BSc Environmental Science
Reading, United Kingdom
DURATION
3 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Jan 2025
TUITION FEES
GBP 29,950 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* new international students: £29,950 | new UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,535 per year for 2025/26
Introduction
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.
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 at the University of Reading
- Accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES).
- Study at the UK’s leading university for environmental and ethical performance (the University of Reading is ranked 1st in the People and Planet University League, 2023/24).
- The University is among the top ten UK universities for Environmental Sciences in world rankings (Reading is 9th out of the UK universities ranked in the QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2024, Environmental Sciences)
- 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).
- In 2023, the University of Reading was the first-ever winner of the Times Higher Education (THE) award for Outstanding Contribution to Environmental Leadership.
- 100% of our students said teaching staff are good at explaining things (National Student Survey 2024, responders from the Department of Geography and Environmental Science).
- The University of Reading has been named Sustainable University of the Year in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025.
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.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
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.
We have several scholarships available to undergraduate students.
Curriculum
Compulsory modules
Year 1
- Skills in Geography and Environmental Science: Discover the expected academic standards and integrity at the undergraduate level, while being introduced to the Geography and Environmental Science discipline. Through real-world examples and data, learn essential skills for research.
- Global Challenges: Introduce yourself to the interrelated global challenges facing the planet and humanity today. You’ll become familiar with academic debates and human geography, physical geography and environmental science perspectives surrounding several key challenges and develop skills to use academic literature to support critical discussions.
- Field Class: Undertake field research in a real-world setting, using contemporary methods and equipment for data gathering and experience working as part of a team. The training you receive will be authentic and relevant to your ambitions and to the skills you’ll likely need for dissertation field research.
- Earth Lab: Learn about the interrelated global challenges that the planet and humanity face today. You'll gain familiarity with academic debates, human geography, physical geography, and environmental science perspectives related to several key challenges. You'll also develop skills to use academic literature to support critical discussions.
- Data Environment: Explore the application of mathematics and statistics in environmental science. You’ll learn selected statistical packages, their advantages and disadvantages, and make good charts to understand and present the data collected.
Year 2
- Skills Training and Project Design: Develop professional skills, including research approaches, project management, career awareness and employability. Work closely with an academic mentor to carry out carefully planned and highly professional research, act as consultants, designing, executing and reporting on a research project.
- Field Class: Undertake field research in a real-world setting, using contemporary methods and equipment for data gathering and experience working as part of a team. The training you receive will be authentic and relevant to your ambitions and to the skills you’ll likely need for dissertation field research.
- Environmental Diagnostics: Delve into a contemporary environmental issue to understand the principles and methods employed in environmental diagnostics. Learn about sampling, data quality objectives, measuring and tracking environmental parameters, as well as exploring how to present and interpret diagnostic data.
Year 3
- Dissertation: Work on an independent dissertation project under the guidance of a supervisor. You’ll identify the research question, critically evaluate the relevant literature, apply theoretical frameworks and research methods to your research questions, and learn to analyse and synthesise the research findings.
These are the modules that we currently offer for 2024/25 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.
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.
Career Opportunities
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 organisations, including:
- Evoke Transport
- Mott MacDonald
- RPS Group
- Syngenta
- WSP
- Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.
Your degree also offers a route into postgraduate study, research or teacher training.
Overall, 91% of graduates from Geography and Environmental Science are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation (Based on our analysis of HESA data © 2020 - 2024, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2017/18 - 2021/22; includes first degree Geography and Environmental Science responders).