Skip navigation

Applied Environmental Science

  • MSci
  • 5 Years
  • Full-time
  • September 2026
  • Undergraduate
Inverness
Awarded by:
University of the Highlands and Islands
More about University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)

Course options

2026-20272027-2028
Apply

Course summary

Are you passionate about understanding the processes that shape all aspects of our natural environment? Would you like to spend a year of your studies in a supported industry placement, learning the practical applications of environmental science in real-time?

Join our 5-year MSci Environmental Science, with amazing opportunities to pursue your specific interests via our Environmental Biology pathway, and spend 1 year working alongside industry professionals, developing invaluable expertise, adding to your CV, and improving your career prospects as you prepare for employment.

You won’t find a better classroom in which to study than the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. With outstanding locations such as the newly inscribed Flow Country World Heritage Site (the first peatland World Heritage Site), Cairngorms National Park, and many more, we have, undeniably, one of the world’s best ‘living laboratories’, all set in the spectacular natural habitat of the Scottish Highlands.

Develop core scientific and analytical skills through your course work, with access to specialist and state-of-the-art laboratory facilities across the university network. During each year of study you will have the opportunity to choose modules with lab and field residentials at a variety of locations throughout the region, including an international field trip in year 2. These modules are a key part of the course, allowing you to develop your lab and field skills while working in some of the most outstanding habitats in Scotland and Iceland.

For a 4-year study option without the 1-year industry placement, please see our BSc (Hons) Environmental Science.

Special features
◾ Located in one of the world’s best ‘living laboratories’ between the Cairngorms National Park and Flow Country UNESCO World Heritage site
◾ Have access to a course packed with field and lab activities at each level of study in Scottish locations and abroad.
◾ Have the opportunity to gain invaluable experience by spending a year working in industry
◾ Opportunities to exit with one of the following pathways:

  • MSci Applied Environmental Biology

  • MSci Applied Environmental Science

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Inverness

Study options

  • MSci • Full-time • 5 Years

Start dates

  • September 2026

Apply by
14 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
F901
Institution code:
H49
Campus name:
Inverness
Campus Code:
I
Points of Entry:
Year 1, 2, 3

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
F901
Institution code:
H49
Campus name:
Inverness
Campus Code:
I

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3

Entry requirements for advanced entry (i.e. into Year 2 and beyond)

Advanced entry to year 2 may be available with:

HNC Applied Sciences**
HNC Bioscience**
HNC Horticulture**
HNC Wildlife and Conservation Management**
CertHE Introduction to Marine Biology, Environmental Science and Sustainability

Advanced entry to year 3 may be available with:

HND Horticulture
HND Wildlife and Conservation Management

International applicants

This course is available for international students (including EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK) requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK. Part-time study is not open to international students requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.

Open days

Entry requirements

A level
BB

These must include two science subjects. Please refer to our webpage for the list of recommended science subjects

Scottish Higher
BBC

These must include two science subjects. Please refer to our webpage for the list of recommended science subjects

GCSE/National 4/National 5

PLUS National 5, Standard Grade Credit, or Intermediate 2 at grade C or above, or equivalent, in a science subject

Foundation Apprenticeship (SCQF Level 6)
Pass

Alternatively, Foundation Apprenticeship Scientific Technologies (Laboratory Skills) PLUS an additional Scottish Higher at grade B or above and National 5 at grade B or above (or equivalent)

UHI does not use Tariff points, and accepts a range of qualifications. Applicants with other relevant qualifications or experience will be considered on an individual basis.

Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

UHI is committed to achieving widening access, and achieving a fair balance of entrants to higher education. Widening access can be broadly defined as ‘ensuring fair access to higher education’. Widening access is principally about ensuring that those who have the ability and potential to benefit from a higher education, irrespective of their background or economic circumstances can do so.

Learn more on the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) website

Historical entry grades data

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.

Not enough data available

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.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear

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.

Additional fee information

For full information on fees please see our Undergraduate Tuition Fees page at https://www.uhi.ac.uk/en/studying-at-uhi/first-steps/how-much-will-it-cost/ug/
For course specific fees information please refer to the Fees/funding tab on the university website course page.
You can also find information on additional funding available such as bursaries and scholarships at https://www.uhi.ac.uk/en/studying-at-uhi/first-steps/how-much-will-it-cost/funding-your-studies/bursaries-and-scholarships/

Related courses

At University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)

Like this page