Environmental Science

Environmental science draws together knowledge from biology, chemistry, physics, geography, and ecology to investigate the workings of natural systems and the ways in which human activity is altering them. It is an inherently interdisciplinary discipline, because environmental problems do not respect the boundaries between academic subjects: understanding climate change, for example, requires atmospheric chemistry, ecology, hydrology, and social science all working together.

The Open University's part-time distance learning programme in environmental science is designed for people who want to study seriously around other commitments. You will explore topics including Earth systems, biodiversity and ecosystems, water and atmosphere, energy flows, and human pressures on the natural world. The scientific content is substantive, covering the quantitative and analytical methods that underpin rigorous environmental understanding.

The distance learning format means you organise your study around your own schedule, developing the self-discipline and time management that are valuable professional skills in their own right.

The Open University has a long-established reputation for the quality of its distance learning programmes, and its environmental science teaching is informed by active research. You will engage with genuine scientific debates rather than simply receiving settled conclusions, and you will develop the ability to evaluate evidence critically and to communicate scientific information to a range of audiences.

Graduates go on to careers in environmental consultancy, government agencies, conservation organisations, sustainability roles in business, environmental monitoring, education, and policy. The part-time format means many students continue working in relevant fields while they study, building expertise and professional networks simultaneously. Others continue to postgraduate study in environmental science, ecology, climate science, or environmental management.