Environmental Management

An Environmental Management degree at Brighton prepares you to tackle global challenges such as climate change, resource management and sustainable development. You’ll learn how to assess environmental impacts, manage ecosystems and develop strategies that balance human needs with environmental protection.

At Brighton, you’ll join a supportive academic community and gain practical experience through fieldwork, lab sessions and real-world projects. You’ll explore topics including environmental policy, pollution control, sustainability and conservation, and learn to apply GIS and remote sensing for environmental monitoring and planning.

Brighton graduates go on to careers in environmental consultancy, sustainability management, conservation organisations, government agencies and international NGOs. Many progress to postgraduate study or specialise in areas such as environmental assessment, renewable energy or climate adaptation.

Top reasons to choose this course

• Brighton’s sustainability commitment – study in a city with strong environmental initiatives and access to the South Downs National Park and The Living Coast UNESCO Biosphere.

• Learn specialist field skills on day trips and residential field trips in places such as Wales and Sicily, as well as in our rich local environment.

• Travel and accommodation included in the fees for mandatory residential trips to locations such as Wales and Sicily (go to Fees and costs section for more info).

• Learn hands-on in our specialist facilities developing technical skills in GIS, remote sensing and environmental monitoring – all highly valued across environmental sectors.

• Boost your CV with work experience opportunities, including an optional placement year, funded internship schemes and community volunteering.

• Expert teaching and research links – study with academics engaged in research on sustainability, pollution control and environmental management.

• Flexible study options – this course can be studied full-time or part-time, allowing you to fit your degree around work or other commitments.

Why Brighton is a great place to study Environmental Management
Our Moulsecoomb campus puts you at the heart of one of the UK’s most ecologically diverse regions. Just minutes from the South Downs National Park and close to coastal habitats, you’ll have easy access to woodlands, wetlands and marine environments for fieldwork and research.

Brighton is a vibrant, creative city with strong environmental networks and conservation organisations, offering opportunities for volunteering, placements and community projects. Excellent transport links make it simple to reach local nature reserves, national parks and employer events, ensuring field trips and industry engagement are part of everyday learning.

Course Modules

Year 1
Your first year introduces the foundations of environmental management, covering physical geography, global environmental challenges and ecology. You’ll develop essential academic and field skills through a UK-based residential field course, learning survey techniques, risk assessment and research ethics.

Alongside this, you’ll gain practical experience in data analysis and GIS, explore climate change and environmental degradation, and build core scientific and communication skills to prepare for advanced study in sustainability and environmental assessment.

Core modules
Exploring Environments: An Introduction to Geographical and Environmental Fieldwork
Statistical and Spatial Data Analysis
Fundamentals of Physical Geography
Global Challenges: Climate Change and Environmental Degradation
Academic Learning for Geography and Environmental Studies
Introduction to Ecology and Conservation

Year 2
In your second year, you’ll deepen your understanding of sustainability and environmental challenges, exploring topics such as pollution control, resource management and global development issues. You’ll gain practical skills in GIS and remote sensing for environmental monitoring and learn advanced data analysis techniques to support research and decision-making.

Fieldwork, including an international residential trip, will enhance your ability to apply theory to real-world contexts. You’ll also develop professional competencies through consultancy-style projects, building skills in project management, teamwork and creative problem-solving to prepare for your final-year research and future career.

Core modules
Environmental Pollution
Sustainable Futures
Professional Practice for Global Challenges
Geography and Environment International Field Work
Research Design and Advanced Data Analysis
GIS and Remote Sensing: Principles and Practice

Optional Placement Year
You can choose a salaried professional placement after year two so you gain hands-on experience with environmental consultancies, sustainability teams, local authorities or NGOs. This year allows you to apply your academic knowledge to real-world projects such as pollution control, resource management and environmental impact assessment. You’ll develop practical skills in GIS, data analysis and environmental monitoring while building valuable industry contacts. The placement enhances your employability and confidence, giving you a competitive edge for careers in environmental management and sustainability.

Final year
Your final year focuses on applying advanced environmental management skills and completing an independent dissertation on a topic of your choice. You’ll study environmental impact assessment and environmental economics, gaining expertise in evaluating development projects and policy decisions.

Option modules allow you to specialise in areas such as water and sanitation, ecological impact assessment, advanced GIS, political ecology or community engagement. You will develop high-level research, analytical and consultancy skills to prepare you for careers in environmental management or progression to postgraduate study.

Core modules
Environmental Economics
Environmental Impact Assessment
Dissertation

Options*
Water, Sanitation and Health
Ecological Impact Assessment
Advanced GIS and Remote Sensing
Community Placement
Political Ecology: Contested Environments

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.