Earth and Environmental Science (Study Abroad)
Entry requirements
A level
A level grade B in one science from the following; Biology, Chemistry, Computing, Environmental Science, Geography, Geology, Human Biology, Mathematics, Physics or Psychology.
Access to HE Diploma
In a science related subject. We require majority of Distinctions in science subjects. Please contact the Admissions Team for further advice.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Including 16 points from the best 3 Higher Level subjects and one science subject at HL grade 6
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
To include sufficient science. We require Distinctions in majority of relevant science units. Please contact the Admissions Team for further advice.
UCAS Tariff
We've calculated how many Ucas points you'll need for this course.
About this course
Geoscientists are increasingly recognised as playing a crucial role in meeting global challenges such as climate change, sustainable development, resource provision, and natural hazards. By placing your geoscience training within the broader context of the environment, you will gain knowledge of both the challenges and the potential solutions.
Within your degree, you will consider both natural and man-made environments, to explore the main factors and processes that control today’s environment, how the environment has evolved to its current state and how environmental conditions may change in the future.
In addition, your degree will draw upon the expertise of a number of our staff who specialise in Earth science including volcanology, geophysics, hydrogeology and glaciology, who deliver an exciting range of specialist topics to choose from.
Your first year will address many of the fundamental themes of the Earth and environmental sciences, from understanding geology to learning about the atmosphere, weather and climate. Specialisation begins in the second year when we introduce Earth science-focused topics, and this degree gives you the flexibility to focus on a specific topic area, for example, geological hazards, soil science, environmental radioactivity or glacial systems.
For your second year, modules will build upon the themes from year one, and you will have the opportunity to take part in popular field courses, including to Mount Etna in Sicily. There, you will study volcanic processes and learn how the local population can manage the impacts of volcanic phenomena. You will also have the opportunity to engage in fieldwork at Carrock Fell in the scenic Lake District World Heritage Site and take further optional residential modules, from studying glacial processes in Switzerland to environmental challenges in Croatia.
Third year modules, taken abroad, will build on themes introduced in Years 1 and 2, whilst offering you a range of specialist Earth science modules to choose from. Many of our students benefit from studying at the University of Iceland in Reykjavik, which offers a fantastic opportunity for anyone interested in volcanic or glacial processes.
Lancaster University will make reasonable endeavours to place students at an approved overseas partner university that offers appropriate modules which contribute credit to your Lancaster degree. Occasionally places overseas may not be available for all students who want to study abroad or the place at the partner university may be withdrawn if core modules are unavailable. If you are not offered a place to study overseas, you will be able to transfer to the equivalent standard degree scheme and would complete your studies at Lancaster.
Lancaster University cannot accept responsibility for any financial aspects of the year or term abroad.
Throughout your degree, considerable weight is placed upon the transferable skills that are highly valued by potential employers. For example, in addition to your subject knowledge, you will also gain communication and information technology skills and will become familiar with data handling and environmental sampling and analysis.
This programme includes a fourth year of study which enables you to undertake an extended research project, and you will also be given an opportunity to choose from a range of Masters level modules.
Modules
At Lancaster you can choose from a range of innovative and flexible degree programmes, and you also have the option of combining different subjects from across our faculties to create a unique, tailored degree. Lancaster's flexible degree structure also allows you to switch the focus of your degree as your interests evolve and as career opportunities develop. We distinguish between Part I (your first year, which is a preparatory course, and does not count towards your final degree) and Part II, the subsequent years. Part II is where you then begin to study your chosen subject in more depth, including a selection of advanced options. For more detailed information regarding the modules for each individual degree scheme at Lancaster University please visit Lancaster University’s website.
The Uni
Lancaster University
Lancaster Environment Centre (LEC)
What students say
We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.
How do students rate their degree experience?
The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Environmental sciences
Teaching and learning
Assessment and feedback
Resources and organisation
Student voice
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
After graduation
The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Environmental sciences
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
What about your long term prospects?
Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Environmental sciences
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£22k
£26k
£31k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
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This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.
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Post-six month graduation stats:
This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.
It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.
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Graduate field commentary:
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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.
While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?
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