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Qualification type
BSc (Hons)

Environmental Science

UCAS code F750

Entry requirements
A level: ABB
View full requirements
Study mode
Full-time
Duration
3 years
Start date and application deadlines
Start date
September 2025
Apply by:
Starts on:

We've set the country or region your qualifications are from as United Kingdom.

How to apply

Although the UCAS equal consideration date has now passed, many of our courses are still accepting applications from UK students for 2025 entry through UCAS.

The deadline for international students is 30 June 2025.

Combine this subject

With a combined degree, you can study two subjects as part of the same degree programme.

  • Choose from 30 subjects and over 300 combinations
  • Choose joint or major minor subjects
  • Adjust the weight of your subjects at the end of your first year
  • Same number of credits as single honours students
  • Same classes as single honours students
  • Appeal to a wide range of employers

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About this course

Our Environmental Sciences BSc (Hons) degree focusses on real-world issues such as climate change, pollution, and resource exploitation and will prepare you to play your part in tackling those challenges.


Introduction

Understanding the complex interactions between the physical and biological environment and how humans influence them both is essential if we are to find solutions to the increasing global environmental challenges that face us today.

Our degree is accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences and will give you an in-depth understanding of both natural and human-induced environmental problems. All of our modules centre on real-world issues and application including climate change, pollution, and natural hazards.

The key strength of our programme is the unique breadth of staff expertise in the School of Environmental Sciences. This allows you to choose from an extensive range of modules delivered by experts in their field using state-of-the-art equipment and techniques. Your choices are guided by one of five module pathways themes: digital environments, ecology, oceans, society, sustainability, and the environment, and earth and surface processes.

These pathways ensure that our students graduate with the specialist skills and knowledge needed for their future careers, while also having the benefit of a wide-ranging education in Environmental Science.

From your first week to your final year, field classes are an integral part of your learning, giving you a chance to experience the environments that you are learning about and practice using industry-standard sampling and surveying approaches. In addition to making the most of Liverpool’s coastal location, you will also have the opportunity to undertake fieldwork in locations such as Snowdonia, Pembrokeshire, and the Peak District as well as options in Portugal.

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.


What you'll learn

  • Small tutor groups (typically six-eight students) through all years
  • High levels of field and lab-based teaching within the School of Environmental Sciences and in Europe’s most advanced teaching laboratories
  • An emphasis on active, problem-based learning (learning by doing)
  • Hands-on experience with cutting-edge laboratory technologies
  • Opportunities to study abroad throughout your course
  • Supervised independent and group project work, including a final year independent research-based dissertation supervised by a dedicated expert in the field.

Accreditation

Our Environment Sciences BSc (Hons) course is accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences.

Accreditation in detail

Institute of Environmental Sciences

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We’re proud to announce we’ve been awarded a Gold rating for educational excellence.


Course content

Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.

Year one

Year one is based on five core modules that provide key skills and knowledge across the School of Environmental Sciences in the classroom, online, field and laboratory. These are supported by two optional modules to allow you to begin to explore what interests you most.

Modules

Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.

Year two
Year three

Your final year dissertation is the only compulsory module, where you conduct a piece of original research on a topic of your choice. You have the option to take one of our field courses, which recently have included destinations such as the Cairngorms and the Algarve. You will have two core modules from your chosen pathway and up to four optional modules.

Teaching and assessment

How you'll learn

You will be assigned an academic adviser in each of the three years who will provide pastoral care and help you develop your skills for your chosen career path.

To help you meet the intellectual and practical challenges of studying Environmental Science, our programmes are taught using a student-centred approach, involving a range of learning experiences. These include:

  • Small tutor groups (typically six-eight students) through all years
  • High levels of field and lab-based teaching within the School of Environmental Sciences and in Europe’s most advanced teaching laboratories
  • An emphasis on active, problem-based learning (learning by doing)
  • Hands-on experience with cutting-edge laboratory technologies
  • Supervised independent and group project work, including a final year independent research-based dissertation supervised by a dedicated expert in the field.

How you're assessed

Assessment methods are tailored to the specific needs of each module, and student progression from year to year. A key consideration is that they are designed around the styles of communication, types of problems encountered, and the skills needed, in commercial, research and public sector jobs. Methods include exams, assessed essays, laboratory and computer practicals, online tests, field assignments including field notebooks, poster presentations, research reports and oral presentations. Many assessments involve group work. You will complete a compulsory research project (dissertation) in the final year on a topic of your choice. This is your opportunity to develop skills as an independent researcher, supported on a one-to-one basis by an expert in the field.

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.

The Liverpool Curriculum framework sets out our distinctive approach to education. Our teaching staff support our students to develop academic knowledge, skills, and understanding alongside our graduate attributes:

  • Digital fluency
  • Confidence
  • Global citizenship

Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:

  • Research-connected teaching
  • Active learning
  • Authentic assessment

All this is underpinned by our core value of inclusivity and commitment to providing a curriculum that is accessible to all students.

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Course options

Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.

Global opportunities

University of Liverpool students can choose from an exciting range of study placements at partner universities worldwide. Choose to spend a year at XJTLU in China or a year or semester at an institution of your choice.

Year in China

Immerse yourself in Chinese culture on an optional additional year at Xi'an Jiaotong Liverpool University in stunning Suzhou.

  • Learn Chinese
  • Study in a bustling world heritage city
  • Improve employment prospects
  • Study Chinese culture
  • 30 minutes from Shanghai
  • Learn new skills

Read more about Year at XJTLU, China

Year abroad

Broaden your world by spending an additional year of study at a partner university abroad following your second year of study.

  • Choose from up-to 26 countries
  • Experience another way of life
  • Inspire your future career or studies
  • Improved prospects of earning a 2:1 or First
  • More likely to earn higher salary
  • More likely to be employed after graduating

Where can I spend a year abroad on this course?

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • Hong Kong
  • Malaysia
  • Singapore
  • South Korea
  • USA

More about taking a year abroad

Semester abroad

Take a semester of your second year of study at one of our worldwide partner institutions.

  • Inspire your future career or studies
  • Improved prospects of earning a 2:1 or First
  • More likely to earn higher salary
  • More likely to be employed after graduating

More about taking a semester abroad

Summer abroad

Spend a summer abroad on a study placement or research project at one of our worldwide partner institutions.

  • Spend a summer abroad in addition to your degree programme
  • Study abroad without adding an extra year
  • Choose any summer between your first and final year of study
  • Get the chance to study subjects outside your discipline

Where can I spend a summer abroad on this course?

  • Hong Kong
  • Japan
  • South Korea

More about taking a summer abroad

Year in industry

Year in industry placements give you an in-depth workplace experience where you can develop your skills and apply your learning.

  • Develop key employability skills that graduate employers are looking for
  • Experience and understand workplace culture and disciple
  • Understand the relationship between academic theory and real world application
  • Begin your professional network
  • Gain industry insight and insight into potential career options.

You don't need to decide now - you can choose to add a year in industry after you've begun your degree.

To spend a year in industry, you'll need to secure a placement with an organisation. If you're unable to find a placement, you'll continue with the standard version of the course without a year in industry.

Language study

Every student at The University of Liverpool can study a language as part of, or alongside their degree. You can choose:

  • A dedicated languages degree
  • A language as a joint or major/minor degree
  • Language modules (selected degrees)
  • Language classes alongside your studies

Read more about studying a language

Study as part of XJTLU 2+2

Students studying Environmental Science BSc at XJTLU can study this course at the University of Liverpool. Read more about Environmental Science BSc (Hons) as part of the 2+2 programme .

The natural next step for ambitious XJTLU students who want to build a brilliant career.

  • Spend two years at the University of Liverpool campus
  • Improve your prospects of progressing to postgraduate study at a top 100 university
  • Receive two degrees: one from XJTLU, one from the University of Liverpool
  • Get support with visas, accommodation and your career.

Read more about the 2+2 programme

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Your experience

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. Our Department of Earth, Ocean and Ecological Sciences programmes will provide you with specific scientific training and equip you with a wide range of transferable skills valued by employers. You will graduate as a practical, confident and employable earth scientist.

We have a very active Earth Sciences student society – The Herdman society. The society runs academic and social events from guest lectures and field trips to gala dinners, symposiums and sports events.

Explore where you'll study

Central Teaching labs Environmental Sciences Laboratory session
Teams working in the Environmental Sciences labs
Microscope and research equipment
Picture by Gareth Jones
Picture by Gareth Jones
Picture by Gareth Jones
Watch on Panopto: Why Environmental Sciences?

Why Environmental Sciences?

Hear about why studying an environmental science courses with the University of Liverpool is unlike anything else.

Watch on Panopto: Studying Environmental Science BSc (Hons)

Studying Environmental Science BSc (Hons)

Discover what you’ll study, the facilities and resources you’ll have access to, and how we’ll prepare you for your future career.

Virtual tour

Supporting your learning

From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:

I have found that I am learning and understanding ideas in a more in-depth way and linking the theory we are taught about within our modules to everyday situations such as environmental crises on the news.

Matthew Shore, BSc (Hons) Environmental Science
Two students chatting while walking through campus.

Chat with our students

Want to find out more about student life?
Chat with our student ambassadors and ask any questions you have.

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Careers and employability

Environmental Science at Liverpool is focused on providing you with the key knowledge and practical skills to be successful within the environmental sector, such as report writing, field and laboratory practical skills, oral presentations, project planning, and coding and modelling skills.

Recent Environmental Science graduates have been employed in roles within the sector such as:

  • Conservation management
  • Environmental consultancy
  • Geotechnical surveying
  • Sustainability consultancy.

Other roles outside of our immediate sector have included Accountancy and Education.

As part of your degree the following work experience opportunities are available:

  • Work-based dissertation in your final year, where you work with a local business on a project applied to environmental sciences
  • Year two semester one: studying abroad with one of our exchange partners across North America
  • ‘Year in China’ option: where you are taught about Chinese language and culture in addition to studying environmental science-related modules at Liverpool’s sister university, XJTLU.
employment

90% of geography and planning students are in work and/or further study 15 months after graduation.

(Discover Uni, 2018-19.)

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My qualifications are from United Kingdom.

Fees and funding

Your tuition fees, funding your studies, 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
Year in industry fee - £1,905
Year abroad fee - £1,430 (applies to year in China)

International fees

Full-time place, per year - £29,100
Year in industry fee - £1,905
Year abroad fee - £14,550 (applies to year in China)

The tuition fees shown are correct for 2025/26 entry. Please note that the year abroad fee also applies to the year in China.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support. Learn more about paying for your studies.


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 includes the cost of your dissertation/project, and optional field classes in year three.

Students should expect to cover the following costs.

Year three optional field class:

Year three optional field class:

  • Option A: Europe. One-week residential field class (eg to the Algarve). Students will cover the full cost of the field class, including travel, accommodation, food, and the price of the field class (around £800)
  • Option B: North America. Two-week residential field class. Students will cover the full cost of the field class, including travel, accommodation, food, and the price of the field class (around £1,300).

Project/dissertation costs:

The School may provide a budget of up to £200 for specific field / lab-based projects. Desk-based projects receive no budget from the School.

Find out more about additional study costs.


Scholarships and bursaries

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition and living expenses.

The Liverpool Bursary

If you’re a UK student joining an undergraduate degree and have a household income below £35,000, you could be eligible for a Liverpool Bursary worth up to £2,000 for each year of undergraduate study.

Asylum Seekers Scholarship

Apply for an Asylum Seekers Scholarship and you could have your tuition fees paid in full and receive help with study costs. You’ll need to have applied for asylum in the UK, or be the dependant of an asylum seeker, and be joining an eligible undergraduate degree.

Care Leavers’ Opportunity Bursary

If you’ve spent 13 or more weeks in Local Authority care since age 14, you could be eligible for a bursary of £3,000 per year of study. You’ll need to be a UK student joining an eligible undergraduate degree and be aged 28 or above on 1 September in the year you start.

Cowrie Foundation Scholarship

Are you a UK student with a Black African or Caribbean heritage and a household income of £25,000 or less? You could be eligible to apply for a Cowrie Foundation Scholarship worth up to £8,000 for each year of undergraduate study.

Estranged Students Bursary

If you’re a UK student identified as estranged by Student Finance England (or the equivalent UK funding body), you could be eligible for a bursary of £1,000 for each year of undergraduate study.

Genesys Life Sciences Scholarship

Joining a School of Biosciences degree and have a household income of less than £25,000? If you’re a UK student, you could apply to receive £4,500 per year for three years of your undergraduate course.

Nolan Scholarships

Do you live in the Liverpool City Region with a household income of £25,000 or less? Did neither of your parents attend University? You could be eligible to apply for a Nolan Scholarship worth £5,000 per year for three years of undergraduate study.

Rigby Enterprise Award

Are you a UK student with a household income of £25,000 or less? If you’ve participated in an eligible outreach programme, you could be eligible to apply for a Rigby Enterprise Award worth £5,000 per year for three years of your undergraduate degree.

ROLABOTIC Scholarship

Are you a UK student with a household income of £25,000 or less? Did neither of your parents attend University? You could be eligible to apply for a ROLABOTIC Scholarship worth £4,500 for each year of your undergraduate degree.

Sport Liverpool Performance Programme

Apply to receive tailored training support to enhance your sporting performance. Our athlete support package includes a range of benefits, from bespoke strength and conditioning training to physiotherapy sessions and one-to-one nutritional advice.

Technetix Broadhurst Engineering Scholarship

Joining a degree in the School of Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Computer Science? If you’re a UK student with household income below £25,000, you could be eligible to apply for £5,000 a year for three years of study. Two awards will be available per academic year.

Young Adult Carer’s (YAC) Bursary

If you’re a young adult and a registered carer in the UK, you might be eligible for a £1,000 bursary for each year of study. You’ll need to be aged 18-25 on 1 September in the year you start your undergraduate degree.

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My qualifications are from United Kingdom.

Entry requirements

The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.

Qualification Details
A levels

ABB including one Science A Level.

You may automatically qualify for reduced entry requirements through our contextual offers scheme. Based on your personal circumstances, you may automatically qualify for up to a two-grade reduction in the entry requirements needed for this course. When you apply, we consider a range of factors – such as where you live – to assess if you’re eligible for a grade reduction. You don’t have to make an application for a grade reduction – we’ll do all the work.

Find out more about how we make reduced grade offers.

If you don't meet the entry requirements, you may be able to complete a foundation year which would allow you to progress to this course.

Available foundation years:

T levels

T levels are not currently accepted.

GCSE

4/C in English and 4/C in Mathematics

Subject requirements

We are happy to accept the following A levels: Geography, Geology, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Mathematics and Further Mathematics, Environmental Science/Studies/Environmental Technology*, Applied Science (Double Award), Economics, Computer Science.

*Not in combination with each other.

For applicants from England: For science A levels that include the separately graded practical endorsement, a "Pass" is required.

BTEC BTEC National Extended Diploma: D*DD in a relevant diploma such as Applied Science (Forensic Science is not accepted)
BTEC National Diploma: DD plus grade B in one A level (to include an acceptable science subject)
BTEC National Extended Certificate: Distinction plus BB in two A levels (to include an acceptable science subject)
International Baccalaureate

33 points, with no score less than 4 including 1 Science at Higher Level.

Irish Leaving Certificate H1, H2, H2, H2, H3, H3, including H2 or above in one science
Scottish Higher/Advanced Higher

Not accepted without Advanced Highers at grades ABB, including one science subject.

Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate accepted at grade B alongside A level grades AB (including one science subject)
Access 45 Level 3 credits in graded units, including 30 at Distinction and a further 15 with at least Merit. 15 Distinctions are required in one science subject.
International qualifications

If you hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, but don’t meet our entry requirements, you could be eligible for a Pre-Master’s course. This is offered on campus at the University of Liverpool International College, in partnership with Kaplan International Pathways. It’s a specialist preparation course for postgraduate study, and when you pass the Pre-Master’s at the required level with good attendance, you’re guaranteed entry to a University of Liverpool master’s degree.


English language requirements

You'll need to demonstrate competence in the use of English language, unless you’re from a majority English speaking country.

We accept a variety of international language tests and country-specific qualifications.

International applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.

Qualification Details
IELTS 6.5 overall, with no component below 5.5
TOEFL iBT 88 overall, with minimum scores of listening 17, writing 17, reading 17 and speaking 19. TOEFL Home Edition not accepted.
TOEFL Paper Grade 6 at Standard Level or grade 5 at Higher Level
Duolingo English Test 115 overall, with speaking, reading and writing not less than 105, and listening not below 100
Pearson PTE Academic 61 overall, with no component below 59
LanguageCert Academic 70 overall, with no skill below 60
Cambridge IGCSE First Language English 0500 Grade C overall, with a minimum of grade 2 in speaking and listening. Speaking and listening must be separately endorsed on the certificate.
Cambridge IGCSE First Language English 0990 Grade 4 overall, with Merit in speaking and listening
Cambridge IGCSE Second Language English 0510/0511 0510: Grade B overall, with a minimum of grade 2 in speaking. Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate. 0511: Grade B overall.
Cambridge IGCSE Second Language English 0993/0991 0993: Grade 6 overall, with a minimum of grade 2 in speaking. Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate. 0991: Grade 6 overall.
Cambridge ESOL Level 2/3 Advanced 176 overall, with no paper below 162
LanguageCert Grade 4 at Standard Level or grade 4 at Higher Level

Pre-sessional English

Do you need to complete a Pre-sessional English course to meet the English language requirements for this course?

The length of Pre-sessional English course you’ll need to take depends on your current level of English language ability.

Pre-sessional English in detail

If you don’t meet our English language requirements, we can use your most recent IELTS score, or the equivalent score in selected other English language tests, to determine the length of Pre-sessional English course you require.

Use the table below to check the course length you're likely to require for your current English language ability and see whether the course is available on campus or online.

Your most recent IELTS score Pre-sessional English course length On campus or online
6.0 overall, with no component below 5.5 6 weeks On campus
5.5 overall, with no component below 5.5 10 weeks On campus and online options available
5.5 overall, with no more than one component below 5.5, and no component below 5.0 12 weeks On campus and online options available
5.5 overall, with no component below 4.5 20 weeks On campus
5.0 overall, with no component below 4.5 30 weeks On campus
4.5 overall, with no more than one component below 4.5, and no component below 4.0 40 weeks On campus

If you’ve completed an alternative English language test to IELTS, we may be able to use this to assess your English language ability and determine the Pre-sessional English course length you require.

Please see our guide to Pre-sessional English entry requirements for IELTS 6.5 overall, with no component below 5.5, for further details.


Alternative entry requirements

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Entry requirements: which qualifications do you need?

Contact us

Have a question about this course or studying with us? Our dedicated enquiries team can help.

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Last updated 16 December 2024 / / Programme terms and conditions

Changes to Environmental Science BSc (Hons)

See what updates we've made to this course since it was published. We document changes to information such as course content, entry requirements and how you'll be taught.

14 January 2025: Duolingo English Test requirements updated

Duolingo English Test requirements updated. See English language requirements for details of the revised requirements.

2 December 2024: Environmental Science BSc (Hons) – XJTLU modules

For the XJTLU variation of this course, Y3 – removed ENVS326, added ENVS323, ENVS361, ENVS365 and ENVS376 to optional.

5 January 2023: Module update

Year 3 modules updated

Removed: ENVS352

9 December 2022: Country field trip visits

Reference to California removed.

7 June 2022: New course pages

New course pages launched.