Skip to main content Accessibility
Home
Skip to main content Accessibility Home
  • Foundation
  • Undergraduate 2024
  • Undergraduate 2023
  • Postgraduate
  • Research
  • CPD
    •
  • Student Home
  • Cost-of-living support
  • Health and wellbeing
  • Student KLE
  • Staff Directory
  • Library
    •
  • Intranet
    •
    Alumni
  • Faculties
  • Schools
  • Institutes
    •
  • China
  • Hong Kong SAR
  • India
  • Kenya
  • Nigeria
  • Pakistan
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UK International
  • Rest of the world
    •

    Environment and Sustainability - BSc (Hons)

    Gain a broad and deep understanding of global environmental problems, such as loss of biodiversity and depletion of resources, to become familiar with strategies to drive sustainability. Our accredited programme enables you to cross the traditional natural science-social science divide, arming you with a diverse skillset to work in a range of sectors.

    Year of entry

    Course type

    • Single Honours

    UCAS code

    • FD84

    Duration of study

    • 3 years / 4 years with international or placement year
    Enquire about this course Book an open day Chat to students

    Why study Environment and Sustainability at Keele University?

    Top 20 in the UK for Geography and Environmental Studies (Guardian University League Table, 2022)
    Tackle a real-world sustainability project and contribute to positive change
    Personalise your degree with a variety of optional modules
    Enhance your employability with our study abroad and work placement options

    Course overview

    Overview

    The world is under huge environmental threat. From climate change and depletion of resources to species extinction - we need to find solutions to counter the devastating impact humans are having on the planet.

    Our Environment and Sustainability degree draws on the sustainability expertise from across the university to provide you with an understanding from both the natural science and social science perspectives. From environmental science to sustainability within the political sphere, the programme aims to equip you with a broad knowledge base and the strategies to drive sustainability forward in many contexts. You can choose in your final year to take either a BA or BSc award depending on the nature of optional modules and dissertation.

    Year one

    The first year of the programme is carefully designed to bring together the diverse learning experiences across the cohort, enabling common understanding of environment and sustainability issues. Core first year modules will examine topics such as the environmental and social responsibilities of organisations to green their operations, the politics of sustainability and the causes and impacts of climate change.

    To ensure you have the appropriate skills to succeed on this programme, you will study a 'core skills' module that aims to provide you with a suite of study skills and subject-specific practical skills.

    Skills you may acquire in the module include:

    • Fieldwork in both laboratory and field-based environments
    • Risk assessment and research ethics
    • Programming
    • Statistics
    • Techniques of data capture
    • Writing and communication
    Optional modules

    Throughout your studies you will have the opportunity to study optional modules. The number of optional modules you can choose will increase as your progress through your degree. This will add breadth and depth to your learning and enable you to personalise your degree towards your careers aspirations or interests.

    Year two

    Year two builds on the information you have acquired in your first year and sets it in an applied context. From carrying out research in the real world through an environmental impact assessment to advancing your fieldwork skills - our curriculum offers multiple opportunities to apply your learning to environments similar to those you may encounter in your career.

    Final year

    Your studies will culminate with the opportunity to unleash your creativity and apply the techniques you have acquired during your studies to create positive environmental change. In additiona to a core final year dissertationy ou will also have the flexibility to choose from a wide variety of optional modules.

    Fieldwork

    From mapping habitats and sampling invertebrates to social science approaches, fieldwork and engaging with outside people's perspectives is embedded into core modules throughout your studies to ensure you graduate with key sustainability research skills.

    Fieldwork activities may include:

    • Environmental survey design
    • Plant and invertebrate identification
    • Sample collection and preservation
    • Social science research techniques
    • Soil assessment
    • Water quality assessment

    Learn from our campus - our own 'living laboratory'

    Our unique 600-acre campus offers a fantastic experimentation environment to perform fieldwork, test new ideas and discover solutions to real-world problems. From our lake system and extensive woodlands to the mining and industrial heritage of the local area, there are many opportunities to study in an authentic environment whilst practicing sustainably.

    Enhance your employability

    Employability is at the heart of our curriculum and we aim to equip you with the necessary theory and practice to support your graduate journey. Our year two employability module offers a variety of work relevant experiences. From project-based learning to research opportunities - you will learn about and experience a variety of career paths and identify skills that are essential in these roles. Between years two and three of your degree, there is also the opportunity to spend a year gaining work experience with an environmentally-related company or organisation. This will benefit you by providing familiarisation with the professional working environment and the opportunity to apply the skills and theories you have learnt.

    International year

    In between years two and three of your studies you can choose to spend a year studying abroad. This exciting opportunity enable you to experience different cultural perspectives and to establish international networks. It also shows you have the personal attributes to embrace new experiences which can enhance your employability. We offer exchange opportunities with a wide variety of partner institutions.

    Support

    We offer a multi layered support structure to help you meet your academic and personal needs. Our open-door policy enables you to engage with us directly, meaning you can seek support, gain feedback or discuss any matters on a regular basis. You will also benefit from the support of an academic mentor and have access to Keele's Student Experience and Support team.

    Societies

    We have a wealth of student-led societies which cover a diverse range of interests. Joining a society related to the field, is a great opportunity to continue to develop your skills away from your studies. This is another excellent way of demonstrating your genuine interest for the environment and sustainability and can be beneficial when it comes to applying for graduate roles.

    Next Steps

    insert-a start

    Related Courses

    Professional accreditation

    This programme is accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES) and the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA).

    Our Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES) and Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) accreditation means you will graduate with the right knowledge, skills and tools to deliver value in a global economy. 

    ‌IEMA and IME accreditation logos

     

     

    insert-a end

    Additional opportunities

    Foundation year Placement year International year Study abroad GCP Elective Pathways Explore more

    There are a range of additional opportunities available when studying this course.
    Please note, undertaking one may impact upon the availability of another.

    Entry requirements

    Keele strives to be a place where learning, living and working is a positive experience for our entire community, and we're committed to ensuring equality of opportunity to all our applicants with the potential and motivation to succeed, regardless of background. That's why we operate a range of 'alternative offer' schemes with clear eligibility criteria, including contextual offers, offers for those studying within the Keele region, and recognising a range of additional qualifications in your offer.

    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.

    If you don't think you'll meet the entry requirements specified, you may be able to gain entry to this course via a Foundation Year.

    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.

    Next Steps

    Entry requirements

    The following section details our typical entry requirements for this course for a range of UK and international qualifications. If you don’t see your qualifications listed, please contact us to find out if we can accept your qualifications. If you don't think you'll meet the entry requirements specified, you may be able to gain entry to this course via a Foundation Year.

    Typical offer

    Please ensure that you read the full entry requirements by selecting your qualifications from the dropdown menu below. This will include any subject specific, GCSE/Level 2 Maths, and English Language requirements you may need.

    A Level: BBB
    BTEC: DDM
    T Level: Merit

    Please select your qualification from the drop-down list below for the full entry requirement information

    A Level

    BBB in three A Levels.

    You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

    BTEC Extended Diploma / National Extended Diploma

    DDM in any BTEC Extended Diploma / National Extended Diploma.

    You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

    BTEC National Diploma / Diploma

    Distinction and Distinction in any BTEC National Diploma / Diploma and C in one A Level, or
    Distinction and Merit in any BTEC National Diploma / Diploma and B in one A Level.

    You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

    BTEC National Extended Certificate / Subsidiary Diploma

    Distinction in any BTEC National Extended Certificate / Subsidiary Diploma and BC in two A Levels, or
    Merit in any BTEC National Extended Certificate / Subsidiary Diploma and AB in two A Levels.

    You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

    T Level

    Merit in any T Level.

    You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

    International Baccalaureate Diploma

    555 in three Higher Levels or 30 points.

    You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

    International Baccalaureate Careers Programme

    We encourage applications with the IBCP but recognise that your combination of qualifications may differ depending on where you are studying.

    If you are taking a BTEC National Diploma / Diploma with one or more Higher Levels, your offer will be similar to our BTEC + A Level offer (see 'BTEC National Diploma / Diploma') but with an HL requirement of 6 for A, 5 for B, or 4 for C.

    For any other combination, please contact the University Admissions Team for advice.

    Access to HE Diploma

    122 UCAS points in any Access to HE Diploma including Distinction in at least 30 Level 3 credits.

    You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

    Welsh Baccalaureate / Bagloriaeth Cymru

    The Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate is equivalent to one full A Level at the same grade and can be included alongside 2 other A Levels in a standard A Level offer for this course (see A Level). All subject specific requirements will still need to be met.

    Scotland - Highers and Advanced Highers

    BBBCC in five Highers, or CC in two Advanced Highers and CC in two Highers, or CCC in three Advanced Highers.

    You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

    Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

    If you have B or higher in the EPQ and are studying A Levels, BTEC, the International Baccalaureate Diploma, or an Access to HE Diploma, you will typically receive an alternative offer which will be lower than the standard offer. Please see 'Alternative and contextual offers' below.

    Core Maths

    If you have B or higher in Core Maths and are studying A Levels, BTEC, the International Baccalaureate, or an Access to HE Diploma, you will typically receive an alternative offer which will be lower than the standard offer. Please see 'Alternative and contextual offers' below.

    Ireland - Leaving Certificate

    H3, H3, H4, H4, H4, H4 in the Irish Leaving Certificate.

    You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

    China - Gaokao

    73% in the Gaokao.

    You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

    India - Standard XII

    Average of 70% from four subjects in the ICSE, CBSE or Western Bengal Standard XII, or average of 75% from four subjects in any other Standard XII.

    You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

    Germany - Abitur

    2.2 overall average in the Abitur.

    You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

    France - Baccalaureate

    12.5 in the French Baccalaureate, or 12 in the International Option Baccalaureate.

    You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

    Hong Kong - Diploma

    444 from two electives and one core subject in the HKDSE.

    You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

    Spain - Bachillerato

    Overall average of 7.4 in the Título de Bachillerato.

    You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

    Italy - Diploma di Esame di Stato

    80% in the Esame di Stato.

    You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

    Cyprus - Apolytirion

    18 / 86% in the Apolytirion.

    You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

    Portugal

    Overall average of 15.5 in a Secondary Certificate.

    You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

    Canada - Diploma

    65% / BBBCC in five courses in the Grade 12 Diplomas.

    You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

    Kenya - KCSE / Diploma

    We do not accept the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education for direct entry. However, you can apply to study an International Foundation Year at Keele University International College. On successful completion, you can progress to an undergraduate degree at Keele.

    We may accept a two year Diploma. Please contact the University Admissions Team for advice.

    Nigeria - Senior School Certificate / OND

    We do not accept the Senior School Certificate (WAEC or NECO) for direct entry. However, you can apply to study an International Foundation Year at Keele University International College. On successful completion, you can progress to an undergraduate degree at Keele.

    We may accept an Ordinary National Diploma with GPA of 2.5 or a Merit / Lower Credit. Please contact the University Admissions Team for advice.

    USA - Advanced Placement

    444 from three Advanced Placement subjects.

    You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

    Ghana

    We do not accept the West African Senior School Certificate Examination for direct entry. However, you can apply to study an International Foundation Year at Keele University International College. On successful completion, you can progress to an undergraduate degree at Keele.

    Sri Lanka - Advanced Level

    BBB in three Advanced Levels.

    You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

    Malaysia - STPM

    BBB in three subjects in the STPM.

    You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

    Pakistan - Secondary School Certificate

    We do not accept the Secondary School Certificate for direct entry. However, you can apply to study an International Foundation Year at Keele University International College. On successful completion, you can progress to an undergraduate degree at Keele.

    Singapore - A Levels (H2)

    BBB in three H2 Levels.

    You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

    European Baccalaureate

    72% overall.

    You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)

    English Language Requirements

    All of our courses require an English language qualification or test. For most students, this requirement can be met with a 4 or C in GCSE English. Please see our English Language guidance pages for further details, including English language test information for international students. For those students who require an English language test, this course requires a test from Group A.

    Alternative and contextual offers

    We're committed to ensuring equality of opportunity to all our applicants with the potential and motivation to succeed, regardless of background. That's why we operate a range of alternative offer schemes with clear eligibility criteria, including contextual offers, offers for those studying within the Keele region, and recognising a range of additional qualifications in your offer.

    General information

    The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the typical offer 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.

    insert-b start

    Sector-leading in environmental education

    At Keele we're leading the sector in sustainability, not just in our ambitions to become carbon neutral by 2030 but also through our teaching and our ground-breaking research into climate change and renewable technologies.

    We are proud to be named Global Sustainability Institution of the Year (International Green Gown Awards, 2021), which demonstrates our commitment to embedding sustainability into all that we do.

    Find out more about Keele’s commitment to sustainability.

    Tam Bowyer, Environment and Sustainability student

    insert-b end

    Fees and funding

    Tuition fees for 2023/24 academic year

    • UK: £9250
    • International: Band 3

    For details of our international fee bands please see our Undergraduate tuition fees web page.

    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.

    Our Student Financial Support team offers confidential advice and guidance to help you to manage your money, so that you can make the most of your time at Keele. We can help you to resolve issues with your Student Finance, create a budget, and help you to explore your options if you’re facing financial hardship. We are also able to ensure that you receive any funding for which you may be eligible, such as bursaries and scholarships.

    For more information visit our undergraduate fees and funding section.

    Next Steps

    insert-c start insert-c end

    Modules

    Next Steps

    insert-d start insert-d end

    Your future career

    95% of our students are in employment or further study within 15 months of finishing their studies (HESA Graduate Outcomes, 2019/20)

    You will graduate with a broad knowledge that crosses the traditional natural science-social science divide and familiarisation with the professional working environment. This will provide you with opportunities to work in a range of sectors.

    Job sectors that a graduate of this course could enter include:

    • Charity
    • Conservation
    • Consultancy
    • Environmental health
    • Regional or national government
    • Teaching

    Jobs that a graduate of this course could go on to do:

    • Environmental consultant
    • Environmental education officer
    • Nature conservation officer
    • Sustainability consultant
    • Recycling officer
    • Teacher
    • Town planner
    • Waste management officer


    Enhance your employability

    Keele’s Careers and Employability team (Shortlisted for Best University Careers Employment Service - National Undergraduate Employability Awards, 2021), offers a variety of personal and career development opportunities to enhance your employability. From mock interviews, careers guidance and CV advice, to careers fairs, alumni mentoring and networking events, along with helping you find part-time and graduate employment - the team will support you throughout your studies and beyond.

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

    Next Steps

    insert-e start insert-e end

    Teaching, learning and assessment

    Teaching

    We offer a personalised learning experience in an environment where you can feel part of a community. Our small class sizes will enable you to gain individual attention from your lecturers, forge close connections with other students and study in a focused environment. To ensure you receive a high-quality learning experience, teaching will be delivered through a diverse range of methods. Some classes are taught in workshop format integrating both lecture and practical material. Fieldwork provides a deep, immersive learning experience that puts geological processes and their products into their four-dimensional context.

    Methods of teaching may include:

    • Directed reading
    • Field courses
    • Group presentations and linked discussion
    • Individual progress interviews, including profiling/ personal development planning (PDP)
    • Lectures
    • Practical classes
    • Tutorials, seminars and workshops
    • Work placements

    Assessments

    The programme includes a range of assessments to develop both academic and employability skills. These may include:

    • Unseen closed and open book examinations
    • Technical reports
    • Poster presentations
    • Oral presentations
    • Field notebooks
    • Reflective diaries
    • Essays
    • Class tests
    • Dissertations
    • Research projects and reports
    • Peer assessment
    • Reviews
    • Group videos
    insert-f start

    Central Science Laboratories

    Develop your practical skills in Keele's state-of-the-art Central Science Laboratories

    insert-f end

    Facilities

    The School of Geography, Geology and Environment (GGE), benefits from a dedicated teaching space in Keele’s state-of-the-art Central Science Laboratories (CSL). Featuring 80 new polarising microscopes and 20 new low powered microscopes, the CSL allows us to innovate and enhance the teaching experience of our students and supports a highly tailored approach to practical learning.

    Other facilities in the School include:

    Ice laboratory

    Our ice lab features a dedicated freezer laboratory for water and ice samples from polar environments. IceLab research is driven by the need to understand and develop new methods, such as analysis of ice core ‘biomarkers’, within polar environments in order to inform on key questions surrounding global ocean and atmospheric change, sea ice variability, and humanity’s role in polar ecological change. We also have geochemistry, water chemistry and sediment laboratories, where you can conduct geochemical analysis and experiments, measure physical and chemical properties of water and analyse the compositional properties of sediments.

    Weather station

    Keele's weather station provides valuable data locally, nationally and for teaching and research in the school. This includes data for wind speed and direction, rainfall, humidity, sunshine/radiation, air and ground temperatures.

    Research

    Our internationally recognised researchers in the Sustainable Energy and Environmentsresearch cluster work on a variety of time-scales and environments.

    Their expertise includes:

    • Biogeochemistry, carbon dynamics and nutrient cycling
    • Contamination, remediation and ecotoxicology
    • Sustainability education
    • Sustainable energy systems
    • Sustainable systems in organisations

    Find out more about research in the School of Geography, Geology and the Environment.

    Foundation year

    Our Foundation Year provides an excellent alternative route to Keele, providing a unique opportunity to better prepare for your chosen degree, and with guaranteed entry onto your undergraduate course once you successfully complete your Foundation Year.

    This extra year of study can improve your academic skills, expand your subject knowledge, give you a better understanding of higher education and, perhaps most importantly of all, build your confidence.

    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 undergraduate community from the outset, with access to all the facilities and support that you'd get as an undergraduate student at Keele.

    The information in this Foundation Year section is for UK/Home applicants. Where an international Foundation Year is available, please see the 'Information for international students' tab.

    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.

    The Foundation Year is a two semester programme which provides a tailored pre-degree programme of study to better prepare you for the BA/BSc (Hons) Environment and Sustainability 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.

    • 56 UCAS points including at least one Level 3 qualification (such as an A Level, BTEC, Access Course, or T Level)
    • Plus C in GCSE English / Level 2 Functional Skills English and C in GCSE Maths / Level 2 Functional Skills Maths

    How to apply 

    Students will need to apply for BA/BSc (Hons) Environment and Sustainability with Foundation Year (UCAS code F750) 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.

    The information in this Foundation Year section is for UK/Home applicants. Where an international Foundation Year is available, please see the 'Information for international students' tab.

    We also offer a January start for some of our Foundation Year courses. Adopting a blended learning approach, the January start is particularly useful for students wishing to return to education following time out of studying, or who are seeking a flexible approach to their Foundation Year studies. Our January start is available across most of our Science, Humanities, Social Science and Business courses.

    Whilst still being a full-time course, our blended delivery model combines live teaching sessions - both online and on-campus - with self-directed study, enabling you to predominantly study at a time that suits your lifestyle. You will benefit from weekly online taught sessions which encourage you to engage with your teachers and peers.

    In addition to online study there will be a series of full study days that you will be required to attend throughout each semester. These sessions may include lab-based activities, group work, review of course and assessment materials studied online. They will emphasise opportunities for you to deepen your knowledge and understanding of your chosen route.

    Please refer to the September start tab for more information about the entry requirements and what you will study. The modules that you will take on a January start Foundation Year will be similar to those for the September start, but in a slightly different order and pattern.

    For more information, including fees, the UCAS code for this course, how to apply, and how you will be taught, please visit our January Start Foundation Year webpage.

    Our International Foundation Year is delivered on campus through Keele University International College (KUIC). Find out more about the International Foundation Year options on the KUIC website.
    insert-g start insert-g end insert-h start insert-h end