About this course
This course is an integrated foundation degree, where you'll progress onto our BSc (Hons) Environmental Science course, once you successfully complete your foundation year.
Our integrated foundation degrees offer a unique gateway to our BSc courses for those who currently don't meet the degree-level entry criteria. The foundation year acts as a launch pad, supporting you with the transition to university learning. Anticipate a year filled with the development of robust study skills, increased confidence in tackling intricate problems, and the cultivation of independent learning. Rest assured, by the end of this transformative year, you'll emerge well-prepared for the exhilarating challenges that await you at degree level.
About the BSc course
This multidisciplinary course includes the scientific study of the physical, chemical and biological processes operating on and within the Earth. It is fully accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences. You will explore environmental issues including natural resources, waste management, conservation and sustainability. Other areas of focus include climate change, renewable energies, environmental hazard management, and law and policy.
You'll be based at our Brackenhurst Campus – the perfect place to put theory into practice. From geographical information system (GIS) mapping and renewable energy solutions to conservation methods and weather monitoring, there's a huge range of professional tools, technology and facilities on your doorstep.
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The BSc degree course is fully accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences. -
Study at one of the UK's most environmentally friendly universities – NTU has achieved the EcoCampus Platinum award and invested in many environmental-impact innovations. -
92% of our BSc (Hons) Environmental Science graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of finishing their degrees (of those available for work or study, latest Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021/22). -
93% of BSc (Hons) Environmental Science (full-time) students are positive about the teaching on their course (National Student Survey 2024).
What you’ll study
This multidisciplinary course includes the scientific study of the physical, chemical and biological processes operating on and within the Earth. You’ll develop awareness and understanding of global and local earth systems.
This is your foundation year. You'll study five modules and there's a detailed breakdown of what's included in each below.
Foundation Biology (20 credits)
Study fundamental biological concepts across various areas. You'll explore topics including the characteristics of living organisms, classification and taxonomy, cell structure, microbiology, genetics, and biological systems.
Laboratory Skills (20 credits)
Gain essential laboratory skills for biological and environmental sciences. Emphasizing good laboratory practice, health and safety, and key techniques like weighing, dilution, titration, and microscopy, you'll develop proficiency in recording, evaluating, and presenting laboratory findings.
Science in Practice (20 credits)
Learn cross-disciplinary scientific application skills. Utilizing case studies, you'll explore how scientific principles address real-world problems in various sectors. Topics encompass sustainability, including the identification of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), data presentation and interpretation, and positive actions to mitigate human impact on ecosystems.
Field Skills (20 credits)
Gain technical and practical field skills. Through practical classes on the campus estate and at other locations, you'll explore fieldwork safety and risk assessment, as well as key techniques like map reading, plant and animal identification, and environmental analysis. Additionally, you'll also look at data collection in the field and report writing for fieldwork.
Preparing for Success (40 credits)
Explore your personal values and look at the human, social and emotional aspects of professional learning to support your transition to studying at degree-level. Via problem-based and experiential learning, you'll explore note-taking, Virtual Learning Environment usage, time management, assessment interpretation, exam techniques, professional communication, scientific write-ups, citation and referencing, and presentation skills.
From Year Two onwards, you'll study the modules of the degree course.
Principles of Environmental Science (20 credits)
Gain an introduction to key laboratory and field techniques associated with environmental scientific procedures and research.
Principles of Ecology (20 credits)
Study the interaction of biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) factors in relation to the distribution of populations and communities within ecosystems.
Biodiversity Conservation (20 credits)
Explore the biological diversity on Earth, focusing on the abundance and distribution of species. Investigate the theories of evolution, causes of mass extinctions, and conservation of species.
Global Environmental Issues (20 credits)
Study contemporary global environmental issues and their underlying causes, including how humans impact the environment and how the natural environment impacts human society.
Geodiversity (20 credits)
Learn about the Earth’s surface systems, processes and geology and develop your understanding of how the physical landscape is shaped.
Weather and Climate (20 credits)
Explore the Earth's climate system, weather patterns and the ways in which these are being altered by human activity to cause the global climate emergency.
Introduction to Research (20 credits)
Explore the principles of research methods, focusing on data collection, analysis, and interpretation. You'll look at experimental design, literature evaluation and hypothesis testing, preparing you for undertaking independent research as part of your final year dissertation.
Law and Policy (20 credits)
Investigate the development, implementation and impact of environmental policies and laws. Explore the important theme of protecting the environment via environmental politics and policies, and the ever-increasing issue of securing sustainability.
Environmental Monitoring and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) (20 credits)
Study the mapping and analytical techniques used in GIS. Explore the applications of technology across a wide range of topic areas.
Technical Skills (20 credits)
Gain a grounding in the principles, methods and applications of modern analytical laboratory and field techniques. This module currently includes a residential field trip. Previously this has taken place in Spain.
Sustainability (20 credits)
Appraise the contrasting theories, explanations of, and approaches to sustainability. Review the barriers between the theory and the practice of sustainable development.
Global Climate Emergency (20 credits)
Study the science of climate change, consider the ethical conflict, analyse political arguments, and apply reasoning to the resolution of this pressing environmental problem.
Placement year for students on the sandwich course.
Dissertation (40 credits)
Undertake independent research, under supervision. Focus on your own area of interest within environmental science.
Pollution and Remediation (20 credits)
Learn about the latest developments and applications in geochemistry within the secondary environment, including its effects on humans and ecosystems. You'll study contamination issues within different environments, waste disposal and the implications for environmental management and remediation.
Energy for a Low Carbon Future (20 credits)
Investigate how to harness and distribute safe, clean energy from sources that do not deplete with use. Consider the depletion of fossil fuels and the increasing demand for energy and evaluate the choices available for the future.
Natural Resource Management (20 credits)
Explore the principles underlying the exploitation of natural resources, and cultivate a critical awareness of the social, economic and political importance of natural resource management. You will also evaluate the complex nature of managing natural resources.
Optional modules (choose one of the following):
Applications of Remote Sensing (20 credits)
This module will build on your knowledge of managing geographical information learnt in your first and second year. You’ll learn how to process, analyse and interpret information from a range of existing remote sensing techniques. You'll also obtain information for mapping and spatial analysis using data from both historical and the very latest high-resolution sensors.
Marine and Freshwater Ecology (20 credits)
You will be introduced to the structure and function of different marine and freshwater habitats, particularly the organisms that inhabit them, and their ecological interactions.
Introduction to Ecological Consultancy (20 credits)
Gain the knowledge and skills required to secure a job in consultancy by looking at Ecological Impact Assessments, including the effects of new and existing developments on species and habitats. You will explore mitigation measures to reduce significant harm, as well as the importance of effective communication with stakeholders.
We regularly review and update our course content based on student and employer feedback, ensuring that all of our courses remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or module availability in future years.
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How you're taught
You will be taught through a variety of methods including group seminars, lectures, practical sessions and fieldwork. The course currently includes a residential field trip in year three, previously this has been to Spain.
A placement year may be taken between year 3 and year 4 of study.
Please note that field trip locations may vary and are subject to availability and change.
Careers and employability
Your future career
As one of our graduates, you will possess a wide range of academic and transferable skills, including research methodology, problem-solving and attention to detail, in addition to the specific knowledge and skills relevant to an Environmental Science degree.
The skills and knowledge acquired will equip you to pursue a career within organisations concerned with sustainable energy use and generation, the protection of natural resources, and environmental conservation.
92% of our BSc (Hons) Environmental Science graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of finishing their degrees
(of those available for work or study, latest Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021/22).
Our graduates have gone on to work for many different employers such as:
- Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
- Environment Agency
- local government
- environmental consultancies
- conservation agencies
- private companies.
You could also progress on to postgraduate study.
Placement opportunities
You can choose to take an optional placement year in industry or a shorter summer placement. This work experience will enable you to develop your skills and put your knowledge into practice in a working environment. This experience is highly valued by future employers.
Previous students have undertaken placements in organisations such as:
- Environment Agency
- Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
- Severn Trent Water
- British Geological Survey
- Wildlife Trusts.
NTU Enterprise
You'll also have the opportunity to turn your ideas into a viable business with help from NTU Enterprise, NTU's purpose-built Centre for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise, a support centre to help students create, develop and grow their own businesses.
Campus and facilities
As a dedicated home for our animal, rural and environmental science courses, the Brackenhurst Campus has a character all of its own. From the population of almost 2,000 students and staff to the animals themselves — cats and cattle, sheep and horses — it’s all about community. Relax with a coffee in the Orangery; kick back with your coursemates in the Brack Bar; enjoy the peace and quiet of our Victorian walled garden or Eco-Library; grab a pal and wander through 500 hectares of stunning countryside.
Our Brackenhurst Campus sits on the doorstep of Southwell: a picture-perfect market town filled with rustic pubs, cosy cafés, and boutique shops. A little further afield, and served by reliable buses that run late into the night, you’ve got Nottingham — one of Britain’s top 10 student cities, and one of Europe’s top 25. It’s stuffed with history, culture, and well-kept secrets to discover at your leisure: enjoy lush green spaces, galleries, hidden cinemas and vintage shopping by day, and an acclaimed food, drink and social scene by night.
Entry requirements
UK students
Standard offer: 64 UCAS Tariff points from three qualifications.
Other requirements: GCSE English, Maths and Science grade C / 4.
To find out what qualifications have tariff points, please use our tariff calculator.
Additional requirements for UK students
Access to Higher Education courses
If you’re aged 19+ and don’t have the qualifications to meet the entry criteria, you can study an Access to HE course right here at NTU. These one-year courses are designed specifically as an alternative route to university.
Contextual offers
If you don’t quite meet our entry requirements, we might be able to make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, including your background (such as where you live and the school or college you attended), your experiences and your individual circumstances (you may have been in care, for example). This is called a contextual offer, and we get data from UCAS to help make these decisions. We do this because we believe everyone with the potential to succeed at NTU should have the opportunity to do so, no matter what barriers you may face.
Meeting our entry requirements
Hundreds of qualifications in the UK have UCAS Tariff points attached to specific grades, including A-levels, BTECs, T Levels and many more. You can use your grades and points from up to three different qualifications to meet our criteria. Enter your predicted or achieved grades into our Tariff calculator to find out how many points your qualifications are worth.
Other qualifications and experience
NTU welcomes applications from students with non-standard qualifications and learning backgrounds, either for year one entry or for advanced standing beyond the start of a course into year 2 or beyond.
We consider study and/or credit achieved from a similar course at another institution (otherwise known as credit transfer), vocational and professional qualifications, and broader work or life experience.
Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available for this route. If you wish to apply via Recognition of Prior Learning, please contact the central Admissions and Enquiries Team who will be able to support you through the process.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form.
International students
Academic entry requirements: 64 UCAS Tariff points from three qualifications.
Other requirements: GCSE English, Maths and Science grade C / 4.
We accept equivalent qualifications from all over the world. Please check your international entry requirements by country.
English language requirements: See our English language requirements page for requirements for your subject and information on alternative tests and Pre-sessional English.
Additional requirements for international students
English language requirements
View our English language requirements for all courses, including alternative English language tests and country qualifications accepted by the University.
If you need help achieving the language requirements, we offer a Pre-Sessional English for Academic Purposes course on our City campus which is an intensive preparation course for academic study at NTU.
Other qualifications and experience
If you have the right level of qualifications, you may be able to start your Bachelors degree at NTU in year 2 or year 3. This is called ‘advanced standing’ entry and is decided on a case-by case basis after our assessment of your qualifications and experience.
You can view our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy which outlines the process and options available, such as recognising experiential learning and credit transfer.
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Getting in touch
If you need advice about studying at NTU as an international student or how to apply, our international webpages are a great place to start. If you have any questions about your study options, your international qualifications, experience, grades or other results, please get in touch through our enquiry form. Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world.
Policies
We strive to make our admissions procedures as fair and clear as possible. To find out more about how we make offers, visit our admissions policies page.
