BSc Environmental Science

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Undergraduate

BSc Environmental Science

Hull’s growth as a hub in this developing field means there are few places better to study the subject.

Key information

Study mode

Full-time

Course length

3 years

Typical offer

120 points

A Level grades: BBB

UCAS code

F751

Choose an option

Start date

Course overview

The need for scientists who understand the forces shaping our planet has never been greater. This degree will give you a range of practical, field and analytical skills to help you solve real environmental problems.

You’ll spend much of your time conducting field work and research. That'll be backed up by lectures, tutorials, seminars and opportunities for residential field courses in the UK and abroad.

On this accredited programme, you can apply for free student membership of The Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES), and for a fast-track route to membership after graduation. This starts you on a route towards becoming a Chartered Environmentalist or Chartered Scientist.

The programme draws on our expertise in biology, geography and geology to make a truly interdisciplinary degree – with practical skills embedded throughout.

The University cares deeply about the environment and a strong, sustainable future for everyone. We have over 80 environmental experts and world-leading scientists who make up our Energy and Environment Institute, who you will get the chance to study with and learn from. We have also committed to an ambitious plan to become carbon neutral by 2027, when we celebrate 100 years since we were first established.

Learn more about your course in our subject sessions

On-demand session

Geography, Earth Science and Environmental Science

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Six reasons to study Environmental Science at Hull

  1. Overseas field trips to locations like Brazil and Malaysia†
  2. Top 10 for graduate prospects in the UK#
  3. Accredited by The Institution of Environmental Sciences‡
  4. Study under world-leading environmental experts
  5. 95.5% graduate employability rating§
  6. Top three UK university for research impact*
This course is IES-accredited

What you'll study

The course consists of 120 credits per year. Most modules are 20 credits, meaning you’ll study six modules each year. Some longer modules, such as a dissertation, are worth more (e.g. 40 credits). In these cases, you’ll study fewer modules - but the number of credits will always add up to 120.

First year modules

  • Compulsory

    Planet Earth

    A look at the planet we live on and its constituent systems and processes: oceans, atmosphere, biosphere and tectonics.

    Exploring Worlds Around Us

    You’ll find out about many different ways of studying the world around us by exploring a specific field trip location.

    Marine Biology: An Introduction

    From space, the planet is blue. Marine life has evolved into a myriad of forms living in some of the most extreme habitats on the planet; from great depths to battered coasts. This introduction to marine biology explores the marine environment, the diversity of life within it and how to conserve it.

    Introduction to Environmental Science

    You'll be introduced to fundamental principles of environmental systems and the interconnectedness of humankind with the environment.

    Interpreting Environments

    This module introduces you to some key tools we use to interpret the environments around us, such as computer mapping and data analysis. 

    Ecology (with optional Dive Training)

    Ecology is the study of interactions among living organisms and their environment, and is the basis for nature conservation and understanding human impact on the planet. Gain an understanding of ecological theory, applied ecology, and the collection and analysis of ecological data. You can choose to complete integrated PADI Advanced Open Water training, with an opportunity to develop specialist diving skills relevant to ecological science.

Second year modules

  • Core

    Frontiers in Environmental Science

    ​Gain practical experience of working in small groups to design and carry out research investigations, to prepare you for designing and planning your dissertation project. 

  • Compulsory

    Geographical Information Systems

    Develop your understanding of the principles and processes behind GIS, the nature and use of spatial data and the application of GIS on this practical module.

  • Optional

    Sustainable Futures

    Study key issues relating to the concept of sustainability and attempts to create more sustainable ways of living. 

    Environmental Change

    Investigate how the environment, especially the climate, changes in the past, present and future through a combination of lectures and practical activities. 

    Geohazards

    Explore what constitutes a geohazard, and the specifics of a range of natural hazards such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, flooding, and climate-related hazards.​

    Physical Geography in Action

    You will explore a range of physical geographical processes that have direct impact on human life, either through determining resource availability or by creating a hazard (e.g. hydrological processes underlying both water availability for irrigation and the risk of flooding).

    Global Challenge: Living in the Anthropocene

    You'll consider profound questions about the scale of the impact of human activities on our planet and the prospects for sustainable global environmental stewardship. 

    Ecological Monitoring

    You'll monitor species, habitats and environmental factors. Choose from mammals, birds, herpetofauna, insects, terrestrial vegetation, freshwater and marine communities.​

  • Optional (choose 1)

    Field Study (Environmental Science)

    Seeing features from this and previous modules come to life. You will learn how to test theories of landform development yourself with new data collection techniques you will explore in groups in a setting carefully selected for its physical geographic features.

    Field Study (UK)

    Discover new ways to look at our own area – five days of field work in and around Hull, East Yorkshire and further afield will introduce you to the data collection skills you will need for your dissertation.

Year abroad modules

You will spend Year 3 studying at a university abroad. This is an outstanding opportunity to broaden your horizons within a different culture and environment, learn new skills and develop valuable international contacts while continuing your studies.

Placement year modules

Spend a year on a paid placement between the second and final year of your degree. You could be with a company, public sector organisation, non-governmental organisation or charity. The experience will help you to develop an awareness of living and working in an environment outside of an academic setting. This is a great experience for employability, but will also give you new perspectives on issues relevant to your degree.

Final year modules

  • Core

    Dissertation

    You will make an original contribution to research by designing, carrying out and writing up your own project on a topic you choose, supported by your dissertation supervisor.

  • Compulsory

    Environmental Pollution

    Evaluate the different types of pollutants impacting the land, atmosphere, freshwater and marine system. Learn how we assess the risks and develop remediation strategies to minimise the effect.  

    Environmental Impact Assessment and Monitoring

    Examine the need for and context of field-based environmental monitoring strategies for both habitats and species. By taking part in fieldwork and research, you'll monitor a range of species, habitats and environmental factors. Choose from mammals, birds, herpetofauna, insects, terrestrial vegetation, freshwater monitoring and monitoring of marine communities.

  • Optional

    Adapting to Climate Change

    Investigate climate change, its impact on us and our adaptions to it, as well as future climate change scenarios. This module uses a combination of lectures, PC practicals and seminars.

    Conservation in a Changing World

    Managing and protecting the natural environment is difficult enough, but we currently face rapid and dramatic change in climate, environment and socio-economic structures. Explore the challenges of planning effectively for conservation in a changing world.

    Advanced GIS

    Develop your geospatial analysis and modelling skills with GIS. This will provide you with key expertise when you enter the GIS job market.

    Field Study (Environmental Science)

    Seeing features from this and previous modules come to life. You will learn how to test theories of landform development yourself with new data collection techniques you will explore in groups in a setting carefully selected for its physical geographic features.

    Food, Space and Society

    Explore the production and consumption networks that feed the city, following food from field to fork. Consider the complex systems of farming, food processing, retail and consumption that feed us.

    Rivers and Management

    A practical look at how we manage rivers, both in terms of the water they carry and their influence of a changing landscape.

    Volcanoes and their Hazards

    Explore the key themes and current research-led understanding of volcanological processes and hazards, volcanic monitoring and management of volcanic crises around the world.

  • Additional

    Teaching Project

    If you think you might like to be a teacher, this is just the module for you! With guidance from the University, you will have the chance to experience school from a teacher perspective. This module will help you get the experience needed to apply for a teacher training course to follow on from your degree.

    Professional Consultancy Project

    Carry out an independent research project with an organisation as you gain workplace experience.  If you like the idea of working as a consultant, this would be an ideal opportunity, but you will also gain an insider view of organisation hosting you. The module provides an opportunity to hone your skills at presenting yourself to gain a placement, negotiating a project topic, carrying out and writing up research.

All modules are subject to availability and this list may change at any time.

How you'll study

Throughout your degree, you’re expected to study for 1,200 hours per year. That’s based on 200 hours per 20 credit module. And it includes scheduled hours, time spent on placement and independent study. How this time’s divided among each of these varies each year and depends on the course and modules you study.

Overall workload

If you’re enrolled on a full-time programme of study, you’ll be expected to complete about 40 hours of academic work each week.

How you’ll learn

Indicative assessment proportions

10%
17%
73%
  • Examination

    Written assessment typically includes exams and multiple choice tests.

  • Practical

    Practical is an assessment of your skills and competencies. This could include presentations, school experience, work experience or laboratory work.

  • Coursework

    Coursework typically includes essays, written assignments, dissertations, research projects or producing a portfolio of your work.

Overall workload

If you’re enrolled on a full-time programme of study, you’ll be expected to complete about 40 hours of academic work each week.

How you’ll learn

Indicative assessment proportions

10%
18%
72%
  • Examination

    Written assessment typically includes exams and multiple choice tests.

  • Practical

    Practical is an assessment of your skills and competencies. This could include presentations, school experience, work experience or laboratory work.

  • Coursework

    Coursework typically includes essays, written assignments, dissertations, research projects or producing a portfolio of your work.

Overall workload

If you’re enrolled on a full-time programme of study, you’ll be expected to complete about 40 hours of academic work each week.

How you’ll learn

Indicative assessment proportions

100%
  • Coursework

    Coursework typically includes essays, written assignments, dissertations, research projects or producing a portfolio of your work.

Overall workload

If you’re enrolled on a full-time programme of study, you’ll be expected to complete about 40 hours of academic work each week.

How you’ll learn

Indicative assessment proportions

Overall workload

If you’re enrolled on a full-time programme of study, you’ll be expected to complete about 40 hours of academic work each week.

How you’ll learn

Indicative assessment proportions

8%
13%
79%
  • Examination

    Written assessment typically includes exams and multiple choice tests.

  • Practical

    Practical is an assessment of your skills and competencies. This could include presentations, school experience, work experience or laboratory work.

  • Coursework

    Coursework typically includes essays, written assignments, dissertations, research projects or producing a portfolio of your work.

Nadira-Hendarta
Nadira Hendarta Environmental Science

Why I chose Environmental Science at Hull

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Study abroad

Spend a year studying abroad. This is an outstanding opportunity to broaden your horizons, learn new skills and develop valuable international contacts.

Almeria field trip

Field work

Exciting field work opportunities both in the UK and to overseas destinations such as Brazil, Malaysia and Mallorca.

Explore our Field Trips

Entry requirements

Typical offer

  • A level grades BBB

  • BTEC grades DDM

  • Points required 120

Work out your estimated points

Don't meet our requirements?

We offer a Foundation Year to boost your skills and knowledge – it’s a great way to make your way into higher education.

Switch to the foundation year

Points can be from any qualification on the UCAS tariff, but must include at least 80 points from

  • A levels
  • BTEC Subsidiary Diploma, Diploma or Extended Diploma
  • OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma, Diploma or Extended Diploma
  • CACHE Diploma or Extended Diploma
  • Irish Leaving Certificate
  • Scottish Highers
  • Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma
  • or a combination of appropriate Level 3 qualifications
  • Applicants should have A level Biology/Applied Science/Environmental Science/Geology/Geography/Chemistry/Maths or Physics at Grade C or above (or merit from relevant BTEC). Applicants taking the reformed A-level must also Pass the practical element.

Alternative qualifications

  • IB Diploma: 30 points with 5 in one HL Science subject (Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Systems and Societies, Geography, Geology, Maths or Physics)
  • Pass Access to HE Diploma overall with a minimum of 118 UCAS tariff points including a minimum of 18 credits in Science modules at Merit (Science subjects include Biology, Geography, Geology, Physics, Chemistry, Maths and Environmental Science) 

Worried you don’t quite meet our entry requirements?

We consider experience and qualifications from the UK and worldwide which may not exactly match the combinations above.

But it’s not just about the grades – we’ll look at your whole application. We want to know what makes you tick, and about your previous experience, so make sure that you complete your personal statement.

If you have any questions, our admissions team will be happy to help.

Don't meet our requirements?

We offer a Foundation Year to boost your skills and knowledge – it’s a great way to make your way into higher education.

Switch to the foundation year

If you require a student visa to study or if your first language is not English you will be required to provide acceptable evidence of your English language proficiency level.

This course requires academic IELTS 6.0 overall, with no less than 5.5 in each skill. See other English language proficiency qualifications accepted by this University.

If your English currently does not reach the University's required standard for this programme, you may be interested in one of our English language courses.

Visit your country page to find out more about our entry requirements.

Our lecturers

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Take a tour of the facilities

You'll have access to the flume - a device for studying the bodies of water that dominate our planet.

Explore the virtual tour

Fees and funding

UK

£9,250 per year*

EU/International

£18,300 per year

International applicants may need to pay a tuition fee deposit before the start of the course. Visit our tuition fee deposit page for more information.

*The amount you pay may increase each year, in line with inflation - but capped to the Retail Price Index (RPI).

UK students can take out a tuition fee loan to cover the cost of their course and a maintenance loan of up to £9,978 to cover living costs.

Substantial discounts are available for International students.  

More information on fees can be found in the Money section of our website.

Your tuition fees will cover most costs associated with your programme (including registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examination).

There are some extra costs that you might have to pay, or choose to pay, depending on your programme of study and the decisions you make. The list below has some examples, and any extra costs will vary.

  • Books (you’ll have access to books from your module reading lists in the library, but you may want to buy your own copies)
  • Optional field trips
  • Study abroad (including travel costs, accommodation, visas, immunisation)
  • Placement costs (including travel costs and accommodation)
  • Student visas (international students)
  • Laptop (you’ll have access to laptops and PC’s on campus, but you may want to buy your own)
  • Printing and photocopying
  • Professional-body membership
  • Graduation (gown hire and photography)

Remember, you’ll still need to take into account your living costs. This could include accommodation, travel and food – to name just a few. 

An affordable city for students

From bills, to meals, to pints – you’ll find that your money goes a lot further in Hull.

Your future prospects

  • Environmental consultant
  • Scientific officer
  • Conservationist
  • Fisheries officer

The field and lab skills you'll learn are ideal preparation for a career as a scientific officer with organisations such as the Environment Agency, local councils or businesses in the private sector.

Many of our graduates pursue careers in environmental consultancy, where the core skills in environmental monitoring and environmental impact assessment are particularly relevant.

Open Day at University of Hull

Ready to apply?

You can apply for this course through UCAS. As well as providing your academic qualifications, you’ll be able to showcase your skills, qualities and passion for the subject.

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† Extra fees may be payable

# (Joint 7th) The Guardian University Rankings 2023

‡ This programme is accredited by the Committee of Heads of Environmental Sciences (CHES), the education committee of the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES). CHES is the collective voice of the environmental sciences academic community and serves to enhance the quality of environmental education worldwide. A programme accredited by CHES is assured to meet high standards, contain a strong component of practical, field and theoretical activities, and has excellent opportunities for training, work experience and links to the professional environmental sector. Students enrolled on CHES accredited programmes can apply for free Student Membership of the IES and for a fast-track route to membership once they graduate, starting you on a route towards becoming a Chartered Environmentalist or Chartered Scientist.

§ 95.5% of UK, full time first degree 2019/20 graduates from Geography and Environment were in work or study 15 months after graduation

* Top three UK university for research impact in geography and environmental studies in the Research Excellence Framework 2014 REF2014