Environmental Science
Entry requirements
A level
Required subjects and grades: At least one science° A level subject. °Subjects considered to be sciences: Biology/Human Biology, Chemistry, Computing, Electronics, Environmental Studies, Geography, Geology, Maths, Further Maths, Physics, Psychology and Statistics. Specified subjects excluded for entry: General Studies and Critical Thinking
Accepted in place of A levels with the following grade equivalencies: D2 = A*; D3 = A; M2 = B. Combinations of A levels and Principle subjects are accepted. NB required subjects must be offered (see A level Section)
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
6, 6, 5 in Higher level subjects plus 32 points overall. Higher level subjects need to include the required subjects as defined for the A-level qualification, where applicable.
Accepted in place of a non-required A level with the equivalent grade.
UCAS Tariff
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About this course
Our Environmental Science programmes, built around our impressive research record, will allow you to develop an in-depth understanding of the Earth’s most complex environmental problems. We will give you the knowledge and skills you need to help resolve the world’s most pressing problems in a sustainable way.
There is a growing need for graduates with a strong scientific background but who are also able to apply their knowledge to environmental management and protection globally.
The Environmental Science with Professional Placement Abroad BSc degree is designed around three key themes – understanding environmental processes and systems; investigating changes and impacts; and enabling their prediction and mitigation.
This programme has been designed to provide choice and flexibility whilst ensuring that you develop appropriate skills with a sound scientific foundation. The course includes both core modules taken by all Environmental Science students, and selected optional modules which allow you to concentrate on themes which are of particular interest to you.
During this four-year BSc degree you will spend eight months abroad, working on a current environmental challenge with one of a variety of organisations from regional councils to the New Zealand Institute of Water and Atmosphere.
Countries like New Zealand conjure up images of pristine mountain ranges, native kauri forests, thermal hot springs and beautiful windswept beaches, but there are many pressing environmental concerns including agricultural intensification, groundwater depletion and contamination, sea-level rise, land erosion, and the impacts of exotic species introductions on native ecosystems. Environmental concerns and problems are truly global and exposure to these issues in another country will broaden your horizons and enhance your future career prospects as an Environmental Scientist. This will count towards your degree and provide real workplace experience.
Our programmes in Environmental Science are accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES).
**Why study this course?**
There are plenty of reasons to study Environmental Science with Professional Placement Abroad at Birmingham:
- **Accreditation:** Our programmes are accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES) highlighting our academic excellence and our programmes’ professional relevance and applicability to the workplace.
- ** Fieldwork:** Recent destinations have included the Peak District, Tenerife, and Wales. The costs of travel and accommodation on all compulsory field courses will be covered by the University.
- **Facilities:** State-of-the-art laboratories including an ‘eco lab’ for the study of river systems, soon to open its doors.
- **Research projects:** we have extensive links with industry including Public Health England, the Environment Agency and the Wildlife Trusts. These links provide opportunities for our students’ individual research projects.
Tuition fees
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The Uni
University of Birmingham
School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences
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?
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Environmental sciences
Teaching and learning
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Student voice
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
After graduation
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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
£28k
£32k
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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Post-six month graduation stats:
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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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