University of the Highlands and Islands
BSc (Hons) Environmental ScienceInverness, United Kingdom
DURATION
4 up to 8 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
GBP 16,950 / per year
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Introduction
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 on 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, Environmental Biotechnology, 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 Biotechnology
- BSc (Hons) Environmental Science
- BSc (Hons) Environmental Science with Archaeology
- BSc (Hons) Environmental Biology
- BSc (Hons) Environmental Biotechnology
- BSc (Hons) Environmental Science
- BSc (Hons) Environmental Science with Archaeology
- Study full-time or part-time to suit your circumstances
- Study individual modules for personal or professional development
Curriculum
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 Biotechnology/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 Biotechnology pathway
You will also study the following core modules:
- Applied chemistry in environmental systems
- Chemistry for bioscience
Environmental Science with Archaeology**
You will also study the following core modules:
- Excavation skills
- Wetland archaeology
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:
- 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 of 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 of 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
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
Program delivery
Start date
- August/September
How will I study my course?
- Full-time
- 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
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.
Admissions
Program Tuition Fee
Scholarships and Funding
EU scholarship
EEA/EU/Swiss nationals living in this region for the past 3 years will receive an automatic scholarship of £4,000 - with the fourth year of study free!
United States - Federal Aid (FAFSA)
Federal Aid can be used to cover tuition fees for American students studying on-campus in Scotland.
Canada - Federal Aid
Federal Aid can be used to cover tuition fees for Canadian students studying on-campus in Scotland, as well as the majority of the Canadian provinces' student aid programmes.
Why study at University of the Highlands and Islands
On-campus study - live and learn in Scotland
Courses in health, sustainability, engineering, history, outdoors and more with the University of the Highlands and Islands:
- #3 in the UK and #1 in Scotland for postgraduate student satisfaction
- Top 10 most affordable UK universities
- Specialist subjects with links to industry
Browse all of the on-campus undergraduate and postgraduate programmes that we offer for international students.
Online study - achieve a UK degree without moving abroad
Courses in health, sustainability, engineering, history, outdoors and more with the University of the Highlands and Islands:
- Flexible study options to fit with your life
- Top 10 most affordable UK universities
- Decades of online teaching experience
Browse all of the online undergraduate and postgraduate programmes that we offer for international students.
Career Opportunities
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: