Environment and Sustainability

Environment and Sustainability has emerged as one of the most urgent and interdisciplinary fields of study in contemporary higher education. As societies grapple with the interlocking challenges of climate change, resource depletion, biodiversity loss and the transition to more equitable and sustainable ways of producing and consuming, the need for graduates who can think rigorously across disciplines and translate knowledge into practice has never been greater. The discipline draws on natural science, social science, economics, policy analysis and ethics to understand environmental problems in their full complexity and to develop the knowledge and skills needed to contribute to meaningful solutions.

At the University of Surrey, this full-time three-year BSc programme develops critical thinkers who are equipped to drive sustainable transformation across industries, governments and communities. You will be taught by experts from across the university, including specialists in environmental science, sustainability policy and industrial ecology, developing both the scientific literacy and the practical analytical skills needed to assess environmental impacts, design more sustainable systems and contribute to organisational and policy change. The degree takes a genuinely interdisciplinary approach, recognising that environmental problems do not respect the boundaries between disciplines.

Environment and Sustainability graduates go on to careers in environmental consultancy, corporate sustainability, climate and energy policy, conservation management, international development, the green economy, regulatory agencies and research organisations. The growing emphasis on sustainability in business and investment is creating new roles across the private sector for graduates who combine scientific understanding with strategic and commercial awareness. Postgraduate study in environmental science, sustainable development, climate policy or environmental management provides a route to specialist roles in research, policy and professional practice.