maths. If you are also taking A-level Maths, you will not be eligible for an alternative offer through studying Core Maths. This offer would apply if you make Birmingham your firm choice.

*The University will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year. 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. The fee for September 2026 entry is £9,790 for UK students. If you decide to do a placement year, you will only pay 15% of the agreed tuition fee for that year. If you are applying for 2027 entry, you will be advised of the annual tuition fee once it is confirmed by the Government.

Undergraduate loans

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.

Scholarships, grants and bursaries

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.

View further information on how to apply for undergraduate courses, including advice for UK and overseas applicants.

Graduates from this programme have gone on to work for organisations including:

• University of Birmingham
• BSI
• Environment Agency
• Dover Harbour Board
• National Grid
• KPMG UK
• Shell
• BAE Systems Applied Intelligence
• Aston University
• Queen's University Belfast

Their job roles include:

• Energy Manager
• Senior Manager
• Senior International Engagement Manager
• Head of Safety, Quality and Environment
• Decarbonisation & Sustainability Manager
• Environmental Sustainability Manager
• Project Coordinator
• Environmental Health Officer
• Chief Operating Officer
• Research And Policy Analyst

Careers Network

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.

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.

Flexible programmes to suit you

Not sure what you want to study?

Explore your options for combining subjects and shape your degree around your interests, whilst developing key skills for the world of work. 

Intercalated years

Our intercalated opportunities offer the chance to take a year out from your existing course to study within another field. This takes place usually between year 2 and year 3 of your programme.