Environmental Science
Environmental science is an inherently interdisciplinary subject, drawing on ecology, biology, chemistry, geology, geography, and the social sciences to understand how the natural world functions and how human activity is affecting it. As the consequences of climate change, habitat loss, pollution, and resource depletion become increasingly pressing, the ability to monitor, analyse, and communicate about environmental processes has never been more important. Environmental scientists work at the interface of scientific understanding and practical action, contributing to the evidence base that informs conservation, planning, policy, and sustainable development.
At the University of Leicester, this three-year full-time Environmental Science degree is delivered by staff from Geography, Geoscience, and Biological Sciences, reflecting the genuinely interdisciplinary nature of the subject. You will study climate change, conservation, ecology, sustainable development, and natural resources, developing skills in environmental monitoring, biodiversity mapping, remote sensing, and data analysis that prepare you for professional practice in environmental management. The programme includes a sandwich year, a year abroad, and a work placement, giving you substantial professional experience and the opportunity to engage with environmental challenges in international contexts.
Environmental science graduates are in growing demand across many sectors. Environmental consultancy, conservation, ecology, local authority planning, nature-based solutions, sustainable development organisations, research, and the regulatory sector are all well-established career destinations. Government agencies, national parks, wildlife trusts, and international development organisations also recruit from this background.
The increasing urgency of environmental challenges means that opportunities for environmental science graduates continue to expand. Postgraduate study in environmental science, ecology, conservation biology, or sustainability is a natural next step for those who wish to develop specialist expertise.