Environmental Science BSc (Hons) Undergraduate - September 2025/26* Entry

Environmental Scientists are needed more than ever by industry, government, and society. This degree brings together a wide range of subjects to explore the most important environmental issues, such as climate change, pollution, renewable energy, and food security. This degree covers 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. This combination of subject areas, combined with many practical sessions and field trips, creates a degree that is both fascinating and rewarding.

Our location makes Bangor an ideal place to study Environmental Science as there is access to a wide range of natural environments ranging from the coast, to the varied landscape of Snowdonia National Park with its long history of multiple land use, mining, and quarrying. Field trips are central throughout our Environmental Science degree. As well as local trips, we have residential trips further afield.

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.

This degree is accredited by the Institution of Environmental Science (IES). Following an accredited degree will make you more employable and you will receive numerous benefits throughout your degree, such as a monthly newsletter and magazine with opportunities to publish articles current issues, news about jobs, and free or reduced entry to relevant events. It is also the first step on an environmental career path which could take you to Chartered Status.

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.

Additional Course Options

We use a wide variety of teaching methods ranging from lectures, practicals and fieldwork to seminars and tutorials. The fieldwork and practicals give you the skills that employers look for in graduate Environmental Scientists. Seminars and tutorials concentrate on problem-solving, study skills development and reinforcing material taught in lectures; their relaxed and informal atmosphere also encourages lively discussion of current environmental issues.

You will study 120 credits in each year, through a range of modules. Some modules are compulsory, others are optional, allowing you to expand your studies into new areas or develop specialisms that interest you.

Courses are assessed using a variety of methods, with an average split of 60% coursework and 40% examination. We develop your skills in crucial areas such as presentations, report-writing, and interviews; helping to prepare you for employment. Modules make extensive use of the University’s ‘Blackboard’ virtual learning environment, which provides direct access to learning resources, course documents and lecture notes. We regularly invite guest speakers to give lectures, and you will also meet potential employers during fieldtrips.

What will you study on this course?

Year 1 & 2

During this time, you will come to understand the foundations of Environmental Science and deepen your understanding of the topic. A range of interesting and exciting modules will bring alive this fantastic subject for you! You will see and hear first-hand about world-leading research projects being conducted at our school as we integrate research into our teaching.

Year 3

You will be able to choose a wide range of topics to study in your modules, meaning you can follow your interests in Environmental Science. The highlight is when you complete your Honours Project; an individual research project on a topic of interest to you, possibly in conjunction with an outside organisation.

The options include a field course to Tenerife, where we study the many different environmental pressures facing the island, and how they can be mitigated.

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 BSc (Hons) Modules page.

Course content is for guidance purposes only and may be subject to change.

You will have access to fantastic facilities to support your learning:

• Our own University farm, Henfaes Research Centre, where we conduct fieldtrips and you can run your own large-scale experiment for your project
• Renovated, bespoke labs for teaching and research
• 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
• Our very own geology collection – regarded as one of the best in the country
• Computer laboratories for you to develop your skills in key areas such as digital mapping and environmental modelling
• 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.

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  £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

• International Student Tuition Fees
• International Student Living Costs and Scholarships

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.

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 www.ucas.com.

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 Bangor 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.

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.

The broad base of this Environmental Science degree and the range of skills you will develop means that there will be considerable career opportunities. You can expect to find employment in a wide range of advisory agencies, regulators, consultancies, local government, and in research and development, both locally and overseas. In terms of industries, the ‘green economy’ is rapidly growing, and there will be opportunities in sectors such as renewable energy, waste management, nuclear, construction, agriculture, and transport. 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. Graduates of Environmental Science from Bangor University can be found in excellent jobs all over the world.

Opportunities at Bangor

The University’s Careers and Employability Service provides a wide range of resources to help you achieve your graduate ambitions. 

Internships

Bangor University 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 Students’ Union’s website.

A 'with Foundation Year' option is available for this course. Apply for Environmental Science (with Foundation Year).