BSc Environmental Management and Sustainability
About this course
BSc (Hons) in Environmental Management and Sustainability, an undergraduate degree focused on addressing contemporary environmental challenges through science, geography, and sustainability principles. Core topics include Programming, Data Analysis, Research Methods, Fieldwork, Environmental Analysis, Critical & Analytical Thinking, and Ethics & Professional Practice. Students can choose to undertake an optional placement year or a year abroad, as well as an optional foundation year. The first year establishes core knowledge through compulsory modules such as Environment and Society, Soils, Water, Climate, Our Ecological Planet: Biodiversity and Ecological Change, The Environmental Manager's Toolbox, Our Digital Planet, and Sustainable Futures. The second year continues with compulsory study in Placement Preparation, Environmental Issues and Communication, Designing Research for a Changing Planet, Research Design in Action: Fieldwork for a Changing Planet, and Principles and Professional Skills in Environmental Science and Management, while offering optional modules such as Managing Human Impacts in the Marine Environment, Nature, Country and Society, Geographical Information Systems, Environmental Management and Sustainability, and Natural Ecosystems and Their Conservation. The final year includes compulsory modules like Placement, The Environmental Professional, and Global Environmental Solutions, alongside various optional choices such as Marine Conservation Policy and Planning, Work Based Learning in Geography and Sustainability, Frontiers in Fieldwork: Unlocking Multidisciplinary Potential, Environmental Politics and Governance, Long-term Environmental Change, Contemporary Arctic and Alpine Challenges, Big Data & Spatial Analytics, Environmental and Resource Geoscience, Environmental Change Through Earth History, Climate Change Action, Independent Project, Independent Project with English Language Support, and Biodiversity Conservation: Science, Policy and Practice.
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
GCSE: All applicants must have GCSE (or equivalent) mathematics and English at grade 4/C or above. A level: 104 UCAS points, to include a minimum of 2 A levels and preferably from one of the following science subjects: Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Psychology, Geography, Geology, Applied Science, Use of Maths, Applied Science, Biology or Human Biology, Statistics, Science in the Environment, Design Technology. General Studies not accepted. BTEC: 18 Unit BTEC National Diploma/QCF Extended Diploma: DMM preferably from a science related subject. BTEC National Diploma modules: If you hold a BTEC qualification it is vital that you provide our Admissions team with details of the exact modules you have studied as part of the BTEC. Without this information, we may be unable to process your application quickly and you could experience significant delays in the progress of your application to study with us. Please explicitly state the full list of modules within your qualification at the time of application. All Access courses: Pass an Access to HE Diploma (science based) with at least 33 credits at merit. Including GCSE English and Maths grade C or above or equivalent. T level: Pass overall from any science pathway. International Baccalaureate: 26 points overall to include science related subjects.
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What students say
Based on about 10 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 87%
- Learning opportunities: 85%
- Assessment and feedback: 71%
- Academic support: 76%
- Organisation and management: 65%
- Learning resources: 94%
- Student voice: 78%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 25 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 95%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 16 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 75%
- Further study: 15%
Most common jobs
- Conservation and environment professionals: 35%
- Elementary occupations: 20%
- Leisure, travel and related personal service occupations: 10%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 5%
- Teaching Professionals: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 80%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 70%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 70%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 110 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 1%
- East Midlands: 5%
- West Midlands: 5%
- East of England: 8%
- London: 15%
- South East: 20%
- South West: 42%
- Wales: 3%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 70%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 20%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Environment and Society
- Soils, Water, Climate
- Our Ecological Planet: Biodiversity and Ecological Change
- The Environmental Manager's Toolbox
- Our Digital Planet
- Sustainable Futures
- Placement Preparation
- Environmental Issues and Communication
- Designing Research for a Changing Planet
- Research Design in Action: Fieldwork for a Changing Planet
- Principles and Professional Skills in Environmental Science and Management
- Managing Human Impacts in the Marine Environment
- Nature, Country and Society
- Geographical Information Systems
- Environmental Management and Sustainability
- Natural Ecosystems and Their Conservation
- Placement
- The Environmental Professional
- Global Environmental Solutions
- Marine Conservation Policy and Planning
- Work Based Learning in Geography and Sustainability
- Frontiers in Fieldwork: Unlocking Multidisciplinary Potential
- Environmental Politics and Governance
- Long-term Environmental Change
- Contemporary Arctic and Alpine Challenges
- Big Data & Spatial Analytics
- Environmental and Resource Geoscience
- Environmental Change Through Earth History
- Climate Change Action
- Independent Project
- Independent Project with English Language Support
- Biodiversity Conservation: Science, Policy and Practice
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Environmental Management and Sustainability at University of Plymouth earn?
The median salary is £28,000 after 15 months, £25,500 after 3 years, £30,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £25,500 and £36,000. The £30,500 median after five years is £4,000 less than the UK median for Human geography.
What do graduates of BSc Environmental Management and Sustainability at University of Plymouth 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 Environmental Management and Sustainability at University of Plymouth?
87% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Environmental Management and Sustainability at University of Plymouth?
The typical offer is 26 points in the IB. The average entrant had 113 UCAS points.
Does BSc Environmental Management and Sustainability at University of Plymouth include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BSc Environmental Management and Sustainability at University of Plymouth?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.