About This Course
Environmental Scientists are needed more than ever by industry, government and society. This Environmental Science (with Foundation Year) degree brings together information from a wide range of subjects to explore some of the most important environmental issues, such as climate change, pollution, conservation, and food security.
The BSc Environmental Science (with Foundation Year) programme combines a foundation year with the three year Honours Degree to create an integrated four year programme. The programme provides an excellent introduction to studying a science subject at university and will provide you with the knowledge, skills and confidence required to study at degree-level.Ìý The with Foundation Year programme is ideal for applicants who do not quite meet the entry requirements for the three year degree or who would benefit from further a further year’s study in relation to studying a science subject.
Successful completion of the Foundation Year will see you progress to Year 1 of the Environmental Science programme.
As a Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ×ÊÁÏ student, you will be taught by committed and enthusiastic staff and will have access to the University’s extensive student support network and facilities.
Why choose Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ×ÊÁÏ for this course?
- The School Natural Sciences is internationally renowned for its work in the environmental sciences.
- Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ×ÊÁÏ's location makes it an ideal place to study your environmental science degree as there is access to a wide range of natural environments ranging from the coast to the varied landscape of the Snowdonia National Park with its long history of multiple land use, mining and quarrying. Field trips are central throughout our Environmental Science degrees.
- We have close links with local, national and international organisations that employ environmental scientists, helping us to ensure that our degree is relevant and up to date.
- Our environmental science degrees are accredited by theÌý. Following an accredited degree will make you more employable and you will get numerous benefits throughout your degree.
Additional Course Options
This course is available with a Placement YearÌýoption where you will study for 1 additional year. The Placement Year is undertaken at the end of the second year and students are away for the whole of the academic year.
The Placement Year provides you with a fantastic opportunity to broaden your horizons and develop valuable skills and contacts through working with a self-sourced organisation relevant to your degree subject. The minimum period in placement (at one or more locations) is seven calendar months; more usually you would spend 10-12 months with a placement provider.ÌýYou would normally start sometime in the period June to September of your second year and finish between June and September the following year.ÌýPlacements can be UK-based or overseas and you will work with staff to plan and finalise the placement arrangements.Ìý
You will be expected to find and arrange a suitable placement to complement your degree and will be fully supported throughout by a dedicated member of staff at your academic School and the University’s Careers and Employability Services.
You will have the opportunity to fully consider thisÌýoptionÌýwhen you have started your course at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ×ÊÁÏ and can make an application for a transfer onto thisÌýpathway at the appropriate time. Read more about the work experience opportunities that may be available to you or, if you have any questions, please get in touch. Ìý
This course is available with an International Experience YearÌýoption where you will study or work abroad for 1 additional year.Ìý You will have ‘with International Experience’ added to your degree title on graduating.
Studying abroad is a great opportunity to see a different way of life, learn about new cultures and broaden your horizons.ÌýWith international experience of this kind, you’ll really improve your career prospects. There are a wide variety of destinationsÌýand partner universities to choose from. If you plan to study in a country where English is not spoken natively, there may be language courses available for you at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ×ÊÁÏ and in your host university to improve your language skills.Ìý
You will have the opportunity to fully consider thisÌýoption at any time during your degree at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ×ÊÁÏ and make your application. If you have any questions in the meantime, please get in touch.Ìý
Read more about the International Experience Year programme and see the studying or working abroad options on theÌýStudent Exchanges section of our website.
Course Content
Our aim on this Environmental Science (with Foundation Year) degree is to provide you with a sound and broad-base of training in biology (giving you an understanding of organisms, their environments and their communities), chemistry (providing an understanding of many natural environmental processes and pollution), earth science (giving you a background in global processes), and land and water resource management.Ìý
Throughout your Environmental Science (with Foundation Year) degree you will study a range of modules and engage in a wide variety of different learning activities, which may include lectures, seminars, tutorials, and practicals. In addition, you will develop your knowledge and skills through undertaking a wide variety of assessments. We offer several opportunities to carry out field studies, both home and abroad, and to work in a research laboratory.
You will benefit from the proximity of an exceptional range of terrestrial, marine and freshwater habitats where field work, which is an integral part of the degree is conducted. We are unusual among British universities in having our own Botanic Garden (at Treborth) and a working farm and Research Centre at Henfaes, both of which are used for practical classes. In addition, we benefit from being part of the Environment Centre Wales which is a partnership venture between Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ×ÊÁÏ and the Natural Environment Research Council’s Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH).
Modules for the current academic year
Module listings are for guide purposes only and are subject to change. Find out what our students are currently studying on the Environmental Science (with Foundation Year) BSc (Hons) Modules page.
Course content is for guidance purposes only and may be subject to change.
Facilities
Natural Sciences Facilities
- Natural History Museum with an exceptionally comprehensive collection of vertebrate material, which includes a diverse collection of vertebrate and invertebrate specimens, including primates.
- Extensive marine and freshwater aquaria with a suite of temperature-controlled rooms.Ìý
- Pigeon loft for bird cognition, physiology, and biomechanics research. Ìý
- Treborth Botanic Garden, which covers an area of 18 hectares on the shores of the Menai Strait. It contains Europe's largest underground root laboratory (the rhizotron), a teaching laboratory, formal garden beds, a rock garden, an arboretum and a conservation collection.Ìý
- Rodent and reptile facilities.Ìý
- Our university farm based at Henfaes, about 7 miles from Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ×ÊÁÏ and totals 252 hectares. It provides facilities for research and teaching in lowland agriculture, forestry, hydrology, environmental science and conservation. We conduct fieldtrips and you can run your own large-scale experiment for your project.Ìý
- Alpaca, sheep and bee hives at the University farm at Henfaes.Ìý
- We are on the coast, next to the Irish Sea and the Menai Strait providing a range of habitat types for field courses and study sites for final-year projects.Ìý
- Dedicated reptile facilities including venomous snake rooms. Ìý
- Environmentally controlled spaces for project work.Ìý
- Insect rooms.Ìý
- Woodlands.
- Large modern teaching and research laboratories, and a dedicated student research hub for dissertation work.Ìý
- Imaging facilities.Ìý
- A very large range of analytical kit, so that you can learn how to analyse environmental samples both in the field and in the lab.Ìý
- Our very own geology collection – regarded as one of the best in the country.Ìý
- Computer laboratories for you to develop your skills in key areas such as digital mapping and environmental modelling.
- Wood library.
- Dedicated environmental research labs.
- One of our best facilities is the environment on our doorstep – you will get the chance to visit so many different places on our fieldtrips, which will cement your learning and understanding of topics.Ìý Ìý
- Our biological, chemical, and environmental laboratories are used for a range of teaching and learning. We have specific research-laboratories located in the Environmental Centre Wales, which include: a radio and stable isotope lab, a Category 2 pathogen lab, a darkened microscope room, sample preparation laboratories and a dedicated analytical instrument lab.
General University Facilities
Library and Archive Services
Our four libraries provide a range of attractive study environments including collaborative work areas, meeting rooms and silent study spaces.
We have an extensive collection of books and journals and many of the journals are available online in full-text format.
We house one of the largest university-based archives not only in Wales, but also the UK. Allied to the Archives is the Special Collections of rare printed books.
Learning Resources
There is a range of learning resources available, supported by experienced staff, to help you in your studies.Ìý
The University’s IT Services provides computing, media and reprographics facilities and services including:
- Over 1,150 computers for students, with some PC rooms open 24 hours a day
- Blackboard, a commercial Virtual Learning Environment, that makes learning materials available on-line.Ìý
Course Costs
General University Costs
Home (UK) students
- The cost of a full-time undergraduate course is £9,250 per year (2025/26).
- The fee for all integrated study abroad years is Ìý£1,385 (2025/26).
- The fee for an integrated year in industry as part of a sandwich programme is £1,850 (2025/26).
More information on fees and finance for Home (UK) students.
International (including EU) students
Additional Costs
There are also some common additional costs that are likely to arise for students on all courses, for example:
- If you choose to study abroad or take the International Experience Year as part of your course.
- If you attend your Graduation Ceremony, there will be a cost for gown hire (£25-£75) and cost for additional guest tickets (c.£12 each).
Course-specific additional costs
Depending on the course you are studying, there may be additional course-specific costs that you will be required to meet. These fall into three categories:
- Mandatory Costs: these are related to a particular core or compulsory module that you’ll be required to complete to achieve your qualification e.g. compulsory field trips, uniforms for students on placement, DBS Check.
- Necessarily Incurred Costs: these may not be experienced by all students, and will vary depending on the course e.g. professional body membership, travel to placements, specialist software, personal safety equipment.
- Optional Costs: these depend on your choice of modules or activity and they are shown to give you an indication of the optional costs that may arise to make sure your choice is as informed as possible. These can include graduation events for your course, optional field trips, Welcome Week trips.
Entry Requirements
GCSE: grade C/4 in Maths required.Ìý
Offers are tariff based, 48 - 96 points, from Level 3 qualification(s)* e.g.
- A Levels (including: AS-levels, General Studies)
- International Baccalaureate
- Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
- BTEC Diplomas and Certificate are accepted and Cambridge Technical Diplomas / Certificates
- Cambridge Technical Diplomas and Certificates
- City & Guilds Advanced Technical Diplomas
- Welsh Baccalaureate is accepted
- Scottish Highers
- Irish Leaving Certificate is accepted
- T-levels: considered on a case-by-case basis
We also welcome applications from mature learners. Mature students and/or those with other qualifications are considered on individual merit.
*For a full list of accepted Level 3 qualifications, go toÌý.
GCSE: grade C/4 in Maths required.Ìý
Offers are tariff based, 48 - 96 points, from Level 3 qualification(s)* e.g.
- A Levels (including: AS-levels, General Studies)
- International Baccalaureate
- Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
- BTEC Diplomas and Certificate are accepted and Cambridge Technical Diplomas / Certificates
- Cambridge Technical Diplomas and Certificates
- City & Guilds Advanced Technical Diplomas
- Welsh Baccalaureate is accepted
- Scottish Highers
- Irish Leaving Certificate is accepted
- T-levels: considered on a case-by-case basis
We also welcome applications from mature learners. Mature students and/or those with other qualifications are considered on individual merit.
*For a full list of accepted Level 3 qualifications, go toÌý.
General University Requirements
To study for a degree, you’ll be asked for a minimum of UCAS Tariff points. For a fuller explanation of the UCAS Tariff Points, please see .
We accept students with a wide range of qualifications and backgrounds and consider each application individually.
All students need to have good basic skills and the University also values IT and communication skills.
As part of the University’s policy, we consider applications from prospective disabled students on the same grounds as all other students.
We also consider applications from mature students who can demonstrate the motivation and commitment to study a university programme. Each year we enrol a significant number of mature students. For more information about studying as a mature student, see our Studying at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ×ÊÁÏ section of the website.
EU and International Students' Entry Requirements
For detailed guidance on the entry requirements for EU and International Students, including the minimum English Language entry requirement, please visit the Entry Requirements by Country pages. International applicants can also visit the International Education Centre section of our website for further details.
Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ×ÊÁÏ offers International Incorporated Bachelor Degrees for International students whose High School qualification is not equivalent to the UK school leaving qualification. The first year (or Year 0) is studied at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ×ÊÁÏ International College, an embedded College on our University campus and delivered by Oxford International Education Group.
Careers
The broad base of the Environmental Science (with Foundation Year) degree provides considerable flexibility in terms of career opportunities. You can expect to find employment in industrial organisations, advisory agencies, local government, and in research and development, either within Europe or overseas. The course also provides a good basis for teaching and work in the media. You may consider postgraduate study e.g. a professional MSc course, or research leading to a PhD.
Opportunities at Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ×ÊÁÏ
The University’s Careers and Employability Service provides a wide range of resources to help you achieve your graduate ambitions.Ìý
Internships
Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ×ÊÁÏ runs a paid internship scheme within the university’s academic and service departments.
Student Volunteering
Volunteering widens your experience and improves your employability. Find out more about volunteering on the .
