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Environmental Science with Foundation Year at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS

Course options

2026 - 2027
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Birkbeck, University of London has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

Open days

28Jun
Birkbeck, University of London - Undergraduate open day
Undergraduate

Course summary

Our new BSc Environmental Science is a science-based course that offers you the chance to develop a detailed knowledge of changing natural and anthropogenic Earth systems. Internationally recognised researchers will help you build knowledge and valuable practical skills to understand and study environmental systems. Why choose this course?

  • This course offers you a blend of bioscience, geoscience and environmental science, with an emphasis on practical skills and applications across these subject areas.
  • You will learn from expert researchers about changes in climate, biodiversity loss, disease spread and food and biosecurity over time.
  • You will develop practical laboratory and field skills and apply these using further skills you have learnt in data collection and analysis.
  • The knowledge and technical skills you gain on this course will prepare you well for a wide range of careers within environmental science and environmental management, as well as equipping you for future research.
What you will learn On this cross-disciplinary course you will gain a deeper understanding of the complexity of the natural world, and the impact humans have on it. You will also be introduced to the natural and man-made controls of our global environment. You will undertake field classes to study and understand the natural environment, develop essential wet lab and quantitative skills, and cover core areas such as:
  • plant science and ecology
  • geology and the Earth through time
  • geomorphology
  • climate change.
Option modules and your final-year project will give you the chance to specialise, following your interests and benefitting from the experience of staff who are experts in the area. How you will learn You will be taught via lectures, laboratory and computer-based practical classes and through problem solving and group work. You will also benefit from experience gained during short field trips and can also choose modules with more extensive field work. This course is available full- or part-time. Its structure is flexible to help you balance your studies with other commitments. Classes take place in the evening with many modules offering these either on campus or online, while other modules offer the choice of afternoon attendance too. Foundation Year If you opt for the Foundation Year route, this will fully prepare you for undergraduate study. It is ideal if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied the relevant subjects, or if you didn't achieve the grades you need for a place on your chosen undergraduate degree. Highlights
  • We are proud of our vibrant research culture, powered by a shared passion for learning and intellectual engagement among our academics and students.
  • Our staff are actively involved in the Birkbeck Centre for Environment and Sustainability, and host annual events such as the Birkbeck Climate Festival.
  • Birkbeck was rated in the top 25 universities in the UK for its Earth Systems and Environmental Science research in the most recent 2021 Research Excellence Framework.
Careers and employability This BSc Environmental Science provides you with excellent training for employment across a wide range of industries linked to tackling environmental issues. On successfully completing the course you will also have gained an array of valuable, transferable skills, including in:
  • communication of complex concepts and ideas
  • organisation and management
  • research.
You will find environmental science graduates employed across a very wide range of job types, in both the public, for example in the Civil Service and local government, and private sector, such as in conservation organisations and charities, as well as in the education sector.

Modules

For information about course structure and the modules you will be studying, please visit Birkbeck’s online prospectus.

Assessment method

Methods of assessment on this course depend on the module and include short written exercises, numerical problems, essays, quizzes and multiple-choice questionnaires, practical assessments (of your work in a lab and the field), and case studies.

How to apply

14Jan

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
F610
Institution code:
B24
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Foundation

International applicants

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential.

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students

There is no data available for this course. For further information visit the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

To be confirmed
Environmental Science with Foundation Year at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS