Environmental Science BSc (Hons) | University of Nottingham

International student

Course overview

Are you curious about the complex relationship between humans and the environment?

We need scientists to respond to some of the biggest environmental challenges ranging from climate change to biodiversity, loss of species and habitats and environmental pollution. You'll develop the skills to tackle these problems and help deliver a sustainable future.

You’ll study a wide range of subjects including geography and biology and can specialise in the areas you are passionate about – such as environmental impact assessment, renewable energies, environmental policy or pollution monitoring.

As well as the theory and background, we’ll teach you the practical skills needed for a career in the environmental sector. All environmental sciences students will get involved in fieldwork, a central part of the course.

Course highlights

Enhance your studies through field trips to local, national and potentially even overseas locations.
Learn from our researchers who are actively working with environmental consultancies on projects – and attend training delivered by visiting ecologists.
Opportunities to complete an industry placement year or study abroad as part of your degree.

Proven results

We’re a top 20 UK and top 100 world university (QS World University Rankings 2026).
The average starting salary for School of Biosciences undergraduates within 15 months of graduation was £29,189 (HESA Graduate Outcomes 2022/23).

How you will learn

Teaching methods

Lab sessions
Lectures
Seminars
Tutorials
Workshops
Problem-based learning
Computer labs
Field courses
Practical classes

How you will be assessed

We use a range of assessment methods, including exams, essays, verbal presentations and practicals. You will receive a copy of our marking criteria which provides guidance on how we will assess your work.

Your work will be marked on time and you will receive regular feedback. You must pass each year to progress. This typically means that you will need to achieve marks of at least 40% in each module.

Students who do not achieve an average 55% mark at the end of year two will transfer to the three year BSc programme. Full details on our marking criteria and structure will be provided at your induction.

To study abroad as part of your degree, you must meet minimum academic requirements in year one.

Assessment methods

Coursework
Group project
Lab reports
Oral exam
Poster presentation
Research project
Written exam

Contact time and study hours

In your first year, you will take 120 credits of modules. As a guide, one credit equals approximately 10 hours of work. You will spend around half of your time in lectures, seminars and practicals. The remaining time will be independent study.

Modules

6 modules

Academic Skills

This module is compulsory for environmental science, environmental biology and plant science undergraduates. It is spread across the autumn and spring semester of year one. It is taught using a mixture of lectures, laboratory and computer practical sessions, alongside tutorials. The module is structured around the production of a scientific paper. Therefore, the module’s topics include scientific writing, data analysis, data presentation and referencing skills

Building a Habitable Planet

The unifying theme of this module is biogeochemical cycling - the production, distribution and cycling of materials on the Earth and their availability to, and use by, biological organisms. The module starts by covering the history of the universe, from the big bang to the evolution of the Earth's surface environment. Then you will explore the major global systems and their circulations as they are today - solids, liquids and gases. In the final section, you will examine the major materials - including carbon, nitrogen, sulphur, oxygen and metals - and their budgets and cycles. We will also cover the interactions between biological and physical/chemical processes on a global scale.

Hazards, Resources and the Changing Planet

Explore the fundamental processes that drive Earth’s system, on land, in the ocean and in the atmosphere. You will study geology, geography, oceanography, and meteorology, developing a range of practical and transferable skills. By the end of this module, you will have an understanding of:

The rocks beneath our feet, how they are formed, and the different ways in which we study and interpret them.
Geologic Time Scale and common Geological Hazards
Weather formation, atmospheric and ocean chemistry, large scale ocean circulation patterns, and Earth’s resulting
climatic zones

Risk, Responsibility and the Environment

This module introduces you to the role and limitations of environmental science within the context practical environmental decision-making. During this module, we will look at how the degradation of our natural environment is creating unprecedented challenges for humans and society around the world. Science has a key role to play in helping us to understand and protect our environment. Public opinion of environmental issues and science is key to this, not least because the public funds 80% of scientific research. In this module, we will look at issues around scientific ethics, trust in science, denial, scepticism and science communication. Environmental problems are now very much part of the political agenda. We will look at the history of the environmental movement, environmental activism and environmental ethics. We will explore how and why we try to protect the environment through policy, legislation, international agreements and economic strategies.

Geographical Information Systems for Environmental Monitoring

In this module you will learn how to use a Geographical Information System to visualise and explore environmental data. Using real-world data, you will produce environmental maps using the widely used free open source software QGIS. Accompanying the computer labs, lectures will provide background and context to the mapping task at the centre of the module.

Principles of Ecology

Pollinator species are hugely important for natural systems and for managed systems like agriculture, but there is concern that numbers are declining. This module introduces you to the principles of ecology and looks at how organisms have evolved to interact with their environment.

You’ll cover:

population and community ecology
the various definitions of biodiversity
the loss of species and habitats

You’ll have lectures from current researchers in the field and the opportunity to apply your learning in the laboratory and through field visits.

6 modules

Climate Change Science

A broad overview of the science behind climate change and its effects is studied on this module. Topics include:

historical climate change
the principles of climate forcing
the role of modelling
responses of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, including impacts on humans
the political environment
options for climate stabilisation.

Ecological Surveying

This module will introduce students to a range of skills for environmental monitoring and ecological assessment; students will develop key practical skills and gain valuable experience in planning and conducting fieldwork.

There will be a strong focus on developing practical skills and enhancing employability in the environmental job sector. Topics covered will include Plant identification and NVC - Phase 1 habitat surveys, surveying species, which have specific protections under law – bats and birds and terrestrial invertebrate survey techniques.

Ecosystem Processes

The course will focus on the processes that govern terrestrial ecosystem function. We will identify key ecosystem drivers and processes and explore how these have shaped the biosphere. Students will gain an understanding of the mechanisms that control changes in the physiochemical environment and their impact upon communities. Particular topics will include primary productivity, decomposition, herbivory, biodiversity and human impact on ecosystems. Classes comprise a mix of lectures, laboratory practicals, a computer practical, a seminar and fieldwork

Environmental Geochemistry

This module will develop your understanding of the important chemical and physical processes that operate in the terrestrial environment. It will principally look at soils and fresh water systems.

You will study the hydrological cycle and surface and sub-surface water chemistry. This includes rainfall, rivers and lakes, and the processes that govern the movement of solutes and colloidal materials, adsorption, redox, solubility, diffusion and kinetics.

Research and Professional Skills

In this module you will develop and consolidate your professional and research abilities as a scientist. You’ll improve your core skills that will enable you carry out scientifically-sound research, including:

the scientific method and experimentation
measurement techniques
literature searches
data collection and statistical analysis.

You’ll also cover discipline-specific topics according to your interests in animal, crop or management science. There will be a mix of lectures, workshops and group activity sessions for you to work on your skills.

Soils

Overview: Soils are the most complex biomaterial on earth. An understanding of the basic concepts concerning the form and function of soils is important for future management strategies such as mitigating the effects of climate change and providing safe and sustainable food. This module focuses on the important soil properties from physical, chemical and biological perspectives including soil organic matter (microbiology and chemistry); soil chemical reactions (acidity, redox); soil fauna and flora; soil-water relations (irrigation and drainage).

10 credits

9 modules

Biological Photography and Imaging I

Through practical sessions, you will learn the techniques of biological image production and manipulation, including the ability to generate biological images of the highest technical quality and scientific value. You will build an understanding of the principles behind photography and how to get the most out of state of the art photographic and imaging equipment.

Computer Modelling in Science: Introduction

The aim of this module is to introduce the use of computing programming and modelling in the biological and environmental sciences for model simulation and image processing.

Environmental Plant Physiology

Plant physiologists are the ‘engineers’ of botany, studying the physical and chemical mechanisms that drive plant growth and the adaptations that underly resilience and survival. Specifically, this module provides an understanding of the mechanisms that plants use to capture and efficiently utilise physical resources of solar energy, water and nutrients and how they do this in diverse and challenging global habitats, including both natural and agricultural systems. The adaptations to variation and perturbation (stress) of physical aspects of the plant environment are examined. Throughout the module, examples are given of contemporary issues and challenges such as plant responses to climate change and abiotic stress physiology. A background context of growth and development is maintained throughout.

Forest Ecology and Management

The aim of this module is to introduce you to forest environments and ecology within natural and semi-natural and planted ecosystems. The module will look at the environmental and ecological impacts of deforestation, commercial forestry and afforestation. We will examine the impact of invasive species and pests and disease on tree species and woodlands, particularly within the UK.

Insect Biology

In this module we will examine how insects are classified, the external and internal features of their bodies, their lifecycles and how they reproduce. We will look at the importance of insects and insect biodiversity, investigating the central role they play in ecosystem function. We will also investigate how entomologists collect insects, how we measure populations and recent insect declines. We will examine the insects that humans describe as beneficial or harmful, looking at the impact of insects on plants, crops, livestock, and human health.

Practical Policy Making

In this module you’ll develop your understanding of how and why policies relating to agriculture, the environment and food are developed, and you will gain a valuable insight into how to influence policy. The module will be delivered via a series of lectures and guest speakers, which from organisations such as: Defra, the National Farmers Union (NFU), agri-businesses within the input supply chain and food retailers.

The Green Planet

This module explores the evolution of key plant systems through deep time, and the significance of this process for understanding modern ecology and food security. You will learn about the challenges that plants faced when moving onto land and evolutionary innovations within the early spermatophytes. You will also gain an understanding of the power of natural selection in producing plant diversity over deep time.

The Urban Environment

This module aims to provide you with an overview of the global trends and causes of urbanisation and addresses the environmental challenges inherent to sustainable and resilient cities. It provides an opportunity for you to explore the planning and policy required to create greener environments and clean air. You will gain insights into the range of career paths associated with urban environmental management.

Economic Valuation for Sustainable Development

This module applies economic ideas to problems of concern to agricultural and environmental scientists.

You will use supply and demand analysis to show how market prices are determined. You’ll also be introduced to the idea of an ‘efficient market’, contrasted with ‘market failure’. You’ll explore topics of sustainable agriculture, farm animal welfare, biodiversity, air, water and soil.

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1 module

Research Project in Environmental Science

You will undertake detailed research on a chosen topic after discussion with a supervisor. Each project will involve collection of data by means such as experiment, questionnaire or observation, as well as the analysis and interpretation of the data in the context of previous work.

Working closely with an academic supervisor, you develop and undertake a research project in your third year. You will present your results orally to your peers and in the form of a concise scientific paper.

The project encourages critical thinking and involves a detailed literature survey, data collection, analysis and interpretation.

Recent projects include:

Phytoremediation of contaminated soil
The effect of phosphogypsum on soil development
Reduction of atmospheric pollutant concentrations by hedgerows
Hazard assessment of heavy metal uptake to plants
Ecological impacts of veterinary drugs
Forest carbon storage and its role in mitigating CO² emission

11 modules

Applied Bioethics 1: Animals, Biotechnology and Society

The module aims to provide you with a sound understanding of widely accepted ethical principles and encourage the application of these insights to the analysis of contemporary issues concerning modern biotechnologies and research in the biosciences, in relation to both humans and non-human species.

Arctic Ecology Field Course

The aim of the module is to provide a sound understanding of important ecological processes that take place within arctic habitats. To provide a basis for the understanding of more applied aspects of the behaviour of these systems (e.g. plant-soil interactions and threats to the ecosystem).

Climate Change Mitigation

In this module, you will investigate the practical tools required to meet the global climate challenge, ranging from the implementation of renewable energies to the mechanics of carbon foot printing and offsetting. We will analyse the role of sustainable architecture and the ethics of offsetting.

We will explore how nature-based solutions can be utilised to reduce atmospheric greenhouse gases while simultaneously strengthening environmental resilience against future impacts. By the end of the module, you will understand how to integrate these tools to both mitigate emissions and boost ecological resilience.

Computer Modelling in Science: Applications

The aim of this module is to show the range of techniques for computer-based models applied to the biological and environmental sciences using suitable important examples.

Environmental Biotechnology

The aim of the module is to provide you with a sound understanding of environmental biotechnology, the role of microbes in natural processes and their application in wastewater treatment, bioremediation processes, sustainable agriculture and bioenergy production.

Environmental Pollutants: Fate, Impact and Remediation

The aims of the module are to present current scientific understanding of the fate, impact and remediation of environmental pollutants, as well as the techniques employed in their study. You will gain an understanding of the underlying mechanisms involved in the major problems of terrestrial, aquatic and air pollution. You will also be equipped to make rational decisions regarding remediation of polluted environments, and give relevant advice to managers, planners, and other decision makers.

Palaeobiology

Palaeobiology explores the relationship between life and the Earth's physical and chemical environment over geological/evolutionary time. The module will focus on the geological consequences of evolution and how life has influenced physical and chemical environment. Topics covered will include: Origins and evolution of life, evolution of the atmosphere and biosphere, the palaeobiology of critical intervals in Earth history and ecosystem reconstruction. You will gain an in-depth knowledge of the mechanisms that control changes in the physiochemical environmental and their impact upon evolution. To gain a broad understanding the module you will explore past changes as seem in the fossil record, together with present day processes that underpin these responses.

Plant Ecophysiology

The aim of the module is to provide a fundamental understanding of how plants respond and adapt to environments within a whole plant perspective. To provide you with teamwork and digital communication skills (with a portfolio-ready multimedia product).

Environmental Pollution Field Course

The overall aim of the module is to provide you with practical experience of environmental pollution and its effects. The field exercises will complement other modules offered by the school, especially The Urban Environment and Environmental Pollutants: Fate, Impact and Remediation. The field excursion will put much of the material presented in each of these modules in a real-world context. Furthermore, you will gain practical experience of fieldwork, working in teams, chain-of-custody issues concerning field samples, in-situ and ex-situ analysis of samples, and report writing.

Sustainable Soil Management

The aim of the module is to provide the background to allow you to calculate the infiltration rate and water holding capacity of a soil. You will examine the likely impacts of climate change on the management of soils including the impacts of flooding, drought, and erosion. You will also be introduced to the key management strategies currently available to land managements to maintain and enhance the sustainability and quality of soil resources.

Tropical Ecology and Conservation

This module will introduce students to a range of topics relating to ecology and conservation, with a particular focus on the tropical context. During the course students will:

Consider the threats and problems that tropical ecosystems and biodiversity are currently facing, including topics such as the impacts of climate change, land-use change, and exploitation of wildlife.
Consider a range of possible approaches for conservation and more sustainable management. These will take into account ecological, socio-political, and economic factors, and will include a wide range of strategies such as habitat management, land-use planning, and policy change.
Examine case studies detailing real-life example of problems and solutions, across a variety of tropical contexts.

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Language study as part of this degree

Our Language Centre offers many languages, and you may start as a beginner or at a more advanced level and you may be able to choose to study a language as part of this degree.

Learning another language can open career opportunities around the globe and enriches your CV. It could also help you in your studies by being able to access learning materials in other languages. If you are planning to travel or work abroad it will help you to broaden your cultural understanding.

Find out more about learning a language as part of your degree.

Select student type

Quick glance

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements listed apply to 2027 entry.

A levels

ABB

28 points overall

A level and GCSE requirements

A levels

ABB / AAC / A*BC

Required subjects

Including one of biology, chemistry, physics, geography, geology, maths, further maths, environmental science, environmental technology or psychology

Excluded subjects

Citizenship studies, critical thinking, science and society, general studies and leisure studies not accepted

GCSEs

GCSE mathematics and English at grade 4 (C) or above

IB requirements

IB score

IB Diploma 28 points overall including Higher level 4 in biology. Alternatively, Higher level certificates 555/654/744 including biology.

IB requirements

Minimum Higher level 4 in one of biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics applications and interpretations, mathematics analysis and approaches, geography, environmental systems and societies or psychology.

Additional Qualifications Offer Reduction Scheme

Applicants to this course may be eligible for our Additional Qualifications Offer Reduction Scheme. If you achieve a grade A in an EPQ, Core Maths*, IB Extended Essay or additional AS level qualification* then you will receive a one grade reduced offer for this course.

Please note that if you qualify for an enhanced contextual offer or receive an alternative offer based on taking four A levels, your additional qualification will not be taken into consideration as we are unable to make any further adjustments to your offer.

* Additional eligibility requirements apply. View further details on this scheme.

Alternative qualifications

We recognise that applicants have a wealth of different experiences and follow a variety of pathways into higher education.

Consequently we treat all applicants with alternative qualifications on an individual basis, and we gladly accept students with a whole range of less conventional qualifications.

We have listed our specific requirements for BTEC National and Access to HE qualifications below, but this is not an exhaustive list. The accepted alternative qualifications may vary depending on the course you're applying to and the entry requirements for alternative qualifications can be quite specific. For example, you may need to take certain modules and achieve a specified grade in those modules.

Please contact us to discuss the transferability of your qualification, and see our entry requirements page for more information.

RQF BTEC Nationals

Applications are assessed on an individual basis to ensure sufficient science has been studied. We will consider the following:

RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Diploma Applied Science DDD
RQF Level 3 BTEC National Diploma Applied Science DD plus one A level at grade B
RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Certificates Applied Science D plus two A levels grades BB

Other qualifications are assessed on an individual basis to ensure sufficient science has been studied. We will consider the following:

RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Diploma DDD
RQF Level 3 BTEC National Diploma DD plus one A level at grade B
RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Certificate D plus two A levels grades BB

The required A levels for mixed BTEC and A level grade profiles depends on the science content studied in the BTEC.

Access to HE Diploma

Applications are assessed on an individual basis to ensure sufficient biology content has been studied. Where an offer is made, our standard requirements are:

Overall, 60 credits including 45 credits at level 3. Of the 45 graded level 3 credits, we require 24 credits at distinction, plus 21 credits at merit, including 15 credits from acceptable science units.

Contextual offers

We make contextual offers to students who may have experienced barriers that have restricted progress at school or college. Our standard contextual offer is usually one grade lower than the advertised entry requirements, and our enhanced contextual offer is usually two grades lower than the advertised entry requirements. To qualify for a contextual offer, you must have Home/UK fee status and meet specific criteria – check if you’re eligible.

Foundation progression options

If you are a Home applicant and do not meet the entry requirements for direct entry to this course, you may be interested in researching our Science with Foundation Year BSc or Science with Foundation Year MSci course. Students successfully completing and meeting the specific progression requirements of the Science with a Foundation Year course are guaranteed progression on to a selection of undergraduate courses. Please note progression to some courses may require meeting additional criteria such as a successful interview.

You can view all pathways and progression criteria in our progression table.

Mature students

At the University of Nottingham, we have a valuable community of mature students and we appreciate their contribution to the wider student population. You can find lots of useful information on the mature students webpage.

Study abroad

There are a number of options to apply to study abroad during your time at Nottingham. We offer designated support to guide you through the entire process. You can apply to:

study at the University of Nottingham Malaysia in your second year for a semester or whole year.
study in Australia, Canada or the USA. We'll help you apply to spend a semester of your second year at one of our highly ranked international partner universities.
study in France, Austria or Spain for an additional year between years two and three.
a wide range of summer schools across a variety of countries.

Year in industry

There’s a wide range of possible year in industry placements on offer. We have good links with companies, and our dedicated placement team is available to support you in finding the right placement. Often a placement year can help you to secure to a graduate job.

Our students have been on placement with:

Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust
The Whitley Wildlife Trust
British Geological Survey
Gymshark
McCain
EDF Energy
Atkins

The industry placement takes place between years two and three of your degree. You can apply during year two of your degree, subject to meeting minimum academic requirements.

Optional placement year

If your course does not have a compulsory placement, integrated year in industry or compulsory year abroad where there is already an opportunity to undertake a work placement as part of that experience, you may be able to apply to undertake an optional placement year.

While it is the student’s responsibility to find and secure a placement, our Placements Team based in the School of Biosciences have good networks in our sector and a wealth of experience and will support you throughout this process.

Please note

In order to undertake an optional placement year, you will need to achieve the relevant academic requirements as set by the university and meet any requirements specified by the placement host. There is no guarantee that you will be able to undertake an optional placement as part of your course.

Year in Data Analytics and AI  or Computer Science

A year in Data Analytics and AI 

Transfer to this programme to understand the latest in data analytics and artificial intelligence. You’ll gain practical experience and a solid foundation in computing and statistics, building the technical and professional skills that employers need.  Find out more.

A year in Computer Science 

Alternatively, you can transfer to this programme to study computer science. You’ll learn how to bring together the latest developments from across science disciplines and receive training in software development and computing skills to enhance your studies and career options.  Find out more.

Disclaimer

Please be aware that study abroad, compulsory year abroad, optional placements/internships and integrated year in industry opportunities may change at any time for a number of reasons, including curriculum developments, changes to arrangements with partner universities or placement/industry hosts, travel restrictions or other circumstances outside of the university’s control. Every effort will be made to update this information as quickly as possible should a change occur.

Tuition fees

2027/28 (UK undergraduate students)

This is the UK undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 27/28. It may increase for the academic year 28/29 and we will update our information once we have received confirmation of the fee.

For full details including fees for part-time students and reduced fees during your time studying abroad or on placement (where applicable), please visit our fees page.

Additional costs

All students will need at least one device to approve security access requests via Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). We also recommend students have a suitable laptop to work both on and off-campus. For more information, please check the equipment advice.

As a student on this course, you should factor some additional costs into your budget, alongside your tuition fees and living expenses.

You should be able to access most of the books you’ll need through our libraries, though we also make recommendations of specific titles which you may wish to consider purchasing.

If you choose to take an optional placement module, you will need to factor in travel costs, which will be dependent on location of placement and proximity to term-time address.

There are no additional costs for day visits and the non -residential field courses. Students are currently asked for a contribution of £250 towards the cost of the optional residential field course in Sweden.

Scholarships and bursaries

The University of Nottingham offers a wide range of bursaries and scholarships. These funds can provide you with an additional source of non-repayable financial help. For up to date information regarding tuition fees, visit our fees and finance pages.

Home students

Over one third of our UK students receive our means-tested core bursary. Full details can be found on our financial support pages.

A 'home' student is one who meets certain UK residence criteria. These are the same criteria as apply to eligibility for home funding from Student Finance.

Quick glance

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements listed apply to 2027 entry.

28 points overall

A levels

ABB

IB requirements

IB score

IB Diploma 28 points overall including Higher level 4 in biology. Alternatively, Higher level certificates 555/654/744 including biology.

IB requirements

A level and GCSE requirements

A levels

ABB / AAC / A*BC

Required subjects

Including one of biology, chemistry, physics, geography, geology, maths, further maths, environmental science, environmental technology or psychology

Excluded subjects

Citizenship studies, critical thinking, science and society, general studies and leisure studies not accepted

GCSEs

GCSE mathematics and English at grade 4 (C) or above

Additional Qualifications Offer Reduction Scheme

* Additional eligibility requirements apply. View further details on this scheme.

Alternative qualifications

We recognise that applicants have a wealth of different experiences and follow a variety of pathways into higher education.

Consequently we treat all applicants with alternative qualifications on an individual basis, and we gladly accept students with a whole range of less conventional qualifications.

Please contact us to discuss the transferability of your qualification, and see our entry requirements page for more information.

RQF BTEC Nationals

Applications are assessed on an individual basis to ensure sufficient science has been studied. We will consider the following:

RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Diploma Applied Science DDD
RQF Level 3 BTEC National Diploma Applied Science DD plus one A level at grade B
RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Certificates Applied Science D plus two A levels grades BB

Other qualifications are assessed on an individual basis to ensure sufficient science has been studied. We will consider the following:

RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Diploma DDD
RQF Level 3 BTEC National Diploma DD plus one A level at grade B
RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Certificate D plus two A levels grades BB

The required A levels for mixed BTEC and A level grade profiles depends on the science content studied in the BTEC.

Access to HE Diploma

Applications are assessed on an individual basis to ensure sufficient biology content has been studied. Where an offer is made, our standard requirements are:

IELTS/English requirements

IELTS

6.0 (no less than 5.5 in any element)

English language requirements

As well as IELTS, we also accept other English language qualifications. This includes TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE, GCSE, IB and O level English. Check our English language policies and equivalencies for further details.

If you need support to meet the required level, you may be able to attend a Presessional English for Academic Purposes (PEAP) course. Our Centre for English Language Education is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK. 

 If you successfully complete your pre-sessional course to the required level, you can then progress to your degree course. This means that you won't need to retake IELTS or equivalent. 

Please note: For pre-sessional English, or one-year foundation courses, you must take a Secure English Language Test (SELT) that is recognised by UK Visa and Immigration. This is a requirement for visas for these programmes.

High school qualifications

Check our country-specific information for guidance on qualifications from your country.

Visa restrictions

International students must have valid UK immigration permissions for any courses or study period where teaching takes place in the UK. Student route visas can be issued for eligible students studying full-time courses. The University of Nottingham does not sponsor a student visa for students studying part-time courses. The Standard Visitor visa route is not appropriate in all cases. Please contact the university’s Visa and Immigration team if you need advice about your visa options.

Foundation progression options

If you don't meet our entry requirements there is the option to study the science foundation programme. You may have the opportunity to progress onto the BSc programme, subject to your performance on the foundation programme. There is a course for UK students and one for EU/international students.

Mature students

Study abroad

There are a number of options to apply to study abroad during your time at Nottingham. We offer designated support to guide you through the entire process. You can apply to:

study at the University of Nottingham Malaysia in your second year for a semester or whole year.
study in Australia, Canada or the USA. We'll help you apply to spend a semester of your second year at one of our highly ranked international partner universities.
study in France, Austria or Spain for an additional year between years two and three.
a wide range of summer schools across a variety of countries.

Year in industry

Our students have been on placement with:

Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust
The Whitley Wildlife Trust
British Geological Survey
Gymshark
McCain
EDF Energy
Atkins

The industry placement takes place between years two and three of your degree. You can apply during year two of your degree, subject to meeting minimum academic requirements.

Optional placement year

Please note

Year in Data Analytics and AI  or Computer Science

A year in Data Analytics and AI 

A year in Computer Science 

Disclaimer

Tuition fees

If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you may be asked to complete a fee status questionnaire and your answers will be assessed using guidance issued by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA).

For full details including fees for part-time students and reduced fees during your time studying abroad or on placement (where applicable), see our fees page.

Additional costs

As a student on this course, you should factor some additional costs into your budget, alongside your tuition fees and living expenses.

You should be able to access most of the books you’ll need through our libraries, though we also make recommendations of specific titles which you may wish to consider purchasing.

If you choose to take an optional placement module, you will need to factor in travel costs, which will be dependent on location of placement and proximity to term-time address.

Scholarships and bursaries

International students

We offer a range of international undergraduate scholarships for high-achieving international scholars who can put their Nottingham degree to great use in their careers.

The comprehensive education and hands-on experience I received at the University of Nottingham equipped me with the necessary skills and knowledge to advance in my career. It provided me with a clear direction and the technical expertise required to pursue my ambitions in oceanographic research and data-driven modelling."

Anqi Wang

BSc Environmental Science

PhD Marine Science, Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Careers overview

You could work for conservation organisations, environmental consultancies, alternative energy companies, local authorities and government agencies.

Roles include:

environmental education officers
engineering consultants
marine biologists
nature conservation officers
hydrology, recycling and sustainability officers

These degrees can also lead into roles in teaching, scientific journalism or further research degrees.

Job prospects

The average starting salary for School of Biosciences undergraduates within 15 months of graduation was £29,189 (HESA Graduate Outcomes 2022/23).

Support every step of the way

Throughout your time with us, our Careers and Employability Service will work with you to boost your employability even further – helping with job and course applications, finding relevant work experience and hosting events that connect you with a wide range of potential employers.

The University of Nottingham is consistently named as one of the most targeted universities by Britain’s leading graduate employers.

We’re also the top UK university for the number of graduates entering highly skilled jobs (HESA Graduate Outcomes survey data 2021–2025 for full-time, UK, UG and PG graduates).

Careers and Employability

Committee of Heads of Environmental Sciences (CHES)

This course is accredited by the Committee of Heads of Environmental Sciences (CHES).

Welcome to your campus

At University Park, nature, architecture and student life come together on one unforgettable campus. Explore beautiful green spaces, unwind by the lake and enjoy a vibrant sense of community. It’s the perfect setting for an extraordinary university experience where you can learn, grow and thrive.

Environmental Science - U6UEVNSC

Course overview

Why choose this course?

Teaching and learning

Modules

Core modules

6 modules

Academic Skills

Building a Habitable Planet

Hazards, Resources and the Changing Planet

Risk, Responsibility and the Environment

Geographical Information Systems for Environmental Monitoring

Principles of Ecology

Core modules

6 modules

Climate Change Science

Ecological Surveying

Ecosystem Processes

Environmental Geochemistry

Research and Professional Skills

Soils

Optional modules

Core modules

1 module

Research Project in Environmental Science

Optional modules

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Entry requirements

3 years full-time

£10,050 per year

Entry requirements

3 years full-time

Fees

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