About this course

The Environmental Science BSc (Hons) programme teaches critical knowledge and practical skills to address some of the most pressing challenges facing society. The degree programme is strongly interdisciplinary, combining physical and human geography, and Earth, ocean and ecological sciences. Students will graduate with skills and understanding necessary to help manage and sustain our environment as we adapt to accelerating climate change.

Introduction

The programme empowers students with the critical knowledge and practical skills to help preserve environments, adapt to accelerating climate change, and create sustainable societies. The degree programme is strongly interdisciplinary, with taught elements from physical and human geography, and Earth, ocean and ecological sciences. First-year compulsory modules develop a baseline of knowledge and skills to empower students to then choose their pathway through the rest of the degree programme. Pathways focus on ecology, sustainability, oceans or surface processes. Students learn through a dynamic blend of theoretical, problem-based and experiential learning, carrying out individual and collaborative work during practical exercises, fieldwork, and research projects. Graduates from the programme have a combination of specific environmental science knowledge and skills and an array of transferable skills, including communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and digital fluency. This ensures high employability in environmental science professional fields, but also in other areas where transferable skills such as quantitative analysis and critical scientific thinking are in demand.

What you'll learn

Recall, understand and be able to analyse key local-to-global environmental processes and their interactions across a range of time scales from deep-time past to future prediction
Recall, understand, analyse and evaluate historical and likely future patterns of local-to-global environmental change, including causes and consequences
Recall, understand, and independently evaluate the relationships between environment, environmental processes, and human populations
Recall, explain and evaluate key environmental frameworks, policies and legislation
Understand and independently apply the scientific method to progress environmental science, including hypothesis construction, data collection in the lab, field, and online, qualitative and quantitative analysis of data, and synthesis and communication of research results.

Accreditation

Our Environment Sciences BSc (Hons) course is accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences.

Accreditation in detail

Institute of Environmental Sciences

Course content

Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.

Year one

Year one is based on seven core modules that provide key skills and knowledge from physical geography, human geography, and Earth, ocean and ecological science

We’ll provide module details shortly.

Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change. As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, we are currently reviewing all of our programmes. This may include refining study pathways, strengthening links with employers, integrating generative AI, developing students’ research skills, and enhancing alignment with our research strengths. The course content currently shown on this page reflects the programme as it is running in September 2026. This page will be updated for students beginning in September 2027 by 25 September 2026 at the latest.

Year two

Year two is comprised of four core modules, including a week-long field class, plus one module from your chosen ecology, sustainability, oceans or surface processes pathway, and two other optional modules chosen from any pathway and from a selection of other optional modules.

We’ll provide module details shortly.

Year three

Your final year independent research project is a compulsory module, in which you conduct a piece of original research on a topic of your choice. You will also do two core modules from your chosen pathway and four optional modules chosen from any pathway and from a selection of other optional modules.

We’ll provide module details shortly.

Teaching and assessment

How you'll learn

To help you meet the intellectual and practical challenges of studying Environmental Science, our programmes are taught using a student-centred approach and a variety of learning methods including:

Modules delivered as a mixture of lectures, seminars, and practical sessions
An emphasis on active, practical, problem-based learning in an advanced environmental science teaching laboratory, including hands-on experience with cutting-edge laboratory technologies
Small-group and independent project work to develop team skills
A dedicated year two residential field class teaching important field skills
Small group (typically six to ten students) teaching and pastoral sessions in years one and two with a dedicated academic advisor
A final year independent research-based project, supervised by an expert academic advisor
Opportunities to study abroad.

How you're assessed

Assessment methods are tailored to the specific needs of each module and student progression from year to year. Methods include exams, assessed reports, laboratory and computer practicals, online tests, field assignments, and poster and oral presentations. Many assessments involve group work to develop important team skills. All assessments, including exams, are designed to develop understanding and skills required for a career in environmental science.

Liverpool Learning Framework

At Liverpool, we take a distinctive approach to education through the Liverpool Learning Framework. This means teaching that is engaging, inclusive and designed to help you succeed during your studies and beyond.

You’ll develop specialist subject knowledge alongside the skills employers value most, including:

Digital fluency
Confidence
Global citizenship

Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:

Research-connected teaching - learning informed by the latest ideas and discoveries
Active learning - taking part, applying knowledge and learning by doing
Authentic assessment - assessments designed around real-world tasks and challenges

We also embed key priorities across our curriculum, including AI literacy, employability, and sustainability, helping you prepare for the future and make a positive impact in the world.

We’re committed to creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment where every student can thrive.

Course options

Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.

Global opportunities

University of Liverpool students can choose from an exciting range of study placements at partner universities worldwide. Choose to spend a year at XJTLU in China or a year or semester at an institution of your choice.

Year in China

Immerse yourself in Chinese culture on an optional additional year at Xi'an Jiaotong Liverpool University in stunning Suzhou.

Learn Chinese
Study in a bustling world heritage city
Improve employment prospects
Study Chinese culture
30 minutes from Shanghai
Learn new skills

Where can I spend a year abroad on this course?

Australia
Canada
Hong Kong
Malaysia
Singapore
South Korea
USA

More about taking a year abroad

Semester abroad

Take a semester of your second year of study at one of our worldwide partner institutions.

Inspire your future career or studies
Improved prospects of earning a 2:1 or First
More likely to earn higher salary
More likely to be employed after graduating

More about taking a semester abroad

Summer abroad

Spend a summer abroad on a study placement or research project at one of our worldwide partner institutions.

Spend a summer abroad in addition to your degree programme
Study abroad without adding an extra year
Choose any summer between your first and final year of study
Get the chance to study subjects outside your discipline

Where can I spend a summer abroad on this course?

Hong Kong
Japan
South Korea

More about taking a summer abroad

Year in industry

Year in industry placements give you an in-depth workplace experience where you can develop your skills and apply your learning.

Develop key employability skills that graduate employers are looking for
Experience and understand workplace culture and discipline
Understand the relationship between academic theory and real world application
Begin your professional network
Gain industry insight and insight into potential career options.

You don't need to decide now - you can choose to add a year in industry after you've begun your degree.

To spend a year in industry, you'll need to secure a placement with an organisation. If you're unable to find a placement, you'll continue with the standard version of the course without a year in industry.

Language study

Every student at The University of Liverpool can study a language as part of, or alongside their degree. You can choose:

A dedicated languages degree
A language as a joint or major/minor degree
Language modules (selected degrees)
Language classes alongside your studies

Your experience

Day-to-day experience is lectures, seminars, group and independent project work, and practical work in our dedicated environmental science teaching laboratory equipped with research-level analytical equipment and computing facilities, all carefully designed to help you graduate as a practical, confident and employable environmental scientist.

Explore where you'll study

Central Teaching labs Environmental Sciences Laboratory session

Teams working in the Environmental Sciences labs

Why Environmental Sciences?

Hear about why studying an environmental science courses with the University of Liverpool is unlike anything else.

Studying Environmental Science BSc (Hons)

Discover what you’ll study, the facilities and resources you’ll have access to, and how we’ll prepare you for your future career.

Virtual tour

Supporting your learning

From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:

Careers and employability support, including help with career planning, understanding the job market and strengthening your networking skills
A dedicated student services team can help you get assistance with your studies, help with health and wellbeing, and access to financial advice
Confidential counselling and support to help students with personal problems affecting their studies and general wellbeing
Support for students with differing needs from the Disability advice and guidance team. They can identify and recommend appropriate support provisions for you.

I have found that I am learning and understanding ideas in a more in-depth way and linking the theory we are taught about within our modules to everyday situations such as environmental crises on the news.

Matthew Shore, BSc (Hons) Environmental Science

Chat with our students

Want to find out more about student life?
Chat with our student ambassadors and ask any questions you have.

Match with an ambassador

Careers and employability

Environmental Science at Liverpool is focused on providing key knowledge and practical skills such as such as report writing, field and laboratory practical skills, oral presentations, project planning, and coding and modelling skills to allow graduates to work successful within the environmental sector.

Graduates progress to a wide range of careers across commercial and public-sector organisations in environmental, infrastructure, conservation and data-driven industries. Environmental science graduates are in sustained demand nationally and internationally, and these roles are recognised on the UK Government’s Skilled Worker visa-eligible occupation list with multiple roles listed under “Environment professionals”, reflecting a long-standing skills shortage within the UK. Recent Environmental Science graduates have been employed in roles within the sector such as conservation management, environmental consultancy, geotechnical surveying, and sustainability consultancy. Other roles outside of our immediate sector have included Accountancy and Education.

8th

for job prospects

(StudentCrowd, 2025)

My qualifications are from United Kingdom.

Fees and funding

Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.

Tuition fees

UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland)

Full-time place, per year - £10,050
Year in industry fee - £2,010
Year abroad fee - £1,508 (applies to year in China)

International fees

Full-time place, per year - £32,000
Year in industry fee - £1,955
Year abroad fee - £16,000 (applies to year in China)

The UK fees shown are for the academic year 2027/28. The international fees shown are for the academic year 2026/27 and will be subject for change for the academic year 2027/28. Please be advised that tuition fees may increase each year for both UK and international students. For UK students, this will be subject to the government’s regulated fee limits.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support. Learn more about paying for your studies.

Additional costs

We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. You can find information on the general and subject-specific costs you could expect to incur on our study costs webpage.

We’re showing the scholarships available to students from United Kingdom.

Scholarships and bursaries

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition and living expenses.

The Bloomberg Scholarship

4 scholarships are available each year to support undergraduate applicants from socio-economically under-represented backgrounds who permanently reside in the Liverpool City Region. Successful applicants will receive a stipend of £5,000 per year for 3 years. Applications open in August 2026.

Ruth Cannell Scholarship Fund

This scholarship will support undergraduate students from widening participation backgrounds in the Department of Languages, Cultures and Film with their year abroad.

Whiteley Award

This award offers £3,000 per year for a UK undergraduate student from an under-represented background who has successfully completed the Liverpool Scholars or Pathways to Medicine programme.

The Liverpool Bursary

If you’re a UK student joining an undergraduate degree and have a household income below £35,000, you could be eligible for a Liverpool Bursary worth up to £2,000 for each year of undergraduate study.

Asylum Seekers Scholarship

Apply for an Asylum Seekers Scholarship and you could have your tuition fees paid in full and receive help with study costs. You’ll need to have applied for asylum in the UK, or be the dependant of an asylum seeker, and be joining an eligible undergraduate degree.

Care Leavers’ Opportunity Bursary

If you’ve spent 13 or more weeks in Local Authority care since age 14, you could be eligible for a bursary of £3,000 per year of study. You’ll need to be a UK student joining an eligible undergraduate degree and be aged 28 or above on 1 September in the year you start.

Cowrie Foundation Scholarship

Are you a UK student with a Black African or Caribbean heritage and a household income of £25,000 or less? You could be eligible to apply for a Cowrie Foundation Scholarship worth up to £8,000 for each year of undergraduate study.

Estranged Students Bursary

If you’re a UK student identified as estranged by Student Finance England (or the equivalent UK funding body), you could be eligible for a bursary of £1,000 for each year of undergraduate study.

Genesys Life Sciences Scholarship

Joining a School of Biosciences degree and have a household income of less than £25,000? If you’re a UK student, you could apply to receive £4,500 per year for three years of your undergraduate course.

Nolan Scholarships

Do you live in the Liverpool City Region with a household income of £25,000 or less? Did neither of your parents attend University? You could be eligible to apply for a Nolan Scholarship worth £5,000 per year for three years of undergraduate study.

Rigby Enterprise Award

Are you a UK student with a household income of £25,000 or less? If you’ve participated in an eligible outreach programme, you could be eligible to apply for a Rigby Enterprise Award worth £5,000 per year for three years of your undergraduate degree.

ROLABOTIC Scholarship

Are you a UK student with a household income of £26,500 or less? Did neither of your parents attend University? You could be eligible to apply for a ROLABOTIC Scholarship worth £4,500 for each year of your undergraduate degree.

Sport Liverpool Performance Programme

Apply to receive tailored training support to enhance your sporting performance. Our athlete support package includes a range of benefits, from bespoke strength and conditioning training to physiotherapy sessions and one-to-one nutritional advice.

Technetix Broadhurst Engineering Scholarship

Joining a degree in the School of Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Computer Science? If you’re a UK student with household income below £25,000, you could be eligible to apply for £5,000 a year for three years of study. Two awards will be available per academic year.

Young Adult Carer’s (YAC) Bursary

If you’re a young adult and a registered carer in the UK, you might be eligible for a £1,000 bursary for each year of study. You’ll need to be aged 18-25 on 1 September in the year you start your undergraduate degree.

Discover our full range of scholarships and bursaries.

My qualifications are from United Kingdom.

Entry requirements

The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.

Qualification	Details
A levels	ABB including one Science A Level. You may automatically qualify for reduced entry requirements through our contextual offers scheme. Based on your personal circumstances, you may automatically qualify for up to a two-grade reduction in the entry requirements needed for this course. When you apply, we consider a range of factors – such as where you live – to assess if you’re eligible for a grade reduction. You don’t have to make an application for a grade reduction – we’ll do all the work. Find out more about how we make reduced grade offers. If you don't meet the entry requirements, you may be able to complete a foundation year which would allow you to progress to this course. Available foundation years: Geography BSc (Hons) (4 year route including a foundation year at Carmel College) BSc (Hons)
T levels	T levels are not currently accepted.
GCSE	4/C in English and 4/C in Mathematics
Subject requirements	Accepted science subjects: Applied ICT Biology (and Human Biology) Chemistry Computer Science Economics Electronics Environmental Science Further Mathematics Geography Geology ICT Life and Health Sciences Mathematics Psychology Physics Statistics. For applicants from England: For science A levels that include the separately graded practical endorsement, a "Pass" is required.
BTEC	BTEC National Extended Diploma: D*DD in a relevant diploma such as Applied Science (Forensic Science is not accepted) BTEC National Diploma: DD plus grade B in one A level (to include an acceptable science subject) BTEC National Extended Certificate: Distinction plus BB in two A levels (to include an acceptable science subject)
International Baccalaureate	32 points overall with no score less than 4 and including 5 in one HL science subject, or pass the IB Diploma plus 6,5,5 in three HL subjects including one HL science subject.
Irish Leaving Certificate	H1, H2, H2, H2, H3, H3, including H2 or above in one science
Scottish Higher/Advanced Higher	Not accepted without Advanced Highers at grades ABB, including one science subject.
Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced	B in the Welsh Baccalaureate, plus AB at A level (including one science subject).
Access	Pass Access to HE Diploma in a relevant subject with 45 Level 3 credits, with 33 at Distinction (including 15 credits in one science subject) and 12 at Merit.
International qualifications	If you hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, but don’t meet our entry requirements, you could be eligible for a Pre-Master’s course. This is offered on campus at the University of Liverpool International College, in partnership with Kaplan International Pathways. It’s a specialist preparation course for postgraduate study, and when you pass the Pre-Master’s at the required level with good attendance, you’re guaranteed entry to a University of Liverpool master’s degree.

Alternative entry requirements

If your qualification isn't listed here, or you're taking a combination of qualifications, contact us for advice
Applications from mature students are welcome.

English language requirements

You'll need to demonstrate competence in the use of English language, unless you’re from a majority English speaking country.

We accept a variety of international language tests and country-specific qualifications.

International applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.

Qualification	Details
IELTS	6.5 overall, with no component below 5.5
TOEFL iBT	If you took a TOEFL test on or before 20 January 2026, you’ll need 88 overall, with minimum scores of listening 17, writing 17, reading 17 and speaking 19. If you took a TOEFL test from 21 January 2026 onwards, when a new scoring system was introduced, you’ll need 4.5 overall, with 4 or above in all components. TOEFL Home Edition not accepted.
Duolingo English Test	115 overall, with speaking, reading and writing not less than 105, and listening not below 100
Pearson PTE Academic	61 overall, with no component below 59
LanguageCert Academic	70 overall, with no skill below 60
Cambridge IGCSE First Language English 0500	Grade C overall, with a minimum of grade 2 in speaking and listening. Speaking and listening must be separately endorsed on the certificate.
Cambridge IGCSE First Language English 0990	Grade 4 overall, with Merit in speaking and listening
Cambridge IGCSE Second Language English 0510/0511	0510: Grade B overall, with a minimum of grade 2 in speaking. Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate. 0511: Grade B overall.
Cambridge IGCSE Second Language English 0993/0991	0993: Grade 6 overall, with a minimum of grade 2 in speaking. Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate. 0991: Grade 6 overall.
Cambridge ESOL Level 2/3 Advanced	176 overall, with no paper below 162
International Baccalaureate English A: Literature or Language & Literature	Grade 4 at Standard Level or grade 4 at Higher Level
International Baccalaureate English B	Grade 6 at Standard Level or grade 5 at Higher Level

Pre-sessional English

Do you need to complete a Pre-sessional English course to meet the English language requirements for this course?

The length of Pre-sessional English course you’ll need to take depends on your current level of English language ability.

Pre-sessional English in detail

If you don’t meet our English language requirements, we can use your most recent IELTS score, or the equivalent score in selected other English language tests, to determine the length of Pre-sessional English course you require.

Use the table below to check the course length you're likely to require for your current English language ability and see whether the course is available on campus or online.

Your most recent IELTS score	Pre-sessional English course length	On campus or online
6.0 overall, with no component below 5.5	6 weeks	On campus or online
5.5 overall, with no more than one component at 5.0	10 weeks	On campus or online
5.5 overall, with no component below 5.0	12 weeks	Online
5.0 overall, with no component below 5.0	20 weeks	On campus
5.0 overall, with no component below 4.5	30 weeks	On campus
4.5 overall, with no more than one component at 4.0	40 weeks	On campus

If you’ve completed an alternative English language test to IELTS, we may be able to use this to assess your English language ability and determine the Pre-sessional English course length you require.

Please see our guide to Pre-sessional English entry requirements for IELTS 6.5 overall, with no component below 5.5, for further details.

Contact us

Have a question about this course or studying with us? Our dedicated enquiries team can help.

Send us a message Phone: +44 (0) 151 794 5927

Last updated 16 June 2026 / / Programme terms and conditions