Everything you need to know...
International: £12,750 per year (£1,200 for placement year)
Course summary
- Take part in residential field courses and local day visits.
- Develop your research and scientific skills in the laboratory and through fieldwork.
- Prepare for a successful future career by developing a wide range of graduate attributes alongside your environmental knowledge.
- Study a course accredited by the Landscape Institute.
Gain an understanding of the key issues in environmental science, studying principles from both the natural and the social sciences. You are taught by experts who will provide you with opportunities to apply your learning in the real world – both in the laboratory and through field trips and day visits.
Student view
‘I want to work in an environmental research role looking at ways to stop flooding. My placement with the River Stewardship Company has given me practical experience on the river banks and in the rivers themselves.’
Jade Roche, BSc (Honours) Environmental Science
How you learn
Our enthusiastic staff have all worked or carried out research in the field of environmental science. We encourage you to become an active, self-directed learner, preparing you for whatever you choose to do after your degree. You will gain the knowledge and skills needed to understand
- the interactions between natural systems
- past, present and future human influences on the environment
- the monitoring and management of natural and human-induced environmental changes
- the sustainable management of natural resources, waste and energy
You learn through
- fieldwork
- laboratory classes
- practical IT classes
- lectures and seminars
- workshops and tutorials
- independent research project
Course leaders and tutors
Dr Naomi Holmes
Senior Lecturer in Physical Geography and BSc Environmental Science Course LeaderSenior Lecturer in Physical Geography
Dr Douglas Fraser
Senior Lecturer in Environmental SciencesDouglas is a Senior Lecturer and previous Course Leader for a suite of environmental degrees.
Applied learning
Work placements
You will have the opportunity to arrange a year-long work placement in between your second and third years. This gives you a real-world experience to prepare you for your future career. You could work for charities, city councils, environmental consultancies, government agencies, local wildlife trusts, NHS, schools or waste management companies.
You can study abroad at one of our partner universities for a year or for half of your work placement year. We have international study exchange agreements in countries including Australia, Canada, Finland, Italy and Norway. You can study a foreign language to further build your employability.
Field trips
Sheffield's location means you will have many opportunities to use the Peak District as a natural laboratory and learning environment. During your degree you will attend a number of residential field trips. Destinations currently include the Lake District, Amsterdam, Czech Republic, Iceland, Snowdonia and Tenerife.
Networking opportunities
Throughout your degree you will have visits by external speakers from a professional background. The course also connects with the professional world through our accreditation by the Landscape Institute.
Future careers
This course prepares you for a successful future career in a variety of areas including
- manufacturing, development, monitoring and service industries
- water and other utility companies
- local and national government
- international organisations
- environmental and ecological consultancies
- education
- further study and research
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map
Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEquipment and facilities
On this course you work with
- various software packages including Geographical Information Systems
- a variety of laboratory equipment (depending on your module choices) including the analysis of water samples; microscope analyses of plants, animals and sediments; magnetic susceptibility analysis; and soil analysis
- a hydraulic flume (used in the elective module Fluvial Geomorphology and Hydrology).
- a range of field equipment (depending on your module choices) including that used for surveying; undertaking hydrological studies; soil and water sampling and field-analysis; peat corers; lake corers; ecological studies (including quadrats and identification guides); and a ground penetrating radar.
Entry requirements
UK students
Five GCSEs at grade C or grade 4 or above including English language and mathematics. We do not accept GCSE equivalents. Plus one of the following
• 112 UCAS points including at least 64 points from two A levels or equivalent BTEC National qualifications. We accept AS levels. We accept general studies.
Or
• 96 UCAS points from three A levels or equivalent BTEC National qualifications. We accept general studies.
You can find information on making sense of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.
• Access - at least 45 credits at level 3 from a relevant Open College Network accredited course
If English is not your first language you need an IELTS average score of at least 6.0 with a minimum score of 5.5 in all skills.
We may consider advanced entry HND/HNC students for direct entry to year two.
We consider other qualifications from the UCAS tariff. Applicants with alternative qualifications or a combination of qualifications and work experience are also considered. We welcome applications from people of any age. Please contact us for further advice.
Meeting the qualifications on the entry criteria does not guarantee you a place. You should ensure that you submit a personal statement and reference as these are considered as part of the selection process. Guidelines on personal statements and references can be found on the UCAS website.
EU and International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.
Modules
You can take an optional placement in year three.
Year 1
| Module | Credits | Assessment | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Module: Environmental Protection | Credits: 20.00 |
Assessment:
Coursework:
|
&:nbsp;
100% |
| Module: Introduction To Environmental Science | Credits: 20.00 |
Assessment:
Coursework:
|
&:nbsp;
100% |
| Module: Introduction To Field Work | Credits: 20.00 |
Assessment:
Coursework:
|
&:nbsp;
100% |
| Module: Introduction To Physical Geography | Credits: 20.00 |
Assessment:
Coursework:
Exam: |
&:nbsp;
50% 50% |
| Module: Life On Earth | Credits: 20.00 |
Assessment:
Coursework:
|
&:nbsp;
100% |
| Module | Credits | Assessment | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Module: Development And Sustainability | Credits: 20.00 |
Assessment:
Coursework:
|
&:nbsp;
100% |
| Module: Foreign Language | Credits: 20.00 |
Assessment:
Coursework:
|
&:nbsp;
100% |
Year 2
| Module | Credits | Assessment | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Module: Geographical Information Systems | Credits: 20.00 |
Assessment:
Coursework:
|
&:nbsp;
100% |
| Module: International Field Work | Credits: 20.00 |
Assessment:
Coursework:
|
&:nbsp;
100% |
| Module: Research Methods In Environmental, Geographical And Social Sciences | Credits: 20.00 |
Assessment:
Coursework:
|
&:nbsp;
100% |
| Module | Credits | Assessment | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Module: Conservation Ecology | Credits: 20.00 |
Assessment:
Coursework:
|
&:nbsp;
100% |
| Module: Energy, Waste And Resources | Credits: 20.00 |
Assessment:
Coursework:
|
&:nbsp;
100% |
| Module: Environmental Education And Communication | Credits: 20.00 |
Assessment:
Coursework:
|
&:nbsp;
100% |
| Module: Fluvial Geomorphology And Hydrology | Credits: 20.00 |
Assessment:
Coursework:
Exam: |
&:nbsp;
50% 50% |
| Module: Glaciers And Glaciation | Credits: 20.00 |
Assessment:
Coursework:
|
&:nbsp;
100% |
| Module: Sustainable Settlements | Credits: 20.00 |
Assessment:
Coursework:
|
&:nbsp;
100% |
Final year
| Module | Credits | Assessment | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Module: Dissertation | Credits: 40.00 |
Assessment:
Coursework:
|
&:nbsp;
100% |
| Module | Credits | Assessment | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Module: Advanced Gis | Credits: 20.00 |
Assessment:
Coursework:
|
&:nbsp;
100% |
| Module: Atmospheric And Water Quality | Credits: 20.00 |
Assessment:
Coursework:
|
&:nbsp;
100% |
| Module: Conservation And Habitat Management | Credits: 20.00 |
Assessment:
Coursework:
|
&:nbsp;
100% |
| Module: Contaminated Land And Remediation | Credits: 20.00 |
Assessment:
Coursework:
|
&:nbsp;
100% |
| Module: Environmental Impact Assessment & Management Systems | Credits: 20.00 |
Assessment:
Coursework:
|
&:nbsp;
100% |
| Module: Natural Hazards | Credits: 20.00 |
Assessment:
Coursework:
|
&:nbsp;
100% |
| Module: People And The Natural Environment | Credits: 20.00 |
Assessment:
Coursework:
|
&:nbsp;
100% |
| Module: Quaternary Environmental Change | Credits: 20.00 |
Assessment:
Coursework:
|
&:nbsp;
100% |
| Module: Resilient Cities | Credits: 20.00 |
Assessment:
Coursework:
|
&:nbsp;
100% |
Fees and funding
Home/EU students
Our tuition fee for UK/EU students starting full-time study in 2018/19 is £9,250 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
† If your course is studied over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with inflation and/or Government regulations. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for international students starting full-time study in 2018/19 is £12,750 per year.
During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
We offer a range of scholarships and awards for international students. Find out more.
Financial support for home/EU students
How tuition fees work, student loans and other financial support available.
Additional course costs
This link allows you to view estimated costs associated with the main activities on specific courses. These are estimates and, as such, are only an indication of additional course costs. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
Additional costs for Geography and environment courses (PDF)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
