Program Overview

Environmental Science MSci

Overview

Our course explores the relationship between humans and the environment. You'll develop the skills to tackle environmental problems and deliver a sustainable future.

Our integrated masters course enables you to extend your knowledge of environmental science further to develop your skills in communications, project management and research.

We need scientists to respond to some of the biggest environmental challenges:

• climate change
• biodiversity loss of species and habitat
• environmental pollution

Study a wide range of subjects including geography and biology with the flexibility to specialise in your area of interest.

All environmental sciences students will complete fieldwork and gain practical skills. This real-world experience allows you to apply your knowledge and develop the skills which are in demand by the environmental sector.

Course Structure

• Year 1:
  • Academic Skills
  • Building a Habitable Planet
  • Earth, Atmosphere and Oceans
  • Environmental Science and Society
  • Geographical Information Systems for Environmental Monitoring
  • Principles of Ecology
• Year 2:
  • Climate Change Science
  • Ecological Surveying
  • Ecosystem Processes
  • Environmental Geochemistry
  • Research and Professional Skills
  • Soils
• Year 3:
  • Research project in Environmental Science
  • Applied Bioethics 1: Animals, Biotechnology and Society
  • Arctic Ecology Field Course
  • Climate Change Mitigation
  • Computer Modelling in Science: Applications
  • Engineering Sustainability
  • Environmental Biotechnology
  • Environmental Pollutants: Fate, Impact and Remediation
  • Palaeobiology
  • Plant Ecophysiology
  • Environmental Pollution Field Course
  • Sustainable Soil Management
  • Tropical Ecology and Conservation
• Year 4:
  • Communication and Public Engagement Skills for Scientists
  • MSci Research Project
  • Project Management
  • Statistics and Experimental Design for Bioscientists
  • Writing and Reviewing Research Proposals

Entry Requirements

• Qualification: MSci Hons
• Entry Requirements: ABB
• Start Date: September 2026
• UCAS code: F750
• Duration: 4 years full-time
• Fees: £9,535*

Additional Costs

• All students will need at least one device to approve security access requests via Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA).
• We also recommend students have a suitable laptop to work both on and off-campus.
• For more information, please check the equipment advice.
• As a student on this course, you should factor some additional costs into your budget, alongside your tuition fees and living expenses.
• There are no additional costs for day visits and the non-residential field courses.
• Students are currently asked for a contribution of £250 towards the cost of the optional residential field course in Sweden.
• You should be able to access most of the books you’ll need through our libraries, though you may wish to purchase your own copies. If you do these would cost around £40.
• Due to our commitment to sustainability, we don’t print lecture notes but these are available digitally. You will be given £5 worth of printer credits a year. You are welcome to buy more credits if you need them. It costs 4p to print one black and white page.
• If you do a work placement, you need to consider the travel and living costs associated with this.
• Personal laptops are not compulsory as we have computer labs that are open 24 hours a day but you may want to consider one if you wish to work at home.

Scholarships and Bursaries

• International students: We offer a range of international undergraduate scholarships for high-achieving international scholars who can put their Nottingham degree to great use in their careers.
• Home students: Over one third of our UK students receive our means-tested core bursary, worth up to £1,000 a year. Full details can be found on our financial support pages.

Language Study

• You may be able to choose to study a language as part of this degree.
• Learning another language can open career opportunities around the globe and enriches your CV.
• It could also help you in your studies by being able to access learning materials in other languages.
• If you are planning to travel or work abroad it will help you to broaden your cultural understanding.
• Our Language Centre offers many languages, and you may start as a beginner or at a more advanced level.

Careers

• You could work for conservation organisations, environmental consultancies, alternative energy companies, local authorities and government agencies.
• Roles include:
  • environmental education
  • officers
  • consultants
  • marine biologists
  • nature conservation officers
  • hydrology, recycling and sustainability officer
• These degrees can also lead into roles in teaching, scientific journalism or further research degrees.

Job Prospects

• 86.40% of undergraduates from the Faculty of Science secured employment or further study within 15 months of graduation.
• The average annual salary for these graduates was £27,834.
• HESA Graduate Outcomes (2017- 2021 cohorts). The Graduate Outcomes % is calculated using The Guardian University Guide methodology. The average annual salary is based on graduates working full-time within the UK.

Campus

• University Park Campus covers 300 acres, with green spaces, wildlife, period buildings and modern facilities.
• It is one of the UK's most beautiful and sustainable campuses, winning a national Green Flag award every year since 2003.