About This Course
Environmental Scientists are needed more than ever by industry, government and society. This environmental science degree course 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.
A broad base and a solid foundation
This environmental science degree is broadly based with its roots 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. A combination of such subject areas, combined with many practical sessions and field trips, creates a degree that is both fascinating and rewarding.
Placement Year
This course is available as a 4-year ‘with Placement Year’ option. Please apply for Environmental Science (with placement) BSc F901. Find out more about 'with Placement Year' courses here.
The placement year provides you with a fantastic opportunity to broaden your horizons and develop valuable skills and contacts through working with an organization relevant to your degree subject. Previous and current students have worked with a wide variety of placement providers, ranging from private companies to educational organizations, charities, government authorities and non-governmental organizations. Our students who have undertaken a placement year have highlighted how the experience has helped them to develop invaluable networks, confidence and life experience as well as subject knowledge and skills that have boosted their employability.
The Placement Year is undertaken at the end of the second year and students are away for the whole of the academic year. 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. You would normally start sometime in the period June to September of their second year and finish between June and September the following year. Placements can be UK-based or overseas and you will work with staff to plan and finalise the placement arrangements.
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 Skills and Employability Services.
Why choose Bangor University for this course?
- The School Natural Sciences is internationally renowned for its work in the environmental sciences.
- Bangor'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 the Institution of Environmental Science (IES). Following an accredited degree will make you more employable and you will get numerous benefits throughout your degree.
Course Content
Our modules use a wide variety of teaching methods ranging from lectures, practicals and fieldwork to seminars and tutorials. Seminars and tutorials concentrate on problem solving, study skills development and reinforcing material taught in lectures; their relaxed and informal atmosphere also encourages lively debate over current and contentious issues. Courses are assessed using a variety of methods with an average split of 60% coursework and 40% examination. Most modules make extensive use of the University’s ‘Blackboard’ virtual learning environment, which provides direct access to learning resources, course documents and lecture notes.
What will you study on this course?
Year 1 & 2
On this environmental science degree course you will study 120 credits in each year, through a range of lectures, tutorials, seminars and fieldwork. Our courses are modular. Some modules are compulsory, others are optional, allowing you to expand your studies into new areas or develop specialisms that interest you.
Year 3
You will complete your Honours Project; an individual research project on a topic of interest to you, possibly in conjunction with an outside organisation.
In addition to the compulsory modules, you choose from a wide range of options including a field course to Tenerife.
Watch - Making Snowdonia, Field Course at Cwm Idwal
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 Modules page.
Course content is for guidance purposes only and may be subject to change.
Course Costs
Mandatory Costs:
Suitable clothing and equipment for fieldwork will be required e.g. walking boots and waterproofs, rucksack. The cost for these will vary. Approximate cost: £50-£80.
Appropriate stationary for note-taking during classes, e.g. notepad, pens and pencils. The cost for these will vary. Approximate cost: £5-£15.
Necessarily Incurred Costs:
Students are required to provide their own lunch and evening meals on the Year 2 residential fieldcourse. The cost for these will vary. Approximate total cost: £50-£70.
Materials for the preparation of academic poster for assessment. The cost and number of these will vary. Approximate cost: £10-£15.
Travel costs to undertake any fieldwork as part of Year 3 Honours Project research. The cost will vary by project (and may not even be incurred). Approximate cost for a UK-based project in a student’s home area: £15-£20.
Optional Costs:
Cost for optional residential Year 3 fieldcourse. The cost will vary by trip. Approximate cost £600.
Purchase of Wellington Boots for fieldwork. The cost for these will vary. Approximate cost: £10-£20.
Costs of any visas and vaccinations required if the student opts to undertake project work overseas. The cost for these will vary.
Notes:
Copies of all required reading materials are provided via the University Library.
Where required, laboratory coats are provided.
General University Costs
Home (UK) students
- The cost of a full-time undergraduate course is £9,000 per year (2021/22 entry).
- 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
For 2021 entry:
Offers are tariff based, 80 - 112 tariff points from a Level 3 qualification* e.g.:
- A Levels: including grade C in a science subject at A2 level (e.g. Biology, Geography, Geology, Environmental Sciences/Studies, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Economics, Statistics, Psychology). Excluding General Studies.
- International Baccalaureate Diploma (including H5 in a science subject)
- Access: Science/Environmental-based Access course.
- BTEC National/Extended Diploma in Countryside Management, Applied Science, Forestry & Arboriculture, or Animal Management: MMP - DMM
- City & Guilds Extended Diploma (720) in Countryside Management, Animal Management or Forestry & Arboriculture: Distinction - Distinction*
- City & Guilds Advanced Technical Extended Diploma (1080) in Land & Wildlife Management: MMP - DMM
- Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma in Laboratory Skills: MMP - DMM
- Welsh Baccalaureate is accepted.
International Candidates: school leaving qualifications and college diplomas are accepted from countries worldwide (subject to minimum English Language requirements), details here.
We also welcome applications from mature applicants
*For full details go to our website and for a full list of accepted Level 3 qualifications, go to www.ucas.com
General University Requirements
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.
To study a degree, diploma or certificate course you’ll be asked for a minimum of UCAS Tariff points. For a fuller explanation of the UCAS Tariff Points, please see www.ucas.com
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 help and advice about being a mature student at Bangor, please visit the Study at Bangor site.
Specific entry requirements can be seen on the individual course pages.
EU and International students' entry requirements
For information and further detailed guidance on 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.
Bangor University 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 Bangor University International College, an embedded College on our University campus and delivered by Oxford International Education Group.
More information
Home/EU students and International UCAS applicants
E-mail for General Admissions: admissions@bangor.ac.uk or write to:
Admissions Office
Bangor University
Gwynedd
LL57 2TF
Telephone: +44 (0)1248 383717
International students (non-UCAS applicants)
Email to International Admissions: internationaladmissions@bangor.ac.uk or write to
Admissions Office
Bangor University
Gwynedd
LL57 2TF
Telephone: +44 (0) 1248 382028
Careers
The broad base of the environmetal science 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 Bangor
The University’s Skills and Employability Service provides a wide range of resources to help you achieve your graduate ambitions. Developing your personal skills and enhancing your employability while at university is becoming increasingly important in today’s job market.
The Bangor Employability Award (BEA) and Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR)
The Bangor Employability Award enables students to build on their transferable skills through the recognition of activities they become involved in during their university life. Students can gain points towards the award through extra-curricular activities such as volunteering, attending workshops or actively participating in the Students’ Union’s clubs and societies.
The HEAR is a final graduation report that all undergraduates receive. The report itemises all academic achievements and additional extra and co-curricular achievements. Academic achievements appear on the report automatically and students are able to note their eligible activities by using the online platform ‘My Employability Hub’. This ensures that future employers are made aware of the additional skills the student has gained outside of the curriculum.
The Award is open to everyone and taking part in the scheme can make a major difference to your performance in the graduate job market.
Internships
Bangor University runs undergraduate and postgraduate internship schemes twice a year, which allow students to work in a professional environment while learning relevant skills and earning money.
Internships offer valuable experience in a professional workplace and there are a range of internships you can get involved in.
Student Volunteering
Not only is volunteering worthwhile – it also improves your employability and widens your experience.
The Students’ Union has a dedicated Student Volunteering Office (SVB) which currently contributes a total of 600 hours each week, promoting a close relationship between the university and the local community. Find out more on the Student Volunteering pages of the Bangor Student’s Union website.
TARGETconnect - Working while you Study
The Skills and Employability Service offers support to students searching for employment during and after their studies.
TARGETconnect advertises the following opportunities:
- Graduate jobs – Local, National and International
- Full-time, part time, permanent and temporary jobs
- Work experience / internships
- Voluntary opportunities
