Environmental Science BSc (Hons)
Course code F900
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 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 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 at grade C or above, or equivalent, in a science subject
- Alternatively, Foundation Apprenticeship Scientific Technologies (Laboratory Skills) PLUS an additional Scottish Higher at grade C or above and National 5 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
Advanced entry to year 2 may be available with:
- HNC Applied Sciences (120 credits/15 HN credits)
- HNC Bioscience (120 credits/15 HN credits)
- HNC Horticulture (120 credits/15 HN credits)
- HNC Wildlife and Conservation Management (120 credits/15 HN credits)
Advanced entry to year 3 may be available with:
*Recommended science subjects (Highers/A levels):
- Applications of Mathematics
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Cruinn-eolas
- Computing science
- Design and Manufacture
- Engineering Science
- Environmental Science
- Geography
- Geology
- Gniomhachas Matamataigs
- Human Biology
- Matamataig
- Mathematics
- Physics
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 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 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 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:
- Forests for people: policy and practice
- Remote sensing
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:
- Agroecology and regeneration food systems*
- Applied marine ecology
- Investigating human impacts on freshwater ecosystems
- Natural hazards and mitigation*
- 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*
- Applied marine ecology
- Climate and marine resource modelling
- Investigating human impacts on freshwater ecosystems
- Natural hazards and mitigation*
- People, plants and animals*
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 requiring a visa to study in the UK
How will I study my course?
- Full-time
- Part-time
- Part-time modular (standalone modules)
- You will learn through a combination of practical laboratory work, field trips, face-to-face and video conference lectures and tutorials, and online study via the university's virtual learning environment (VLE), with support from your tutors
- You will take part in a mandatory induction in September
How long will my course last?
- Full-time: 4 years @ 37.5 hours per week
- Part-time: 6-8 years @ 19-25 hours per week
- Part-time modular: 12 weeks @ 200 hours per module
Number of hours per week indicates the total number of hours you should dedicate to the course, which includes time spent in lectures and your own time spent on individual study and research.
Where can I study my course?
- Inverness
Start date
- September
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.
| Study Mode | 2024-25 | 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (120 credit modules) per year | £1,820 | £1,820 |
| Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year | £915 | £915 |
| Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module) | £305 | £305 |
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:
| Year | Level | 2024-25 Full-time | 2025-26 Full-time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | CertHE | £9,250 | £9,250 |
| Year 2 | DipHE | £9,250 | £9,250 |
| Year 3 | Degree | £9,250 | £9,250 |
| Year 4 | Honours | free | free |
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.
| Year | Level | 2024-25 Full-time | With scholarship | 2025-26 Full-time | With scholarship |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | CertHE | £15,996 | £11,996 | £16,950 | £12,950 |
| Year 2 | DipHE | £15,996 | £11,996 | £16,950 | £12,950 |
| Year 3 | Degree | £15,996 | £11,996 | £16,950 | £12,950 |
| Year 4 | Honours | £15,996 | Free | £16,950 | Free |
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:
| Study Mode | 2024-25 | 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time per year (120 credit modules) per year | £15,996 | £16,950 |
| Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year | £7,998 | £8,475 |
| Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module) | £2,666 | £2,825 |
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 field trip module to Iceland. You will be required to pay a contribution towards the cost of the residentials and international trips. The module option for Iceland trip may also require a visa; it will be your responsibility to research and secure your visa to travel to Iceland if necessary.
What can I do on completion of my course?
Once you have successfully completed your BSc (Hons) Environmental Science course, you might like to consider a career with:
- Scottish Natural Heritage (area officer, research projects, interpretation)
- Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (ecologists, soil or microbial scientists, hydrologists, marine scientists)
- Local authorities (biodiversity workers, environmental project work including flood alleviation, coastal zone protection, wildlife protection)
- Forestry Commission (biodiversity, native woodlands, species, GIS)
- Environmental consultancy work
- Industry - environmental management teams
- National (e.g. RSPB) or local (e.g. Scottish Wildlife Trust) NGOs and charities
Can I progress into further study?
You can progress from the BSc (Hons) Environmental Science degree to the following postgraduate courses:
- MSc Sustainable Energy Solutions
- MSc Net Zero Communities
- MSc Sustainable Mountain Development
- MSc Sustainability and Rural Regeneration
- MSc Applied Data Analytics
- MRes Environmental Science
- MRes Forestry
- MRes Freshwater Biodiversity and Conservation
- MRes Freshwater Science
- MRes Sustainability
Is there more information available online?
You can use the above QR code to connect directly to the course details.
I knew this was the right course for me as I could learn from fantastic lecturers in good laboratories with high-spec equipment. The practical skills taught during field trips have already secured me an industry placement. I learnt a lot about the sector I hope to work in once I graduate. My favourite thing about UHI is the people! It’s a tight-knit community, and you really get to know each other while studying. Being so close to nature and being able to stay close to family are also great things about living in the Highlands and Islands.
Hannah studied the BSc (Hons) Environmental Science at UHI Inverness.
Apply for Environmental Science BSc (Hons)
We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.