Environmental Science & Sustainability (Dumfries campus)

Accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES), this programme places field work and practical experience at its core. Situated in the 'Living Laboratory' of Dumfries and Galloway, this programme utilises our 85-acre campus and the diverse surrounding landscapes as dynamic learning environments.

for entry in 2025

Summary of entry requirements for Environmental Science & Sustainability

SQA Higher entry requirements (by end of S6)

• BBBB
• Additional requirements: Higher Science subject (two Higher Sciences are recommended).

SQA Higher adjusted entry requirements

• No Adjusted Higher Requirements

A-level standard entry requirements

• BBB – CCC
• Additional requirements: A-level Science subject.

IB standard entry requirements

• 32 (5,5,5)
• Additional requirements: HL Science subject.

Admissions guidance

• Find out more about entry requirements and alternative qualifications

Glasgow International College

International students with academic qualifications below those required should contact our partner institution, Glasgow International College, who offer a range of foundation certificates.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic and Academic Online (not General Training)

• 6.5 with no subtests under 6.0
• IELTS One Skill Retake Accepted
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

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Common equivalent English language qualifications for entry to this programme

TOEFL (ibt, mybest or athome)

• 90 overall with Reading 20; Listening 19; Speaking 19; Writing 21
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements, this includes TOEFL mybest.

Pearsons PTE Academic

• 59 with minimum 59 in all subtests
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)

• 176 overall, no subtest less than 169
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Oxford English Test

• 7 overall with no subtest less than 6
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

LanguageCert Academic SELT

• 70 overall with no subtest less than 60
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Password Skills Plus

• 6.5 overall with no subtest less than 6.0
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Trinity College Tests

• Integrated Skills in English II & III & IV: ISEII Distinction with Distinction in all sub-tests
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses

• Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.

School Qualifications

• IGCSE English First Language, grade C
• IGCSE English Second Language, grade A
• A Level English, grade C
• International Baccalaureate English A SL5 or HL5
• International Baccalaureate English B SL6 or HL5
• SQA National 5 English or ESOL, grade B
• SQA Higher English or ESOL, grade C

International School Qualifications

• Brunei: O-Level English Language 1120 grade B and above
• Denmark: Studentereksamen English at 7
• European Baccalaureate: English as Language 1 pass, if taken as Language 2 grade 7, if taken as Language 3 grade 7.5
• Finland: Ylioppilastutkinto / studentexamen English grade C or 4
• France: International Option Baccalaureate (OIB) / Baccalauréat Français International (BFI) grade 12
• Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone: West African Examination Council (WAEC) / Senior Secondary School Certificate English grade C6
• Germany: German Abitur English Grade 11
• Hong Kong: Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education, English Language grade 4
• India: Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) / All India School Certificate (ISC) English at 80%
• Kenya: Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) English grade B
• Netherlands: Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO) grade 7
• Norway: Vitnemal English grade 4 or above
• Singapore: Cambridge International O Level English Language (1128 Singapore only) at Grace C; Singapore Integrated Programme Secondary 4 English Language at grade B
• South Africa: National Senior Certificate (NSC) / Independent Exam Board (IEB) Grade 4 (English as Home Language) OR Grade 4 (English as First Additional Language)
• Sweden: Avgangsbetyg / Fullständigt Slutbetyg fran Gymnasieskolan English grade VG
• Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education at English at Ordinary Level grade C

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Alternatives to English Language qualification

• Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
  • students must have studied for a minimum of 2 years at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have completed their degree in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.
• Undergraduate 2+2 degrees from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
  • students must have completed their final two years study in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.

For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.

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Pre-sessional courses

We would strongly encourage you to consider the pre-sessional courses at the University of Glasgow's English for Academic Study (EAS) Unit. Our Pre-sessional courses are the best way to bring your English up to entry level for University study. Our courses give you:

• direct entry to your University programme for successful students (no need to take IELTS)
• essential academic skills to help you study effectively at University
• flexible entry dates so you can join the right course for your level.

For more detail on our pre-sessional courses please see:

• School of Modern Languages & Cultures: English for Academic Stud: Pre-sessional courses

We can also consider the pre-sessional courses accredited by the below BALEAP approved institutions to meet the language requirements for admission to our postgraduate taught degrees:

• Heriot Watt
• Kingston Upon Thames
• Middlesex University
• Manchester University
• Reading University
• Edinburgh University
• St Andrews University
• UCL
• Durham

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Visa requirements and proof of English language level

It is a visa requirement to provide information on your level of English based on an internationally recognised and secure English language test. All test reports must be no more than 2 years old. A list of these can be found on the UK Border Agency website. If you have never taken one of these tests before, you can get an initial idea of your level by using the Common European Framework self-assessment grid which gives you a level for each skill (e.g. listening B1/writing B2 etc.) However, please note that this is not a secure English language test and it is not sufficient evidence of your level of English for visa requirements.

Further information about English language: School of Modern Languages & Cultures: English for Academic Study

You will develop a range of skills in environmental management techniques, preparing you to enter the graduate job market in a wide variety of roles. The combination of a broad-based education with specialist input, supplemented with real work experience, will equip you with essential skills and qualities. Our programme is CEDHE-accredited which means our students can apply for free student membership of the IES and for a fast-track to membership once they graduate, starting you on a route towards becoming a Chartered Environmentalist or Chartered Scientist.  Previous graduate career paths include: