Environmental Science with Work Placement Year

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Course overview

This course enables you to complete a Work Placement Year in an environment focused role. You will 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 Placement year Foundation year

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:

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Variations to 2020/21 courses

Detailed course information

YEAR ONE

The first year of the programme establishes a firm grounding in the core sciences underpinning the field of environmental science (i.e. Biology, Ecology, Environmental Chemistry, Geology and Statistics) and builds an understanding 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 (e.g. to North Wales, UK). In addition to the core modules, students choose an option or elective module such as 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. You will learn how to conduct Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and will participate in a residential field course (with UK and overseas options) that provides you with ‘real world’ and ‘hands-on’ experience of investigating and evaluating a range of topical environmental problems. Alongside the core modules students choose a number of option modules from a broad range spanning the disciplines of life sciences, chemical sciences, geography and geosciences. Examples include: an environmentally-focussed Work Placement module, Dynamic Geographies, Geoscience and Society, Health and the Environment, Research and Analytical Skills, Regional Landsystems, and Reconstructing Past Environments.

WORK PLACEMENT YEAR (YEAR 3)

For students taking the ‘Work Placement Year’ degree option, this is undertaken after completing year two. Then, after you have completed your year in industry, you will return to complete your final year of study at Keele.

You will be supported in finding the right work placement for you and will be given training for both subject-specific and general transferable skills. During the placement year, you will spend a minimum of 6 months in an environment focused role. Examples of work placements include working with local councils, environmental consultancies, conservation charities, nature reserve rangers, waste management companies, and water supply and management companies.

YEAR FOUR

The final year enables you to develop advanced level Environmental Science skills and knowledge and provides the opportunity to specialise in your areas of interest. You will carry out an independent research project, with support from a highly skilled research advisor, that is tailored to your individual research interests.

You will also take the core modules of Ecotoxicology and Risk Assessment and The Science of Soils. In addition to the core modules you will choose multiple option modules from the broad range available, previous examples of which include Conservation Biology, Clean Technology, Natural Hazards, Applied Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Global Environmental Change, Coastal Environments and Water Resources.

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.