Environmental Science

Course overview

Develop the scientific understanding and practical skills needed to tackle many of the world’s major environmental (and societal) problems such as climate change, food security, water resources, pollution and conservation.

Key facts

Study abroad Learn a language International year Fees and finance Foundation year

Colin Nye, Applied Environmental Science with Biology

"Keele is more than a place to study, it's an environment focused on helping you to achieve your potential, and you'll enjoy yourself whilst doing so!"

Amy Collier, Applied Environmental Science with Physical Geography

"At Keele you are treated as an individual – not a student number or a face in a lecture theatre – and that quality is lost on some competitor institutions. There is a reason for the sentimentality and fondness shown by all former students: Keele really is one of a kind."

Course content

Our Environmental Science course at Keele draws on the expertise of scientists within the disciplines of life sciences, chemical sciences and geosciences to emphasise the role and importance of scientific understanding and practical skills in the analysis and management of environmental problems.

The course emphasises the role and importance of scientific understanding and practical skills in the analysis and management of environmental problems, ensuring a course which is targeted at employment in the environmental sector.

Alongside studying topical global environmental issues, you will have the opportunity to develop a broad range of practical, laboratory and field-based skills to take into future employment. You’ll also have the opportunity to do fieldwork overseas, gain valuable work experience or study abroad at one of our partner institutions. This course is accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES), meaning students can gain free membership of the IES to support their personal and professional development in the environmental sector.

Accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES) and the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA).
Available with Work Placement and Study Abroad options
Includes UK and overseas field course options

Combinations

Environmental Science is also available as a Combined Honours degree. It can be studied in the following combinations:

Other Related Courses You May Be Interested In:

Environment and Sustainability Single Honours

For more information, please see our Environmental Science and Sustainability Undergraduate brochure.

Detailed course information

Year One

The first year of this single honours programme provides you with a sound basis and understanding of the core sciences underpinning the field of environmental science (Geology, Chemistry, Biology) and of the environmental issues faced by the world today. You will have the opportunity to put these skills into practice through a residential field course to North Wales, UK. In addition to the core modules, students choose two elective modules from a list which currently includes: People and the Environment, Global Warming, Entrepreneurship or a modern language.

Year Two

In the second year, you will develop a deeper understanding of environmental issues and of the analytical and investigative skills demanded of today’s environmental scientists. Residential field courses (current choices include the Bordeaux region of France and the English Lake District) provide you with ‘real world’ and ‘hands-on’ experience of a range of topical environmental problems. Alongside the core modules students choose two option modules from a broad range available within the disciplines of life sciences, chemical sciences and geosciences. Optional modules currently include: an environmentally-focussed Work Placement module, Health and the Environment, Dynamic Geographies, Research and Analytical Skills, Regional Landsystems, Reconstructing Past Environments.

Year Three

The third year provides you with the opportunity of either increased specialism in your particular areas of environmental interest, or the flexibility to retain a broad coverage of environmental skills and issues. You will carry out an independent research project, tailored to individual research interests and supported by our broad range of environmental professionals. You will also take the core module Contemporary Topics in Environmental Science which provides students with in-depth coverage of two highly topical, contemporary topics in environmental science such as ecotoxicology and chemical risk assessment, nutrient cycles, catchment management and food security. In addition to the core modules, you will choose five option modules from the broad range available. Examples of option modules have previously included Conservation Biology, Clean Technology, Natural Hazards, Applied Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Trees in their Environment, Global Environmental Change, Water Resources, and Applied Insect Ecology.

This course is also available as a 4-year option with the addition of either a work placement year or International year.

Career prospects

96% of Keele graduates were in a job or further study within six months of graduating (DLHE, 2017)

All organisations, from private business to local government, increasingly need to engage with environmental issues; hence this is one of the fastest growing areas of employment opportunities. Through completion of a reflective portfolio, you will also have the opportunity to gain accreditation from the Institute of Leadership and Management alongside your Keele degree.

You will be in an excellent position to pursue a career in many areas including environmental consultancy and regulation, water resource management, geospatial analysis, conservation, or to become a scientific writer, research scientist or teacher. This course also provides excellent training for further postgraduate study and research. If you take our work placement year you’ll graduate with a significant level of environmental work experience.

To ensure you’re prepared for a range of work, the course utilises case studies based on work in the real world including environmental impact assessments and technical reports mimicking work in different areas of environmental employment. Environmental Science can be studied as a single honours or combined honours and with a work placement option.

Recent employers

ESF Consultants
Mott MacDonald Bentley
LGSS

Regardless of which career you pursue after Keele, employers will want evidence of the range of skills and personal qualities you possess and which are required for the job. Your degree is clearly important in this respect but don’t forget the extra-curricular activities, positions of responsibility, jobs and voluntary work you may have been engaged in while studying at Keele. These activities allow you to demonstrate the skills and personal qualities required by employers and will be vital in your attempts to secure graduate employment.

It is estimated that 60% of jobs are open to graduates of any discipline. This demonstrates the flexibility of many graduate employers when setting out their academic requirements and that students are not necessarily restricted to careers related to their degree.

Find out more about our careers and employability services, including career planning, alumni mentoring, jobs, internships, starting your own business and much more.