Environmental Science

Environmental science addresses the most urgent questions facing the planet. Climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, deforestation, water scarcity and the sustainability of food and energy systems are not abstract concerns; they are pressing realities that require scientists who can understand them rigorously and contribute to meaningful responses. Environmental science draws on biology, chemistry, earth sciences, ecology and geography to study how natural systems work, how human activities affect them and what can be done to protect and restore them.

At the University of Manchester, this three-year full-time programme begins with a foundation year, offering a supported pathway into the degree for students who need additional preparation in the sciences. The foundation year builds the mathematical, scientific and academic skills you need before you progress into the main programme. Across the full degree you will study environmental chemistry, ecology, climate science, earth systems, environmental monitoring, fieldwork techniques, data analysis and the policy and governance frameworks that shape environmental management.

You will develop both laboratory and field skills alongside the quantitative and analytical competencies that environmental science requires, and you will engage with the scientific and social dimensions of environmental problems.

Graduates in environmental science move into careers in environmental consultancy, government agencies, conservation organisations, water companies, renewable energy, environmental monitoring and research. Many work for the Environment Agency, Natural England or equivalent bodies, or for organisations in the private sector with significant environmental responsibilities. The degree also provides a strong foundation for postgraduate study in environmental science, ecology, climate science, sustainability or environmental management, and for professional roles in the growing field of environmental law and policy.