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Undergraduate

Ecology and Environmental Science BSc (Hons)

University of Gloucestershire

What is Ecology and Environmental Science BSc (Hons)?

On this Institution of Environmental Sciences-accredited degree, focus on key themes and issues within ecological, conservation and environmental science, and prepare for a career addressing the challenges that face our natural world.

Our biology courses are ranked in the top 10 in the UK for student satisfaction, and 11th in the UK for career prospects by the Guardian University Guide 2023.

You’ll choose from themes reflecting our research specialisms in applied ecology, conservation, monitoring & management, ecological theory, environmental change, water and global sustainability.

Developing advanced skills in lab work, ecological surveying and geographic information systems, you’ll progress from UK field training to field research in the savannah of South Africa, tropical rainforests of Borneo or the montane environments of the Swiss Alps.

With a focus on small class, practical and field learning, you will be assessed entirely through coursework to gain a truly representative measure of graduate attributes sought by future employers and for postgraduate study.

Find out more about our range of fee waivers, scholarships, bursaries and awards for both UK and International students.

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Entry requirements

    • 104 – 120 UCAS tariff points, BCC – BBB at A levels, MMM – DDM at BTEC, or a Merit in your T-Level.

      If you are unsure whether we could make you an offer or you have any questions, just get in touch with our admissions team who will be able to advise you.

    • English Language or Literature and Maths Grade 4/C in GCSE (or equivalent) are normally required.

    • We welcome and encourage applications from mature students (aged 21 and over). If you are taking an Access to Higher Education Diploma you will need to pass 60 credits with at least 45 credits at Level 3.

Course modules

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Fees and costs

See the further details of fees and potential extra costs when studying a course at the University of Gloucestershire.
Start date Location UCAS code Fee (UK)
per year
Fee (international)
per year
Sep 2024 Francis Close Hall, Cheltenham C1FP £9,250 £16,600
Sep 2025 Francis Close Hall, Cheltenham C1FP TBC TBC

Ready to apply?

Possible careers

Graduates from this course can go on to work in:

  • ecological survey and habitat management consultancy
  • environmental impact assessment
  • science communication
  • teaching, lecturing and research.

Industry links

We offer short-term internships and year-long placement options – so you can gain workplace experience, network with potential employers and obtain academic credit towards your degree. Recently students have worked for ecological consultancies and provided environmental intelligence in the construction industry. Others have gained teaching experience in schools to support their teacher training applications. And some have joined us as research assistants to investigate soil and plant relationships, and GIS and climate change.

As a CHES-accredited course, you can also apply for free student membership of the Institution of Environmental Sciences and for a fast-track route to membership once you graduate – starting you on a route towards becoming a Chartered Environmentalist or Chartered Scientist.

Work with ecological organisations

We have excellent links with local, national and international ecological and environmental organisations, many of which offer internship opportunities. These include Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, Ecotricity, Kier Construction, BirdLife International, Lepus Consulting and Cotswold Wildlife Park.

Study a course with excellent rankings

With small class sizes, excellence in teaching and research, and the multiple learning opportunities our students receive – our environmental courses receive consistently high student satisfaction scores. We’re ranked 15th in the UK for student satisfaction in Geography and Environmental Science, according to the Complete University Guide 2021.

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Ranked 11th in the UK for career prospects

Our biology courses are ranked in 11th in the UK for career prospects by the Guardian University Guide 2023.

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Ranked in the top 10 in the UK for student satisfaction

Our biology courses are ranked in the top 10 in the UK for student satisfaction by the Guardian University Guide 2023.

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Ranked in the top 10 in the UK for student satisfaction

Our biological sciences courses are ranked in the top 10 in the UK for student satisfaction by the Complete University Guide 2023.

Placements

As part of your course you can gain valuable experience on an optional placement year.

  • Duration – 12 months, full-time (minimum 35 hours a week)
  • Location – popular destinations include the UK, USA, China and Europe
  • Visa – you may need a visa if you’re on placement abroad
  • Finance – your tuition fee is reduced for your placement year – and you can still apply for a maintenance loan and get money advice
  • Placement support – we’ll help you find a great placement and get the most out of the experience

"I lead the second year trip to the Swiss Alps where we study ecological processes"

“The high Alps serve as an amazing and dynamic outdoor laboratory – and students seem to benefit hugely from the trip academically. There are all kinds of fascinating applications for the skills gained from our degree, which tie in nicely to competencies required for careers in areas such as habitat management, species survey and identification, fluvial monitoring methods, climate change and Geographical Information Systems.”

Julia Webb, Academic Course Leader

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