Our BSc (Hons) Environmental Science and Sustainability will prepare you for a career where you will address some of the most challenging and important issues of our time in terms of sustainable development, particularly with respect to the protection of the environment.
Environmental Scientists must overcome these challenges through creative, innovative and more sustainable solutions to local and global challenges.
Through your studies, you will receive a solid grounding in core scientific disciplines biological and chemical and earth system to build your knowledge and understanding of fundamental environmental systems, principles of sustainability and the role of policy and regulation. You will gain a deep understanding of the environmental challenges facing the world today, and be able to identify potential threats to our environment. You will also study more specialised and advanced topics, focused on applied environmental governance and sustainability. This degree will allow you to contribute to the process of advancing knowledge and strategies for a sustainable future.
At UWS our vision is to become a sustainable, forward-thinking institution, we are committed to becoming a global leader in climate change and environmental resilience and world-leading research with the UN SDGs. This programme addresses SDG 13: climate change.
Delve deeper into your subject area of interest, learn more about programmes, meet staff and students and see what it’s like to study at UWS.
Attend a Subject Showcase
Hear from our Programme Leader and discover how BSc (Hons) Environmental Science and Sustainability will prepare you for a career addressing some of the most challenging and important sustainable development issues of our time.
“With access to state-of-the-art facilities at both Paisley and Lanarkshire campuses, students will gain the experience and skills they need to be future ready.”
Kiri Rodgers, Programme Leader, BSc (Hons) Environmental Science and Sustainability
Our global population is growing at an alarming rate, with the United Nations suggesting an excess of 9 billion people by 2050. This dramatic growth requires increased industrial activity relying on unsustainable systems of production and consumption, resulting in considerable environmental damage. To reduce the impact of human activity on the environment, we need more sustainable approaches to all aspects of life creating globally relevant policies and regulations through science-based evidence.
The combined impacts of climate change, biodiversity loss and unsustainable resource management has critical implications for the future stability of life support systems on our planet. Do you want to be part of the solution? If so, then our BSc (Hons) Environmental Science and Sustainability is for you.
We welcome Scottish, UK and international students and consider all applicants on an individual basis.
SQA Advanced Highers: BBC (136 Tariff points) Chemistry, Biology, Human Biology, Environmental Science, Geography or Physics at least at Standard Grade/Nat 5/Int2
A-Levels: BBC (112 UCAS Tariff points) including Biology, Chemistry, Human Biology, Environmental Science, Geography or Physics
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma: 30 points (136 UCAS Tariff points) including Chemistry, Biology, Human Biology, Environmental Science or Physics at Higher Level, and another at OL
SQA HNC: Applied Science; Biomedical Science/Applied Biomedical Science; Industrial Biotechnology; Geography; Environmental Science; Food Science
All academic degrees/awards at UWS are taught in English. For applicants whose first language is not English*, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. All English language qualifications must have been gained within two years of the start of your UWS course.
* applicants who are exempt from english language requirements include:
In general terms, if you are applying to study a course at, or above, Year 1 (SCQF Level 7) bachelor’s degree level, then the UKVI’s minimum level of English proficiency is Common European Framework for References of Languages (CEFR) at B2 (Upper Intermediate).
At UWS, we define our general English language requirements using the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training) as follows:
These are minimum requirements and some courses may require a higher standard for admission†.
† Exceptions to this level of IELTS scoring exist for some accredited or professionally-recognised courses (see IELTS Score Exceptions section below for more information).
For our research degrees (MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA, DProf) applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
For Health, Nursing & Midwifery courses that lead to professional registration with the Nursing & Midwifery Council (BSc Adult Nursing, MSc Adult Nursing, BSc Mental Health Nursing, MSc Mental Health Nursing, BSc Midwifery and MSc Midwifery), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
Our BSc Paramedic Science degree leads to professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC); it has different IELTS requirements than other Health-related courses. Although it is not possible to apply for this degree directly as an international student, for applicants who meet SAAS residency requirements and for whom English is not their first language, then the following IELTS scores are required:
For our BSc (Hons) Applied Biomedical Science, BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science and MSc Advanced Biomedical Science degrees, which may lead to professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
Our BA (Hons) Social Work and MSc Social Work degrees are professionally recognised by the Scottish Social Services Council and applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
For our Certificate of Higher Education courses, applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
In additional to IELTS, we also accept a number of alternative English language for application and admission to our courses for both home/EU and international students at bachelor's degree study at Year 3 (SCQF Level 9), and above. From Cambridge to TOFEL iBT qualifications the number of these qualifications is extensive.
Find out about non-IELTS English Language Tests
UWS has also reviewed a range of High / Secondary School qualifications studied by non-EU applicants that can be used as a basis of entry to a UWS. These range from Botswana GCSEs to USA High School Graduation Diplomas, the number of these qualifications is extensive.
Find out more about international English Language high-hchool qualifications
Applicants who do not meet the minimum English language requirements have the option to study one of our preparatory and pre-sessional English courses. The UWS courses available are:
Subjects covered include laboratory based biological and chemical analysis, statistical methods, geographical information systems (GIS), legislative frameworks, earth systems, health and safety, ecology and microbiology, field skills.
These concepts will be explored through fieldwork and practical exercises analysis.
Work-related learning is available on this programme, including an optional 12-week placement.
A general introduction to biological and chemical disciplines from cell and molecular aspects to ecological and environmental topics. You will be introduced to the role of an environmental scientist and research specific careers and projects. Additionally, you will receive an introduction to the University’s Virtual Learning Environment.
Modules includes:
In this year we start to look at Fundamentals of Environmental Science and Earth system to provide students with the core knowledge to develop in this field.
Students are also offered an array of optional modules in which they can focus their environmental interests on:
In this year we start to explore the interdisciplinary nature of environmental sciences including developing an awareness of the political and social implications.
Core modules include:
Optional modules include:
In the final year, students refine their subject areas of choice as well as developing.
an over-arching understanding of key aspects required in Environmental Science and Sustainability, with core modules:
You will be taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials, practical workshops and field exercises, and guided laboratory work.
There will also be group work, literature reports and research projects in order to ensure our degrees provide a strong set of additional skills, such as presentation and communication skills.
Across our programmes we use a variety of assessment methods. The below list provides a guide to the types of assessment methods you can expect:
Programme Specification and Module Descriptors for Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses are available to download (PDFs). These provide you with core information concerning your chosen subject.
£1,820 cost per year of study (usually paid by the Scottish Government via SAAS*)
£9,250 Cost per year of study, but not more than £27,750
£9,250 Cost per year of study, but not more than £27,750
£15,500 per year of study
£305 per module (20 credits)
£1,550 per module (20 credits)
£1,550 per module (20 credits)
£2,580 per module (20 credits)
£1,820 cost per year of study (usually paid by the Scottish Government via SAAS*)
£9,250 Cost per year of study, but not more than £27,750
£9,250 Cost per year of study, but not more than £27,750
£15,500 per year of study
£305 per module (20 credits)
£1,550 per module (20 credits)
£1,550 per module (20 credits)
£2,580 per module (20 credits)
Ready to apply? All UK & EU undergraduate applications should be made through UCAS. Further information for international, part-time and exchange applications can be found below.
UCASAll UK and EU applicants for undergraduate study, not applying through an agent or partner, should apply through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service)
The on-time application deadline for 2025/26 entry is 29 January 2025, 18:00 (UK time). For some courses it may still be possible to apply beyond this period, subject to suitable vacancies remaining. The final deadline for late applications via UCAS is 30 June 2025. Beyond this deadline, you may be able to apply via ‘UCAS Clearing’ if the course you are interested in has remaining places.
Please refer to our Undergraduate Application Guide for domestic & EU/EEA to find more information on when and how to apply to study at UWS.
You can find out more about applying for this undergraduate course on UCAS.
Students from non-EU/non-EEA countries can apply directly to UWS via our dedicated online application system. The latest we can process your application is 6 weeks before the course start date to allow for visa processing times. For more information on when and how to apply to study at UWS please refer to our International Undergraduate Application Guide.
For part-time & online study, you should apply directly to the University through our online application system, not through UCAS. Please select the part-time mode of study when submitting your application. Before you begin your application, it is important to read the part-time application step-by-step guide for a smooth process.
To come to UWS as a visiting student on a study abroad or exchange programme, you must apply entirely through our online system.
An ATAS certificate is not required for overseas students applying for this course.
Do you have a question about applying for this course? Get in touch. We are here to help!
We will always try to make sure that we publish accurate course information but we do not accept responsibility for any mistakes or omissions. We will also try to make sure that we deliver our courses in line with our published information. However, we may not always be able to do so and you can find further information about this in our enrolment terms and conditions.