Open University

BA (Honours) in Environmental Studies

Knowledge and understanding

On completion of this degree, you will have knowledge and understanding of:

• The complex interrelationships between societal (social, political, economic, cultural and ethical) and biophysical aspects of environmental issues
• The contribution of social science concepts and theories to an interdisciplinary understanding of environmental issues
• The spatial and temporal dimensions of environmental issues including the distributed causes and uneven consequences of environmental change, and the different scales at which responses to environmental issues take place
• The societal challenges of responding to the uncertainties of different perspectives on environmental change.

Cognitive skills

On completion of this degree, you will be able to:

• Interpret, analyse, and critically evaluate evidence of and arguments about environmental issues from a range of relevant sources, including recognising the possible limitations of those sources
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key environmental studies theories, concepts, and principles
• Deploy a conceptual understanding of environmental studies to appropriately solve a range of problems and to devise and sustain appropriate arguments
• Select and apply appropriate methods and techniques to review, consolidate, and extend knowledge and understanding of environmental issues.

Practical and/or professional skills

On completion of this degree, you will be able to:

• Recognise and critically evaluate personal views and engage the views of others with respect
• Demonstrate the skills of autonomous learning
• Reflect on the process of learning to evaluate personal strengths and weaknesses
• Identify and work towards targets for personal, academic, and career development.

Key skills

On completion of this degree, you will be able to demonstrate the following skills:

• Accurately and effectively communicate, formally and informally, information about environmental issues to a variety of audiences
• Select, assess, and exploit a wide range of digital practices (including tools and resources) to find, use, create and share data relevant to environmental issues
• Plan, conduct, and present a supervised independent investigation of an environmental issue
• Work effectively with others in group situations to achieve joint outcomes.

This degree has three stages, each comprising two compulsory 60-credit modules.

• At Stage 1 you’ll be introduced to the study of contemporary environmental and social issues.
• At Stage 2 you’ll explore the nature of the relationship between environmental and social issues in more depth.
• At Stage 3 you’ll put your knowledge and skills to work investigating responses to environmental change and the political and policy debates that surround them.

Stage 1 (120 credits)

You'll study both of the following:

• Environment: journeys through a changing world (U116)
• Global challenges: social science in action (D113)

Stage 2 (120 credits)

You'll study both of the following:

• Environment: sharing a dynamic planet (DST206)
• Environment and Society (DD213)

Stage 3 (120 credits)

You'll study both of the following:

• Environment: responding to change (SDT306)
• Environmental policy in an international context (DD319)

Assessment

Our assessments are all designed to reinforce your learning and help you show your understanding of the topics. The mix of assessment methods will vary between modules.

Computer-Marked Assignments

• Usually, a series of online, multiple-choice questions.

Tutor-Marked Assignments

• You’ll have a number of these throughout each module, each with a submission deadline.
• They can be made up of essays, questions, experiments or something else to test your understanding of what you have learned.
• Your tutor will mark and return them to you with detailed feedback.

End-of-Module Assessments

• The final, marked piece of work on most modules.
• Modules with an end-of-module assessment won’t usually have an exam.

Exams

• Some modules end with an exam. You’ll be given time to revise and prepare.
• You’ll be given your exam date at least 5 months in advance.
• Most exams take place remotely, and you will complete them at home or an alternative location.
• If a module requires you to take a face-to-face exam, this will be made clear in the module description, and you will be required to take your exam in person at one of our exam centres.

Skills for career development

Employers value the diverse skills of social science graduates very highly. In addition, this interdisciplinary degree will provide you with the ability to work across the natural and social sciences and develop a particularly strong set of transferable skills.

You’ll develop the ability to:

• Interpret, analyse, and critically evaluate quantitative and qualitative evidence
• Apply learning to real-world situations
• Communicate effectively to a variety of audiences using different media
• Employ a wide range of digital practices to find, use, and create data
• Learn autonomously and plan, conduct, and present independent work
• Work effectively with others to achieve joint outcomes.

Career relevance

A degree in environmental studies can lead to employment across the public, private and voluntary sectors. Businesses, public sector organisations and other employers increasingly have to deal with environment-related issues, making this course relevant to a wide range of professions, including:

• Civil or diplomatic service
• Environmental consultancy
• Environmental education
• Environmental Health
• Environmental management
• Environmental planning
• Environmental policy
• Information systems
• Journalism
• Local, national and international governmental agencies
• Nature conservation
• Overseas development
• Teaching
• Research.

Other careers

Many graduate-level jobs are open to graduates of any discipline, particularly in business, finance, management consultancy and the public sector. Some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree.

With our unique approach to distance learning, you can study from home, work or on the move.

You’ll have some assessment deadlines to meet, but otherwise, you’ll be free to study at the times that suit you, fitting your learning around work, family, and social life.

For each of your modules, you’ll use either just online resources or a mix of online and printed materials.

Each module you study will have a module website with

• A week-by-week study planner, giving you a step-by-step guide through your studies
• Course materials such as reading, videos, recordings, and self-assessed activities
• Module forums for discussions and collaborative activities with other students
• Details of each assignment and their due dates
• A tutorial booking system, online tutorial rooms, and your tutor’s contact details
• Online versions of some printed module materials and resources.