Everything you need to know...
International: £13,250 per year (£1,200 for placement year)
Student satisfaction
This course scored 100% for overall satisfaction in the 2018 National Student Survey.
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.
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
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
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
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. Recent destinations include the Lake District, Amsterdam, Czech Republic, Iceland, Snowdonia and Mallorca.
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 June 2019.
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
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
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
All students
UCAS points
- 112
This must include at least 64 points from two A levels or equivalent BTEC National qualifications. For example:
- BBC at A Level.
- DMM in BTEC Extended Diploma.
- A combination of qualifications, which may include AS Levels, EPQ and 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.
GCSE
- English Language or English Literature at grade C or 4
- Mathematics at grade C or 4
• Access - at least 45 credits at level 3 and 15 credits at level 2 from a relevant Open College Network accredited course
If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or equivalent.
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.
Please note the University will only admit students who are aged 18 at the point of enrolment.
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
The modules for 2019/20 may vary to those given below, which are for academic year 2018/19
You can take an optional placement in year three.
Year 1
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Environmental Protection | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Introduction To Environmental Science | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Introduction To Field Work | 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: Geographical Information Systems | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: International Field Work | 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 Exam |
| Module: Foreign Language | 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 |
|---|---|
| Module: Dissertation | Credits: 40 |
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
| Module: Advanced Field Research | Credits: 20 |
| Module: Advanced Gis | Credits: 20 |
| Module: Atmospheric And Water Quality | Credits: 20 |
| Module: Conservation And Habitat Management | Credits: 20 |
| Module: Contaminated Land And Remediation | Credits: 20 |
| Module: Environmental Impact Assessment & Management Systems | Credits: 20 |
| Module: Foreign Language | Credits: 20 |
| Module: Natural Hazards | Credits: 20 |
| Module: People And The Natural Environment | Credits: 20 |
| Module: Quaternary Environmental Change | Credits: 20 |
Fees and funding
Home/EU students
Our tuition fee for UK/EU students starting full-time undergraduate study in 2019/20 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 students starting full-time study in 2019/20 is £13,250 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
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.
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