BSc Environmental Science with International Foundation Year

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

If you want to study environmental science at a British university but don’t have the correct qualifications, our four-year Environmental Science with International Foundation Year programme enables you to undertake an undergraduate environmental science degree.

You will complete a foundation year (called Year 0) before progressing onto our three-year BSc Environmental Science degree. This means you can apply for a single four-year visa that covers the whole duration of your studies.

The foundation year is designed to equip you with the subject-specific and general study skills needed to cope with the demands of undergraduate study. Our high-quality teaching is geared towards the needs of students from a wide range of educational backgrounds. 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).

For more information, visit the International Foundation Programme website.

Overview

Entry requirements A Level See entry requirements

GCSE

Grades 9–4 (A*–C) in five subjects, or equivalent qualifications

IELTS

A minimum overall score of 5.5 in IELTS, with no component below 5.5.

See our IFP English Qualifications page for full details of the academic and English language entry requirements for this course.

Further requirements

If you are an international student planning to apply for one of our degree programmes, you may need to take a foundation course or pre-sessional course if you do not have qualifications that are equivalent to British A levels or if you need to improve your English language level.

International Foundation Year modules

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

Subjects A-B

Subjects C-E

Subjects H-M

Subjects N-T

Subjects A-C

Subjects D-G

Subjects H-P

Subjects A-B

Subjects C-E

Subjects F-G

Subjects H-M

Subjects N-T

Subjects U-Z

Subjects A-C

Subjects D-G

Subjects H-P

Subjects Q-Z

Overview

Entry requirements A Level See entry requirements

GCSE

Further requirements

Structure

Compulsory modules:

Optional modules:

Compulsory modules:

Optional modules:

Compulsory modules:

Optional modules:

Fees

*UK/Republic of Ireland fee changes

EU student fees

Additional Costs

Financial support for your studies

Careers

BSc Environmental Science with International Foundation Year - September Entry

*UK/Republic of Ireland fee changes

EU student fees

Additional Costs

Financial support for your studies

Ready for more?