Understand and manage human impacts on the environment using a multi-disciplinary approach
Year of entry: 2019
F903
Y50
5 years full-time
£9,250 per year (2019/20)
£21,330 per year (2019/20)
Get to know us better and find out what studying and living in York is really like.
Meet usThere has never been greater need for scientists who understand how the Earth system functions and responds to human activities, and who can apply this knowledge in the broader social and economic context of managing the environment to ensure a sustainable future.
Research-led teaching with a multi-disciplinary focus will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to address complex environmental problems such as climate change, air pollution and energy transitions.
Accredited by the Institute of Environment Sciences.
Our staff collaborate with a broad range of private and public organisations including UNEP, DEFRA, Forestry Commission, Natural England, Overseas Development Institute, Willis Global Insurance Broker.
Our Department has strong links to global policy makers including UNEP and WHO
You'll build a strong foundation in the physical sciences, providing the background knowledge you need to make informed judgements about environmental issues. You will also study the broader social, political and economic aspects of managing the environment.
York has exchange agreements with a number of other universities across the world. Typically one or two students from the Environment Department study abroad every year in places such as Australia, Canada, the USA, Hong Kong and Singapore.
The first year modules give you an introduction to the fundamentals of environmental science, providing you with a foundation for more advanced material in the following years.
Core modules:
In addition to the above you will also need to complete our online Academic Integrity module.
This module covers some of the essential skills and knowledge which will help you to study independently and produce work of a high academic standard which is vital for success at York.
This module will:
You'll take a range of core modules to develop your knowledge of environmental science. You can then begin to tailor your degree to your own interests with a choice of option modules.
You'll choose 40 credits from the below options:
You can also replace some option modules with electives from other Departments.
Your year in industry placement will start in June or July and will run for nine to twelve months. You'll be paid at a rate typical of the industry hosting the placement.
You'll be guided through the process of finding a placement by a dedicated member of staff. You'll be expected to perform well throughout the application process so that you secure the placement: helping you get practical experience that will be invaluable after graduation.
Placements can be found throughout industry, including environmental consultancy, government agencies, political bodies, construction, conservation and ecological charities (subject to availability).
In Year 4 you undertake advanced research training to prepare the way to your fourth year of masters study. You can also select option modules to suit your interests and employment objectives.
You'll choose three option modules:
Or you can replace some option modules with electives from other Departments.
In Year 5 you undertake further advanced training, vocational modules and a significant independent research project tailored to your research interests and career ambitions.
You'll also choose one option module:
Please note, modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff.
Every course at York has been designed to provide clear and ambitious learning outcomes. These learning outcomes give you an understanding of what you will be able to do at the end of the course. We develop each course by designing modules that grow your abilities towards the learning outcomes and help you to explain what you can offer to employers. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.
For me, the most important thing at York has been the community. You always feel like you’re part of a family.Chloe, second year student. Read more on Chloe's blog.
The fees and funding figures below are for 2019 entry. If you take a year abroad or year in industry you'll pay a reduced rate of fees for that year.
| UK/EU | International |
|---|---|
| £9,250 | £21,330 |
Field work is integral to your course, so in Years 1 and 2, there are core residential field trips. The travel and accommodation costs of these are included in your student fees.* Compulsory trips include both residential and day trips. Optional field trips are not paid for, and you will be asked to contribute to the cost of these.
* The Department covers the costs of flights up to a maximum based on typical flight costs from regional airports bought in good time
UK/EU or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK, EU or international student.
For more information about tuition fees, any reduced fees for study abroad and work placement years, scholarships, tuition fee loans, maintenance loans and living costs see undergraduate fees and funding.
We offer a number of scholarships to help cover tuition fees and living costs.
You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.
“Students from all backgrounds achieve consistently outstanding outcomes”
The TEF Panel, Office for Students, June 2018
Our Gold Teaching Excellence Framework award demonstrates our commitment to the delivery of consistently outstanding teaching and learning for our students.
You’ll work with world‐leading academics who’ll challenge you to think independently and excel in all that you do. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.
You'll be taught through a combination of field-based learning, research-led teaching and a more traditional combination of lectures, tutorials, and seminars. Practical work is a key feature, both in individual projects and in groups.
Field trips form an important part of your course, with excursions (residential and non-residential) each year.
As a guide, students on this course typically spend their time as follows:
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures and seminars | 216 hours | 300 hours | 0 hours | 252 hours | 456 hours |
| Placement | 0 hours | 0 hours | 1200 hours | 0 hours | 0 hours |
The figures above are based on data from 2016/17.
The rest of your time on the course will be spent on independent study. This may include preparation for lectures and seminars, follow-up work, wider reading, practice completion of assessment tasks, or revision.
Everyone learns at a different rate, so the number of hours will vary from person to person. In UK higher education the expectation is that full-time students will spend 1,200 hours a year learning.
Our state-of-the-art building contains purpose-built labs, lecture theatres and seminar rooms.
You will be based in the Department of Environment and Geography, which is based on Campus West.
Your contact hours will be divided between the Department of Environment and Geography, the Department of Biology and other locations nearby.
Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around campus - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can always use the fast and frequent bus service.
Each module will be assessed either by coursework or closed examination or a combination of both. Coursework can include:
In your final year, you'll complete an independent research project based on your interests and career aspirations.
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written exams | 36% | 48% | 0% | 38% | 6% |
| Coursework | 59% | 51% | 100% | 52% | 89% |
| Practical exams | 5% | 1% | 0% | 10% | 5% |
The figures above are based on data from 2016/17.
The BSc in Environmental Science will equip you with practical, applied skills for both environment-related employment and more general career opportunities. The department has a track record of providing a springboard to a wide range of careers and postgraduate research. Find out more about careers and employability.
Having a supervisor at York was invaluable. The pastoral care that the University offers helps with applications and interview skills. York also allows you to be independent and work at your own pace, which really helps when you start doing your own projects in a work environment.Carmel Parry Network Asset Strategy Planner Yorkshire Water
| Qualification | Typical offer |
|---|---|
| A levels | ABB or equivalent including two subjects from among:
|
| GCSEs | GCSE Mathematics at grade 4 (C) or above, or equivalent |
| Access to Higher Education Diploma | Obtain Access to HE Diploma with 30 credits at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit or higher |
| BTEC | BTEC National Extended Diploma or QCF BTEC National Extended Diploma with DDM |
| Cambridge Pre-U | D3 M2, M2 |
| European Baccalaureate | Overall average of 75 per cent or higher |
| International Baccalaureate | 34 points |
| Irish leaving Certificate | H2,H2,H3,H3,H3,H3 |
| Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers | AAABB without Advanced Highers AB + AABBB Advanced Highers and Highers |
| Other qualifications | Other qualifications are accepted by the University, please contact Undergraduate Admissions. |
| EPQ | If you achieve a C or higher at EPQ, you will be eligible for a reduced offer, one grade below our typical offer. |
IELTS
6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in all units
Pearson PTE Academic
61 overall and 51 in all parts
Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)
Grade A
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)
Grade C
To apply to York, you will need to complete an online application via UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service).
All applications must be made through UCAS. There are no formal interviews. Students who are offered a place are encouraged to attend one of the departmental visit days held during the Spring Term.
Get in touch if you have any questions
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