Environmental Earth Sciences BSc (Honours)

Environmental Earth Sciences will equip you to understand the changing environment of our dynamic planet. Combining aspects of climate science, oceanography, geology, biology and geography, this degree considers how the oceans, atmosphere, biosphere, and geosphere interact to drive environmental change from early Earth history to the modern era. The course also addresses the main challenges facing society today, including climate change, environmental degradation, and societal response.

The degree provides hands-on training in field, laboratory and computational techniques, central to the environmental sciences.

Students interested in this course may also be interested in the Geology BSc or the Earth Sciences MGeol Integrated Masters course , which allows you to graduate with a Masters in Earth Sciences.

The BSc in Environmental Earth Sciences from St Andrews is accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences.

Entry requirements

The University offers different entry requirements, depending on your background. Find out more about Standard, Minimum and Gateway entry requirements using academic entry explained and see which entry requirements you need to look at using the entry requirements indicator.

For degrees combining more than one subject, the subject with the higher entry requirements determines the grades you need. You will also need to meet any further subject-specific entry requirements as outlined on their pages.

• Standard entry grades:

  AAAB, including two of the following subjects: Biology (or Human Biology), Chemistry, Environmental Science, Geography, Mathematics and Physics.

  Minimum entry grades:

  AABB, including two of the following subjects: Biology (or Human Biology), Chemistry, Environmental Science, Geography, Mathematics and Physics.

  Gateway entry grades:

  Applicants who have narrowly missed the minimum entry grades, but meet the University's contextual criteria, may be interested in one of the University’s Gateway programmes.

• Standard entry grades:

  AAB, including two of the following subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Geography, Geology, Mathematics and Physics.

  Minimum entry grades:

  ABB, including two of the following subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Geography, Geology, Mathematics and Physics.

• Standard entry grades:

  36 (HL 6,6,5), including HL6 in two of the following subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Environmental systems and societies (ES&S), Geography, Mathematics and Physics.

  Minimum entry grades:

  36 (HL 6,5,5), including HL5 in two of the following subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Environmental systems and societies (ES&S), Geography, Mathematics and Physics.

General entry requirements

All applicants must have attained the following qualifications, or equivalent, in addition to the specific entry requirements for individual programmes.

• SQA National 5 (B) in English and one SQA National 5 (B) from the following:

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Computing science
  • Geography
  • Applications of Mathematics
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Psychology.

• GCSE (5) in English language or English literature, and one GCSE (5) from the following:

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Computing Science
  • Geography
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Psychology.

Other qualifications

We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry on to our programmes. Please see our entry requirements for more information.

More information on how to apply via other entry routes or accreditation of prior learning and experience can be found on the University’s entry requirements web page.

Do I need to have studied this subject before?

Most students who enrol on this course have not studied Earth Sciences at school, and choose Earth Sciences based on a love of the environment, nature, and science. If you are interested in the processes that shape the planet and its environment, a degree in Environmental Earth Sciences is likely the right choice. Preference will be given to candidates with strong science qualifications.

Alternative study options

Direct entry to second year

Well-qualified school leavers may be able to apply for admission directly into the second year of this course.

Integrated Masters

It is possible to take Earth Sciences as a five-year Integrated Masters course, allowing you to graduate with a Master of Science.

Gateway programmes

Applicants who have narrowly missed the minimum entry grades but meet the University's contextual criteria may be interested in the Gateway to Science programme.

Study abroad

Earth and environmental sciences students can apply to participate in the University-wide St Andrews Abroad programme. You may also have the opportunity to participate in the School Abroad exchange programme. For information about study abroad options, please see the study abroad site.

International applicants

If English is not your first language, you will need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability. Find out more about approved English language tests and scores for this course.

Careers

The School is proactive about developing career opportunities and career activities are provided for all students from first year onwards. Assessment styles may imitate real workplace scenarios and some modules in Honours years are supported by visits to and by industry partners, and provide training in industry-standard software packages. As a result, graduates are well prepared for a wide range of career options and graduate employment prospects are consistently among the best in the UK. 

There are multiple career options for Environmental Earth Sciences graduates, both specifically in the energy, natural resources, and environmental sectors, as well as in wider science and policy areas.  

The degrees offered provide advanced training in a wide range of transferable skills, including scientific problem solving, written communication and oral presentation, and field training. 

Recent employers of graduates include: 

• Accenture 
• BHP Billiton 
• BP 
• British Geological Survey 
• The Civil Service
• Fugro 
• Gemfields 
• Geotechnics Ltd. 
• Hinkley Point C nuclear power station 
• JBA Consulting 
• JP Morgan
• The Met Office
• National Museums Scotland 
• Norsk Hydro 
• Scottish Environmental Protection Agency 
• Scottish Natural Heritage

Many graduates undertake further study, both at MSc and PhD level. Recent PhD destinations include: 

• Boulder 
• Caltech 
• Cambridge 
• Durham 
• ETH Zurich 
• MIT 
• Oxford 
• Penn State 
• Stanford 

The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students to build their employability skills.