Environmental Sciences BSc(Hons)

Course in brief

The Environmental Sciences BSc(Hons) is a flexible degree that draws from geography, ecology, geology and chemistry to address themes such as sustainability, conservation, pollution, earth systems and processes.

You will develop scientific skills and knowledge through classroom, laboratory and project work, with the freedom to choose between a broad-based study programme or a more specialised route.

The course has a general focus on employability, transferable skills and applied learning. To develop your field skills, there are trips to Greece, Sicily, and South Africa as well as the local area including the chalk and coastal landscapes of the South Downs National Park.

The option of a paid placement year gives you the chance to build experience and a network of professional contacts.

This course is accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES). Students are eligible for free membership of IES, providing the opportunity to be a part of a long-established and reputable environmental science professional body.

Key facts

Location Brighton: Moulsecoomb

UCAS code F901

Full-time 3 years
With placement year 4 years

Accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES)

Book your open day place

Apply now with UCAS for 2019 entry

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

A-levels or BTEC
Entry requirements are in the range of A-level BBC–CCC (112–96 UCAS Tariff points), or BTEC Extended Diploma DMM–MMM. Our conditional offers typically fall within this range.

A-levels must include a pure science subject. BTEC must include a relevant science subject.

We will generally make you an offer if your predicted grades are at the top of this range. If your predicted grades are towards the lower end of this range we may still make you an offer if you have a good GCSE (or equivalent) profile or relevant non–academic achievements.

International Baccalaureate
28 points, with three subjects at Higher level to include a relevant science subject.

Access to HE Diploma
Pass with 60 credits overall. At least 45 credits at level 3, with 24 credits at merit or above. Level 3 units must include geography or environmental studies and a relevant science.

GCSE (minimum grade C or grade 4)
At least English language, maths and science.

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.

For non-native speakers of English
IELTS 6.0 overall, with 6.0 in writing and a minimum of 5.5 in the other elements.

International equivalencies

International equivalencies by country

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.

Visit our language institute

For English language preparation courses.

Visit our International College

For degree preparation courses.

Course in detail

Course structure

Our Environmental Sciences degree provides a solid foundation of essential environmental science knowledge alongside optional modules that you choose according to your personal academic and career interests.

From year 2, modules are organised into themes:

environmental management and pollution
ecology and conservation
earth systems and processes.

You can choose modules from either two or three of the themes.

However broadly you choose to study, you will develop subject-specific and transferable skills, including:

class-based skills (independent learning, debating, presenting, developing an argument)
laboratory skills (analytical techniques, such as for soil quality, water quality and pollution)
field skills (applying environmental techniques, devising surveys, monitoring, sampling).

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Year 1

You will develop basic environmental science skills, analysis and field research. Fieldwork includes a trip to Greece.

Modules

Fundamentals of Physical Geography
Global Environmental Issues
Academic Learning and Field Skills
Statistical and Spatial Data Analysis

Option modules*

Diversity of Life
Introduction to Ecology and Conservation
Introduction to Marine Biology and Ecology
The Earth and Ocean System
Urban Geography

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

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. Fieldwork includes opportunities in Sicily or South Africa.

Modules

Geography fieldwork (or Biology Field Course, as specialist option)
Skills for Research and Data Analysis

Option modules*

General:

Human Origins and Evolution
Prehistoric and Ancient Societies
Community Engagement
Social and Cultural Geography
GIS and Remote Sensing: Principles and Practice
Practising Environmental Sciences
Basic Expedition Leadership

Theme 1: Environmental management and pollution

Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry
Environmental Pollution
Sustainable Development

Theme 2: Ecology and conservation

Behavioural and Evolutionary Biology
Physiology of Organisms
Managing Populations in Ecology and Conservations
Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems
Biogeography

Theme 3: Earth systems and processes

Paleoenvironments
Earth Surface Processes
Ice Age Earth
Biogeography
Climate Change

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Placement year

The placement year 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 the Department for Energy and Climate Change, Transport for London, the Field Studies Council and the Office of National Statistics.

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

Geographical Information Systems MSc _004

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.

You also have the opportunity to undertake an optional research field skills module in Brazil.

Module

Dissertation

Option modules*

General:

Evolution of Life
Humans of Ice Age Britain
Political Ecology: Contested Environments and Development
Community Engagement
Advanced GIS and Remote Sensing

Theme 1: Environmental management and pollution

Case Studies in Environmental Pollution
Aquatic Environments
Environmental Impact Assessment
Environmental Management
Water, Sanitation and Health

Theme 2: Ecology and conservation

Species Interactions
Ecological Impact Assessment
Hot Topics in Ecology and Conservation
Current Topics in Marine Ecology
Aquatic Environments
Research Field Skills, Brazil

Theme 3: Earth systems and processes

Oceans and Coasts
Aquatic Environments
Cold Environments and Environmental Change
Research Field Skills, Brazil

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Course statistics

Unistats and key information sets

Unistats enable you to compare information when choosing a UK university course. All UK universities publish Unistats data on their website.

Programme specification

The programme specification is the approved description of each course. They are updated following course changes, and give a detailed breakdown of the content and structure of the course.

Programme specification

These charts give an indication of how much time you will spend on different activities at each level of the course, and an indication of the balance of assessment by coursework, and written and practical exams. For courses with option modules, actual proportions will depend on the modules you choose.

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 above). You can find out also about the range of support we offer to help you adjust to university life.

Overall workload

Assessments

Careers and employability

This degree will prepare you for careers in areas including nature conservation, waste management, environmental consultancy and geoinformatic systems.

Our graduates have found roles in organisations such as GIS consultancies, Low Carbon Europe, the Environment Agency, Southern Water, and local authorities.

Geographical Information Systems MSc _003

Fees and funding

Your fees

UK/EU (full-time) 9,250 GBP

International (full-time) 14,040 GBP

If you choose to take the professional placement (sandwich) year offered on this course you will pay a reduced fee during this year. Our fee for the professional placement year is £1,230 for home students and £2,000 for international students. This fee may be subject to small increases, in line with inflation.

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2018–19.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK/EU students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full- or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

What's included in the fee?

When costs such as health or DBS checks, or use of specialist materials are incurred as a mandatory requirement of the course they are included in your tuition fee.

You may incur additional costs depending on the optional modules or activities you choose. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. Before you apply check with the school that provides your course using the contact details in the Find out more tab (at the end of this page) for advice about what is included and what optional costs you could face so you can budget accordingly.

See our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

All field trips are included in the course fee, except the South Africa expedition,which incurs an additional cost of around £800. Exact costs can be requested from the course team.

Location and living here

Location

About Brighton

Forward-thinking and welcoming, the city of Brighton & Hove is a community of creative and diverse people who share values like sustainability and inclusivity – just like its university.

Miles of pebble beaches, hundreds of bars, restaurants and clubs, a packed calendar of culture, music and sport and great independent and high street shopping attract visitors from all over the world. By the end of your course you’ll still be finding new things to enjoy about the city.

The Brighton Festival, England’s largest arts festival, takes place every May – as does the Great Escape Europe’s leading industry showcase for new music, 300 bands perform over three days at venues across the city. Major events celebrate Pride, digital culture, cinema, photography, food and the winter solstice. Our own Brighton Graduate show is a highlight, turning the university into the largest exhibition space in the south east as we celebrate the outstanding creativity of our students.

As a student here you’ll have a unique opportunity to experience what the city has to offer. Volunteering and placement opportunities enable you to play your part in the events, organisations and communities that make Brighton such a compelling place to be.

Campus where this course is taught

Moulsecoomb campus

Two miles north of Brighton seafront, Moulsecoomb is our largest campus. Subjects taught here include architecture, business, computing, construction, engineering, geography, product design, law and pharmacy.

On campus you will find professional-standard facilities including a flight simulator, trading room, design and digital media suites and specialist research laboratories, alongside the library, student centre, a nursery, fitness facilities and Students’ Union. There are excellent public transport links.

The Big Build
A major transformation of our Moulsecoomb campus began in summer 2018. By summer 2020 there’ll be new halls of residence, academic building, and Students’ Union and fitness facilities – all created with sustainability, inclusivity and community in mind.

As the development grows it will provide many exciting learning opportunities for our students, ranging from live projects, placements and internships with the companies involved to guest lectures and site visits. Find out more...

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Accommodation

Brighton: Moulsecoomb

We have halls of residence across the city in Grand Parade, Moulsecoomb, Varley Park and Falmer.

Eligible students can apply for any of these options. Find out if you are eligible…
You’ll be prioritised for accommodation in the halls that are linked to your teaching base, subject to availability.
Moulsecoomb campus is linked to Varley Park and Moulsecoomb Place halls.
- Varley Park offers a mix of rooms and catering options. Varley Park is around two miles from Moulsecoomb campus and four miles from the city centre. Public transport in the city is excellent, and there’s a shuttle bus between our Brighton campuses during term time.
- Moulsecoomb Place halls are catered and are located on campus.

We also offer Unihomes and Unilets, student houses that we let out to our students on behalf of private landlords. This option provides the most choice and flexibility and can work particularly well when you’re balancing learning with placements and other commitments.

There’s plenty of support if you choose private rented accommodation. We manage our own studenthomes database of properties. And we run our housemates service over the summer for students, new and returning, looking for a place to live.

Find out more on our accommodation webpages.

Moulsecoomb Place accommodation close to the Moulsecoomb campus

Student in the Moulsecoomb Place hall of residence

Maps

Accommodation

University building

Moulsecoomb campus map

Find out more

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Publish your work through our e-journal

Our Geography, Geology and Environmental Sciences students have the opportunity to publish assignments or their dissertation on eGG, the e-journal for undergraduate research in Environment(e), Geography (G) and Geology(G) in our school.

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Student views

Zsófia Ugróczky

"My time at the University of Brighton has given me many new skills and qualities, including a broad insight into all aspects of environmental issues. This year, I had the opportunity to volunteer for an environmental organisation, where I applied my knowledge of soil contamination and environmental policy.

"The variety of different subjects that are offered within the course enabled me to develop new skills that I never imagined. Support from the staff and my personal tutor helped me make the right decisions about my choice of modules and my final dissertation.

"I have gained self-confidence and made many new and good friends that I will keep for life, and I am now planning to continue studying towards my MSc degree at the University of Brighton."