(Full time) 2020 start
Environmental Science (International) Degree
Overview
Environmental Science is at the forefront tackling global challenges, from the conservation of species and combatting climate change, to developing renewable technologies and creating a sustainable future.
Our Environmental Science (International) MEnv, BSc is a four-year Integrated Masters degree with a year spent in Australia, Canada or the USA. The programme offers a thorough understanding of the fundamental physics, chemistry and biology of the Earth’s environmental systems across a range of scales and will equip you with the knowledge and tools required to identify and solve the key environmental issues facing mankind.
The wide range of expertise in our department allows us to offer interdisciplinary insights into real-world environmental problems.
You’ll be trained in field and laboratory skills, including data collection and analysis. You will be taught by practicing experts and will get the opportunity to engage in frontier science through an independent research project during your final year. Our graduates are well placed to enter employment or postgraduate education, with deep knowledge and valuable transferable and environmental skills.
The year abroad
A year in the USA, Canada or Australia can add real value to your degree, broadening your academic horizons and demonstrating a high degree of independence - attributes highly valued by prospective employers.
Your Year Abroad is fully integrated into your course, so it counts towards your final degree classification, and you take only Masters-level modules during your fourth and final year. Leeds was the first university in the UK to introduce the fully integrated international study year abroad and we have many years experience of working with internationally renowned institutions in North America and Australasia.
Course content
Our modules cover a broad range of environmental issues, covering the geosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere, allowing you to tailer your degree to your interests.
You will spend your third year studying abroad at one of partner universities. The marks you receive are translated to Leeds equivalents and count towards your final degree classification.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.
Modules
Year 1
Compulsory modules
- Natural Hazards 10 credits
- Sustainable Development 20 credits
- Ecology 10 credits
- Atmosphere 10 credits
- Weather 10 credits
- Water 10 credits
- Fieldwork and Tutorials 1 10 credits
- Earth 10 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
- Foundation Chemistry 10 credits
- Advanced Mathematics 1 10 credits
- Foundation Mathematics 1 10 credits
- Foundation Mathematics 2 10 credits
- Foundation Physics 10 credits
Year 2
Compulsory modules
- GIS for Geoscientists 10 credits
- Fieldwork and Tutorials 2 20 credits
- Environmental Measurements 20 credits
- Data Analysis and Visualisation 20 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
- Meteorology 10 credits
- Introductory Oceanography 10 credits
- Climate Change: Science and Impacts 10 credits
- Climate Change: Society and Human Dimensions 10 credits
- Contaminated Environments 20 credits
- Atmospheric Pollution from Local to Global Scales 10 credits
- Managing Biodiversity 10 credits
Year 3
Compulsory modules
- Study Year Abroad 120 credits
Year 4
Compulsory modules
- Environmental Research Project 45 credits
- Research Frontiers and Environmental Fieldwork 15 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
- Environmental Assessment 15 credits
- Biogeochemical Cycles of the Earth System 15 credits
- Isotope Geochemistry 15 credits
- Critical Perspectives in Environment and Development 15 credits
- Ice in the Earth System 15 credits
- Climate Change: Impacts and Adaptation 15 credits
- Oceanography in the Earth System 15 credits
- Volcanic Processes 15 credits
- Past Global Environmental Systems 15 credits
- Weather, Climate and Air Quality 30 credits
- Terrestrial Biosphere in the Earth System 15 credits
Broadening your academic horizons
At Leeds we want you to benefit from the depth and breadth of the University's expertise, to prepare you for success in an ever-changing and challenging world. This course gives you the opportunity to broaden your learning by studying discovery modules. Find out more on the Broadening webpages.
Learning and teaching
Most modules combine lectures with practicals, workshops or seminars, depending on the subject. These are enhanced with skills focussed classes, fieldtrips and small group academic tutorials. You can expect to study in a variety of settings, from large lecture theatres to computer clusters, seminar rooms, tutorials, laboratories and out in the field. Our state-of-the-art building is in the centre of the campus and provides an ideal working environment, and offers quiet study and coffee areas when you are not in class.
We offer research-led teaching across the breadth of our environment and natural science disciplines, from specialists in their field. As Leeds is a research-intensive Russell Group University, you’ll be studying amongst staff who are at the cutting edge of research world-wide, and who will incorporate this expertise into their teaching.
On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Assessment
You'll be assessed through a variety of methods, specifically designed to help students learn, whatever their preferred learning style. We use both coursework and exams, but with a general progression from an emphasis on exams in year 1 towards an emphasis on coursework in your final year.
Entry requirements, fees and applying
Entry requirements
A-level: AAA including two from geography, environmental studies, geology, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, one of which must be in mathematics or a science subject.
Offers exclude general studies.
GCSE: English and Mathematics at grade C (4) or above, or an equivalent English language or Mathematics qualification.
Other course specific tests:If you do not achieve the higher grades required for this four-year programme, we guarantee you a place on the BSc programme (provided you achieve the grades required for the BSc). A successful performance during years 1 and 2 will support an application to transfer back to this Integrated Masters programme.
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BTEC
D*D*D in Extended Diploma/3 Subsidiary Diplomas in two relevant subjects. We will accept a combination of BTECs and A-Levels. Please contact the School's Undergraduate Admissions Team for more information.
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International Baccalaureate
35 points overall, with 17 points at higher level to include 5 points in two relevant subjects, one of which must be in mathematics or a science subject.
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Irish Highers (Leaving Certificate)
A1A1AAAA/H1H1H2H2H2H2 in two relevant subjects.
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Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers
AAABB overall with AA in 2 Advanced Highers (AH). For non-AH applicants AAAAAA. To include 2 relevant subjects one of which must be in mathematics or a science subject.
Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the School’s Undergraduate Admissions Team.
Alternative entry
We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.
Access to Leeds is an alternative admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.
Find out more about Access to Leeds and alternative admissions.
If you do not have the formal qualifications for immediate entry to one of our degrees, you may be able to progress through a foundation year. We offer a Studies in Science with Foundation Year BSc for students without a science background at A-level and an Interdisciplinary Science with Foundation Year BSc for applicants who meet specific widening participation criteria.
International Foundation Year
International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.0 overall, with no less than 5.5 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
How to apply
Apply to this course through UCAS. The institution code for the University of Leeds is L23. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.
International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK/EU students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Visit Days
Offerholders will be invited to a post-application Visit Day as this gives you the opportunity to meet our staff and students, explore the School and University and find out more about your course. During the day you’ll find out more about studying at Leeds, have your questions answered and have an informal one-to-one meeting with an academic member of staff, to check that it’s the right course for you and your career plans.
After you apply we will send you a link to book your place on the applicant day, if you are unable to attend or have previously attended an admissions event at Leeds then please let us know.
Admissions policy
Faculty of Environment Undergraduate Admissions Policy 2020
Fees
UK/EU: See fees section below
International: £23,750 (per year)
Undergraduate tuition fees for 2020 entry
For UK and non-UK EU full-time students starting in 2020, the fee for 2020/21 will be £9,250.
The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation, and as permitted by law. Fees for UK and non-UK EU undergraduate students are decided by Government and may vary if policy changes.
The UK government has confirmed that non-UK EU students starting in the 2020/21 academic year will have home fee status and be eligible for UK government student loans for the duration of their course. The UK government has not confirmed the situation for future years, so keep checking our website for updates.
UK undergraduate tuition fees for 2021 entry
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students starting in 2021/22 have not yet been confirmed by the UK government. In other years, the government has confirmed fee levels in summer. When the fee is confirmed, we will publish an update on this website.
Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.
Read more about paying fees and charges.
Brexit
Visit our Brexit page for the latest information on the effect of the UK's exit from the EU on current students and applicants to the University.
Additional cost information
<p>We cover the cost of accommodation and travel for all compulsory field courses.</p>There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs
Financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.
Career opportunities
Studying Environmental Science at Leeds opens the door to a wide range of careers. The solid science basis of the programme and the fieldwork associated with it add value to your degree in areas including environmental monitoring, consultancy, land remediation and environmental protection. The transferable skills you gain will also help you to succeed in the wider graduate employment market. The MEnv also provides excellent preparation for further study.
Our graduates have secured positions including:
Consultant, AECOM
Air Quality Specialist, United Resource Services
Digital Analyst, Johnston Press
Careers support
The School of Earth and Environment is committed to enhancing employability and offers a range of initiatives to ensure our students receive the highest level of support throughout their studies. Read about careers and employability on the School website.
We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.
Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.
The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.
Study abroad and work placements
Your year abroad
On this course, your year abroad replaces the third year of your degree (it does not add an additional year to your studies). During the year, you will follow the environmental science course at your host institution and will return to Leeds to complete the final year of study at masters level.
We have partnerships with universities across the world.
Find out more on the Study Abroad website.
Fieldwork
Fieldwork will be an essential element of your degree, and is one of the most enjoyable and sociable parts of the course for students and staff alike. The Environmental Science programme at Leeds includes a variety of field course destinations in the UK during Years 1, 2 and 4 that are an important part of the programme and are very closely integrated with lectures and module coursework. The whole of your third year will be spent in one of our partner institutions overseas where you may undertake field studies that are not available to you in the UK.