Environmental Science and Sustainability

Environmental science and sustainability is concerned with understanding the complex systems of the natural environment and the ways in which human activity is transforming them, as well as the practical challenge of designing more sustainable relationships between human societies and the planet they depend on. It draws on ecology, chemistry, geology, hydrology, atmospheric science, and social science to address some of the most urgent questions of our time, from biodiversity loss and climate change to resource depletion and pollution.

At the University of Glasgow, this four-year full-time programme is accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences and places fieldwork and practical experience at its core. Situated in the 'Living Laboratory' of Dumfries and Galloway, the programme uses the university's 85-acre campus and the diverse surrounding landscapes as dynamic learning environments, giving you direct and regular experience of environmental monitoring, ecological survey, and landscape assessment. You will study the scientific principles underpinning environmental systems alongside sustainability theory and practice, developing both quantitative data skills and the ability to engage with policy and management contexts.

A year abroad is built into the programme. Entry typically requires around 136 UCAS tariff points.

Graduates work in environmental consultancy, government agencies, conservation organisations, local authorities, sustainability roles in industry, international development, and environmental research. The combination of strong scientific training with practical field skills and sustainability knowledge is valued across a wide range of environmental careers.