Course content

For society to tackle the environmental and sustainability problems we now face, we need people who can grapple with both the scientific and human aspects of those issues. That’s why this innovative course is taught across three different faculties, integrating a range of disciplines including the geo and environmental sciences, life sciences, chemical sciences, politics and international relations, management, and health amongst others. There is a strong emphasis on the development and application of skills, including practical fieldwork and engagement with professionals working in the environment and sustainability sector through work placement opportunities.

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. This programme is also accredited by the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA). Students on IEMA accredited programmes can apply for free Student Membership of the IEMA which provides a range of benefits.

Other courses you may be interested in:

• Environment and Sustainability with Work Placement Year
• Environmental Science
• Environmental Science with Work Placement Year

Detailed course information

Year One

The first year is a broad-based introductory programme that provides a platform from which knowledge, understanding and skills are developed. During the first year, you will gain an understanding of different environmental problems and sustainability issues through both natural and social science perspectives. In addition, you will develop skills in the practical application of this understanding, including how these issues are tackled within different business environments. Two residential field courses at UK destinations are typically held in year one, during which students investigate environment and sustainability case studies and develop field skills.

In addition to the core modules you have a wide range of option modules to choose from which have previously included: Global Warming or a New Ice Age, Fundamentals of Physical Geography, Introductory Environmental Chemistry, Entrepreneurship, Living together: Behaviours, Cooperation and Conflict, or you can learn a language, or take any other free elective run by the University.

Year Two

In the second year a more in depth understanding of specific environmental and sustainability disciplines is gained, including a more detailed examination of corporate social responsibility, the links between health and the environment, the politics and international relations of the environment and the scientific study of human impacts on the environment. You will also take a 2-week work placement with personalised intended learning outcomes to gain invaluable workplace experience and professional development. In addition, you will continue to develop practical-based research skills to help prepare you for your third year independent research project and learn about environmental and sustainability impact assessments. The second year also includes a residential field course e.g. to the Lake District or Bordeaux (see ‘Field Courses’), providing exciting opportunities to study environment and sustainability issues in the ‘real world’.

Year Three

The third year facilitates greater specialisation in your areas of interest. With support from a research project advisor, you will undertake an independent research project worth two modules, tailored to your individual research interests. You will also conduct a group-based research project on a topical area of environment and sustainability research, and an interdisciplinary investigation on aspects of different environmental and renewable technologies.

In addition, you have a broad range of taught modules to choose from, spanning topics which have previously included Applied Geographic Information Systems, Natural Hazards, Water Resources, Conservation Biology, Global Environmental Change, Environmental Politics in the US, Environmental Crimes, Happiness and Wellbeing, Education for Global Citizenship. Your module and dissertation topic choices will determine whether you get a BSc or BA degree.

This course can also be taken as a 4-year with Work Placement degree programme, or a 4-year with International Year degree programme.

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
  

If you don't think you'll meet the entry requirements specified, you may be able to gain entry to this course with 64 UCAS points via a Foundation Year.

GCSE requirements

• Maths and Sciences at C (4)
• English at C (or 4) 

BTEC

• BTEC requirements DMM

If you don't think you'll meet the entry requirements specified, you may be able to gain entry to this course with 64 UCAS points via a Foundation Year.

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. 

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.

For more details visit our foundation year webpages.

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)

Keele’s Environment and Sustainability programme is a leader in its field in the UK, offering an exciting way to look at a subject of major relevance to today’s society and to put it into different global contexts. Graduates in Environment and Sustainability might go on to further study, or enter careers in a wide range of disciplines and organisations – perhaps in business or industry where sustainability concerns are becoming ever more part of core business, or with a non-governmental organisation; charity; local, regional or central government; environmental consultancy; or an environmental regulatory body.

All organisations, from private business to local government, increasingly need to engage with environmental and sustainability issues; hence this is one of the fastest growing areas of employment with a wide range of employment opportunities. Previous students have progressed to careers in environmental and sustainability consultancy and regulation, conservation, science writing, national government policy, environmental charities, teaching, transport planning, environmental education and environmental health. This course also provides excellent training for postgraduate study and research. 

To make sure you’re prepared for a range of work, you’ll carry out a work placement and engage with environmental professionals and real world case studies including environmental impact assessments and technical reports, mimicking work in different areas of environmental employment. You also have the opportunity to complete a Work Placement Year to develop further experience as part of your degree.

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

• Waste Management Officer
• Recycling Officer
• Nature Conservation Officer
• Environmental Education Officer
• Logistics & Distribution
• Environmental Health Manager Practitioner
• Local Government Officer
• Primary Teacher
• Trading Standards Officer
• Town Planner

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 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.