Environmental Science

MSci Hons

  • UCAS code F850
  • Entry year 2025
  • A level requirements AAB
  • Duration Full time 4 years

Overview

Top reasons to study with us

  • 8

    8th for Geography

    The Guardian University Guide (2024)

  • 12

    12th for Geography and Environmental Science

    The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide (2024)

  • Joint 96th for Environmental Science in the QS University World Rankings by Subject 2024

This flexible programme draws from a wide range of scientific disciplines to build a degree that matches your interests and career aspirations.

Within your degree you will learn about the individual components of the Earth system, including the atmosphere, aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and the role of living organisms within the biosphere, alongside how these individual components interact with each other. Your studies will focus on natural environments and also on how human society has modified the Earth system.

Throughout your degree you will be taught by internationally-renowned academics, and will have access to our state-of-the-art laboratories which offer excellent facilities for practical work.

In your first year, you will address many of the fundamental themes of environmental science, from understanding hydrology and flood risk to learning about weather and climate. In your second year you will build on themes introduced in Year 1, whilst also applying your knowledge in a residential fieldwork module at Carrock Fell in the Lake District World Heritage Site. This week-long module allows you to learn about the environment first-hand in an informal and practical setting.

Additionally, you also have the opportunity to participate in other exciting fieldwork opportunities throughout your degree, from learning about hydrological processes in Devon to the management of alpine environments in Switzerland.

From your second year onwards, you begin to specialise by choosing modules that interest you the most, perhaps selecting modules in the areas of energy, ecology or remote sensing. In addition, you will begin to prepare for your third year dissertation project, which gives you an opportunity to research a subject that really interests you. You may choose a project with a substantial fieldwork component or, alternatively, conduct your dissertation through laboratory research or computer modelling.

Throughout your degree, considerable weight is placed upon the transferable skills that are highly valued by potential employers. For example, in addition to your subject knowledge, you will also gain communication and information technology skills and will become familiar with data handling and environmental sampling and analysis.

This programme includes a fourth year of study which enables you to undertake an extended research project, and you will also be given an opportunity to choose from a range of Master's level modules.

Our community

We offer support in a variety of ways to ensure that you achieve your full academic potential. You’ll be assigned a student mentor to help you settle in and a specific member of staff who will act as you Academic Tutor throughout your degree by offering study support through regular one-to-one meetings. You can also receive help with any aspect of your degree from your Director of Studies, teaching coordinators and student learning advisor. We strive to inspire and encourage our future Earth and environmental scientists.

Careers

The environmental sciences are pivotal in helping society take on the most pressing environmental challenges. This increasingly important area of study means that more and more global jobs are becoming available, and as a graduate of the environmental sciences, you can make a difference using your specialist knowledge of the local, regional, and global impact our actions have on the world. Environmentally-focused careers include Environmental Consultant, Weather Forecaster, Conservation Officer, Sustainability Consultant, Toxicologist, Wastewater Manager, Hydrologist and many, many more. You may wish to continue in academia or work in a non-environmental role where your skills in problem-solving, critical thinking, data handling, project management and commercial awareness make you an in-demand graduate. Graduates from our courses are also well-paid, with the median starting salary of graduates from Lancaster Environment Centre being £24,347 (HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey 2023).

Here are just some of the roles that our BSc and MSci Environmental Science students have progressed into upon graduating:

  • Environmental Consultant – AECOM
  • Environmental Technologist – 4 Rail Services
  • Conservation Delivery Support Officer – Natural England
  • PhD Candidate – University of York
  • Technical Environmental Consultant – MSS Group
  • Marine Environmental Officer – Carnival Corporation
  • Environmental Specialist – Environment Arabia
  • Geo-Environmental Consultant – IDOM Consulting, Engineering and Architecture
  • Low Carbon Sector Advisor – GC Business Growth Hub
  • Climate and Environment Policy Advisor – Government Office for Science
  • Flood Resilience Advisor – Environment Agency
  • Carbon Modeller – Bezero Carbon

Lancaster University is dedicated to ensuring you not only gain a highly reputable degree, you also graduate with the relevant life and work based skills. We are unique in that every student is eligible to participate in The Lancaster Award which offers you the opportunity to complete key activities such as work experience, employability/career development, campus community and social development. Visit our Employability section for full details.

Entry requirements

A Level AAB

Required Subjects A level grade B in one science from the following; Biology, Chemistry, Computing, Environmental Science, Geography, Geology, Human Biology, Mathematics, Physics or Psychology.

Please note, for students who do not have A-level Chemistry or an equivalent qualification, we require you to take our Introduction to Environmental Chemistry module in the first year. Students who do not have A-level Mathematics or an equivalent qualification will be required to take our Numerical Skills II module in the first year. Students who do not have at least Grade 7 in GCSE Maths will be required to take Numerical Skills I in addition to Numerical Skills II. These chemistry and mathematics modules are not replacements for A-levels, but are skills modules taught on a need-to-know basis to support you in the rest of your degree. Further details regarding these modules can be found under ‘Course Structure’.

GCSE Mathematics grade B or 5, English Language grade C or 4

IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component. For other English language qualifications we accept, please see our English language requirements webpages.

Other Qualifications

International Baccalaureate 35 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 Higher Level subjects including one science subject at HL grade 6

BTEC Distinction, Distinction, Distinction to include sufficient science. We require Distinctions in majority of relevant science units. Not all science-based BTECs will include sufficient relevant science units. Please contact the Admissions Team for further advice.

We welcome applications from students with a range of alternative UK and international qualifications, including combinations of qualification. Further guidance on admission to the University, including other qualifications that we accept, frequently asked questions and information on applying, can be found on our general admissions webpages.

Contact Admissions Team + 44 (0) 1524 592028 or via ugadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk

International foundation programmes

Delivered in partnership with INTO Lancaster University, our one-year tailored foundation pathways are designed to improve your subject knowledge and English language skills to the level required by a range of Lancaster University degrees. Visit the INTO Lancaster University website for more details and a list of eligible degrees you can progress onto.

Contextual admissions

Contextual admissions could help you gain a place at university if you have faced additional challenges during your education which might have impacted your results. Visit our contextual admissions page to find out about how this works and whether you could be eligible.

Course structure

Lancaster University offers a range of programmes, some of which follow a structured study programme, and some which offer the chance for you to devise a more flexible programme to complement your main specialism.

Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, and the University will make every reasonable effort to offer modules as advertised. In some cases changes may be necessary and may result in some combinations being unavailable, for example as a result of student feedback, timetabling, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes and new research. Not all optional modules are available every year.

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Fees and funding

Our annual tuition fee is set for a 12-month session, starting in the October of your year of study.

Our Undergraduate Tuition Fees for 2025/26 are:

Home International
£9,250 £29,820

Fees and funding information

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Scholarships and bursaries

You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.

You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status:

Unfortunately no scholarships and bursaries match your selection, but there are more listed on scholarships and bursaries page.

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We also have other, more specialised scholarships and bursaries - such as those for students from specific countries.

Browse Lancaster University's scholarships and bursaries.

Important information

The information on this site relates primarily to 2025/2026 entry to the University and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.

The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.

More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.

Our Students’ Charter

We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. View our Charter and other policies.

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