Global Sustainability
About this course
BA/BSc Global Sustainability is a marine biology degree focused on the scientific, social and human dimensions of environmental challenges. Core topics include Fieldwork, Environmental Analysis, Critical & Analytical Thinking, Design & Creative Practice, and Global & Comparative Perspective. The programme is taught on the Penryn campus in Cornwall, home to the Environment and Sustainability Institute. The first year covers foundational concepts through Environment, Society and Business, Introduction to Interdisciplinary Sustainability Studies, Global Issues in Environmental Science, Society, Environment and Energy, and Foundations of Environmental Humanities, with optional choices such as Earth System Science and Biodiversity and its Conservation. The second year progresses to examine applied investigations via Foundations in Sustainable Solutions, Social-Ecological Systems: Cooperation, Sustainability and Conservation, and Sustainability Field Course, alongside optional modules including Ecological Economics, Circular Enterprise Economy, and Remote Sensing for Environmental Management. Students can tailor their degree pathways and select a dissertation focus in the final stage to graduate with either a BA or a BSc.
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: ABB. IB: 32/655.
See the highest paying Biology & Sport Science degrees in the UK →
What students say
Based on about 79 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 92%
- Learning opportunities: 82%
- Assessment and feedback: 78%
- Academic support: 89%
- Organisation and management: 84%
- Learning resources: 93%
- Student voice: 84%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 105 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 98%
- Left higher education: 2%
What graduates do next
Based on about 22 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 65%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 10%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Skilled trades occupations: 20%
- Elementary occupations: 15%
- Natural and social science professionals: 10%
- Conservation and environment professionals: 10%
- Science, engineering and technology associate professionals: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 85%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 70%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 60%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 45 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 5%
- West Midlands: 10%
- East of England: 5%
- South East: 25%
- South West: 40%
- Wales: 10%
Who gets in
Based on about 135 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 94%
- Baccalaureate: 2%
- Access course: 1%
- Other HE qualification: 2%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Environment, Society and Business
- Introduction to Interdisciplinary Sustainability Studies
- Global Issues in Environmental Science
- Society, Environment and Energy
- Foundations of Environmental Humanities
- Earth System Science
- Biodiversity and its Conservation
- Climate Emergency! Environmental Humanities Fieldschool
- A Legal Foundation for Environmental Protection
- Foundations in Sustainable Solutions
- Social-Ecological Systems: Cooperation, Sustainability and Conservation
- Sustainability Field Course
- Ecological Economics
- Circular Enterprise Economy
- Wildlife Exploitation
- Remote Sensing for Environmental Management
- People and Nature
- Health, Place and Wellbeing
- Renewable Energy Systems 1
- Energy Policy, Markets and Law
- Ecology and Empire
- Environmental Regulation and Redress
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of Global Sustainability at University of Exeter earn?
The median salary is £26,000 after 15 months, £19,500 after 3 years, £25,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £21,500 and £29,000. The £25,500 median after five years is £500 less than the UK median for Ecology and environmental biology.
What do graduates of Global Sustainability at University of Exeter do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on Global Sustainability at University of Exeter?
92% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for Global Sustainability at University of Exeter?
The typical offer is ABB at A level. The average entrant had 147 UCAS points.
Does Global Sustainability at University of Exeter include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on Global Sustainability at University of Exeter?
98% of students continued into their second year, and 2% left higher education.