Environmental Science BSc (Hons)

Course code F900

What is special about this course?

If you are passionate about understanding the processes that shape our natural environment, and keen to develop the scientific and analytical skills required to work as an environmental scientist, then our BSc (Hons) Environmental Science is exactly what you are looking for.
 
You won’t find a better classroom in which to study than the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. We have, undeniably, one of the world’s best ‘living laboratories’, in the spectacular natural habitats of the Scottish Highlands. 

Here you will develop core scientific and analytical skills through course work in campus laboratories. You will have access to specialist analytical equipment across the university network, and the opportunity to undertake a residential field module each year at locations throughout the region, including an international field module in year 2. These modules are a key part of the course, allowing you to develop your field skills while working in some of the most outstanding habitats in Scotland and Iceland.

Special features

  • Study in one of the world’s best ‘living laboratories’
  • Undertake a residential field module each year, at locations throughout the region and further afield (with an optional fieldtrip to Iceland in year 2)
  • Study full-time or part-time to suit your personal circumstances 
  • Study individual modules for personal or professional development
  • Practical lab and field work is a key part of the course

Accommodation

We offer modern student accommodation at a number of our locations.

Entry requirements

  • 3 Scottish Highers at grade C or above (these must include science at grade C or above) OR
  • 2 A levels at grade C or above (these must include science at grade C or above)
  • PLUS National 5, Standard Grade Credit or Intermediate 2 Chemistry at grade C or above, or equivalent
  • Alternatively, Foundation Apprenticeship Scientific Technologies (Laboratory Skills) PLUS an additional Scottish Higher at Grade C or above and National 5 in Chemistry at Grade C or above (or equivalent)
  • We also accept candidates without the standard entry requirements, but with considerable professional experience in science-based employment
  • This is a Category 2 PVG course: PVG Scheme membership is required for specific optional modules/units, where there is guaranteed contact with vulnerable groups in optional modules/units, but an alternative pathway exists to achieve target qualification. For further information visit our PVG scheme webpage

Advanced entry to year 2 may be available with:

Advanced entry to year 3 may be available with:

  • HND Wildlife and Conservation Management

Access routes

SWAP Access courses
If you are eligible to undertake Scottish Wider Access Programmes (SWAP), please visit our SWAP access list for further information on grade profiles and available subjects.

Year 1 - CertHE

Modules may include:

  • Collecting and analysing data
  • Ecological principles: biodiversity and ID skills (including a 2-day residential)
  • Fundamental chemistry
  • Introduction to global environmental issues
  • Principles of biology
  • Science lab skills

Year 2 - DipHE

You will study the following core modules:

  • Environmental processes
  • Introduction to geographic information systems
  • Marine environments
  • Practical skills in field ecology

You will also study 2 of the following optional modules:

  • Sustainable development approaches in an international context (fieldtrip)
  • Environmental conservation
  • Freshwater environments

Year 3 - BSc

Modules may include:

  • Climate change
  • Environmental analysis
  • Field Course
  • Introduction to data science and modelling
  • Research skills project

Plus one optional module in semester 2 from:

  • Management of the marine resource
  • Strategic environmental monitoring

Year 4 - BSc (Hons)

  • Engaging with external agencies (including a work placement)
  • Science and society
  • Sustainable energy and waste minimisation 

Plus one optional module in semester 2 from:

  • Advanced monitoring techniques
  • Climate and marine resource modelling
  • Conservation of biodiversity

You will also complete a dissertation.

How will I study my course?

  • Full-time
  • Part-time (structured)
  • Part-time (unstructured)
  • You will learn through a combination of practical laboratory work, field trips, face-to-face and video conference lectures and tutorials, and online study via the university's virtual learning environment (VLE), with support from your tutors

How long will my course last?

  • Full-time: 4 years @ 40 hours per week
  • Part-time (structured): 8 years @ 20 hours per week
  • Part-time (unstructured): variable @ 10 hours per week

Number of hours per week indicates the total number of hours you should dedicate to the course, which includes time spent in lectures and your own time spent on individual study and research.

Where can I study my course?

  • Inverness
  • Moray
  • North, West and Hebrides - Environmental Research Institute, Thurso
  • Perth

Start date

  • September
  • January (part-time study only)

Fees

For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

This includes

  • EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
  • EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
  • EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
Study Mode 2023-24 2024-25
Full-time (120 credit modules) per year £1,820 £1,820
Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year £915 £915
Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module) £305 £305

Rest of UK students

For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) and with a term-time address in Scotland, studying full time, the following fees apply:

Year Level 2023-24 Full-time 2024-25 Full-time
Year 1 CertHE £9,250 £9,250
Year 2 DipHE £9,250 £9,250
Year 3 Degree £9,250 £9,250
Year 4 Honours free free

4th year free only for students studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.

Part-time (per 20 credit module) - £1,542.

Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.

There are a number of funding options available to UK and EU students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying.

EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK

Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, the Scottish Government confirmed that EU/EEA and Swiss nationals, who do not have settled or pre-settled status, will be considered as international for fee purposes.  Students will get an automatic scholarship of £4,000 per annum and the 4th year of study will be free for those studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.

This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

Year Level 2023-24 Full-time With scholarship 2024-25 Full-time With scholarship
Year 1 CertHE £15,360 £11,360 £15,996 £11,996
Year 2 DipHE £15,360 £11,360 £15,996 £11,996
Year 3 Degree £15,360 £11,360 £15,996 £11,996
Year 4 Honours £15,360 Free £15,996 Free

Students will need Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.

International students

For students who do not normally reside in the UK or European Union and with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

Study Mode 2023-24 2024-25
Full-time per year (120 credit modules) per year £15,360 £15,996
Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year £7,680 £7,998
Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module) £2,560 £2,666

Part-time study is not open to international student requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.

Further information on international course fees.

A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time rest of the UK, EU and international undergraduate students for continuous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award.

Funding

UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.

Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.

Additional costs

This course includes several field trips, including residentials and an optional international trip to Iceland. You will be required to pay a contribution towards the cost of the residentials and international trips. Further information is available upon request.

What can I do on completion of my course?

Once you have successfully completed your BSc (Hons) Environmental Science course, you might like to consider a career with:

  • Scottish Natural Heritage (area officer, research projects, interpretation)
  • Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (ecologists, soil or microbial scientists, hydrologists, marine scientists)
  • Local authorities (biodiversity workers, environmental project work including flood alleviation, coastal zone protection, wildlife protection)
  • Forestry Commission (biodiversity, native woodlands, species, GIS)
  • Environmental consultancy work
  • Industry - environmental management teams
  • National (e.g. RSPB) or local (e.g. Scottish Wildlife Trust) NGOs and charities

Can I progress into further study?

You can progress from the BSc (Hons) Environmental Science degree to the following postgraduate courses:

Is there more information available online?

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I have never looked at the shore in this way: we discovered all sorts of marine life as well as a diverse number of seaweed. 

Jacqueline Johnstone is studying on the BSc (Hons) Environmental Science at our
UHI North Highland campus

I did initially look at universities in Aberdeen and Glasgow, however studying with the University of the Highlands and Islands meant that I could stay much closer to home. Also, the highlands provide the best place to study environmental science: you are so close to all the major environmental systems, such as freshwater and marine environments. Fieldtrips are by far my favourite part of the course as they allow me to use the knowledge learned in lectures.The trips are always a good laugh, they also make you realise the amount of knowledge the tutors have.

Cornelius Pelka, third year BSc (Hons) Environmental Science student

Andrea Goddard is in her second year of our BSc (Hons) Environmental Science at UHI Inverness. She was nominated for the Reid Environmental Fieldwork prize by Donna Clark, Programme Leader for the course.

Andrea was nominated after producing an excellent report for a first year statistics module, looking into the distribution of treecreeper roosts on giant sequoia trees. The data collection process involved a considerable amount of fieldwork and application on Andrea’s part, far in excess of what we would usually look for from a first year student.

Apply for Environmental Science BSc (Hons)

I want to start in Aug/Sep 2024 or Jan/Feb 2025

We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.