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BSc ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE WITH PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

  • UCAS code
    F852
  • Typical offer
    BBB
  • Year of entry
    2022
  • Course duration
     4 years
  • Year of entry
    2022
  • Course duration
     4 years
View all

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).
  • Top 100 in the world for Environmental Sciences (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2020).
  • Ranked 4th in the UK for research power for Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences (Research Fortnight’s Analysis Power Rankings, 2014, based on its analysis of Research Excellence Framework 2014).

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.

  • Find out why Raquel Jurado, a final-year student, is passionate about studying environmental science at the University of Reading.

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. 

Recent field class destinations have included:

  • Somerset, England, where you can study flooding, geology and soil formation.
  • Almeria, Spain, where you can visit a solar research station, see examples of greenhouse horticulture, and investigate issues of pollution and water supply.
  • Iceland, where you can study the geomorphology of the area, the history of the landscape, and aspects of the archaeological and cultural history of human activity on the island.

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 term 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).
  • Top 100 in the world for Environmental Sciences (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2020).
  • Ranked 4th in the UK for research power for Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences (Research Fortnight’s Analysis Power Rankings, 2014, based on its analysis of Research Excellence Framework 2014).

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.

  • Find out why Raquel Jurado, a final-year student, is passionate about studying environmental science at the University of Reading.

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. 

Recent field class destinations have included:

  • Somerset, England, where you can study flooding, geology and soil formation.
  • Almeria, Spain, where you can visit a solar research station, see examples of greenhouse horticulture, and investigate issues of pollution and water supply.
  • Iceland, where you can study the geomorphology of the area, the history of the landscape, and aspects of the archaeological and cultural history of human activity on the island.

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 term 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 | IB 30 points overall

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.

Typical offer

BBB, including grade B in one of the following subjects: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Environmental 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 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

Core modules include:

  • Chemistry of the earth and environment
  • Earth structure and processes
  • Environmental science field class
  • Introduction to environmental science
  • Introduction to physics of the environment
  • Soils in the environment

Optional modules include:

  • Bones, bodies and burials: the archaeology of death
  • Mammals: diversity, behaviour and conservation
  • Biogeography and soils
  • Climatology
  • Countryside and the environment
  • Earth materials
  • Ecology: species and their interactions
  • Economics 1
  • Environment and development
  • Fundamental concepts in chemistry 1
  • Geomorphology
  • Hydrology
  • IWLP language module (details unspecified)
  • Introduction to agricultural and food systems
  • Introduction to meteorology
  • Physical processes for biologists
  • Practical field ecology
  • Practising archaeology: methods and approaches
  • The living cell
  • Weather and climate fundamentals
Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Core modules include:

  • Career and placement learning for environmental science
  • Chemistry of natural and contaminated environments
  • Environmental science field class 2
  • Excel data management and analysis
  • Soil ecology and functions
  • Transport processes in the environment

Optional modules include:

  • Birds: diversity, behaviour and conservation
  • Vertebrate zoology - structure, form and function
  • Animal behaviour
  • Biogeography and conservation
  • Energy resources
  • Evolutionary biology
  • Forecasting: practice and presentation
  • Forestry and woodlands
  • Geomorphological hazards
  • Human activity and environmental change
  • Introduction to entomology
  • Invertebrate zoology
  • Methods in ecology and environmental management
  • Nature conservation
  • Quaternary global climate change
  • Spatial data in the digital age
  • Sustainable resource management
Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Core modules include:

  • Professional experience
Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Core modules include:

  • Geography and environmental science dissertation

Optional modules include:

  • People, plants and environmental change
  • Plants, animals and climate change
  • Plants, greenspace and urban sustainability
  • Soil, atmosphere and vegetation modelling
  • Water, agriculture and irrigation
  • Applied and environmental soil microbiology
  • Aquatic environments: problems and management
  • Carbon and global change
  • Climate change and food systems
  • Conservation biology
  • Conservation and biodiversity: global and local scales
  • Contaminated land management
  • Earth systems field class
  • Environmental and ecological weed management
  • Environmental management
  • Environmental science literature project
  • Forensic zoology
  • Holocene climate change and human society
  • IWLP language module (details unspecified)
  • Rural policy and countryside planning
  • Study Abroad (40 Credits)
  • Study Abroad (50 Credits)
  • Study Abroad (60 Credits)
  • Urban biodiversity
  • Water resources
  • Wildlife in the farming environment
Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Fees

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

New international students: £23,700 per year

*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 – including professional and research placements and industrial experience – you'll pay a discounted tuition fee for that year.

For UK/Republic of Ireland students, the discounted fee is subject to parliamentary approval and is currently capped at £1,385.

For International students, the discount is 15% of your normal tuition fee.

For more information, please 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

Related Courses

  • BSc Environmental Science F851
    Full Time: 3 Years
  • BSc Environmental Management F750
    Full Time: 3 Years
  • BSc Environmental Management with Placement Year D447
    Full Time: 4 Years
View all Environment degree courses courses

Raquel discusses Environmental Science

Contextual offers


We make contextual offers for all our courses.

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Subjects A-B

  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Science
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Architectural Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Building and Surveying
  • Business and Management, Accounting and Finance

Subjects C-E

  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Classical Studies
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management
  • Consumer Behaviour and Marketing
  • Creative Writing
  • Drama
  • Ecology
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environment

Subjects F-G

  • Film & Television
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Foundation programmes
  • French
  • Geography
  • German
  • Graphic Communication and Design

Subjects H-M

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • International Development
  • International Foundation Programme (IFP)
  • International Relations
  • Italian
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Marketing
  • Mathematics
  • Medical Sciences
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Museum Studies

Subjects N-T

  • Nutrition
  • Pharmacology
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate Studies
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Psychology
  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Spanish
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Surveying and Construction
  • Teaching
  • Theatre

Subjects U-Z

  • Wildlife Conservation
  • Zoology

Subjects A-C

  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Sciences
  • Archaeology
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Business (Post-Experience)
  • Business and Management (Pre-Experience)
  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Ancient History
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management and Engineering
  • Consumer Behaviour
  • Creative Enterprise

Subjects D-G

  • Data Science
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Energy and Environmental Engineering
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Science
  • Film, Theatre and Television
  • Finance
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Geography and Environmental Science
  • Graphic Design

Subjects H-P

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • Information Management and Digital Business
  • Information Technology
  • International Development and Applied Economics
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Management
  • Medieval History
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Microbiology
  • Nutritional Sciences
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Project Management
  • Psychology
  • Public Policy

Subjects Q-Z

  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Social Policy
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Strategic Studies
  • Teaching
  • Theatre
  • Typography and Graphic Communication
  • War and Peace Studies
  • Zoology

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