Environment and Sustainability with Foundation Year BSc (Hons)

Birkbeck, University of London

Birkbeck's BSc Environment and Sustainability gives you a deep understanding of what drives environmental change and how to manage natural systems under unprecedented pressure. Led by internationally recognised researchers, you will discover the core scientific principles you need to understand key environmental challenges, including climate change, pollution and waste management, biodiversity loss and biosecurity.

You will become familiar with fundamental dimensions of environment and sustainability, including adaptation, mitigation and corporate responsibility. You will learn to collect, analyse and interpret environmental data to improve management practices. 

Core modules taught on this degree will give you a grounding in the ecological and social dimensions of environment and sustainability. You can then tailor your degree by choosing option modules on themes like:

• the global food crisis
• nature conservation
• hydrology
• storms
• flooding and sea-level rise
• cities and urban inequalities
• geographic information science (GIS).

You will benefit from our mix of classroom and field-based teaching, including a number of fieldwork opportunities that bring together students to build networks and develop important skills in data collection and analysis. This environment and sustainability degree will also help you develop the social and technical skills you need for both academic research and the modern workplace.

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 offer a range of core modules in the ecological and social dimensions of environment and sustainability. You can also choose option modules on pressing themes like climate change, nature conservation, storms and flooding, and urban studies.
• You will develop the social and technical skills you need for both academic research and the workplace, including data collection and analysis, and GIS.
• We offer a range of local and international field trips, exploring a range of themes in human and physical geography.
• Graduates of the BSc Environment and Sustainability find employment in local government, conservation agencies, businesses and environmental NGOs, working in areas like corporate responsibility and compliance, pollution and waste management.
• The Managing Environments module enables you to apply for the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) Graduate membership. This is a requirement for many environmental management jobs.

Careers and employability

Graduates can pursue career paths in corporate environmental roles, countryside management, conservation, tourism or planning. Possible professions include:

• environmental manager
• nature conservation officer
• town planner
• landscape architect.

We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.