BSc Environmental Geoscience
About this course
BSc (Hons) in Environmental Geoscience, an earth and environmental sciences degree focused on the physical processes shaping the planet and environmental challenges. Core topics include Data Analysis, Laboratory Techniques, and Research Methods. Students complete a dissertation research project in the final year. The first year covers planetary shaping processes and scientific data handling. The second year focuses on developing field and sampling skills, computational skills, and laboratory skills to measure environmental parameters. The third year involves research training and designing the dissertation research project alongside studies of climate change and environmental pollution. The fourth year offers optional modules including soil science, urban air pollution, marine nutrient cycling, the Earth's past climate, groundwater contamination, deforestation and weathering, and ocean acidification in marine protected areas.
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 ABB to BBB in one set of exams (required: Biology* at B, Chemistry* at B, Environmental Science at B, Geography at B, Geology at B, Mathematics* at B, Physics* at B) IB: from 32 points with 655 at HL to 30 points with 555 at HL
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Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 76%: 118 offers from 155 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 25 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 91%
- Learning opportunities: 89%
- Assessment and feedback: 72%
- Academic support: 90%
- Organisation and management: 72%
- Learning resources: 79%
- Student voice: 71%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 25 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 15 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 55%
- Working and studying: 15%
- Further study: 15%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Natural and social science professionals: 30%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Conservation and environment professionals: 10%
- Teaching Professionals: 10%
- Sales occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 85%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 65%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 70%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 50 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 10%
- London: 15%
- South East: 5%
- South West: 5%
- Scotland: 55%
Who gets in
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 60%
- Baccalaureate: 20%
- Access course: 5%
- No formal qualifications: 15%
Modules
- study the importance of the ocean for our environment
- gain an overview of the processes controlling our environment
- develop an understanding of the large-scale processes that have shaped our planet
- learn how to use important tools to handle scientific data and build confidence in your data skills
- develop an understanding of the importance of environmental geoscience for a sustainable future
- develop your field and sampling skills
- improve your data analysis and computational skills
- discover the oceans that cover two-thirds of our planet
- develop laboratory skills to measure environmental parameters
- further your knowledge of the materials and processes in the surface environment
- how compounds such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and nutrients are cycled and how they affect different parts of the Earth
- study the causes for natural and man-made climate change
- learn about the distribution of gases and particles in the atmosphere
- deepen your knowledge of environmental pollution in various settings
- develop your ability to generate and handle environmental geochemical data
- discover the processes driving surface and groundwater and their importance for the environment
- develop the foundation of your study direction for Year 4
- begin research training by designing your dissertation research project
- soil science
- urban air pollution
- marine nutrient cycling
- the Earth's past climate
- groundwater contamination
- deforestation and weathering
- ocean acidification in marine protected areas
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Environmental Geoscience at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £26,500 after 3 years, £32,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £26,500 and £38,000. The £32,500 median after five years is £500 more than the UK median for Earth sciences.
What do graduates of BSc Environmental Geoscience at University of Edinburgh do next?
85% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Environmental Geoscience at University of Edinburgh?
91% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Environmental Geoscience at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is BBB at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 180 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for BSc Environmental Geoscience at University of Edinburgh?
76% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 118 offers from 155 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
How many students continue on BSc Environmental Geoscience at University of Edinburgh?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.