Environmental Science

What actions can you take to create positive environmental change? What can be done to address problems such as climate change? Find the answers on our Environmental Science BSc. You’ll deepen your scientific knowledge, gain awareness of social, economic and ethical issues, and develop practical skills through fieldwork, laboratory activities and work placements. This comprehensive approach will prepare you to become a highly employable environmental scientist, in a variety of careers.

Why choose this course?

• Accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES)

• Geography and Environmental Sciences No.1 in the West Midlands for student satisfaction (Complete University Guide, 2026)

• No prior knowledge of A Level biology, chemistry or geography is required

• Top 20 in the UK for Earth and Marine Science (Guardian University Guide, 2025)

From global warming to loss of biodiversity, our planet is facing massive environmental threats. What measures can we take to counteract the ongoing damage caused by human activities? Enhance your understanding of our fragile natural environment with our Environmental Science degree, equipping you to tackle these challenges and contribute to a healthier planet for all.

The programme has been designed to provide you with a solid foundation in environmental science in your first year, preparing you for advanced study in years two and three.

You will study themes such as environmental change, human environmental impacts, Geographical Information Systems, environmental impact assessment and sustainability, environmental ethics, and sustainability practices. As an interdisciplinary subject, environmental science draws on subjects including biology, chemistry, geology and ecology, helping you to analyse environmental systems and confront ecological challenges.

Employability is embedded into our curriculum, and we place a strong emphasis on developing your practical skills through fieldwork, collaborative projects and real-world problem-solving. You will gain hands-on practical skills using equipment, samples and digital resources in our state-of-the-art Central Science Labs and master different fieldwork skills through various residential and one day field courses.

Our programme offers study abroad and work placement options and you will benefit from our strong links with industry. These experiences allow you to apply your knowledge in real-world settings and learn from industry experts. In your final year, you’ll have the chance to earn a Field Identification Skills Certificate (FISC), highly regarded by employers. Keele is a leader in sustainability education, and our campus serves as a ‘living laboratory,’ with 600 acres of natural environments for fieldwork. From our lake system and extensive woodlands, to the mining and industrial heritage of the local area, we offer opportunities to study in an authentic environment while practicing sustainability, preparing you to thrive in your future career.

About Keele

Keele University was established in 1949 by the former Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University. Founded to meet the needs of a changing world, Keele has always had a pioneering vision to be a different kind of university.

We excel in both teaching and research, with some of the most satisfied students in England, and research that is changing lives for the better at a regional, national and global level.

Our beautiful 600-acre campus is one of the biggest in Britain – but all the most important services and facilities are on your doorstep, with accommodation, teaching spaces, facilities including a medical centre, sports centre and pharmacy, and a range of shops, eateries and entertainment venues – including the Students’ Union – clustered around the centre.