The University of Edinburgh
Environmental Geoscience BSc (Hons)
The University of Edinburgh

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews of 40 graduates of Environmental Geoscience BSc (Hons) and other courses in Earth Sciences at The University of Edinburgh for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Earth Sciences.

The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of Graduates in Earth Sciences

Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of Earth Sciences at the university. Due to data collection methodology, salary data is mainly based on data related to undergraduate students.

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £23000 £24000 £28000
25-75 percentile range £21000 - £26000 £19000 - £30500 £21000 - £32000


Salary of all UK Graduates of Earth Sciences

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £24981 £24496 £28785
25-75 percentile range £21491 - £29019 £19181 - £30313 £22339 - £36076

Course Description

Environmental conditions on our planet are rapidly approaching a critical state. We are facing issues such as:

  • global climate change
  • deoxygenation and acidification of our oceans
  • pollution in various environments
  • environmental degradation

Do you want to learn more, and help solve these challenges? Then this degree is for you.

What is environmental geoscience?

Environmental geoscience provides a holistic understanding of the factors influencing environmental conditions on Earth.

Environmental geoscientists play a vital role when assessing environmental challenges from local to global scales. This expertise is crucial within the framework of a sustainable environment.

With this degree, you will:

  • explore the conditions of Earth's past so you can protect its future
  • evaluate the risks related to critical environmental issues of global importance
  • be able to use your expertise to inform discussions on addressing acute environmental challenges

Our degree will help you play a valuable role in our transition to a fairer and more sustainable society.

Making a difference starts here. Are you ready?

What will I learn?

Our BSc Environmental Geosciences degree prepares you for a wide range of careers within environmental geosciences and beyond.

It carefully balances data science, programming, and computing skills with traditional field and laboratory skills, along with understanding the functioning of the Earth's environment.

You will study a comprehensive range of topics related to the environment, and the factors shaping environmental conditions on Earth. For example, we will address the physical, chemical and biological processes that control the world's oceans, atmosphere and ecosystems.

We will pay particular attention to processes that connect the various environmental settings - how a change in one area will affect other areas.

You will develop the crucial skills needed to address important challenges, including:

  • How can we predict and mitigate the effects of global climate change?
  • What tools can we use to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere?
  • Why is our planet able to sustain life?
  • How can we reduce the effects of environmental pollution?
  • Will changes in seawater properties affect the ocean's role as a food source?
  • How does the increased CO2 concentration in seawater affect life in the ocean?

Many of your activities will simulate those that professionals perform in the real world. You will also learn sought-after computational analysis and quantitative skills and gain experience in:

  • acquiring, analysing, assessing and presenting a wide range of data
  • computing skills including programming and use of specialist software
  • computer modelling
  • Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
  • using a range of specialist laboratory techniques
  • applying observational and sample collection techniques in the field

We also have an extensive network of experts contributing to this degree. Together, we help ensure your degree has real-world relevance and make you highly sought after by employers.

Additionally, this degree offers you flexibility in your studies. You'll be able to build your degree around topics you are curious or passionate about. Our staff can also help you design an interdisciplinary curriculum by choosing option courses from other disciplines.

Open to a world of possibilities

We are one of the largest and most successful groupings of geographers, Earth and environmental scientists in the UK.

  • We have pioneered research proving human-caused greenhouse gasses are warming our planet, which helped underpin the 2015 Paris Agreement.
  • We are working with major space agencies to monitor the environment using satellite data.
  • We are 15th in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2023.

Our staff will incorporate the latest research in your teaching, and share our discoveries with you.

Jobs & Career Perspectives

15 months after graduation, graduates of this course were asked about what they do and, if they are working, about their current job and their perspectives.

Current jobs

Required skill level of job after 15 months

Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)

Example below based on all graduates of Environmental Geoscience BSc (Hons) at The University of Edinburgh

30% Administrative occupations
15% Teaching Professionals
15% Sales occupations
5% Teaching and Childcare Associate Professionals
5% Business and public service associate professionals
5% Finance Professionals
5% Secretarial and related occupations
5% Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation
5% Media Professionals
5% Customer service occupations

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for Earth Sciences

Qualification requirements

Including a relevant subject/science @ C or above (80 UCAS tariff points)

Scottish Higher qualifications are considered on an individual basis

31-30 overall or 665-655 in 3 HL subjects.

Direct entry to second year is available; see our website for entry requirements. Detailed entry requirements, including typical offer levels, and information about other qualifications we accept, are available on the University of Edinburgh’s website. You’ll also find important information on how to apply. You must submit a fully completed UCAS application that includes details of the qualifications you are taking, including full predicted grades for qualifications not yet completed, your personal statement and your reference.

English language requirements

test Grade Additional Details
IELTS (Academic) 6.5

Total 65 with at least 5.5 in each component.

TOEFL (iBT) 92

Total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.

Cambridge English Advanced

Total 176 with at least 162 in each component

Cambridge English Proficiency

Total 176 with at least 162 in each component

Trinity ISE

ISE II with distinctions in all four components

PTE Academic 62

Total 62 with at least 54 in each component

Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Environmental Geoscience, BSc (Hons), if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Costs

Tuition Fees Environmental Geoscience BSc (Hons)

Channel Islands £9250 year 1
Ireland £9250 year 1
Scotland £1820 year 1
England UK £9250 year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 year 1
Wales £9250 year 1
EU £34800 year 1
International £34800 year 1

Additional fee information

Scottish students must apply to the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) for payment of their tuition fees.

EU On 9th July 2020 the decision was made by the Scottish Government to end free university tuition for European Union (EU) students starting in 2021-22. Funding policy for EU nationals and associated groups starting a course of study in academic year 2022-23 or later will be in line with international fees.

Full time international and EU students will pay a fixed annual fee rate for the duration of their programme.

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

How to apply

Application deadline:

January 1, 2025

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.

Possible Entry Points:

  • year 1 (Default entry point)
  • year 2

University Rankings

Positions of The University of Edinburgh in top UK and global rankings.

Rankings of The University of Edinburgh in related subject specific rankings.

Social Studies & Humanities

    • #1 
    • #19 
    Geography
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #1 
    • #26 
    Geography
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 19 July, 2022]
    • #1 
    • #38 
    Social Sciences
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 26 October, 2022]

See all 38 university rankings of The University of Edinburgh

About The University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh is located in the Scottish city of the same name, and is one of the oldest universities in the entire United Kingdom, having opened in the year 1583. The university enjoys a strong reputation for its contributions to international research efforts, which is reflected in their inclusion in the Russell Group, Universitas 21, and Una Europa. Edinburgh offers its residents a historic yet modern city, with a lively nightlife scene, reliable public transport, and friendly locals.

List of 686 Bachelor and Master Courses from The University of Edinburgh - Course Catalogue

Where is this programme taught

Central area campus
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Similar courses

Program University Student satis­faction Unem­ployed Drop­out Tuition (UK) Tuition (Inter­national) UCAS Tariff City
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