Intro

Environmental scientists study the natural world and the impact of human activity on it. Their work is crucial for developing sustainable solutions to global challenges such as climate change, pollution and conservation.

Our Environmental Science BSc(Hons) is aligned to UN Sustainable Development Goals and allows you to follow a theme to suit your career ambition. Choose from environmental management and pollution, ecology and conservation, or Earth systems and processes.

You’ll gain practical skills in the classroom, laboratory and in the field, and be able to put your learning into action on the optional placement year in industry.

Key facts

Location Brighton: Moulsecoomb

UCAS code F901

Full-time 3 years
With placement year 4 years
Part-time 4–6 years

Accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES)

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

A-levels or BTEC
Entry requirements are in the range of A-level BBB–BCC (120–104 UCAS Tariff points) or BTEC Extended Diploma DMM–MMM. Our conditional offers typically fall within this range.

International Baccalaureate
26 points, with three subjects at Higher level.

Access to HE Diploma
Pass with 60 credits overall. At least 45 credits at level 3, with 24 credits at merit or above.

Foundation degree/HND/HNC
International foundation may be considered. Applicants with an HND or foundation degree may be considered for year 2 entry.

Studied before or got relevant experience?
A qualification, HE credits or relevant experience may count towards your course at Brighton and could mean that you do not have to take some elements of the course or can start in year 2 or 3. 

English language requirements
IELTS 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. Find out more about the other English qualifications that we accept.

Don’t meet these entry requirements?
Our Environmental Science BSc with integrated foundation year provides an extra year of study at foundation level if you do not have the academic qualifications or experience needed for entry to this course.

International requirements and visas

International requirements by country
Country name
Albania
Algeria
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belgium
Bermuda
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Bulgaria
Burma (Myanmar)
Cameroon
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Ecuador
Egypt
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Guyana
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kosovo
Kuwait
Latvia
Lebanon
Liechtenstein
Libya
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Malaysia
Malawi
Malta
Mexico
Moldova
Montenegro
Morocco
Namibia
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nigeria
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palestinian National Authority
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russian Federation
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sri Lanka
Syria
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Tanzania
Thailand
Tunisia
Turkey
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United States
Uzbekistan
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

View our English language courses

For pre-sessional English preparation courses.

Visit our International College

For degree preparation courses.

Visas and immigration advice

Applying for a student visa

Check out our step-by-step guidance.

Course content

Top reasons to choose this course

  • Professional accreditation from the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES).
  • 98% of our students are positive about the teaching on this course — National Student Survey (NSS) 2024.
  • Learn field skills on day trips and residential field trip options in every year of the course.
  • Travel and accommodation included in the fees for mandatory residential trips to locations such as Wales and Sicily (go to the fees and costs section for more info).
  • Work experience throughout the course including the option of a placement year.
  • 100% of our research impact is assessed as ‘outstanding’ or ‘very considerable’ in terms of its reach and significance – 2021 REF.

Making sure that what you learn with us is relevant, up to date and what employers are looking for is our priority, so courses are reviewed and enhanced on an ongoing basis. When you have applied to us, you’ll be told about any new developments through Student View.

Male and female student standing in a river collecting samples

Year 1

You will develop basic environmental science skills, analysis and field research. 

Lecturer with two students one putting a small block into a container of liquid

Year 2

You will further develop your analytical and applied skills. This year includes an employability skills development module that will help prepare you for your chosen career.

 

Students and technician using drone equipment in the lab

Placement year

The placement year on your Environmental Sciences degree is a great opportunity to:

  • put your new skills into action in a real-life work place
  • build knowledge of businesses and organisations
  • develop existing skills and discover new ones
  • make contacts in industry and commerce
  • increase your confidence
  • improve your time management.

In recent years, our students have been successful in competing for nationally advertised positions with:

  • Department for Energy and Climate Change
  • Transport for London
  • Field Studies Council
  • Office of National Statistics. 

Other students have secured placements with environmental firms and consultancies, a multinational telecommunications company and a renewable energy research centre in Spain.

Two geography students on placement working with colleague in lab

Final year

The focus in your final year is your independent dissertation. Working with an expert academic, you will investigate a chosen topic and apply the research methods and analytical skills you have developed.

Three students looking at a rock pool

Meet the team

Dr Matthew Brolly, course leader 

“I love helping students develop their abilities through all the years of university. A lot of this love and enjoyment comes from seeing the maturing of their subject knowledge and technical skills, but it is their ability to engage in philosophical and scientific discussions by the time final year comes around which is the most satisfying. First years would never believe they were capable of such things on day one of university.”

Find out more about Dr Matthew Brolly

Dr Matthew Brolly

Find out about the rest of the course team

Careers

Professional accreditation  

Our Environmental Sciences degree BSc(Hons) is accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES). Accreditation is an external  mark of quality for the course and an acknowledgement of the support we provide our students in planning for their careers.

As a student on our course you’re eligible for free membership of IES and will become part of an active community which champions environmental disciplines both academically and professionally. Through the IES you have access to careers advice and resources and have the opportunity to be part of a long-established and reputable environmental sciences professional body.

Institution of Environmental Sciences logo_2025

Prepare for your career 

In your career you need a combination of knowledge, skills, personal qualities and relevant experiences – and you’ll get all of this from your degree.

  • Apply your learning and consolidate your geographical scientific knowledge and skills in the lab and in the field.
  • Strengthen transferrable skills in time management, group working, communication, presenting, designing solutions and software, all of which help to prepare you for your career.
  • Learning with staff who are active in research and consultancy, you’ll build your specialist research skills and gain more in-depth knowledge in the areas that interest you most.
  • Gain real-world, related experience and make a difference by getting involved with community groups and voluntary organisations.

Facilities for learning 

You will gain valuable, hands-on experience in our specialist labs and using our field equipment, including:

  • Environment and public health lab
  • Soil and water analysis labs
  • Soil and sediment analysis lab
  • Hydraulics lab
  • Environmental simulation lab
  • Scanning electron microscopy facility
  • Air quality lab
  • Computer suites running GIS and other professional software
  • Equipment for field-based geophysical surveying
  • Field collection equipment.

Professional links 

Research informs our teaching, helping our students to think and learn like professionals. You will learn with Brighton-based researchers who are tackling global issues such as sustainable riverine management and air quality. Our research spans Environment and Public Health, Society, People, Nature and Places, and also includes the Centre for Earth Observation Science.

Guest lectures from industry experts and our own graduates enhance your learning, giving you valuable insights into real-world working environments as well as networking opportunities.

Graduate destinations 

Our graduates have gone on to careers in organisations including:

  • Centre for Environment, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Science (Cefas)
  • Environment Agency
  • Southern Water
  • Low Carbon Europe
  • GIS consultancies.

They are working in roles such as:

  • environmental consultant
  • energy consultant
  • GIS officer
  • sustainability manager
  • performance analyst
  • heritage manager
  • planning and development surveyor.

Read about David’s journey from his degree to marine biogeochemist at Cefas.

Further study 

We have opportunities for further study at postgraduate level in this field:

Supporting your employability 

Outside of your course, our Careers and Employability team are here to support you as you discover (and rediscover) your strengths and what matters to you. We are here for you throughout your university journey as you work towards a fulfilling and rewarding career.

  • Find part-time work that you can combine with your studies.
  • Find, or be, a mentor or get involved with our peer-to-peer support scheme.
  • Develop your business ideas through our entrepreneurial support network.
  • Get professional advice and support with career planning, CV writing and interview top tips.
  • Meet potential employers at our careers fairs.
  • Find rewarding volunteering opportunities to help you discover more about what makes you tick and build your CV.

Whatever your career needs, we are here to help. And that’s not just while you are a student – our support carries on after you’ve graduated.

Find out about careers and employability at Brighton.

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Fees and costs

Course fees

UK (full-time) 9,535 GBP

International (full-time) 17,250 GBP

This course offers a professional placement (sandwich) year in year 3. If you choose to take this placement you will pay a reduced fee during this year. For students starting their undergraduate degree in the 2025–26 academic year, the fee for the professional placement year is £1,500 for UK students and £1,850 for international students. This fee may be subject to small increases in line with inflation.

Location and student life

Campus where this course is taught

Moulsecoomb campus

Two miles north of Brighton seafront, Moulsecoomb is our largest campus and student village. Moulsecoomb has been transformed by a recent development of our estate. On campus you’ll find the Students’ Union events venue, and sports and fitness facilities, alongside the library and student centre.

Over 900 students live here in our Moulsecoomb Place halls and the new Mithras halls – Brunswick, Goldstone, Hanover, Preston and Regency.

Moulsecoomb has easy access to buses and trains so you can access all the exciting things happening in our home city.

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Accommodation

If you booked halls by 30 June you are guaranteed an offer of a room. If you are currently looking for halls you can register your interest in available rooms now. In 2024, everyone who did this before or on A-level results day got a room offer. There is a good range of student accommodation in Brighton, including university and private halls, as well as rented rooms, flats and houses and our team are here to support you to find the best match for you.

Brighton: Moulsecoomb

Halls of residence
We have self-catered halls on all our campuses, within minutes of your classes, and other options that are very nearby.

You can apply for any of our halls, but the options closest to your study location are:

  • Mithras Halls are stylish high-rises in the heart of the student village at our Moulsecoomb campus with ensuite rooms for more than 800 students.
  • Varley Park is a popular dedicated halls site, offering a mix of rooms and bathroom options at different prices. It is around two miles from Moulsecoomb campus and four miles from the city centre, and is easy to get to by bus.

Want to live independently?
We can help – find out more about private renting.

Relaxing in halls

Modern accommodation at Moulsecoomb

Mithras halls room with a view

Relaxing in halls near the campus

Student Union social space

Student Union social space at Moulsecoomb

Local area

One of Time Out's 50 best cities in the world

“Brighton has… all the important parts of a sprawling cosmopolitan metropolis (connections to London in under an hour, an array of properly excellent restaurants, energetic late-night spots) … with the easy-breezy beachy attitude to life that makes you feel welcome in an instant.”
Time Out’s 50 Best Cities in the World, 2025

About Brighton

The city of Brighton & Hove is a forward-thinking place which leads the way in the arts, technology, sustainability and creativity. You'll find living here plays a key role in your learning experience.

Brighton is a leading centre for creative media technology, recently named the startup capital of the UK.

The city is home to a national 5G testbed and over 1,000 tech businesses. The digital sector is worth over £1bn a year to the local economy – as much as tourism.

All of our full-time undergraduate courses involve work-based learning - this could be through placements, live briefs and guest lectures. Many of these opportunities are provided by local businesses and organisations.

It's only 50 minutes by train from Brighton to central London and there are daily direct trains to Bristol, Bedford, Cambridge, Gatwick Airport, Portsmouth and Southampton.

Map showing distance to London from Brighton
Brighton Beach sunset

Maps

Moulsecoomb campus map

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Support and wellbeing

Your course team

Your personal academic tutor, course leader and other tutors are all there to help you with your personal and academic progress. You'll also have a student support and guidance tutor (SSGT) who can help with everything from homesickness, managing stress or accommodation issues.

Your academic skills

Our Brighton Student Skills Hub gives you extra support and resources to develop the skills you'll need for university study, whatever your level of experience so far.

Your mental health and wellbeing

As well as being supported to succeed, we want you to feel good too. You'll be part of a community that builds you up, with lots of ways to connect with one another, as well as having access to dedicated experts if you need them. Find out more about how we support your wellbeing.

Sport at Brighton

Sport Brighton

Sport Brighton brings together our sport and recreation services. As a Brighton student you'll have use of sport and fitness facilities across all our campuses and there are opportunities to play for fun, fitness or take part in serious competition. 

Find out more about Sport Brighton.

Sports scholarships

Our sports scholarship scheme is designed to help students develop their full sporting potential to train and compete at the highest level. We offer scholarships for elite athletes, elite disabled athletes and talented sports performers.

Find out more about sport scholarships.

Brighton Cricket Academy

Develop your cricketing skills in the UK’s largest indoor cricket facility alongside studying for a degree. Whether you can already play or you’re new to the game offers the opportunity to train with top coaches in our world-class training environment. 

Find out about the Brighton Cricket Academy.

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Take a tour of sport facilities on our Falmer campus

Stay in touch

Ask a question about this course

If you have a question about this course, our enquiries team will be happy to help.

01273 644644

Statistics

Find out more about how the academic year and degree courses are organised and about learning and assessment activities you might get to grips with at Brighton. More specific information about this course is detailed in the programme specification (linked below). You can find out also about the support we offer to help you adjust to university life.

Course and module descriptions on this page were accurate when first published and are the basis of the course. Detailed information on any changes we make to modules and learning and assessment activities will be sent to all students by email before registration so that you have all the information before you come to Brighton.

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Course specification

Course specifications are the approved description of each course. They contain a breakdown of the content and structure of the course, learning outcomes and assessment. Course specs are updated following course changes.

Course specification

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