University of Reading
Environmental Science BSc (Hons)
University of Reading

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews of 10 graduates of Environmental Science BSc (Hons) and other courses in Environmental Sciences at University of Reading for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Environmental Sciences.

Overall student satisfaction
73 /100
10 total respondents

Primarily based on data from undergraduate degree students.

The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of Graduates in Environmental Sciences

Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of Environmental 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 £24000 £21500 £29500
25-75 percentile range £23000 - £27500 £20500 - £25500 £22000 - £36000


Salary of all UK Graduates of Environmental Sciences

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £24189 £22414 £26298
25-75 percentile range £21037 - £27771 £16897 - £27576 £20317 - £33339

Course Description

Study the environment from a scientific perspective, and discover how to solve some of the most-critical challenges facing planet Earth, with our accredited BSc Environmental Science.

You’ll explore Earth’s natural systems – its physical, chemical and biological interactions – and use this knowledge to develop strategies for tackling major environmental issues such as climate change and pollution.

This three-year degree has a strong scientific focus. Your learning will span from the single cells and atoms that form the building blocks of our world, to the cycling of matter and flows of energy into, between, and within the:

  • solid Earth and its surface
  • hydrosphere
  • atmosphere
  • biosphere.

Gain essential skills needed by today’s professional environmental scientists. Our balance of practical and theoretical learning enables you to gain experience in the field and enhance your specialist subject knowledge with real-life experience – preparing you for a career, or further research, in the environmental sector.

Choose BSc Environmental Science at the University of Reading

  • Accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES).
  • The University is in the top 100 in the world for Environmental Sciences (QS World Rankings by Subject, 2022).
  • The University of Reading is ranked 3rd in the UK for research power in Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences (Times Higher Education, Institutions Ranked by Subject, based on its analysis of the latest REF 2021).

The flexibility of this degree allows you to make an informed decision about where to focus your study, providing the opportunity to adapt your degree to your chosen interests as they develop.

Alternatively, you can choose from a variety of specialist pathways, including:

  • water resources and quality
  • conservation and sustainability
  • climate and palaeoclimate change
  • pollution and remediation.

Accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES) for the purpose of eligibility to apply for associate membership.

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 Science BSc (Hons) at University of Reading

20% Elementary occupations
10% Information Technology Professionals
10% Business, Research and Administrative Professionals
10%
10% Finance Professionals
10% Elementary occupations
10% Administrative occupations
10% Information Technology Professionals

Grading & Study Time

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for this course

Qualification requirements

Access to HE Diploma

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.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

If Mathematics is not taken beyond GCSE, a grade 7, (or A) in GCSE Mathematics, or Core Mathematics grade B is essential

Contextual offers for this programme are typically two grades beneath our standard entry requirement, e.g. BCC including one of Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Environmental Science or Geology at grade B.

English language requirements

test Grade Additional Details
IELTS (Academic) 6.5

We require a minimum score of 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each element of the test (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing).

TOEFL (iBT) 88

We require a minimum score of 88 overall with no less than 17 in Listening and Writing, 18 in Reading and 20 in Speaking.

Cambridge English Advanced

We require a grade B or a score of 176 overall with no element less than 162.

Cambridge English Proficiency

We require a grade C or a score of 176 overall with no element less than 162.

PTE Academic 69

We require a minimum score of 69 overall with at least 59 in each element of the test (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing).

Institution's Own Test

Test of English for Educational Purposes (TEEP). We require a minimum score of 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each element of the test (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing).

Trinity ISE

We require a Merit in each element from ISE II. If you take ISE III or ISE IV, we require a Pass in each element.

Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Environmental Science, 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 Science BSc (Hons)

England UK £9250 year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 year 1
Scotland £9250 year 1
Wales £9250 year 1
Channel Islands £9250 year 1
Ireland £9250 year 1
EU £27650 year 1
International £27650 year 1

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)

University Rankings

Positions of University of Reading in top UK and global rankings.

Rankings of University of Reading in related subject specific rankings.

Social Studies & Humanities

    • #24 
    • #76 
    Geography
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #21 
    • #101 
    Geography
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #29 
    • #176 
    Social Sciences
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 19 October, 2023]

See all 29 university rankings of University of Reading

About University of Reading

The University of Reading is a publicly funded university in Reading, Berkshire, England. Reading has four major campuses; London Road and Whiteknights campus which are located in Reading itself, with Greenlands campus being found on the banks of the River Thames. The fourth campus is known as Iskandar Puteri, in Malaysia.

List of 375 Bachelor and Master Courses from University of Reading - Course Catalogue

Student composition of University of Reading

undergraduates:
11905
postgraduates:
3995
Total:
15900
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Where is this programme taught

Main Site
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