Environmental Science BSc Hons

Discover the global challenges facing our environment through a series of fascinating topics that are brought to life out in the field and in dedicated state-of-the-art laboratories.

This flexible programme draws from a wide range of scientific disciplines to build a degree that matches your interests and career aspirations. Covering both natural and man-made environments, we will explore the main factors and processes that control today’s environment; how the environment has evolved to its current state; and how environmental conditions may change in the future.

Throughout your degree, you will be taught by internationally-renowned academics and will have access to our state-of-the-art laboratories, which offer excellent facilities for practical work.

Your first year will address many of the fundamental themes of environmental science, from understanding hydrology and flood risk to learning about the atmosphere, weather and climate.

Second-year modules build on themes introduced in Year 1, whilst allowing you to apply your knowledge in a residential fieldwork module at Carrock Fells in the scenic Lake District. This week-long module allows you to engage with the environment first-hand in an informal and practical setting. Additionally, we offer a range of other exciting fieldwork opportunities: you can choose to examine glaciers and landscapes in Iceland; undertake geomorphology work in northern Spain; or study water and environmental management in Croatia. We also provide geology field modules which include work in the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales.

Specialisation begins in the second year with the aim to prepare you for your third year dissertation. In your second year, you will be given the flexibility to shape your own path and focus on a specific topic, be it geological hazards, soil science, environmental radioactivity or glacial systems.

The third-year dissertation gives you an opportunity to work on a subject that really interests you. Many students choose projects with a substantial fieldwork component, benefitting from our strong links with external organisations in the UK and abroad.  Alternatively, you can conduct your research in our own state-of-the-art laboratories, or gain access to resources from other departments to enable computer-based modelling, for example.

Available options:- 

• MSci Hons Environmental Science

During your degree, you may be able to move to our MSci Hons Environmental Science programme which includes all the content available on this degree as well as a fourth-year offering a variety of Masters level modules and enabling you to undertake an extended research project.

• Environmental Science Study Abroad degrees

Broaden your horizons with our Environmental Science Study Abroad programme, available as a three-year BSc Hons or four-year MSci Hons degree. You will spend the second year of your degree studying at one of our partnering universities in North America, Australasia or Europe, allowing you the opportunity to gain experience of a different culture and society whilst studying a similar set of modules to those we offer at Lancaster.

• 4 year with MSci Hons (Study Abroad)
• 4 year with Placement Year