Environmental Sciences BSc

Thank you for your interest in the Environmental Sciences BSc degree at Brunel University London.

Changes have been made to the course for 2024 entry, and unfortunately it will be suspended for a minimum of one year.

We would like to draw your attention to our BSc Geography programme, which is offering a prominent environmental pathway.

With perspectives on, among others, ecology, climate change and biogeography, this course provides an exciting focus on the complex relationships between societies and environments; it also includes residential field courses, independent projects, leadership challenge and an option to undertake a placement.

Our global temperature has increased to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. What's the impact of this and what will happen if it continues to rise? Studying Environmental Sciences at Brunel will give you the foundation you need to pursue a career that makes a difference to our planet.

At Brunel you’ll develop your scientific skills in the classroom, laboratory, and through field work. You’ll attend residential field trips in the UK and abroad. Our current trips take students to Dorset and Tenerife.

Your first year will bring together many different disciplines. You’ll use physical, chemical and biological knowledge to develop an understanding of the Earth’s environment.

Your course is based on the 15 “most wanted skills” identified from a national employer’s survey by the Natural Environment Research Council. This means that in addition to studying scientific topics, you’ll learn to use computer programs such as GIS, you’ll perform data analysis and be trained in areas such as public engagement, communication, leadership and teamwork.

You'll also have the option to carry out a placement as part of your degree, giving you the experience to create a stand-out CV. Our Environmental Sciences BSc (Hons) offers a unique compressed degree where you can carry out two placements within your three-year degree during the summer vacations, where you’ll earn a graduate-level salary. You can also carry out a one-year placement between years 2 and 3, as part of a four-year degree.

Dean’s International Scholarship This course is eligible for a £2,000 fee waiver, per academic year, subject to availability. This Scholarship is for full-time international students only. Find out more.

This programme is subject to changes in the upcoming academic year 2024/25. We will communicate any changes as soon as they are approved.

Currently, in year 1 you’ll be bringing together different subjects to help you to understand the effect on the environment. You’ll be using theoretical, practical and field-based approaches.

In your second year, you’ll learn about humans’ impact on the environment over time. You’ll study climate change, pollution, biodiversity loss, land-use change and sustainability and you’ll investigate the effect of these on human health.

During your final year, you’ll analyse and evaluate solutions to environmental problems. Your optional topics can enable you to focus on a theme of your choice and even a specific career route.

This course can be studied 3 years full-time, 3 years full-time with placement or 4 years full-time with placement, starting in September.

Career opportunities related to the environment are increasing in the public, private and charitable sectors. After completing the course you will be equipped with the skills to pursue a career in environmental protection; environmental management and consultancy; environmental compliance and sustainability; or environmental research. 

You may wish to work as an environmental practitioner, an environmental analyst, or an environmental manager. Some of our graduates choose to go on to do postgraduate research or study: there's a vibrant research environment within Environmental Sciences at Brunel and we are a member of the Natural Environment Research Council’s London Doctoral Training Partnership.

Our 'Leadership for Sustainability' module ensures that students are addressing their employability and professional development as well as engaging with the skills they require.

• GCE A-level AAB-BBB.
• BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma DDM.
• BTEC Level 3 Diploma DM in any subject with an A-level at grade B.
• BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma Distinction with two A-levels at grades BC.
• International Baccalaureate Diploma 30 points. GCSE English equivalent SL 5 or HL 4 and Mathematics SL 4 or HL 4
• Obtain a minimum of 120 UCAS tariff points in the Access to HE Diploma in Science, Engineering or Environmental Science with 45 credits at Level 3. 
• T levels : Merit overall

Five GCSEs at grade C or grade 4 or above are also required, including English Language and Maths.

Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants as well as our full GCSE requirements and accepted equivalencies in place of GCSEs.

Brunel University London is committed to raising the aspirations of our applicants and students. We will fully review your UCAS application and, where we’re able to offer a place, this will be personalised to you based on your application and education journey.

If you are unable to meet the direct entry criteria above, you are invited to apply for a foundation course in Life Sciences at Brunel Pathway College. When you successfully pass the foundation year, you can progress on to the Environmental Sciences BSc.

• IELTS: 6 (min 5.5 in all areas)
• Pearson: 59 (59 in all sub scores)
• BrunELT: 58% (min 55% in all areas)
• TOEFL: 77 (min R18, L17, S20, W17) 

Assessment will take the form of written coursework, presentations, written exams, online exams and laboratory and field based assignments.