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 degree 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. These residentials 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.
Special features
- Study in one of the world’s best ‘living laboratories’
- Undertake a residential field module each year at locations throughout the region
- You can study full-time or part-time to suit your personal circumstances
- You can also 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:
- HNC Applied Sciences
- HNC Countryside and Environmental Management
Advanced entry to year 3 may be available with:
- HND Countryside 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
Modules may include:
- Environmental conservation
- Environmental processes
- Freshwater environments
- Introduction to geographic information systems
- Marine environments
- Practical skills in field ecology (including a 3-day residential)
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
Costs vary depending on the location of study and generally range from £550 to £710 in total over the four years.
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?
You can use the above QR code to connect directly to the course details.
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.
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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.