BSc (Hons) Environmental Science

Program Overview

BSc (Hons) Environmental Science

Overview

Our innovative environmental science degree will equip you to tackle the world’s environmental problems. Study at Stirling and be the difference in protecting our planet.

Key Facts

• Award: BSc (Hons)
• Start date: September 2025, January 2026
• Duration: 48 months
• Mode of study: full time, part time
• Delivery: on campus
• UCAS Code: F900
• Study abroad opportunities

Accreditations

• Institute of Environmental Sciences (IES)
• Community for Environmental Disciplines in Higher Education (CEDHE)

Entry Requirements

Year 1 Entry – Four-year Honours

• SQA Highers: AABB
• GCE A-levels: BBB
• IB Diploma: 28 points
• BTEC (Level 3): DDM
• Essential subjects: To include one of Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Geography, Geology, Mathematics or Physics.

Year 2 Entry – Three-year Honours

• SQA Advanced Highers: ABB
• GCE A-levels: ABB
• IB Diploma: 32 points
• Essential subjects: To include Biology and one of Environmental Science, Geography or Geology

Other Scottish Qualifications

• Scottish HNC/HND: Year one minimum entry - Bs in graded units.
• Access courses: University of Stirling access course - for mature students only. You must pass the course with 50% or above.

Other Qualifications

• English, Welsh and Northern Irish HNC/HND: Merits and Distinctions
• English, Welsh and Northern Irish access courses: Access to Higher Education - 60 credits, minimum 45 at QCF Level 3, pass at 60% or above.

International Entry Requirements

View the entry requirements for your country

Advanced Entry

• Year 2 entry: Entry into Year 2 may be possible depending on your HNC/HND course. To find out more go to our articulation page.

Other Routes of Entry

If you don't currently meet our academic requirements, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need to progress onto some of our courses.

English Language Requirements

If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:

• IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
• Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill.
• IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing.

Course Details

The environmental systems on which our society depends are complex and fragile. To understand these systems, environmental scientists need to take an interdisciplinary approach that combines knowledge of the geological, physical, chemical and biological processes that shape our natural environment.

Modules

• The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the academic year that starts in September 2025. Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.

Teaching

The University of Stirling achieved five stars for teaching in the QS Stars University Ratings 2024.

Our research-led teaching is at the core of your learning as our staff are world-leaders in Environmental Science research. Our teaching methods include lectures, field and laboratory practical exercises, seminars, and individual and group projects.

Fieldwork

We have a wide range of habitats on campus and regularly use them for practical work. Some modules also include short excursions to visit sites and species close to the University. Our residential Scotland field course will offer you the opportunity to gain practical experience in the Scottish Highlands.

You will also have the choice of a residential overseas field trip. Our 10-day field course to South Africa will develop your field research skills. The trip provides an opportunity to develop an understanding of different physical and environmental processes and ecosystem functioning, alongside the conservation and management challenges of international landscapes.

Travel, accommodation, and subsistence on residential field courses are not included in the course fees.

We know that residential field courses can be difficult for some students to attend and incur an environmental cost. To widen participation and increase sustainability in our teaching, there is the option of a non-residential field course module based on day trips around the University.

Assessment

We use a wide variety of methods to assess your skills broadly. Modules are assessed by a combination of coursework and examinations that include written assignments such as essays and reports, field sketches, presentations, group and individual projects.

Classroom Hours

While some lecturing material may be provided online for study in your own time, you will be required to be on campus for practical classes providing essential field and laboratory skills.

Seminars and tutorials provide a lively environment for interaction with your tutors and fellow students.

Work Placement Opportunities

The environmental hub at Stirling offers a variety of placement opportunities. Our Careers Service can help you secure placements and offer the support and advice you need to plan your career, develop your employability or think about further study. The Faculty of Natural Sciences has its own Careers Service Consultant to advise you more specifically on developing your employability.

There are opportunities to volunteer and engage with environmental initiatives on campus through the student union:

• sustainability - get involved with the Green + Blue hub.
• Stirling Student Union - sustainability.
• A-Z of Clubs and Societies.
• Earth and Environment Society.

You will also have the opportunity to enrol on the My Stirling Award programme and gain formal recognition on your degree transcript for your volunteering and extra-curricular activities.

Study Abroad

You will have the opportunity to study abroad for one semester in Year 3. Environmental Science has a range of well-established exchange programmes throughout the world. A popular destination, for example, is the University of Victoria in Canada.

Fees and Funding

Fees and Costs

• Scottish students: This fee is set by the Scottish Government and is subject to change.
• Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland: This tuition fee may be subject to change depending on guidance provided by the UK Government.
• International students (including EU): Eligible students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £8,000-£30,000 over the duration of your course.

Additional Costs

There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.

We subsidise costs for field trips but you’ll be required to make a financial contribution towards your travel, accommodation and subsistence for the Scottish field course in 2nd year and the optional field course in 3rd year.

Funding

See what funding opportunities and loans are available to help you with tuition and living costs.

• Students from Scotland: Find funding opportunities for Scottish students.
• Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland: Eligible students will automatically receive our Undergraduate Welcome Scholarship, Undergraduate Merit Scholarship, and our Honours Year Scholarship, which are worth between £1,000 and £9,250.
• International students: Eligible international students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £8,000-£30,000 over the duration of your course.

After You Graduate

We focus on scientific knowledge and technical training to create genuine career opportunities with a wide range of organisations, including water authorities, research institutes, renewable energy companies, conservation bodies, businesses, local authorities and government agencies.

As well as preparing you for the job market, some of our students choose to progress to postgraduate study, for example, in environmental management, education, information technology, remote sensing and waste management or research towards the award of a PhD.

Discover Uni

Discover Uni provides official data on each university's undergraduate courses, including satisfaction scores from the National Student Survey, details of graduate jobs and salaries, and other key information for prospective students.

• 82% of students were satisfied overall with their course.
• 100% of students say teaching staff have supported their learning well.
• 85% in work or doing further study 15 months after the course.

What Our Students Said

• Olivia Azevedo: "Stirling seemed like the perfect place to study...the feedback from students is very positive and there is an access course that allowed me to get the necessary qualifications to apply for the degree of my choice."
• Karen Lai: "I have met a lot of great people here, from across the world and of all ages. It has also helped me a lot with my course too, as well as my perception of different environmental issues and how we can do better as a community."
• Laura Whyte: "The University of Stirling has links with conservation organisations which allowed me to volunteer and gain fieldwork skills I otherwise would not have. I worked with Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) to monitor hen harrier populations at Flanders Moss just outside of Stirling."

Flexible Study

Are you interested in more than one of our courses? You might not have to choose between them. Here at Stirling, we believe in choice and offer more than 170 course combinations.

Environmental Science can be combined with any of the following courses:

• Economics (UCAS code: FL91)
• Mathematics (UCAS code: F9G1)
• Politics (UCAS code: FL92)

For a combined honours degree where the two subjects have different entry requirements, you will usually be asked to meet the higher entry requirement.

Related Courses

• BSc (Hons) Ecology and Conservation (UCAS Code: C185)
• BSc (Hons) Environmental Geography and Outdoor Education (UCAS Code: Y21C)
• BSc (Hons) Environmental Science and Outdoor Education (UCAS Code: FX99)