Summary:
Tackle the environmental challenges shaping our world. On this course, you will explore how science can be applied to protect the planet, from ecosystems and biodiversity to water systems and sustainability.
Choose the direction that matters to you. With specialist pathways including Business and the Environment, Biodiversity and Conservation, Environmental Change, Water and the Environment, and Sustainability, you can shape your degree around your interests and career goals.
Here, your learning goes beyond theory. Through fieldwork in the UK and opportunities overseas, you will see how environmental science works in practice and how research is driving real change.
Key features of the course:
Study a degree focused on employability and accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences.
Specialise in your chosen pathway while exploring a wide range of subjects, including environmental science, geography, ecology, geology, and oceanography.
Develop the knowledge and skills needed to address complex environmental challenges, combining theory with practical and project-based learning.
Take part in UK residential field courses in your first and second years, included in your course fees, and apply your skills in real environments.
Expand your experience with optional international field trips in your third year, with recent locations including Namibia, Cambodia and Switzerland.
Join a university where 100% of Environmental Science graduates were in employment or further study 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes 2021/22 and 2022/23, published 2024 and 2025).
Partnership Projects
Our Partnership Projects initiative gives you the opportunity to complete a Policy, Practice or Industry dissertation in collaboration with an external organisation.
You’ll work on a real brief set by the partner, applying your knowledge to a defined challenge.
Projects may include:
• ecological field studies
• social research into community sustainability initiatives
• identifying new locations for environmental or social charity work
Your research will focus on real-world issues and contribute to practical outcomes.
Student support:
Your Personal Academic Tutor will support you throughout your degree, helping you choose modules, plan your career and provide pastoral guidance when needed.
You will develop your employability from the start, building your CV, exploring career options and gaining access to careers support, resources and guidance throughout your studies and after graduation.
Further information:
This course is open to UK and international applicants and is accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences. Opportunities such as study abroad and fieldwork allow you to tailor your experience as you progress through your degree.
Year 1: Environmental Science core knowledge, concepts and skills.
Year 2: Explore, specialise and gain hands-on experience within your chosen pathway.
Year 3: Undertake original research, explore environmental policy, and further specialise within your chosen pathway.
A full list of modules is available on the course page on our website.
Your learning is delivered, and assessed, through a wide range of methods to ensure you develop a broad variety of skills that will set you up for success after graduation.
You will be assessed through coursework; laboratory reports and essays; design and problem solving exercises; individual and group projects; written and practical exams; creative projects; oral presentations; dissertation.
Throughout, you'll be supported by a personal academic tutor, your peers, and have access to a senior tutor.
This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.
University of Southampton has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?
The following entry points are available for this course:
Typical offer: ABB, including one science subject from Geography, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Psychology, Statistics, Geology, Environmental Science and Environmental Studies.
We do not accept the BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma without one acceptable science subject. If you are studying this qualification a typical offer would be DDD + B at A-Level (or equivalent), to include one acceptable science.
Access to HE will be considered on a case by case basis. The Access to HE should be in a science subject, or applicants must meet science requirements from additional A Level equivalent qualifications.
We normally consider applicants who offer at least 1 Advanced Higher. Applicants presenting with only Highers will be considered on a case by case basis. Where Highers are taken over two years it might be expected that higher grades are achieved, particularly in any specific subjects required. For example, S5 – S6 (2 years): AABBB (A in specific subject) or S6 (1 year): ABBBB (A in specific subject).
Unless a more advanced level (Higher or Advanced Higher) is specified in the stated entry requirements, all applicants will be required to have achieved a pass in Mathematics and English at Standard Grade, Grade 3 or National 5, Grade C, the equivalent of GCSE Grade C/ Grade 4.
plus B, in one acceptable science A Level subject.
plus AB, in one acceptable science A Level subject.
We do not accept the BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma without one acceptable science subject. If you are studying this qualification a typical offer would be DDD + B at A-Level (or equivalent), to include one acceptable science.
plus B, in one acceptable science A Level subject.
plus AB in one acceptable science A Level subject.
Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education. Please see the University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
Applicants are also required to have achieved a pass in Maths and English at Standard Grade Grade 3 or National 5 Grade C, the equivalent of GCSE Grade C/Grade 4.
Typical offer: Pass, with overall score of 32 points, with 16 points required at Higher Level, including a minimum of 5 in one higher level science.
International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP):
The University of Southampton accepts the IBCP for entry to their degree programmes, recognising the value of combining academic skills with practical skills, providing a solid preparation for university level work. Offers will be made on the individual components of the IBCP. Applicants not taking the full IBCP but presenting with a combination of a Level 3 vocational qualification and IB Certificates may still be considered.
Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements.
Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
Typical offer: AB in one A-level science subject from Geography, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Psychology, Geology and Environmental Studies, and grade A in the WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales.
Typical offer: BBB, to include one science subject from Geography, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Psychology, Geology or Environmental Studies, and Grade A in Extended Project Qualification.
to include one science subject from Geography, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Psychology, Statistics, Geology, Environmental Science and Environmental Studies.
Cambridge Pre-U's can be used in combination with other qualifications such as A-levels to achieve the equivalent of the typical offer, where D3 can be used in lieu of A-level grade A and M1 can be used in lieu of A-level grade B.
An overall distinction with grade A in the core element in the Science T-level
Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)
Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | IELTS requirements to be confirmed |
All programmes at the University of Southampton are taught and assessed in English. All applicants must demonstrate they possess at least a minimum standard of English language proficiency.https://www.southampton.ac.uk/studentadmin/admissions/admissions-policies/language.page
Most of the students who enrolled on this course in previous years met their offer conditions at our published entry criteria, securing their place on their chosen course.
We encourage all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, to apply to study with us. Applicants who qualify for contextual admissions will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).
It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.
Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.
| Location | Fee | Year |
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* This is a provisional fee and subject to change.
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Please see our website for further details and updates: www.southampton.ac.uk/uni-life/fees-funding.page
Email:admissions@soton.ac.uk
Phone:023 8059 4732
Email:AdmissionsUG.ELS@soton.ac.uk
Phone:023 8059 4732
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Southampton
SO17 1BJ
At University of Southampton
