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.
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."
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:
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.
Entry requirements
The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the likely offer or range of offers which would be made to candidates along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate’s application. Read more about our undergraduate entry requirements for United Kingdom, European Union and International students.
A Level requirements
A Level requirement BBC
GCSE requirement
English at C (or 4) OR equivalent qualification, please contact us for advice
BTEC
BTEC requirements DMM
International Baccalaureate
30 points
Access to HE Diploma requirements
Obtain Access to Higher Education Diploma with 112 UCAS Tariff points including a minimum of 15 Level 3 credits at Distinction.
Not got the grades?
If you don't think you'll meet the entry requirements specified, Foundation Year offers an alternative route to study for this degree.
PREPARATION PROGRAMMES FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
International students who do not meet the direct entry requirements for this course have the opportunity to study an International Foundation Year programme.
These courses are designed to prepare international students to enter into Keele University undergraduate degrees.
Fees and funding
Going to university can be a daunting as well as an exciting experience. It can be difficult to understand the true costs of being a student, as well as the financial support that is available to help you meet those costs.
We can help you to manage your funds, create a budget and ensure that you receive any funding for which you may be eligible. We also offer financial support such as the Keele University Hardship Fund and emergency loans.
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.
Field courses are a vital and very enjoyable part of our environment degree programmes, as they provide ideal settings for focused training, skills development and practise. And, importantly, all our compulsory field courses have no additional costs to students.
Through these field courses students gain skills and experience in environmental survey design, plant and invertebrate identification, water quality assessment, soil assessment, sample collection and preservation, and social science research techniques. Our field courses also facilitate interaction between students and environmental experts outside of the university, providing further insight into the world of employment and careers.
One-day field trips and associated outdoor field work feature in multiple modules across all of our environment programmes and residential field courses (e.g. 5-8 days) are held in each of the first and second year. The first year residential fieldcourse is held in north Wales (Snowdonia and Parys Mountain), while for year two the options are for a UK (e.g. Lake District) or overseas (e.g. south of France) location.