BSc Earth and Environmental Science (Placement Year)
About this course
BSc Hons in Earth and Environmental Science (Placement Year), an undergraduate environmental science degree exploring the natural environment, geological processes, and climate systems. Core topics include Programming, Data Analysis, Statistics, Laboratory Techniques, Research Methods, Fieldwork, Environmental Analysis, Critical & Analytical Thinking, and Entrepreneurship. Students complete an industry placement year between the second and final years, and undertake an independent research dissertation in the final year. The first year covers foundational principles through modules such as Atmosphere, Weather and Climate, Biodiversity and Global Change, Introduction to Practical Environmental Science, Foundation Skills for LEC, Geology, and Catchment Science. The second year develops technical abilities with compulsory and optional study in areas like Environmental Data Analysis and Visualisation, Environmental Field Skills, Geologic Mapping, Geoscience in Practice, Atmospheric Science, Glaciology, Hydrology and Water Quality, and Soil Science. Year three consists of a professional work placement. The final year involves core advanced training through Environmental Geophysics and a Dissertation, alongside optional modules covering Climate Change, Cryosphere in a Changing Climate, Geological Hazards, Managing the Energy Transition, Sustainable Agriculture, Teaching, Outreach and Public Engagement, The Earth's Interior, Volcanic Processes Field Course, Eco-Innovation for Sustainable Development, Water Resources Management, and Spatial Data Analysis.
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: BBB. This should include one science subject from: Biology, Chemistry, Computing, Environmental Science, Geography, Geology, Mathematics, Physics or Psychology. IB: 30 points overall with 15 points from the best 3 HL subjects including one HL science subject at grade 6
See the highest paying Geography & Environmental Science degrees in the UK →
Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 88%: 15 offers from 17 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 12 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 89%
- Learning opportunities: 86%
- Assessment and feedback: 83%
- Academic support: 95%
- Organisation and management: 89%
- Learning resources: 89%
- Student voice: 86%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 10%
What graduates do next
Based on about 16 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 70%
- Working and studying: 5%
- Further study: 25%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Natural and social science professionals: 20%
- Conservation and environment professionals: 20%
- Engineering professionals: 20%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 10%
- Skilled trades occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 100%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 75%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 75%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 30 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 30%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 10%
- East Midlands: 5%
- West Midlands: 5%
- East of England: 5%
- London: 10%
- South East: 10%
- South West: 15%
- Wales: 5%
- Northern Ireland: 5%
Who gets in
Based on about 50 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 85%
- Other HE qualification: 15%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Atmosphere, Weather and Climate
- Biodiversity and Global Change
- Introduction to Practical Environmental Science
- Foundation Skills for LEC
- Geology
- Catchment Science
- Environmental Data Analysis and Visualisation
- Environmental Field Skills
- Geologic Mapping
- Geoscience in Practice
- Atmospheric Science
- Glaciology
- Hydrology and Water Quality
- Soil Science
- Placement
- Dissertation
- Environmental Geophysics
- Climate Change
- Cryosphere in a Changing Climate
- Geological Hazards
- Managing the Energy Transition
- Sustainable Agriculture
- Teaching, Outreach and Public Engagement
- The Earth's Interior
- Volcanic Processes Field Course
- Eco-Innovation for Sustainable Development
- Water Resources Management
- Spatial Data Analysis
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Earth and Environmental Science (Placement Year) at Lancaster University earn?
The median salary is £28,000 after 15 months, £26,000 after 3 years, £32,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £25,000 and £40,000. The £32,000 median after five years is £2,500 more than the UK median for Environmental sciences.
What do graduates of BSc Earth and Environmental Science (Placement Year) at Lancaster University do next?
95% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Earth and Environmental Science (Placement Year) at Lancaster University?
89% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Earth and Environmental Science (Placement Year) at Lancaster University?
The typical offer is BBB at A level, or 30 points in the IB. The average entrant had 140 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for BSc Earth and Environmental Science (Placement Year) at Lancaster University?
88% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 15 offers from 17 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does BSc Earth and Environmental Science (Placement Year) at Lancaster University include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has a compulsory placement year.
How many students continue on BSc Earth and Environmental Science (Placement Year) at Lancaster University?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.