BSc Ecological and Environmental Sciences with Management
About this course
BSc (Hons) Ecological and Environmental Sciences with Management, a marine biology and business and management degree exploring human impacts on natural systems and resource sustainability. Core topics include Programming, Data Analysis, Statistics, Research Methods, Communication & Writing, and Critical & Analytical Thinking. The programme includes optional courses from the Edinburgh Business School alongside core scientific studies. The first year covers data handling, critical thinking, communication and teamwork. The second year introduces programming languages such as R or Python alongside species identification and habitat observation, statistical techniques including uncertainty analysis, and research project design. The third year involves ethical reflection, research-led learning, advanced data analysis, critical evaluation of evidence, independent and group project work, research communication and presentation skills, and digital research tools. The final year centres on an independent dissertation, with many students undertaking outdoor field data collection or partnering with companies and research centres such as SRUC and UKCEH.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: from AAA to ABB in one set of exams (required: Biology* at B, Chemistry* at B, Environmental Science at B, Environmental Technology at B, Geography at B, Geology at B, Mathematics* at B, Physics* at B) IB: from 34 points with 666 at HL to 32 points with 655 at HL
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Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 65%: 31 offers from 48 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 12 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 80%
- Learning opportunities: 64%
- Assessment and feedback: 50%
- Academic support: 79%
- Organisation and management: 71%
- Learning resources: 74%
- Student voice: 69%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 9 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 60%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 20%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Conservation and environment professionals: 30%
- Natural and social science professionals: 20%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Skilled trades occupations: 10%
- Sales occupations: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 90%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 75%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 65%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 260 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 2%
- North West: 1%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 3%
- East Midlands: 1%
- West Midlands: 1%
- East of England: 3%
- London: 23%
- South East: 4%
- South West: 2%
- Scotland: 59%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 65%
- Baccalaureate: 10%
- Other HE qualification: 10%
- No formal qualifications: 15%
Modules
- data handling
- critical thinking
- communication and teamwork
- programming languages such as R or Python
- species identification and habitat observation
- statistical techniques, including the ability to analyse uncertainty in environmental data
- designing and writing research projects, including hypothesis formulation and methodological planning
- ethical reflection
- research-led learning
- advanced data analysis
- critical evaluation of evidence
- independent and group project work
- research communication and presentation skills
- digital research tools to collate, manage, and synthesise scientific literature
- Most students will do outdoor field data collection as part of their project
- You will receive individual supervision from an academic with experience in your chosen subject area
- Often, dissertations are undertaken in partnership with companies or UK research centres, including SRUC and UKCEH
- Does cacao drive deforestation in Amazonian Peru?
- Competition interactions in a neotropical cloud forest
- Plant detritus decomposition in a Mediterranean lagoon
- Carbon payback times of wind farms on the Isle of Lewis
- A critical review of land reform policies in devolved Scotland
- Investigating the relationships between the European otter and the invasive signal crayfish
- The effect of speed bump presence on potentially toxic element concentration in road dust in Edinburgh
- How does charcoal production influence wealth and natural resource use in Mabalane District, Mozambique?
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Ecological and Environmental Sciences with Management at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £27,000 after 15 months, £30,500 after 3 years, £43,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £32,000 and £56,000. The £43,000 median after five years is £17,000 more than the UK median for Ecology and environmental biology.
What do graduates of BSc Ecological and Environmental Sciences with Management at University of Edinburgh do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Ecological and Environmental Sciences with Management at University of Edinburgh?
80% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Ecological and Environmental Sciences with Management at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 34 points in the IB. The average entrant had 169 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for BSc Ecological and Environmental Sciences with Management at University of Edinburgh?
65% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 31 offers from 48 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does BSc Ecological and Environmental Sciences with Management at University of Edinburgh include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BSc Ecological and Environmental Sciences with Management at University of Edinburgh?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.