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    Covid-19 information and FAQs for applicants, students and staff >

    Environmental Science with Work Placement Year - BSc (Hons)

    Year of entry
    2022
    Course type
    Single Honours
    Combined Honours
    Duration of study
    3 years/ 4 years with International Year
    Location
    Keele University campus
    Subject area / School
    School of Geography, Geology and the Environment
    UCAS code
    F901
    • Entry requirements

      • Keele Undergraduate Enquiries Form

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      Upon submitting this form, your enquiry will be forwarded on to our enquiries team who will contact you  to answer your question and provide further details about the course that you are interested in.

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    Course overview

    On this course, you will develop a scientific understanding and the practical skills needed to tackle many of the world’s major environmental and societal problems. This includes climate change, food security, water resources, pollution and conservation. You will also complete a Work Placement Year in an environment focused role.

      Keele Undergraduate Enquiries Form

      Please submit your question in the form below and a member our enquiries team will be in touch with you shortly.











      Upon submitting this form, your enquiry will be forwarded on to our enquiries team who will contact you  to answer your question and provide further details about the course that you are interested in.

      Your Preferences




      What we’re going to do with your data and why?

      We will securely store your data and send you essential information (examples include updates on an application or booking confirmations for events such as Open Days).

      We would also like to send you useful information about studying at University (particularly Keele) and/or the courses that you have shown an interest in. To do this we need your consent and information on which communication channels you would like to hear from us on (please see opt-in boxes above).

      We will never sell your data to a third party. We only ever share data with companies involved in helping us communicate with you or helping us to manage your data (examples include; Online forms, Printers, Postal services, other University partners etc).

      How long are we keeping it?

      We will keep your data for the year that you first enquire with us plus 6 subsequent years. This is to ensure that you are legally protected should you have any issues with the use of your data.

      Unsubscribe

      By selecting no to the preferences above you will have unsubscribed, however, this does not mean that your data has been deleted. If you would like to invoke your right to be forgotten please refer to the section below.

      What to do if I change my mind?

      To change your preferences after you have closed this form, simply reopen the link to this page. For further information about how your data is held, including your right to be forgotten, please contact dpa@keele.ac.uk

    Top 10

    in England for Overall Student Satisfaction NSS 2021 (broad-based public universities)

    Accredited

    by the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA)

    Winner

    Global Sustainability Institution of the Year Green Gown Awards, 2020

    Student testimonials

    Course content

    Our Environmental Science with Work Placement Year course at Keele draws on the expertise of scientists within the disciplines of life sciences, chemical sciences and geosciences. The course emphasises the role and importance of scientific understanding and practical skills in the analysis and management of environmental problems; targeting and encouraging 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 in the UK and 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. The course is also accredited by the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA).

    IEMA accreditation logo

    IES logo 150 px

     

     

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

    You may also be interested in:

    Variations to 2020/21 courses

    Detailed course information

    Year 1

    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. In addition to the core modules, students choose an option or elective module or a modern language.

    Year 2

    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.

    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 4

    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.

    Entry requirements

    Keele is committed to ensuring equality of opportunity to all our applicants with the potential and motivation to succeed, regardless of background. On that basis we operate a range of 'alternative offer' schemes with clear eligibility criteria.

    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

    • BBC

    GCSE requirement

    • English Language/Literature at C (or 4) OR equivalent qualification, please contact Admissions for advice

    BTEC

    • DMM

    International Baccalaureate

    • 29 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. 

    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.

    Foundation year

    You may choose to study this course via foundation year.

    If you’re returning to education following a break, wish to study a new subject or don’t have the grades or sufficient equivalent experience for direct entry to this course, a foundation year may be a good option for you.

    Following successful completion (including any additional progression requirements) of the foundation year you can progress on to this course.

    The foundation year offers September starts across all subjects, and January starts across all science, humanities, social sciences and business routes.

    The January intake excludes the Veterinary Medicine and Surgery degree with Foundation Year and other health-related foundation Year degree

    For more details visit our foundation year webpages.

    Foundation year

    Foundation Year Overview

    If you do not meet the requirements for direct entry into the BSc (Hons) Environmental Science course, our Foundation Year can provide an alternative route into your degree. 

    Keele University is consistently ranked among the top universities for student satisfaction, and we have over 70 years’ experience of teaching a foundation year to students. On the Keele Foundation Year, you’ll study on campus, joining our community from the outset, and you will have access to a range of support.

    Read on to find out about:

    • Foundation Year indicative modules for the September intake
    • Foundation Year entry requirements
    • How to apply
    • UCAS code for this course

    The information within this page is for students wishing to start their studies in September. If you would like to start this course in January, please visit our January pages for further details.

    Course Content

    Our Foundation Year allows you to develop your critical thinking, academic reading, writing, and communication study skills along with subject-specific knowledge and skills which will be invaluable in your academic studies and beyond. Upon meeting the progression criteria and successfully completing our Foundation Year, you will automatically progress into your Keele undergraduate degree with the confidence that you have the skills, and knowledge needed to successfully complete your course.

    This Foundation Year is a two semester programme which provides a tailored pre-degree programme of study to better prepare you for the BSc (Hons) Environmental Science degree. For example, the Advancing Geography, Geology and the Environment module takes the knowledge built in 'Foundations of Geography, Geology and the Environment' module and applies it to a variety of human interactions, such as exploitation of the Earth’s resources, rural and urban development, monitoring and management of natural hazards, and environmental change. Course content has been developed in collaboration with degree teaching teams, so that by the time you begin Year 1, you will be ready to excel at your studies, as the majority of our Foundation Year students do. 

    Find out more about the Keele Foundation Year, including information about teaching and assessment methods by visiting the Foundation Year homepage. 

    Course Structure

    The module details given below are indicative, they are intended to provide you with an idea of the range of subjects that are taught to our current students. The modules that will be available for you to study in future years are prone to change as we regularly review our teaching to ensure that it is up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. The information presented is therefore not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules available in any given year.

    Semester One Modules

    FYO-00185 Practical and Academic Skills in Science 15 credits
    FYO-00211 Foundations in Numerical and Quantitative Methods for Scientists 15 credits
    FYO-00193 Foundations of Geography, Geology and the Environment 15 credits
    FYO-00276 Foundations of Science and Sustainability  15 credits

    Semester Two Modules

    FYO-00195 Advancing Geography, Geology and the Environment 30 credits
    FYO-00271 University Research Portfolio 30 credits

    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.

    • Between 40-56 UCAS points from at least 1 A level/level 3 qualification or equivalent, or
    • Relevant work experience

    AND

    • GCSE English Language at grade 4 (C), or Level 2 Functional Skills, or
    • IELTS 5.5 (with 5.5 in all subtests)

    AND

    • GCSE Mathematics at grade 4 (C) or above

    How to Apply 

    Students will need to apply for BSc (Hons) Environmental Science with Foundation Year (UCAS code F913) through UCAS at www.ucas.com

    Direct Entry Students

    If you already have your qualifications, are not expecting any further results and only wish to apply to Keele, please contact the Admissions Office directly.

    Information for International students

    International students who do not meet the entry requirements for this integrated foundation year course may be eligible to study an International Foundation Year stand alone programme.

    Please visit the International Foundation Year pages for information on how to apply, entry requirements and course details.

    To find additional course information to complement the information on this tab, please view our Foundation Year programme specifications.

    The offer you receive will be determined by your subject and application.

    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.

    For more information visit our money, advice and guidance section.

    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. You will 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.

    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.

    Fieldwork

    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 you will 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. Past fieldwork destinations include the Lake District and the South of France.

    Additional opportunities

    Foundation year Learn a language Placement year International year Study abroad Explore more

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    Nicola Taylor on being an Environmental students

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