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Environmental Sciences MSci

Course code

F851

F855, F853 with placement

Start date

September

Placement available

Mode of study

4 years full-time

4 years full-time with placement

5 years full-time with placement

Fees

2024/25

UK £9,250

International £21,260

Entry requirements

2024/25

AAB-BBB (A-level)

DDM (BTEC)

30 (IB)

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Overview

Thank you for your interest in the Environmental Sciences MSci 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 planet is constantly evolving. What are the major challenges faced by our global environment and how are today's actions going to affect tomorrow’s world? Follow your passion to make a difference by studying for an Environmental Sciences MSci. From deforestation to waste disposal or natural resource depletion to global warming, Brunel’s Environmental Sciences MSci will provide you with the foundations to pursue a career that makes a difference to our world.

Studying for an MSci means that you’ll graduate with an integrated master’s. From your employer's perspective, you’ll stand out from the crowd because you’ll have developed your skills to a greater depth than you would on the BSc. The MSci will give you the chance to specialise in an important environmental science area of your choice. At Brunel, you’ll develop your scientific skills in the classroom, laboratory, and through fieldwork.

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. The Environmental Sciences MSci offers a unique compressed degree where you can carry out two placements within your four-year degree during 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 five-year degree.

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Course content

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 year 3 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.

In your final year, the programme progresses to incorporate specialised content that develops the knowledge and skills required to practice as an environmental scientist at a high level. You’ll undertake a research project that allows you to develop your own ideas under the supervision of an expert in the field.

This course can be studied 4 years full-time, 4 years full-time with placement or 5 years full-time with placement, starting in September.

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

This course has a placement option. Find out more about work placements available.

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

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Careers and your future

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 do a PhD - 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. With an MSci you’ll be one step ahead in your chosen specialist area and you’ll be graduating with experience in developing your own ideas through your research project.

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UK entry requirements

2024/25 entry

  • GCE A-level AAB-BBB.
  • BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma DDM.
  • BTEC Level 3 Diploma DM in any subject with A-level at grade B.
  • BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma Distinction in any subject 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 MSci BSc.

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EU and International entry requirements

If you require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK, you must prove knowledge of the English language so that we can issue you a Certificate of Acceptance for Study (CAS). To do this, you will need an IELTS for UKVI or Trinity SELT test pass gained from a test centre approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and on the Secure English Language Testing (SELT) list. This must have been taken and passed within two years from the date the CAS is made.

English language requirements

  • 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) 

You can find out more about the qualifications we accept on our English Language Requirements page.

Should you wish to take a pre-sessional English course to improve your English prior to starting your degree course, you must sit the test at an approved SELT provider for the same reason. We offer our own BrunELT English test and have pre-sessional English language courses for students who do not meet requirements or who wish to improve their English. You can find out more information on English courses and test options through our Brunel Language Centre.

Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants. This information is for guidance only and each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Entry requirements are subject to review, and may change.

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Fees and funding

2024/25 entry

UK

ÂŁ9,250 full-time

ÂŁ1,385 placement year

ÂŁ3,000 fee reduction in final year

International

ÂŁ21,260 full-time

ÂŁ1,385 placement year

ÂŁ3,000 fee reduction in final year

Fees quoted are per year and may be subject to an annual increase. Home undergraduate student fees are regulated and are currently capped at £9,250 per year; any changes will be subject to changes in government policy. International fees will increase annually, by no more than 5% or RPI (Retail Price Index), whichever is the greater.

More information on any additional course-related costs.

See our fees and funding page for full details of undergraduate scholarships available to Brunel applicants.

Please refer to the scholarships pages to view discounts available to eligible EU undergraduate applicants.

Scholarships and bursaries

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Teaching and Learning

How the course will be delivered

Required equipment

How you'll learn on your course

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Assessment and feedback

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

 

Read our guide on how to avoid plagiarism in your assessments at Brunel.

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