Studying this programme provides a route into a number of Earth and Ocean Sciences BSc (Hons) degrees, ideal for mature students who have typically been out of formal education for some time, or who have taken non-traditional qualifications.
Introduction
This programme provides a route into a number of BSc (Hons) degrees in Earth or Ocean Sciences. It is especially suitable for students without a strong background in science.
You will undertake a foundation year (year zero) at Carmel College, St Helens, where the class sizes are small and the standards of academic achievement high.
You will follow three foundation modules, chosen from Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Biology or Geography. Module choice depends on the programme you wish to follow after your foundation year.
A number of the School’s degree programmes involve laboratory and field work. Fieldwork is carried out in various locations, ranging from inner city to coastal and mountainous environments. We consider applications from prospective disabled students on the same basis as all other students, and reasonable adjustments will be considered to address barriers to access.
Find information about what essential and optional modules you will need to take during your Year Zero at Carmel College to progress to your chosen University of Liverpool degree programme in our guide to progression routes
What you'll learn
Skills needed for independent study at undergraduate degree level
Undertaking a variety of learning methods and assessment tasks
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
Year zero
You will follow three foundation modules, chosen from Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Biology or Geography, dependant on the programme you wish to follow after your foundation year.
Any optional modules listed above are illustrative only and may vary from year to year. Modules may be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved and staff availability. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
How you'll learn
Teaching takes place through lectures, practicals, workshops, seminars, tutorials and computer-based learning, with an emphasis on learning through doing. The award-winning £23 million Central Teaching Laboratories provides a state-of-the-art facility for undergraduate practical work.
Students value the learning opportunities provided by field classes, including the rapid feedback on performance. You will typically receive at least 15 hours of formal teaching each week. Between 30 and 100 hours of fieldwork and hands-on activities are provided each year depending on the discipline.
A typical module might involve two or three one-hour lectures each week, and often a three- hour laboratory or computer-based practical as well. Tutorials typically involve groups of 4-7 students meeting with a member of staff at least every two weeks in year one and two. In year three, you will undertake an Honours project, which is a piece of independent research (field, laboratory or data analysis) on a topic of your choice, supervised by a member of staff. In years three and four students meet with their project supervisor on a weekly or more frequent basis. As you progress through your degree, you will be increasingly challenged to engage with current debates, to think critically and to study independently.
A number of the School’s degree programmes involve laboratory and field work. The field work is carried out in various locations, ranging from inner city to coastal and mountainous environments. We consider applications from prospective students with disabilities on the same basis as all other students, and reasonable adjustments will be considered to address barriers to access.
How you're assessed
Assessment is mainly by examination and coursework. Depending on the modules taken you may encounter project work, presentations (individual or group), and specific tests or tasks focused on solidifying learning outcomes.
Students are expected to score an overall mark of 50% to progress to the second year of the course. In year two, students will start on the first year of their selected degree programme at the University of Liverpool.
In year one of the degree programme, assessment matches the learning objectives for each module and may take the form of written exams, practical laboratory and computer examinations, coursework submissions in the form of essays, scientific papers, briefing notes or lab/field notebooks, reports and portfolios, oral and poster presentations and contributions to group projects, and problem-solving exercises. Assessment is via tasks that mirror those graduate students are likely to undertake working as professional geoscientists. For example, generating and interpreting quantitative spatial data, with appropriate consideration of inherent uncertainty, is a key task and necessary skill for professional environmental geoscientists, and this skill is developed and assessed on several programme modules, especially field and lab-based modules. As well as being authentic in terms of the underlying purpose of the assessed task, assessment tasks are also authentic in terms of format, intended audience, resources used, and collaborative team elements. For example, team-based environmental assessment work with professional format delivery appropriate for presentation to management-level colleagues using state-of-the-art field, lab or IT resources is central to assessments in field classes.
Liverpool Hallmarks
We have a distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which focuses on research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment to ensure our students graduate as digitally fluent and confident global citizens.
Course options
Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.
At Liverpool, we place a great deal of emphasis on learning through experience. You will be taught in Europe’s most advanced teaching laboratories and will participate in a strong fieldwork programme that will help to prepare you for solving real work problems. You will have access to excellent resources, including research-level analytical equipment and computing facilities, and will be trained in industry-standard methods using materials donated by companies.
Support for students with differing needs from the Disability advice and guidance team. They can identify and recommend appropriate support provisions for you.
With the environmental challenges facing the planet, there has never been a better time to study subjects in the environmental science. Our degree programmes are designed to provide you with the skills to tackle these global environmental challenges.
Employability options are extensive and include:
Government agencies (Environment Agency, Met Office)
Environmental consultancy and management
Climate research
Accountancy and insurance brokers
Education.
89.5% of environmental sciences students from the University of Liverpool are in work and/or further study 15 months after graduation.
Discover Uni, 2018-19.
Fees and funding
Your tuition fees, how to pay, and other costs to consider.
Tuition fees
UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland)
Full-time place, per year
£9,535
Foundation year fee
£7,500
Year in industry fee
£1,850
Year abroad fee
£1,385
International fees
This course is not available to international students.
This course is not available to international students who require a visa to study in the UK. However, if you're a 'home' student and you've lived outside of the UK, you'll need to complete a fee status questionnaire as part of your application. We'll then assess your fee status and in some cases, home students who've lived outside of the UK may be required to pay the international fee rate. Check your tuition fee status on our webpages.
Following the foundation years, standard course fees apply.
The UK full-time tuition fee and foundation year fee shown are correct for 2025/26 entry. We are currently awaiting confirmation of whether the year abroad fee and year in industry fee will change, so the fees shown are for 2024/25. Please note that the year abroad fee also applies to the year in China.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching. assessment, operating University facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support.
Additional costs
We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.
A typical offer is likely to be CDD at A level, in related subjects. Students with alternative A level combinations are welcome to apply but should expect to be made higher offers. For further information, visit www.carmel.ac.uk, email degree@carmel.ac.uk or telephone +44 (0)1744 452 213. Applicants over 21 can be considered on GCSEs alone.
T levels
T levels considered in a relevant subject and specialism.
All applicants must have a minimum of five GCSEs at grade C/4 or above, including English Language, Mathematics and two Sciences (any two of Biology, Chemistry and Physics, or Core and Additional Science/Dual Science acceptable). Applicants over 21 can be considered on GCSEs alone.
International qualifications
Many countries have a different education system to that of the UK, meaning your qualifications may not meet our direct entry requirements. Although there is no direct Foundation Certificate route to this course, completing a Foundation Certificate, such as that offered by the University of Liverpool International College, can guarantee you a place on a number of similar courses which may interest you.
Alternative entry requirements
If your qualification isn't listed here, or you're taking a combination of qualifications, contact us for advice
