BSc Environmental Science
About this course
BSc (Hons) in Environmental Science. Core topics include programming, data analysis, research methods, fieldwork, environmental analysis, and ethics and professional practice. The course includes an optional placement year of six to twelve months, and features fieldwork across the UK and overseas from the first year.
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 from a minimum of 2 A levels including one science subject. BTEC: 18 Unit BTEC National Diploma/QCF Extended Diploma: DMM science related subject. You are encouraged to contact admissions@plymouth.ac.uk if you do not meet this criteria. 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. You are encouraged to contact admissions@plymouth.ac.uk if you do not meet this criteria. 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 33 final-year students who answered
- Teaching on my course: 83%
- Learning opportunities: 87%
- Assessment and feedback: 77%
- Academic support: 94%
- Organisation and management: 78%
- Learning resources: 88%
- Student voice: 71%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 60 students who started
- Continued on course: 81%
- Gained a higher qualification: 14%
- Left higher education: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 25 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 60%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 15%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Conservation and environment professionals: 15%
- Sales occupations: 15%
- Elementary occupations: 15%
- Natural and social science professionals: 5%
- Skilled trades occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 75%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 45%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 40%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 200 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 2%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 2%
- East Midlands: 3%
- West Midlands: 5%
- East of England: 10%
- London: 6%
- South East: 21%
- South West: 45%
- Wales: 3%
- Scotland: 1%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 45 students who started
- A levels: 90%
- Other HE qualification: 10%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES) for the purpose of eligibility to apply for associate membership.
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Placement
- Soils, Water, Climate
- Our Ecological Planet: Biodiversity and Ecological Change
- The Environmental Manager's Toolbox
- Our Digital Planet
- Sustainable Futures
- Analytical Environmental Technologies
- 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
- Scientific Diving
- Geographical Information Systems
- Environmental Management and Sustainability
- Natural Ecosystems and Their Conservation
- The Art of Experimentation
- Weather, Climate and Meteorology
- The Environmental Professional
- Global Environmental Solutions
- Marine Conservation Policy and Planning
- Frontiers in Fieldwork: Unlocking Multidisciplinary Potential
- 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 Science at University of Plymouth earn?
The median salary is £24,500 after 15 months, £22,500 after 3 years, £29,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £22,500 and £35,000. The £29,000 median after five years is £500 less than the UK median for Environmental sciences.
What do graduates of BSc Environmental Science 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 Science at University of Plymouth?
83% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Environmental Science at University of Plymouth?
The typical offer is 26 points in the IB. The average entrant had 111 UCAS points.
Is BSc Environmental Science at University of Plymouth accredited?
Yes. Accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES) for the purpose of eligibility to apply for associate membership.
Does BSc Environmental Science 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 Science at University of Plymouth?
81% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.