Earth and Environmental Science
Earth and environmental science addresses the systems that make our planet habitable and the ways in which human activity is putting those systems under strain. It brings together geology, geochemistry, ecology, climatology, and hydrology to understand the physical environment as a complex interconnected system, and applies that understanding to practical questions of environmental management, resource use, climate change, and natural hazard risk. Geoscientists with environmental knowledge are increasingly sought as society grapples with the consequences of a changing climate and the need to manage natural resources more sustainably.
At the University of Hull, this four-year programme includes a placement year, giving you professional work experience in an earth or environmental science context during your degree. The placement is a significant practical asset, providing direct experience of how geoscience and environmental science are applied in industry, government agencies, or research organisations. You will study the geological processes that have shaped the Earth, the chemical and physical systems that regulate environmental conditions, the ecology of terrestrial and aquatic environments, and the methods used to assess environmental change and its consequences.
The programme is designed to prepare graduates for careers in the wide range of earth and environmental science industries, reflecting the breadth of contexts in which this knowledge is relevant.
Graduates work in environmental consultancy, geological survey, natural hazard assessment, water management, energy development, conservation, planning, and research. The combination of earth science and environmental knowledge is particularly valuable in sectors grappling with the intersection of geological resources and environmental impact, including energy transition, mineral extraction, and land management. Postgraduate study in earth sciences, environmental science, or a related geoscience discipline is a common next step for those who wish to specialise or pursue research careers.