Environmental Science BSc (Hons)

What is special about this course?

Are you passionate about understanding the processes that shape all aspects of our natural environment? Perhaps you've already spent time in the industry and now you're ready to focus your energies into a more specific area of the environmental sciences?

Explore your fascination with the world around us on our 4-year BSc (Hons) Environmental Science, with amazing opportunities to pursue your specific interests via our Environmental Biology, Environmental Biotechnology, and Environmental Science with Archaeology pathways.
 
You won’t find a better classroom in which to study than the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. With outstanding locations such as the newly inscribed Flow Country World Heritage Site (the first peatland World Heritage Site), Cairngorms National Park, and many more, we have, undeniably, one of the world’s best ‘living laboratories’, all set in the spectacular natural habitat of the Scottish Highlands.  

Develop core scientific and analytical skills through your course work, with access to specialist and state-of-the-art laboratory facilities across the university network. During each year of study you will have the opportunity to choose modules with lab and field residentials at a variety of locations throughout the region, including an international field trip in year 2. These modules are a key part of the course, allowing you to develop your lab and field skills while working in some of the most outstanding habitats in Scotland and Iceland.

For a 5-year study option that includes a 1-year industry work placement, please see our BSc (Hons) Environmental Science (with a year in industry).

Special features

• Located in one of the world’s best ‘living laboratories’ between the Cairngorms National Park and Flow Country UNESCO World Heritage site
• Have access to a course packed with field and lab activities at each level of study in Scottish locations and abroad.
• Opportunities to exit with any of the following pathways:
  • BSc (Hons) Environmental Biology
  • BSc (Hons) Environmental Biotechnology
  • BSc (Hons) Environmental Science
  • BSc (Hons) Environmental Science with Archaeology
• Study full-time or part-time to suit your personal  circumstances 
• Study individual modules for personal or professional development

Accommodation

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

Entry requirements

• 3 Scottish Highers at grade BCC or above OR
• 2 A levels at grade BC or above
• These must include two science subjects
• 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)
• International students whose first language is not English must also meet relevant language competency standards
• Applicants with other qualifications or experience will be considered on an individual basis
• 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 (120 credits/15 HN credits)
• HNC Wildlife and Conservation Management (120 credits/15 HN credits)

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

You will study the following core modules:

• Introduction to biology
• Introduction to environmental science
• Laboratory skills and practice
• Scientific research and careers

You will also pick from the below core modules depending on your pathway:
Environmental Biology/Environmental Biotechnology/Environmental Science pathways

• Fundamental chemistry
• Introduction to global environmental issues

Environmental Science with Archaeology**

• Archaeological theory and method
• Science and archaeology

Year 2 - DipHE

You will study the following core modules:

• Environmental processes
• GIS for Scientists
• Practical skills in field ecology

You will also pick one of the following options:

• Environmental conservation
• Sustainable development approaches in an international context

Environmental Biology/Environmental Science pathways
You will also study the following core modules:

• Applied chemistry in environmental systems
• Aquatic environments

Environmental Biotechnology pathway
You will also study the following core modules:

• Applied chemistry in environmental systems
• Chemistry for bioscience

Environmental Science with Archaeology**
You will also study the following core modules:

• Excavation skills
• Wetland archaeology

Year 3 - BSc

Environmental Biology pathway
You will study the following core modules:

• Applied genetics and genomics
• Assessing environmental impacts of development
• Climate science
• Environmental monitoring
• Introduction to data science modelling
• Peatland ecology

Environmental Biotechnology pathway
You will study the following core modules:

• Applied genetics and genomics
• Climate science
• Environmental applications of bioscience
• Environmental monitoring
• Introduction to data science modelling
• Microbial biotechnology for environmental scientists

Environmental Science pathway
You will study the following core modules:

• Assessing environmental impacts of development
• Climate science
• Environmental monitoring
• Introduction to data science modelling
• Peatland ecology

You will also pick one of the following options:

• Remote sensing
• Sustainable land management

Environmental Science with Archaeology pathway**
You will study the following core modules:

• Archaeological science
• Assessing environmental impacts of development
• Introduction to data science modelling
• Peatland ecology
• Practical environmental archaeology
• Remote sensing

Year 4 - BSc (Hons)

Environmental Biology pathway
You will study the following core modules:

• Animal behaviour
• Conservation of biodiversity
• Dissertation
• Environmental science in practice

You will also pick one of the following options:

• Advanced monitoring skills*
• Agroecology and regeneration food systems*
• Applied marine ecology
• Freshwater conservation science
• Natural hazards and mitigation*
• People, plants and animals*

Environmental Biotechnology pathway
You will study the following core modules:

• Dissertation
• Environmental science in practice
• Natural product drug discovery and development
• Sustainable energy and waste minimisation

You will also pick one of the following options:

• Agroecology and regeneration food systems
• People, plants and animals

Environmental Science pathway
You will study the following core modules:

• Advanced monitoring skills
• Dissertation
• Environmental science in practice
• Sustainable energy and waste minimisation

You will also pick one of the following options:

• Agroecology and regeneration food systems
• Animal behaviour
• Applied marine ecology
• Climate and marine resource modelling
• Conservation of biodiversity
• Freshwater conservation science
• Natural hazards and mitigation
• People, plants and animals
• Sustainability past and present

Environmental Science with Archaeology pathway**
You will study the following core modules:

• Biomolecular archaeology
• Dissertation
• Environmental science in practice
• People, plants and animals
• Sustainability past and present

*Not available to international students on this pathway
**Environmental Science with Archaeology pathway is not available to International students

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.

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:

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 (see the Funding section opposite).

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.

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:

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.
 
The Iceland trip contribution is usually approximately £500 and you may also require a visa; it will be your responsibility to research and secure your visa to travel to Iceland if necessary. 
 
Further information is available upon request.