BSc Environmental Science
About this course
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science, an environmental science degree centred on physical, ecological, and societal approaches to environmental issues. Core topics include Statistics, Research Methods, Fieldwork, and Ethics & Professional Practice. Students choose from five specialist pathways including Sustainability Business and the Environment, Biodiversity and Conservation, Environmental Change, and Water and the Environment, and complete an individual research project in the final year. The first year establishes fundamental knowledge through compulsory modules such as Ecology and Conservation, Environmental Field Techniques and Applications, Geographies of Risk, and Quantitative Methods. The second year builds competence with modules like Geographical Information Systems (GIS), Global Sustainability Challenges, Introduction to Environmental Pollution, and Researching the Environment. Optional modules in the second and third years allow study in areas such as animal behaviour, freshwater ecosystems, and environmental geology. The third year incorporates advanced study alongside compulsory work including Nature Based Solutions and the Individual Project.
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 including one acceptable science subject IB: Pass, with minimum 32 points overall with 16 points at Higher Level to include one acceptable science subject at Higher Level scoring a minimum of 5.
See the highest paying Geography & Environmental Science degrees in the UK →
What students say
Based on about 38 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 94%
- Learning opportunities: 93%
- Assessment and feedback: 82%
- Academic support: 97%
- Organisation and management: 92%
- Learning resources: 94%
- Student voice: 82%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 30 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 100%
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: 75%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 10%
Most common jobs
- Conservation and environment professionals: 25%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 15%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 15%
- Secretarial and related occupations: 10%
- Natural and social science professionals: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 75%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 85%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 65%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 50 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- East of England: 15%
- London: 10%
- South East: 50%
- South West: 25%
Who gets in
Based on about 30 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 90%
- Baccalaureate: 10%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Dynamic Landscapes
- Ecology and Conservation
- Environmental Field Techniques and Applications
- Environmental Science: Concepts and Communication
- Exploring Urban and Natural Environments
- Geographies of Risk
- Quantitative Methods
- The Earth System
- Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
- Global Sustainability Challenges
- Introduction to Environmental Pollution
- Researching the Environment
- Advanced Geographical Information Systems
- Animal Behaviour
- Are you ready for the 100-year life? How should people, business & governments adapt?
- Freshwater Ecosystems
- Geohazards
- Global Climate Change: Science, Impacts and Policy
- Introduction to Energy in The Environment
- Marine Benthic Ecology
- Marine Vertebrates
- Monitoring Coastal and Estuarine Environments
- Phytoplankton and Primary Production
- Plant Development and Function
- Population Change in Low and Middle Income Countries
- Population and Community Ecology
- Remote Sensing for Earth Observation
- Zooplankton Ecology and Processes
- Individual Project
- Nature Based Solutions
- Advanced Geographical Information Systems
- Applied Plant Biology
- Arolla Fieldcourse: Geographical Research in Alpine Environments
- Behavioural Ecology
- Biodiversity and Conservation
- Biogeochemical Cycles in the Earth System
- Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Business
- Data Collection and Research Methods for Sustainability and Environmental Science
- Deep Sea Ecology
- Desert Landscapes: Modelling and Measuring Aeolian Systems
- Earth Resources for the Green Transition
- Ecotoxicology
- Environment and Health
- Environmental Sensing for Real World Geomorphological Challenges
- Environmental and Engineering Geology
- Evolution and Genetics
- Geographies of Nature: food, animals and other nonhuman life
- Glaciers in a Changing Climate
- Global Challenges in Biology
- Human and Social Adaptation to Climate and Weather Hazards
- Marine Fisheries Ecology
- Migration and Development
- Palaeoclimate Change
- Professional Practice in Environmental Science
- River Basin Management and Restoration
- Seafloor Exploration and Surveying
- Sustainable Resource Management
- Water, People and Environment: Cambodia Field Course
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Environmental Science at University of Southampton earn?
The median salary is £27,000 after 15 months, £26,500 after 3 years, £33,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £29,000 and £36,500. The £33,000 median after five years is £3,500 more than the UK median for Environmental sciences.
What do graduates of BSc Environmental Science at University of Southampton 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 Environmental Science at University of Southampton?
94% 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 Southampton?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 153 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BSc Environmental Science at University of Southampton?
100% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.