An Environmental Science degree at Aberdeen will allow you to understand more about the environment from the local to global scale. It will allow you to appreciate the impact humans are having on the environment and how it can be managed. During the Environmental Science degree you will study an interdisciplinary programme which includes Environmental Biology, Geography and Geology, Soil Science, and Chemistry. This degree will enable you to explore the science of all these topics, taught by experts who are actively involved in environmental science research.
What You'll Study
Each year you take a selection of compulsory courses and optional courses that can be chosen from those on offer across the institution. The first two years lay a foundation for the more specialised third and fourth years.
All students take eight courses in year 1. This is a combination of core compulsory courses and an optional course chosen from across the university disciplines.
This course, which is prescribed for level 1 undergraduate students and articulating students who are in their first year at the University, is studied entirely online, is studied entirely online, takes approximately 2-3 hours to complete and can be taken in one sitting, or spread across the first 4 weeks of term.
Topics include University orientation overview, equality & diversity, MySkills, health, safety and cyber security, and academic integrity.Successful completion of this course will be recorded on your Transcript as ‘Achieved’.
Five themes, critical to understanding biology and life, will be explored – Developmental Biology, Microbiology and Disease, Evolution and Behaviour, Immune Systems and Environmental Physiology. Each theme is structured to provide you with core knowledge, insight into how science is practiced, an introduction to current research topics and skills that are useful for investigating, recording and analysing information.
A walk through the evolutionary tree of life, examining the amazing diversity of major groups of organisms from plants through fungi to early invertebrates. Learn about how each group of organisms arose, their characteristics, and how they achieved success. Practical activities provide hands on experience of materials demonstrating the diversity of plants and invertebrates.
For 4,500 million years the Earth has been, and still is, a continually evolving Dynamic Planet. The record is held in the rocks and fossils of the present continental landmasses and ocean basins. To deduce the history of the planet geologists must apply a large range of scientific principles and disciplines. These disciplines encompass the biological, chemical and physical sciences. The course provides a basic understanding of how the structure and evolution of the planet are deduced and how this information can be used to discover and extract natural resources such as fossil fuels and ores.
This course begins with study of the physical workings of the Earth and the interactions between living organisms and their environments. We then look at the effects humans are having on the planet, potential solutions to global problems and how these are affected by politics, and thoughts on the future.Teaching is by staff with different subject specialisms who give both variety and immediacy to course material.Exposure to the problems we are facing both now and in the future will help you make informed choices in your everyday life.A range of ‘wet’ and computer-based practicals enhance the classroom teaching and develop generic scientific skills.
This course interrogates the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. These encompass contemporary global challenges such as responsible consumption and production, no poverty, clean water and climate action (challenges whose emergence is introduced in GG1010 Creating the Anthropocene). Drawing upon Human and Physical Geography perspectives, a ‘strong’ interpretation of sustainability, one where social and economic dimensions fundamentally rely on ecological foundations, underpins the course.
Following on from GL1005 this course is an introduction to the petrogenesis of three major rock groups; igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary. Practical classes will centre around the use of polarizing microscope in the identification of the common rock-forming minerals. The relationship between plate tectonics and the petrogenesis of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, including types and styles of volcanic eruptions will be addressed.
In year 2 you will study courses in Life Sciences, Ecology, Plant and Soil Biology and Conservation Biology. Further courses can be chosen from a wide range of subjects including Chemistry, Geology, Biology and Geography.
The course will help you develop or consolidate skills in experimental design, sampling, analysis, presentation, and interpretation of data.
Each week, there are one 1-2 recorded introductory lectures to help you prepare for the computer practicals. In two 2-hour sessions per week you will work through a series of computer-based data tasks, using relevant and realistic biological and environmental themes. The course will introduce you to different types of software which can be used to analyse data, including Excel, Minitab, and R studio.Teaching is informal and friendly. During sessions, staff will chat to you about your progress and provide help where necessary.
This course builds on themes from introductory ecology courses: effects of biodiversity, disturbance in natural communities, nutrient and energy cycles. herbivory, predation, competition, population dynamics, parasitism, mutualisms and foodwebs. You will develop your abilities to interpret data by applying theory discussed in classes to real-life data sets using short problem-solving exercises linked to each topic. Feedback will help you improve writing and interpretation skills. Extended problem-solving exercises will improve your communication skills, scientific writing and introduce you to valuable approaches to summarising complex datasets in Excel. You will also consider issues around experimental design.
This course provides an understanding of environmental processes and landscape change through time and space. The course places Physical Geography as an integral component of Earth System Science. The first half of the course explores physical environmental processes, whilst the second focuses on evidence of environmental change across a range of temporal and spatial scales. Three themes of glaciology, hydrology and palaeoecology will be explored to illustrate the linkages and interactions between process and form over a range of temporal and spatial scales. The course is team-taught by staff with an emphasis on using examples from recent research projects.
Lectures and practical classes consider important and controversial conservation issues, encouraging you to discuss and develop your ideas and thinking. A visit to a local nature reserve introduces the management issues and opportunities facing small urban sites. An essay provides you with the opportunity to study a Biodiversity Action Plan species of your choice and to analyse critically the work undertaken to conserve it. Extended problem-solving exercises will develop your skills in diagnosing causes of species decline. Detailed feedback on written work which will help you consolidate your skills in scientific writing and writing for a more general audience.
A course in which students explore both core and emerging issues in the plant sciences, focusing in particular on the inter-dependence of plants, people and environment. The course content is informed by two sets of published ‘100 Important Questions to Facing Plant Science’. Students are encouraged to develop a range of important generic and applied skills, through lectures and practicals.
‘The Living Landscape’ is a field course (7 days) based at Strathdon, Scotland. The intention is to enhance students’ understanding of living component of the environment at a meaningful scale. ‘The Living Landscape’ is intended to help students to understand species distributions in a wider geographical and historical context. We believe that, in observing and interpreting the ‘big picture’, students will gain a better appreciation of the past, present and possible future of a living environment.
Compulsory courses in year 3 include Soils for Food Security, Global Soil Geography, Ecosystem Processes, Environmental Analysis and Statistics. Optional courses can be selected from a range of animal or plants sciences or applied sciences.
You will utilise a robust approach to statistical analysis, a skill highly valued by employers and researchers.Lectures provide context, background and step-by step guidance on how to conduct and interpret a selection of statistical analyses.Through a series of exercises, you learn to explore data, to specify appropriate linear models for your research question and to interpret their results.Online tests structured around the exercises and lecture content allow you to demonstrate your achievement of course learning outcomes.Working with biological and environmental datasets in a structured and supportive environment, you will gain confidence and proficiency with data analysis.
This non-credit bearing course will facilitate your preparation for your Honours project.
Lectures will clarify expectations for project work and provide training in risk assessment, consideration of ethical issues, environmental impacts and project planning.
Resources to help you define and plan your project will be made available through MyAberdeen, helping you to be confident that your project planning is sufficiently advanced by the end of your Programme Year 3.
Submission of an agreed (with your supervisor) project outline, completed checklists and preliminary risk assessment will allow you to demonstrate engagement with your project.
The mixture of applied science and theoretical work on this course places you in a valuable position for understanding the procedures and applications in modern environmental science.A number of laboratory classes allows you to familiarise yourself with the current analytical instrumentation in environmental science.The course uses examples of environmental issues allowing you to understand the problem, how the analysis was conducted and the implications of the results. The main assessment in this course is a practical write up that is written in the style of a scientific report giving you an opportunity to perfect this style of writing.
Field visits to examine river systems and forested catchments provide context and opportunities to discuss a diverse set of environmental management problems with professionals working in the field.
Practical sessions provide structured activities focused on the identification of freshwater invertebrates and applications of GIS approaches for analysing data to support catchment management planning. You apply theoretical and practical knowledge to a case study, demonstrating your capacity to evaluate site specific data and to interpret relevant legislation and regulation.
Working individually and with a group you will write and present a management plan for a location of your choosing.
Field based course that takes you across northeast Scotland exploring an ancient tropical rainforest, hill farming in action, survey techniques and soil formation.Lectures focus on how soils form, how soils work, soil classification, soil as part of the environment, human impacts on soil, and the use of mapping and soil data to optimise the management of this fragile resource.Your assessments are geared towards developing practical skills. This includes a presentation on a particular soil that requires research akin to detective work, quizzes on soil properties and classification and a critical essay on a selected topic.
This advanced soil science course provides additional teaching of physical, chemical and biological properties of soils in the context of food security and climate change. You will learn a variety of processes that affect soil productivity, accompanied by practical sessions that will teach relevant analytical methods. Plant interactions with soil, in the context of food security and land restoration, are major course topics.There are two practical sessions with assignments, a debate and a final exam.
This course examines the role terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems play in modulating global fluxes of energy and matter. It explores physical, chemical, and biological processes that govern ecosystem dynamics.
This course develops principles of systems ecology and biogeochemistry, focusing on organisms’ roles in regulating ecosystem processes and interactions of greenhouse gas exchange between the atmosphere, ocean, and land surface.
By integrating insights from various disciplines, you gain understanding of how ecosystems differ in composition, structure, and function.
In year 4, the Honours year, you will carry out a research project as well as writing an extended essay and completing advanced courses of your choosing.
In this course you will take your scientific skills to the next level, by carrying out an independent research project within the research group of an academic supervisor. In the span of an entire semester, you will execute the full life cycle of a research project, from initial planning to data collection, analysis and write-up as a manuscript. The course will also focus on developing generic professional skills through workshops and tutorials, providing you with a diverse toolkit for the next stages of your career in biological science or related professional fields.
Course highlights:
A wide variety of projects, involving fieldwork, labwork and/or computational work
Developing academic scholarship in a topic of your interest
Time-management of data collection, data analysis and write-up
Presenting research outputs in the form of a written thesis in the style of a research paper
Workshops to help you plan for the next steps in your academic or professional career
The course provides background information about the origins and development of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process, and its implementation in the UK and elsewhere. It also highlights the impacts of planned activities on the environment, including impacts on biodiversity, vegetation and ecology, water, and air. Throughout the course you will learn about the different stages of the EIA process, but you will also learn to identify, evaluate and mitigate the likely environmental impacts of a variety of development projects. A combination of lectures, seminars and workshops will be used, providing an opportunity to develop transferrable skills valued by employers, such as time-management, communication of science, and critical appraisal.
This course explores a range of daunting environmental pollution issues that confront today’s society, including persistent substances, water pollution, air pollution and climate change, as well as waste issues. Although pollution prevention is acknowledged, the course explores our approaches to monitoring and management of existing environmental pollution problems. The course’s cornerstone is pollution science, its understanding and use in policy making. This aspect is particularly emphasised during the practical classes and tutorials, which provide hands on experience and further insight into afore mentioned problems. The course also benefits from the input of guest speakers who provide access to the reality of various roles in tackling the environmental issues and important contact with practitioners.
Plus 45 credit points from courses of choice, at least 15 of which must be from courses delivered by the School of Biological Sciences (i.e. BI, EK, EV, PL, or ZO courses) at level 4.
A graduating curriculum for the Honours programme must include 90 credit points from Level 4 courses.
We will endeavour to make all course options available. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
Typically, one third of your class time is practical and many courses include full-day practical classes and field visits. Most students take at least one residential field trip during their degree; these trips bring the subjects to life and provide the opportunity to make great friendships and get to know staff members.
Research experience
You are actively involved in scientific research throughout your degree. In Year 4, you conduct independent research which can be pivotal to your career choice, whether it be in dolphins, water voles, rare plants, tropical forest ecology, climate change in the Arctic, or any one of a diverse range of other exciting topics.
Engaging and inspiring teaching
Our teaching methods are diverse, innovative and based on research on how students learn. For example, we use problem-based learning approaches, creative presentations, peer and self-assessment, presenting posters in public meetings, writing and editing wikis, writing grant proposals, science writing for publication, and the creation of portfolios using multi-media.
Opportunities for Study Abroad and work-related learning
You can take advantage of an optional year-out on a work placement and study abroad is encouraged for students in their 2nd year. We invite employers and volunteering organisations to come and meet our students at our career evenings and there are opportunities for students to work with our partner institutions within and outside of Aberdeen.
Learning Methods
Field Work
Group Projects
Lab Work
Lectures
Research
Tutorials
Assessment Methods
Students are assessed by any combination of three assessment methods:
coursework such as essays and reports completed throughout the course;
practical assessments of the skills and competencies they learn on the course; and
written examinations at the end of each course.
The exact mix of these methods differs between subject areas, years of study and individual courses.
Honours projects are typically assessed on the basis of a written dissertation.
Why Study Environmental Science?
Our degree in Environmental Science aims to train you to recognise and understand the threats and conflicts in the environment today and appreciate the steps required to develop solutions.
You will develop quantitative skills that will allow you to address current environmental issues.
You will benefit from the opportunity to work outdoors and apply your classroom and field work knowledge to real life situations.
There is a focus in research-led teaching for this degree. The School of Biological Sciences has an international reputation for excellence in inter-disciplinary research in terrestrial, aquatic and marine environments.
During the programme you will have opportunities to interact with stake holders and end-users, such as NatureScot, Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), Oil and Gas companies and remediation companies.
You will have the opportunity to get involved in our research through summer research assistantships, project work and a compulsory final year research project.
The University of Aberdeen is delighted to offer eligible self-funded international on-campus undergraduate students a £6,000 scholarship for every year of their programme.
The School of Biological Sciences really allows you to take your studies in a direction you want with its flexibility, and explore your own interests. The independent research project in fourth year gives you very valuable experience researching.
Entry Requirements
Qualifications
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
Applicants who have achieved AABB (or better), are encouraged to apply and will be considered. Good performance in additional Highers/ Advanced Highers may be required.
Minimum: BBB*
Applicants who have achieved BBB (or are on course to achieve this by the end of S5) are encouraged to apply and will be considered. Good performance in additional Highers/Advanced Highers will normally be required.
Adjusted: BB*
Applicants who have achieved BB, and who meet one of the widening access criteria are are guaranteed a conditional offer. Good performance in additional Highers/Advanced Highers will be required.
* Including good performance in at least two Mathematics/ Science subjects by the end of your senior phase of education.
Applicants who have achieved BBBB (or better), are encouraged to apply and will be considered. Good performance in additional Highers/ Advanced Highers may be required.
Minimum: BBC
Applicants who have achieved BBC at Higher and meet one of the widening participation criteria above are encouraged to apply and are guaranteed an unconditional offer for MA, BSc and BEng degrees.
Adjusted: BB
Applicants who have achieved BB at Higher, and who meet one of the widening participation criteria above are encouraged to apply and are guaranteed an adjusted conditional offer for MA, BSc and BEng degrees.
We would expect to issue a conditional offer asking for one additional C grade at Higher.
Foundation Apprenticeship: One FA is equivalent to a Higher at A. It cannot replace any required subjects.
* Including good performance in at least two Mathematics/ Science subjects by the end of your senior phase of education.
32 points, including 5, 5, 5 at HL, with two Mathematics/ Science subjects at HL.
Irish Leaving Certificate
5H with 3 at H2 AND 2 at H3 including a minimum of H3 from two Science or Mathematics subjects.
Entry from College
Advanced entry to this degree may be possible from some HNC/HND qualifications, please see www.abdn.ac.uk/study/articulation for more details.
The information displayed in this section shows a shortened summary of our entry requirements. For more information, or for full entry requirements for Sciences degrees, see our detailed entry requirements section.
English Language Requirements
To study for an Undergraduate degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:
You will be classified as one of the fee categories below.
Fee information
Fee category
Cost
RUK
£9,535
Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year
EU / International students
£24,800
Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year
Self-funded international students commencing eligible undergraduate programmes in 2025/26 will receive a £6,000 tuition waiver for every year of their programme - See full terms and conditions
In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips. Any additional fees for a course can be found in our Catalogue of Courses.
For more information about tuition fees for this programme, including payment plans and our refund policy, please visit our Tuition Fees page.
Scholarships and Funding
UK Scholarship
Students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland, who pay tuition fees may be eligible for specific scholarships allowing them to receive additional funding. These are designed to provide assistance to help students support themselves during their time at Aberdeen.
Aberdeen Global Scholarship
The University of Aberdeen is delighted to offer eligible self-funded international on-campus undergraduate students a £6,000 scholarship for every year of their programme. More about this funding opportunity.
We are committed to the career progression of our students and we collaborate with the University’s Careers and Employability Service to ensure that you have numerous opportunities to explore career options, develop your employability and connect with employers.
The expertise and support of a dedicated careers professional who is a specialist in the types of careers and further study undertaken by Biological Science students.
A mentoring scheme run by the Careers and Employability Service linking current students with professional mentors.
An annual volunteering fair to connect students with appropriate organisations in conservation and the environment.
The exploration of possible careers and the development of employability from week 1, via the mandatory “Frontiers of Science” and PD1002 careers course.
One to one appointments to discuss students’ options, provide practical support around internships, placements and part time work and provide support for effective applications and interviews.
Regular opportunities through the “speed careering” programme for current students to meet and learn from Biological Sciences graduates.
Employer input to the design of the curriculum and in talks to students about career opportunities.
A university-wide co-curriculum programme aimed at developing key employability skills sought by employers.
Many career possibilities are open to graduate environmental scientists leading to employment in environmental organisations such as environmental protection agencies, or within industries such as water companies or waste management. Environmental legislation and regulations increasingly require more rigorous environmental auditing and monitoring. Such changes continue to provide further opportunities for environmental scientists in environmental consultancies, local authorities and environmental protection agencies.
Career Opportunities
Environmental Adviser
Environmental Consultant
Environmental Protection Officer
Nature Conservationist
Industry Links
We have strong local, national and international links to industry, government bodies, charities and other research institutions. You will benefit in several ways:
Exposure to policy-makers, practitioners, regulatory professionals and experts.
Our curriculum is informed by an employer advisory board that provides insight into changing requirements of employers.
You can take advantage of our collaborators' facilities and expertise for your research projects or placement.
Accreditation
This is an IEMA approved programme. Graduates automatically qualify for GradIEMA professional status – showing you are part of the next generation of leaders in sustainability. You can also fast-track an application to PIEMA (Practitioner Status) once you have gained enough experience to complete a work-based competence assessment. IEMA Student Membership is also free on approved programmes.
This programme has also been accredited by the Royal Society of Biology. Graduates from Accredited programmes will receive one year of free membership of the Royal Society of Biology in their final year of their degree. This will open up networks at a crucial time when applying for jobs. Whichever area of biology you wish to gain a career in, membership will help you:
Stay up to date with what is happening across the life sciences
Gain additional recognition for your skills and experience
Develop your professional network
Demonstrate your support for the future of biology
Current and former students tell us why they choose to study biological and environmental sciences at Aberdeen
What our Alumni Say
Christine Reid
Christine Reid
Job Details
Project Manager, Natural England
Graduated 2006
My degree helped me secure a role that is both challenging and enjoyable managing projects on sustainable rural development. The wide range of transferable skills and specialist knowledge I gained in my degree have been invaluable in this role.
Lili Mohiddin
Lili Mohiddin
Job Details
Humanitarian Support
Graduated 2013
On completion of my BSc I became a Food Security Officer, working in crisis areas. I now work for Oxfam as an adviser on humanitarian support. My degree has helped provide me with amazing opportunities pursue a career I love.
You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
Facilities
Fantastic facilities support our teaching and research, both on and off campus.
Lighthouse Field Station
Lighthouse Field Station
We have our own research and teaching facility, The Lighthouse Field Station which is situated on the Cromarty Firth. In 2020 the station celebrated 30 years of teaching and research on the ecology of seals, dolphins and seabirds.
Research facilities
Research facilities
Our research facilities on campus include animal holding facilities, greenhouses, fresh and salt-water aquaria, an insectarium, molecular and analytical laboratories, and a state of the art genomics lab.
Science Teaching Hub
Science Teaching Hub
Our state-of-the-art Science Teaching Hub provides students with a digitally focussed environment including advanced analytical tools, research-grade equipment and flexible laboratory spaces.
Discover Uni draws together comparable information in areas students have identified as important in making decisions about what and where to study. You can compare these and other data for different degree programmes in which you are interested.
90%of students were satisfied overall with their course.
Data for courses in Environmental Science at University of Aberdeen
90%of students say teaching staff have supported their learning well.
Data for Environmental Science (Full time) at University of Aberdeen, over two years
95%in work or doing further study 15 months after the course.
Data for courses in Geography, earth and environmental studies at University of Aberdeen
For more official course information visit Discover Uni
