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CHOOSE A SUBJECT
2023/24
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BSc Environmental Science with Professional Experience

  • UCAS code
    F852
  • A level offer
    BBB
  • Year of entry
    2024/25
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  4 Years
  • Year of entry
    2024/25
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  4 Years

Study the environment from a scientific perspective, and discover how to solve some of the most-critical challenges facing planet Earth, with our accredited BSc Environmental Science with Professional Experience.

You’ll explore Earth’s natural systems – its physical, chemical and biological interactions – and use this knowledge to develop strategies for tackling major environmental issues such as climate change and pollution.

This three-year degree has a strong scientific focus. Your learning will span from the single cells and atoms that form the building blocks of our world, to the cycling of matter and flows of energy into, between, and within the:

  • solid Earth and its surface
  • hydrosphere
  • atmosphere
  • biosphere.

Gain essential skills needed by today’s professional environmental scientists. Our balance of practical and theoretical learning enables you to gain experience in the field and enhance your specialist subject knowledge with real-life experience – preparing you for a career, or further research, in the environmental sector.

Choose BSc Environmental Science with Professional Experience at the University of Reading

  • Accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES).
  • The University is in the top 100 in the world for Environmental Sciences (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023).
  • The University of Reading is ranked 3rd in the UK for research power in Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences (Times Higher Education, Institutions Ranked by Subject, based on its analysis of the latest REF 2021).
  • 99% of students in the Department of Geography and Environmental Science said our that teaching staff were good or very good at explaining things (National Student Survey, 2023).

The flexibility of this degree allows you to make an informed decision about where to focus your study, providing the opportunity to adapt your degree to your chosen interests as they develop.

Alternatively, you can choose from a variety of specialist pathways, including:

  • water resources and quality
  • conservation and sustainability
  • climate and palaeoclimate change
  • pollution and remediation.

BSc Environmental Science with Professional Experience placement year

A key component of this degree is a year-long professional placement, which occurs between your second and final year.  

Working with a local company or organisation, you will:

  • deepen your knowledge and put your learning into practice
  • develop your research, survey, data analysis and presentation skills
  • build your professional network
  • gain insight into the sector and potential career options.

Some of our students choose to complete their dissertation in conjunction with an outside agency, engaging in research for major organisations such as Natural England and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

  • Professor Hilary Geoghegan leads on the £1.3m national ‘Community for Engaging Environments’ project, giving students an opportunity to get involved with professional environmental research.

Visit the Geography and Environmental Sciences placements page for more information.
 

Your learning environment

Learn from internationally recognised academics from the Department of Geography and Environmental Science. We research and teach global topics, including:

  • climate change and governance
  • hydrology
  • landscapes and ecology
  • paleoecology
  • dryland environment
  • glaciology
  • development
  • sustainability
  • globalisation.

This expertise will expose you to changing trends and emerging technologies in the sector. 

Field classes and skill development

One of the most popular components of our BSc Environmental Science with Professional Experience are its field classes.

You’ll have the opportunity to travel throughout the UK and abroad, putting theory into practice and gaining valuable research and practical experience. 

All of our compulsory field classes are heavily subsidised by the Department, and the cost of the first-year Southern England class and second-year Scotland class are included in your fees.

We currently offer research field classes to:

Year one
  • Southern England - study a range of social, cultural, economic and environmental issues.
Year two
  • Stirling, Scotland - expand your knowledge of geomorphology, environmental change and nature restoration.
Year three
  • Berlin, Germany - explore neighbourhood spaces and social history.
  • Iceland - study volcanic processes and glaciology, energy resources, and the history of the landscape.
  • Nanjing, China - improve your understanding of approaches used to address a range of environmental issues.
  • Southern England and Wales - explore the inter-relationships between a range of social, economic and environmental problems.

As a student at Reading, you will also have access to our campuses and grounds to develop your fieldwork skills and conduct research. Home to more than a thousand different animal species, they offer multiple habitats to study – from lakes, hay meadows and woodlands on our award-winning Whiteknights campus, to hedgerow, marshland and the Thames on our University farms.

  • Professor Nicholas Branch, who studies climate resilience and food production in South America, feeds his research into environmental science modules and has taken students with him to conduct research in the Peruvian Andes.

Study Abroad

As part of your degree, you can apply to study abroad for a semester during your final year at one of our partner universities in North America, Europe, Asia or Africa. For example, recent destinations have included Svalbard, Norway and Rhode Island, USA.

All classes are conducted in English and bursaries are available to help with travel and accommodation costs.

Visit our Study Abroad website for more information.

 

Overview

Study the environment from a scientific perspective, and discover how to solve some of the most-critical challenges facing planet Earth, with our accredited BSc Environmental Science with Professional Experience.

You’ll explore Earth’s natural systems – its physical, chemical and biological interactions – and use this knowledge to develop strategies for tackling major environmental issues such as climate change and pollution.

This three-year degree has a strong scientific focus. Your learning will span from the single cells and atoms that form the building blocks of our world, to the cycling of matter and flows of energy into, between, and within the:

  • solid Earth and its surface
  • hydrosphere
  • atmosphere
  • biosphere.

Gain essential skills needed by today’s professional environmental scientists. Our balance of practical and theoretical learning enables you to gain experience in the field and enhance your specialist subject knowledge with real-life experience – preparing you for a career, or further research, in the environmental sector.

Choose BSc Environmental Science with Professional Experience at the University of Reading

  • Accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES).
  • The University is in the top 100 in the world for Environmental Sciences (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023).
  • The University of Reading is ranked 3rd in the UK for research power in Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences (Times Higher Education, Institutions Ranked by Subject, based on its analysis of the latest REF 2021).
  • 99% of students in the Department of Geography and Environmental Science said our that teaching staff were good or very good at explaining things (National Student Survey, 2023).

The flexibility of this degree allows you to make an informed decision about where to focus your study, providing the opportunity to adapt your degree to your chosen interests as they develop.

Alternatively, you can choose from a variety of specialist pathways, including:

  • water resources and quality
  • conservation and sustainability
  • climate and palaeoclimate change
  • pollution and remediation.

BSc Environmental Science with Professional Experience placement year

A key component of this degree is a year-long professional placement, which occurs between your second and final year.  

Working with a local company or organisation, you will:

  • deepen your knowledge and put your learning into practice
  • develop your research, survey, data analysis and presentation skills
  • build your professional network
  • gain insight into the sector and potential career options.

Some of our students choose to complete their dissertation in conjunction with an outside agency, engaging in research for major organisations such as Natural England and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

  • Professor Hilary Geoghegan leads on the £1.3m national ‘Community for Engaging Environments’ project, giving students an opportunity to get involved with professional environmental research.

Visit the Geography and Environmental Sciences placements page for more information.
 

Learning

Your learning environment

Learn from internationally recognised academics from the Department of Geography and Environmental Science. We research and teach global topics, including:

  • climate change and governance
  • hydrology
  • landscapes and ecology
  • paleoecology
  • dryland environment
  • glaciology
  • development
  • sustainability
  • globalisation.

This expertise will expose you to changing trends and emerging technologies in the sector. 

Field classes and skill development

One of the most popular components of our BSc Environmental Science with Professional Experience are its field classes.

You’ll have the opportunity to travel throughout the UK and abroad, putting theory into practice and gaining valuable research and practical experience. 

All of our compulsory field classes are heavily subsidised by the Department, and the cost of the first-year Southern England class and second-year Scotland class are included in your fees.

We currently offer research field classes to:

Year one
  • Southern England - study a range of social, cultural, economic and environmental issues.
Year two
  • Stirling, Scotland - expand your knowledge of geomorphology, environmental change and nature restoration.
Year three
  • Berlin, Germany - explore neighbourhood spaces and social history.
  • Iceland - study volcanic processes and glaciology, energy resources, and the history of the landscape.
  • Nanjing, China - improve your understanding of approaches used to address a range of environmental issues.
  • Southern England and Wales - explore the inter-relationships between a range of social, economic and environmental problems.

As a student at Reading, you will also have access to our campuses and grounds to develop your fieldwork skills and conduct research. Home to more than a thousand different animal species, they offer multiple habitats to study – from lakes, hay meadows and woodlands on our award-winning Whiteknights campus, to hedgerow, marshland and the Thames on our University farms.

  • Professor Nicholas Branch, who studies climate resilience and food production in South America, feeds his research into environmental science modules and has taken students with him to conduct research in the Peruvian Andes.

Study Abroad

As part of your degree, you can apply to study abroad for a semester during your final year at one of our partner universities in North America, Europe, Asia or Africa. For example, recent destinations have included Svalbard, Norway and Rhode Island, USA.

All classes are conducted in English and bursaries are available to help with travel and accommodation costs.

Visit our Study Abroad website for more information.

 

Entry requirements A Level BBB

Select Reading as your firm choice on UCAS and we'll guarantee you a place even if you don't quite meet your offer. For details, see our firm choice scheme.

 Our typical offers are expressed in terms of A level, BTEC and International Baccalaureate requirements. However, we also accept many other qualifications.

Typical offer

BBB, including grade B in one of the following subjects: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Environmental Science/Studies or Geology

International Baccalaureate

30 points overall, including 5 at higher level in one of the following subjects: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Environmental Science/Studies or Geology

BTEC Extended Diploma

DDM (Modules taken must be comparable to subject-specific requirement)

Extended Project Qualification

In recognition of the excellent preparation that the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) provides to students for University study, we can now include achievement in the EPQ as part of a formal offer.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5, with no component below 5.5

For information on other English language qualifications, please visit our international student pages.

Alternative entry requirements for International and EU students

For country specific entry requirements, look at entry requirements by country.

International Foundation Programme

If you are an international or EU student and do not meet the requirements for direct entry to your chosen degree you can join the University of Reading’s International Foundation Programme. Successful completion of this 1 year programme guarantees you a place on your chosen undergraduate degree. English language requirements start as low as IELTS 4.5 depending on progression degree and start date.

  • Learn more about our International Foundation programme

Pre-sessional English language programme

If you need to improve your English language score you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.

  • Find out the English language requirements for our courses and our pre-sessional English programme

Structure

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3
  • Year 4

The following modules have been approved in principle for delivery in 2024/25. Please note that as part of our current curriculum improvement process, all modules require final University approval and may be subject to change.

Compulsory modules:

  • Skills in Geography and Environmental Science
  • Global Challenges
  • Field Class
  • Earth Lab
  • Data Environment

Optional modules:

  • Restless Planet
  • Landscapes and Resources
  • Towards Sustainability: Positive Action for a Better World 

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

The following modules have been approved in principle for delivery in 2024/25. Please note that as part of our current curriculum improvement process, all modules require final University approval and may be subject to change.

Compulsory modules:

  • Skills Training and Project Design
  • Field Class 
  • Environmental Diagnostics

Optional modules:

  • Earth Processes and Hazards
  • Energy Resources
  • Geographical Information Systems
  • Monitoring the Earth from above
  • Water in the Earth System
  • Climate and Environmental Change
  • Ecology: from communities to ecosystems
  • Summer Placement 

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Professional Placement Year

The following modules have been approved in principle for delivery in 2024/25. Please note that as part of our current curriculum improvement process, all modules require final University approval and may be subject to change.

Compulsory modules:

  • Dissertation

Optional modules:

  • Air Pollution
  • Environmental Pollution
  • Ecosystems Modelling
  • Soil Ecology Environment and Sustainability
  • Carbon and Global Change
  • Preparing for Floods
  • Climate Change
  • Tropical Rainforests, Climate, and Lost Civilisations
  • Water Resources
  • Physical Geography Field Class
  • Environmental Science Field Class
  • Geography and Environmental Science Field Class 

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Fees

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.

Careers

Your BSc Environmental Science with Professional Experience degree will equip you with a wide variety of skills – from teamwork writing and presenting, to the ability to adapt to changing circumstances – highly desirable to a range of employers.

You’ll be well placed to enter a variety of technical and scientific roles in areas such as:

  • environmental protection
  • renewable energy
  • sustainable transport
  • water
  • environmental consultancy.

Recent students have gone on to work for a range of major organisations, including:

  • AWE
  • Centre for Alternative Technology
  • Thames Water
  • Sustrans
  • Syngenta
  • Jacobs Engineering
  • Environment Agency.

Your degree also offers a route into postgraduate study, research or teacher training.
 

I've enjoyed keeping as broad a spectrum as possible which has helped me get my placements as a farmland ecology research student. As an environmental scientist, you have the opportunity to take modules of other disciplines such as agriculture, geography and biology. It's surprising how much new subject areas can spark a new passion.

Tom Elliott
BSc Environmental Science with Professional Experience

Contextual offers


We make contextual offers for all our courses.

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