Environmental Sciences BSc(Hons)

Course structure

Our Environmental Sciences degree course 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.

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).

You have the option to enrol on this course part-time, giving you more flexibility in the way you choose to study.

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.

Year 1

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

Modules

Core modules

• Fundamentals of Physical Geography

  This module provides a theoretical and practical introduction to azonal (tectonic, climatic, hydrological, fluvial, coastal, slope, aeolian, and biogeographical) and zonal (glacial and periglacial) physical geographical systems. You will examine the ways in which these systems interact with and influence human activities, both at the present day and over archaeological timescales.

• Global Environmental Challenges

  This module introduces pressing global environmental challenges which you'll explore through natural science and social science case studies. The module focuses on scientific, social, economic and political aspects of current and past environmental issues and examines how some of the issues may be addressed through interdisciplinary management and mitigation.

• Academic Learning and Field Skills

  This module will introduce you to academic study skills, fieldwork skills and transferable skills for geography and environmental sciences. The module will support you in how to learn at university, and in particular, with learning independently. You'll also take part in a residential field course where you will learn field data collection and analysis techniques, methodology design and how to present research findings.

• Statistical and Spatial Data Analysis

  This module will introduce you to a variety of techniques utilised in both the academic and professional world for the analysis of geographical and environmental data. Emphasis is placed on developing skills and abilities to graphically/visually display data and assess patterns/relationships through statistical testing, and geospatial display and analysis. The module will introduce you to and allow you to become a competent user of statistical software.

Options*

• Diversity of Life

  This module will provide an integrated approach to the study of living organisms. Beginning with a study of taxonomic principles, you will explore the cell biology of selected examples of microbes, plants and animals, focusing on cell structure and organisation. Practical and field exercises help bring the subject to life.

• Introduction to Ecology and Conservation

  This module will introduce you to key concepts and principles in both ecology and conservation science – illustrated with case studies. The links between ecology and conservation and also between theory and applied research are emphasised

• Introduction to Marine Biology and Ecology

  This module will provide an overview of the major taxa of marine organisms, their diversity, ecology, biology and evolutionary relationship. Origin of life, evolution of marine life, living fossils and specific adaptations to marine habitats will be highlighted. You'll also be introduced to the biogeochemical processes that operate within the marine environment and how they relate to the ecology of oceans.

• A Brief History of Earth

  Explore the evolution of the Earth and its climatic and environmental change over time. You will examine key concepts in the academic disciplines of geology, quaternary science and archaeology, enabling you to understand deep time trajectories alongside more recent climatic and environmental changes, through to the modern epoch of the Anthropocene.

• Past Landscapes and People

  This module introduces key concepts surrounding past societies and the way they viewed, interacted with, and changed their environment. You will explore the techniques and theories that archaeologists use to engage with the past, and how the subject of archaeology interacts with physical and human geography. You will explore human impacts on past environments and put how the modern landscape has been created through the human activities into context. 

• Cities and Social Change

  Explore key concepts, debates and issues in urban geography. The module is an exploration of the character and history of selected modern cities from across the world, examining the conflicts and contradictions inherent in the social experience of the cities and the policies and interventions linked to resolving their problems. We investigate concerns around inclusivity and equity as they impact diverse social groups and will explore the interrelationships between urban development and social change.

• Human Geography

  This module provides a critical introduction to key themes in human geography. You will develop an appreciation of geographical concepts such as nature, space, place and scale through consideration of geographies of global political-economic change, past and contemporary cultural geographies and geographical imaginations, and social geographies of everyday life.

*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.

Modules

• Professional Practice for Global Challenges
• Research and Field Skills

Options*

• Ancient and Prehistoric Societies
• Critical Digital Geographies
• Human Origins and Evolution
• Social Justice in Everyday Spaces
• GIS and Remote Sensing: Principles and Practice
• Ecology and Conservation International Field Course or Applied Conservation Field Trip

Theme 1: Environmental management and pollution

• Environmental Pollution
• Sustainable Futures

Theme 2: Ecology and conservation

• Managing Populations in Ecology and Conservation
• Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems
• Physiology of Organisms

Theme 3: Earth systems and processes

• Climate Change
• Earth Surface Processes
• Ice Age Earth

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

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 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.

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 or Ecology project

Options*

• Community Engagement
• Humans of Ice Age Britain
• Rivers, Coasts and Wetlands: Assessment and Management
• Advanced GIS and Remote Sensing

Theme 1: Environmental management and pollution

• Environmental Impact Assessment
• Water, Sanitation and Health
• Atmosphere, Weather and Climate
• Waste Management and the Circular Economy

Theme 2: Ecology and conservation

• Current Topics in Marine Ecology
• Ecological Impact Assessment
• Hot Topics in Ecology and Conservation
• Political Ecology: Contested Environments
• Species Interactions
• Research Field Skills: Brazil

Theme 3: Earth systems and processes

• Dynamic Landscapes
• The Frozen Planet
• Research Field Skills: Brazil

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

Meet the team

International requirements and visas

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

Visas and immigration advice

Course fees

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 £1,410 for UK students and £2,180 for international students. This fee may be subject to small increases, in line with inflation.

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2023–24.

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 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-time 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.

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. 

Campus where this course is taught

Accommodation

Local area

Maps

Support and wellbeing

Sport at Brighton