Environmental Science BSc (Hons)
Option for Placement Year
Option for Study Abroad
Environmental Science BSc (Hons)
Overview
Are you passionate about tackling climate change, conserving biodiversity, or developing green business strategies? An Environmental Science degree at Northumbria could be for you.
This course combines scientific knowledge with the skills to communicate and advocate for change. You’ll learn from international experts and gain hands-on experience to solve real-world problems. Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM), our degree can open doors to careers with the Environment Agency, Wildlife Trusts, consultancies, and more. You’ll experience a mix of teaching methods, including lectures, fieldwork, lab work, and seminars, with a strong emphasis on experiential learning.
You can also take a sandwich year for work experience or study abroad, boosting your future career prospects.
Kuba Grygiel talks about why he choose Northumbria University to study Environmental Science.
Luke tells you about what he enjoys most about the Environmental Science course and why he choose Northumbria to study it.
Entry Requirements 2026/27
Standard Entry
96 to 112 Tariff Points
From a combination of acceptable Level 3 qualifications which may include: A-level, T Level, BTEC Diplomas/Extended Diplomas, Scottish and Irish Highers, Access to HE Diplomas, or the International Baccalaureate.
Find out how many points your qualifications are worth by using the UCAS Tariff calculator: www.ucas.com/ucas/tariff-calculator
Northumbria University is committed to supporting all individuals to achieve their ambitions and we understand that every applicant’s circumstances can be different, which is why we take a flexible approach when making offers for this course. We have a range of schemes and alternative offers to make sure as many individuals as possible are given an opportunity to study at our university regardless of personal circumstances or background. Typically, offers range from 96 to 112 UCAS tariff points, but we’ll assess your individual circumstances and potential when reviewing your application
To find out more, review our Northumbria Entry Requirement Essential Information page for further details www.northumbria.ac.uk/entryrequirementsinfo
Subject Requirements:
There are no specific subject requirements for this course.
GCSE Requirements:
Applicants will need Maths and English Language at minimum grade 4/C, or an equivalent.
Additional Requirements:
There are no additional requirements for this course.
International Qualifications:
We welcome applicants with a range of qualifications which may not match those shown above.
If you have qualifications from outside the UK, find out what you need by visiting www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry
English Language Requirements:
International applicants should have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with 5.5 in each component (or an approved equivalent*).
*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades in our English Language section: www.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications
Fees and Funding 2026/27 Entry
UK Fee in Year 1: TBC
* In relation to fees for UK students: £9,790 is the tuition fee. The remaining fees relate to the International Soccer Academy, and accommodation fees. The fees in the academic year 2027/28 are £10,050. Fees are set in line with the tuition fee cap decided by the UK Government. The University may increase fees in subsequent years in line with any changes to the tuition fee cap. Increases will be linked to inflation. For example, increases may be linked to RPIX (Retail Price Index excluding mortgage interest payments). Students will be notified of any increase ahead of it taking effect. Student fee loans rise in line with the tuition fees cap. * Fees subject to annual increases over the course of the period of study. Students will be liable for payment of any/all tuition fees which are not sponsored by their employer or other third party.
International Fee in Year 1: TBC
* This is the tuition fee for your first year of study. You should expect to pay tuition fees for every year of study. The University may increase fees in the second and subsequent years of your course at our discretion in line with any inflationary or other uplift. Students will be notified of any increase ahead of it taking effect.
Discover More about Fees, Scholarships and other Funding options available for UK and International applicants for 26/27 entry.
ADDITIONAL COSTS
• Specialist equipment/materials – (walking boots and waterproofs), approximate cost up to £200 • Print costs – can exceed the £10 allocation made to all students • Optional field trip – flights to Tenerife - approximate cost up to £300 • Final Projects – (dissertation), approximate cost can be up to £300
else
Study Options
The following alternative study options are available for this course:
Full Time
Sep start
3 years Full Time or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad / Sep start
More details Add to My CoursesTo start your application, simply select the month you would like to start your course.
Environmental Science BSc (Hons)
Features & Benefits
- Student Rated: 100% of students studying Environmental Science at Northumbria believed that they were positively challenged to achieve their best work (NSS, 2025).
- Research Powerhouse: Geography and Environmental Studies at Northumbria is ranked 2nd for research power in the UK (REF, 2021).
- Top 10: Geography & Environmental Science at Northumbria is ranked 3rd in the UK for Student Experience and 4th for Teaching Quality (Times Good University Guide 2026).
- 1st in the UK for Academic Support: Environmental Science at Northumbria is ranked 1st in the UK for Academic Support (NSS, 2025).
-
Experiential Learning: At Northumbria, every undergraduate course guarantees real-world experience.
Careers & Employability
This course is the perfect launchpad for a career in environmental and ecological fields. With environmental issues a key topic across the world, there is a demand for this knowledge and experience.
Not only can you graduate from this accredited degree with a wealth of knowledge and practical experience, but with solid research skills. You may also have opportunities to gain real-world experience through fieldwork, live projects, and work placements.
This course is designed to help you hit the ground running in careers such as environmental management, waste management, pollution control, urban regeneration, biodiversity conservation, overseas development or environmental education.
We have a fantastic service for students' to use to gain advice and tips on furthering careers and enhancing their employability.
Careers and Employment Services
Staff
You’ll learn from research-active staff who are passionate about solving environmental issues. Our teaching team includes experts with experience in industry, consultancy, and prominent organisations, specialising in areas like pollution control, ecology, conservation, climate adaptation, and disaster resilience with projects and engagement taking place in more than 30 countries, from the poles to the tropics.
The Environmental Science degree at Northumbria aims to fully develop your research skills, by immersing you in a research-rich environment.
Throughout your degree journey, you’ll be encouraged to engage with current research, building your confidence and expertise. You will be able to develop your specialist interests, what motivates you, culminating in a final year dissertation where you can devise, explore, analyse and present your findings on a topic of your choice.
Facilities
On this course, you’ll have the opportunity to learn in modern facilities with access to industry-standard equipment for practical experiments in our research labs. Our field equipment includes portable monitoring tools for soil, water, and air pollution, while specialist IT software like GIS and ecological statistical packages help you analyse findings.
The campus also offers social spaces for the student community such as The Geography Hub – an exclusive, casual space for students with the Geography and Environmental Science department.
All information is accurate at the time of sharing.
Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.
Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.
Useful Links
Find out about our distinctive approach at
www.northumbria.ac.uk/exp
Admissions Terms and Conditions
northumbria.ac.uk/terms
Fees and Funding
northumbria.ac.uk/fees
Admissions Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/adpolicy
Admissions Complaints Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/complaints
