Environmental Geoscience (BSc) at University of Southampton

About

Explore the different processes that drive the global Earth system, on land, in the ocean, in the crust and in the atmosphere. You’ll combine geology, geography and oceanography, and develop a wide range of practical and transferable skills.

Our interdisciplinary degree will open up exciting career options in a range of fields. As an environmental geoscientist you’ll be able to assess the impact of human activity on the planet and society and work to mitigate this impact and find solutions for our future.

With this degree you'll discover the fundamental science that underpins the global Earth system. You'll study different disciplines and gain an extensive knowledge of Earth, marine and environmental sciences. You can choose to study a Geoscience or Marine pathway through this programme.

The human impact on the environment and its natural resources is an important focus for the course. In your third year you can specialise in either marine or terrestrial aspects of the Earth system.

You'll develop a variety of practical and professional skills relating to:

data collection in the field and laboratory
data interpretation and digital skills
environmental assessment and management

In Year 3 your research project will give you the chance to combine knowledge and practice working in a world-class research environment.

You’ll study at the National Oceanography Centre Southampton (NOCS). It is one of the world’s largest centres devoted to research, teaching and technology development in ocean and Earth science. Here you'll have the unique opportunity to work on research projects with NOCS scientists and have access to specialist facilities.

Foundation year

If you have not studied the required Science subjects for this course, you may be eligible to apply for and enter through our Science Foundation Year.

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.

Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).

Requirements

Entry Requirements

For Academic year 202526

A-levels

ABB including two acceptable/preferred science subjects. (minimum of grade B)

OR

BBB including two preferred sciences (minimum of grade B)

A-levels additional information

Preferred Science Subjects are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Geology.

Acceptable science subjects are Geography, Environmental Science, Computer Science and Electronics.

Where this offer is satisfied by including grades achieved in either Biology, Chemistry or Physics, a Pass in the practical is required.

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer: BBB including two accepted science subject (minimum of grade B) and grade A in the EPQ.

A-levels contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

or

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Pass, with 32 points overall with 16 points at Higher Level, including 5 in two Higher Level acceptable/preferred science subjects.

OR

Pass, with 30 points overall with 15 points at Higher Level, including 5 in two Higher Level preferred science subjects.

International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information

Preferred science subjects are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths (Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretation) and Geology.

Acceptable science subjects are Environmental Science and Geography

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

or

BTEC

D in the BTEC Extended Certificate + AB at A-Level, to include two acceptable/preferred science subjects.

OR

D in the BTEC Extended Certificate + BB at A-Level, to include two preferred science subject.

We do not accept the BTEC National Diploma/ BTEC National Extended Diploma without two AB grades in accepted science A Levels

RQF BTEC

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience.

Additional information

Acceptable A Level science subjects are Geography, Environmental Science, Computer Science and Electronics.

Preferred A level Science Subjects are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Geology.

Where this offer is satisfied by including grades achieved in either Biology, Chemistry or Physics, a Pass in the practical is required. Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking.

QCF BTEC

D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma + AB at A-Level, to include two acceptable/preferred science subjects.

OR

D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma + BB at A-Level, to include two preferred science subjects.

We do not accept the BTEC Diploma/BTEC Extended Diploma without two AB grades in accepted science A Levels.

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience.

or

Entry requirements filter options

Show more entry requirements

Access to HE Diploma

Irish Leaving Certificate

Scottish Qualification offers

Cambridge Pre-U

Welsh Baccalaureate

T Level

Access to HE Diploma

60 credits with 45 credits at Level 3, of which 30 credits must be at Distinction and 15 at Merit

Access to HE additional information

A core science Access to HE Diploma must be studied.

Irish Leaving Certificate

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)

H1, H2, H2, H2, H3, H3 to include two acceptable/preferred science subject.

OR

H2, H2, H3, H3, H3, H3 to include two preferred science subjects.

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2016)

AAABBB to include two acceptable/preferred science subjects.

OR

AABBBB to include two preferred science subjects.

Irish certificate additional information

Preferred Science Subjects are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Geology.

Acceptable science subjects are Geography, Environmental Science, Computer Science and Electronics.

Where this offer is satisfied by including grades achieved in either Biology, Chemistry or Physics, a Pass in the practical.

Scottish Qualification

Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education.

Please see the University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement (PDF) for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

Cambridge Pre-U

D3, M2, M2 to include two acceptable/preferred science subjects.

OR

M2, M2, M2 to include two preferred science subjects

Cambridge Pre-U additional information

Preferred Science Subjects are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Geology.

Acceptable science subjects are Geography, Environmental Science, Computer Science and Electronics.

Cambridge Pre-U's can be used in combination with other qualifications such as A Levels to achieve the equivalent of the typical offer, where D3 can be used in lieu of A Level grade A or grade M2 can be used in lieu of grade B.

Welsh Baccalaureate

AB from two acceptable/preferred science A levels and B from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate

OR

BB from two preferred science A levels and B from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate.

Welsh Baccalaureate additional information

Preferred Science Subjects are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Geology.

Acceptable science subjects are Geography, Environmental Science, Computer Science and Electronics.

Where this offer is satisfied by including grades achieved in either Biology, Chemistry or Physics, a Pass in the practical.

Welsh Baccalaureate contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

T-Level

Not accepted for this course. Applicants with a T Level in a relevant subject should apply for the Science Foundation Year

English Program Requirements

Find the equivalent international qualifications for our entry requirements.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

IELTS score requirements

overall score: 6.5
reading: 6.0
writing: 6.0
speaking: 6.0
listening: 6.0

We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.

Career

Careers

Graduates of our Environmental Geoscience degree programs can expect to find work in the following areas:

environmental surveying, research and consultancy
engineering geology, construction industry and geotechnical surveying
renewable energy development
environmental monitoring

This degree provides a good foundation for further study and research at postgraduate level.

We host an annual careers fair at the National Oceanography Centre Southampton. Over 25 key employers attend, all looking for Southampton graduates.

Careers services at Southampton

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:

work experience schemes
CV and interview skills and workshops
networking events
careers fairs attended by top employers
a wealth of volunteering opportunities
study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Fee Information

Tuition Fee

GBP 30,300

Application Fee

GBP

Environmental Geoscience (BSc)

University of Southampton

University of Southampton

Key Facts

Start & Deadlines