Environmental Science (with a year in industry) BSc (Hons)

What is special about this course?

Are you passionate about understanding the processes that shape all aspects of our natural environment? Would you like to spend a year of your studies in a supported industry placement, learning the practical applications of environmental science in real-time?

Join our 5-year BSc (Hons) Environmental Science (with a year in industry)*, with amazing opportunities to pursue your specific interests via our Environmental Biology and Environmental Biotechnology pathways, and spend 1 year working alongside industry professionals, developing invaluable expertise, adding to your CV, and improving your career prospects as you prepare for employment.

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 4-year study option without the 1-year industry placement, please see our BSc (Hons) Environmental Science.

*subject to validation

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.
• Have the opportunity to gain invaluable experience by spending a year working in industry
• Opportunities to exit with any of the following pathways:
  • BSc (Hons) Environmental Biology (with a year in industry)
  • BSc (Hons) Environmental Biotechnology (with a year in industry)
  • BSc (Hons) Environmental Science (with a year in industry)

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 Chemistry at grade C or above, or equivalent
• Alternatively, Foundation Apprenticeship Scientific Technologies (Laboratory Skills) PLUS an additional Scottish Higher at grade B or above and National 5 in Chemistry at grade B 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
• This is a Category 2 PVG course: PVG Scheme membership is required for specific optional modules/units, where there is guaranteed contact with vulnerable groups in optional modules/units, but an alternative pathway exists to achieve target qualification. For further information visit our PVG scheme webpage

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:

• HND Horticulture
• HND Wildlife and Conservation Management

Year 1 - CertHE

You will study the following core modules:

• Fundamental chemistry
• Introduction to biology
• Introduction to environmental science
• Introduction to global environmental issues 
• Laboratory skills and practice
• Scientific research and careers

Year 2 - DipHE

You will study the following core modules:

• Applied chemistry in environmental systems
• 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 module:

• Aquatic environments

Environmental Biotechnology pathway
You will also study the following core module:

• Chemistry for bioscience

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 Biotechnology pathway
You will study the following core modules:

• Applied genetics and genomics
• Climate science
• Environmental applications of bioscience
• Environmental monitoring
• Introduction to data science modelling
• Microbial biotechnology for environmental scientists

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:

• Remote sensing
• Sustainable land management

Year 4 - Year in industry

You may have the opportunity to undertake an optional year-long work placement between your BSc and BSc (Hons) years. We will support you to find a suitable placement, however if a placement is not found, you will have the opportunity to transfer to the standard four year course.

Year 5 - 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:

• Advanced monitoring skills*
• Agroecology and regeneration food systems*
• Applied marine ecology
• Freshwater conservation science
• Natural hazards and mitigation*
• People, plants and animals*

Environmental Biotechnology pathway
You will study the following core modules:

• Dissertation
• Environmental science in practice
• Natural product drug discovery and development
• Sustainable energy and waste minimisation

You will also pick one of the following options:

• Agroecology and regeneration food systems
• 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
• Animal behaviour
• Applied marine ecology
• Climate and marine resource modelling
• Conservation of biodiversity
• Freshwater conservation science
• Natural hazards and mitigation
• People, plants and animals
• Sustainability past and present

*Not available to international students on this pathway

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.

Scottish students can apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to be assessed for eligibility to have their tuition fees paid by the Scottish Government.

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, the following fees apply:

Honours year free only for students studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.

Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.

There are a number of funding options available to UK students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying.

International students

This course is not currently available for international students (including EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled status in the UK) requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study here. For students living in the UK and assessed as international for fee status, the following fees will apply:

This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

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 trip to Iceland. You will be required to cover the travel cost to and from your place of work during your year out in industry, and to pay a contribution towards the cost of the residentials and international trips.
 
The Iceland trip contribution is usually approximately £500. Further information is available upon request.