Everything you need to know...
International/EU: £13,995 per year (£1,200 for placement year)
Financial support for home/EU students
How tuition fees work, student loans and other financial support available.
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 and the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management.
- Have the opportunity to work abroad — with the possibility of Erasmus funding being available for European placements.
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
Watch student Eleanor Savage talk about what it’s like to study on this course.
How you learn
All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.
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
- professional experience project
- independent research project
There are opportunities to study abroad at one of our partner universities with the possibility of funding through the Erasmus programme (subject to the UK’s continued participation in the Erasmus programme following the Brexit transition period).
Course leaders and tutors
Dr Naomi Holmes
Senior Lecturer in Physical Geography and BSc Environmental Science Course LeaderSenior Lecturer in Physical Geography
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 and a professional network 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 half of your work placement year. We have international study exchange agreements in countries including Australia, Canada, Finland, Italy and Norway (classes taught in English).
Field trips
You will explore environmental themes on local field trips in Sheffield and the nearby Peak District. During your degree you will have the opportunity to attend residential field trips. Recent destinations include Amsterdam, Czech Republic, Iceland, Lake District, Scotland and Snowdonia.
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 from both the Landscape Institute and the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management.
Come to an open day
Find out more at our undergraduate open days. Book now for your place.
Future careers
This course prepares you for a successful future career in a variety of areas including
- environmental and ecological consultancies
- water, energy and other utility companies
- geographical information systems (GIS)
- local and national government
- international organisations
- education
- further study and research
Accreditation
This course is accredited by both the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management and the Landscape Institute.
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of online lessons and face-to-face teaching with access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map | Campus facilities | Keeping safe on Campus
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 and remote sensing software
- 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; particle size 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 measuring air quality; surveying; undertaking hydrological studies; soil and water sampling and field-analysis; peat coring; lake coring; ecological studies (including quadrats and identification guides); and a ground penetrating radar.
Entry requirements
All students
80 UCAS points, including 48 points from two A levels or equivalent, or an alternative qualification such as an Access course.
Additional information for EU/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. You can also watch a video guide on how to apply.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Modules
Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. When selecting electives, your choices will be subject to the core requirements of the course. As a result, selections may be limited to a choice between one of two or more specified electives in some instances.
You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.
Year 1
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Environmental Protection | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Fieldwork And Professional Skills In Environmental Science | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Introduction To Environmental Science | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Introduction To Physical Geography | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Exam |
| Module: Life On Earth | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Development And Sustainability | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Foreign Language | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Year 2
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: International Field Work | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Professional Experience | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Research Methods In Environmental, Geographical And Social Sciences | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Conservation Ecology | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Energy, Waste And Resources | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Fluvial Geomorphology And Hydrology | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Foreign Language | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Geographical Information Systems | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Glaciers And Glaciation | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Outdoor Learning For The Environment And Geography | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Sustainable Settlements | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Year 3
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
| Module: Placement | Credits: - |
Final year
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Dissertation (Geography, Environment And Planning) | Credits: 40 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Advanced Field Research | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Advanced Gis | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Atmospheric And Water Quality | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Conservation And Habitat Management | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Contaminated Land And Remediation | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Environmental Impact Assessment & Management Systems | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Foreign Language | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Natural Hazards | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Past Environmental Change | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: People And The Natural Environment | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time undergraduate study in 2021/22 is £9,250 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
† If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2021/22 is £13,995 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
Non-repayable grant of £3,000 per year for three years
Offering four scholarships for undergraduate students joining the department in September 2019 on an eligible course.
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, 438KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
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