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2023/24
2024/25

BSc Environmental Management and Sustainability with Placement Year

  • UCAS code
    D447
  • A level offer
    BBB
  • Year of entry
    2024/25 See 2023/24 entry
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  4 Years

With this BSc Environmental Management and Sustainability degree, you will explore the scientific and socio-economic issues behind sound environmental management, while developing your professional and scientific skills.

Land is facing increasing conflicts related to its management for different purposes. These include food production, renewable energy, protection of soil and water resources, nature conservation, urban development and the provision of space for recreation and tourism.

Taught by the Department of Sustainable Land Management, our BSc Environmental Management and Sustainability degree enables you to build on your interests and prepare for a career in this area. 

During this degree you will learn about the technical, scientific and socioeconomic aspects of environmental issues, and develop methods for tackling them. The course focuses on the needs of employers and you will develop your professional skills alongside your scientific knowledge, using exercises such as mock consultancies. Additionally, you will carry out a short industry placement and have the chance to study abroad.

You'll be able to tailor this course to suit your specific interests by selecting from a range of optional modules. You will be taught by staff from a number of Schools and Departments across the University, covering subjects such as human geography, environmental science, ecology, economics and international development.

The University of Reading has been at the forefront of research into sustainability and the environment for many decades. You'll be based in a school that is ranked 1st in the UK, and is one of the top 20 universities in the world, for Agriculture and Forestry (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2023).

Our staff are actively engaged in research and tailor their teaching to reflect the changing trends and emerging technologies within the sector. You will also benefit from our small class sizes. 100% of students in Environmental Management said our teaching staff were good or very good at explaining things. (National Student Survey, 2023. Respondents from BSc Environmental Management programmes).

Our BSc Environmental Management and Sustainability course shares some modules with environmental and ecology courses offered by other departments and you will be able to tap into their specialist knowledge.

Fieldwork

There is a strong practical element to the course and many modules offer frequent field trips. The University of Reading's award-winning campus is home to over 1,000 different animal species and is extremely useful for learning fieldwork skills. It offers multiple habitats for study, including meadows, lakes and semi-urban areas, and allows you to step straight from the classroom to the field.

The University's large farms provide access to farmland and woodland environments, as well as the River Thames. The course includes two compulsory residential field courses, which will give you exposure to the management of sustainability in coastal and urban environments in the UK and Netherlands. During the final year you will carry out an independent project, and will normally be embedded within one of the School's research groups, working alongside leading academics. Our specialist areas include land management, biodiversity conservation, climate change and food security.

Placement

This degree includes an integrated, year-long work placement between your second and final year, usually at an environment based organisation.

The Department has a dedicated member of staff in charge of placements, who can provide you with advice and support. 

For more information about securing and completing a placement, please visit our Important Information page.

Study abroad

As part of your degree, you could choose to spend two weeks, a term, or an academic year abroad.

We have links with a number of universities around the world, and our students have recently studied in countries such as Sweden, the Netherlands, Australia and the USA.

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250*

New international students: £27,650

*UK/Republic of Ireland fee changes

UK/Republic of Ireland undergraduate tuition fees are regulated by the UK government. These fees are subject to parliamentary approval and any decision on raising the tuition fees cap for new UK students would require the formal approval of both Houses of Parliament before it becomes law.

EU student fees

With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government's guidance for EU students.

Additional costs

Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.

Placement year fees

If you spend a full year on placement, you will only pay 15% of your usual tuition fee for that year. For more information, please see our fees and funding pages or contact placements@reading.ac.uk.

Financial support for your studies

You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.

This course will provide you with a range of transferable skills, including communication, problem solving, personal development planning, time management and digital technology skills.

As a graduate you will have the core knowledge needed for a range of careers in fields such as environmental management, nature conservation, natural resource management, business sustainability, and environmental education. The course offers a route into land management or conservation careers in the public sector or non-governmental organisations such as the RSPB, National Trust or Wildlife Trusts.

Alternatively, many of our graduates have gained employment working in business, sustainability consultancy, and environmental consultancy. The skills learned through the course can also be transferred to other sectors such as rural development, estate management, project management and teaching. It is also an ideal stepping stone for further study and research.