Environmental Science with a Research Placement

Environmental science brings together the physical, chemical, and biological sciences to address the complex challenges facing the natural world. From the dynamics of the atmosphere and oceans to the ecology of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, from the chemistry of pollution to the politics of climate change, environmental scientists work at the intersection of natural systems and human society, seeking to understand how the planet functions and how human activity is changing it. The need for people who can think rigorously about these questions and communicate their findings clearly to policymakers, businesses, and the public has never been greater.

At the University of Manchester, this four-year full-time programme is offered as Environmental Science with a Research Placement, which adds a substantial period of work in a research setting to the standard taught degree. This placement gives you firsthand experience of how environmental research is conducted in practice, whether in a university research group, a government agency, an NGO, or an industry environment, and it equips you with the professional skills and research experience that employers and postgraduate admissions panels value highly. Manchester is a research-intensive university with strong expertise in atmospheric science, water science, ecology, and environmental chemistry, and students benefit from access to well-equipped research facilities and teaching staff who are active in research across these areas.

You will develop both the scientific knowledge to understand environmental systems and the methodological skills to investigate them rigorously.

Graduates go on to careers in environmental consultancy, government environmental agencies, conservation organisations, water management, renewable energy, environmental monitoring, and research. Some pursue postgraduate research degrees in environmental science, ecology, climate science, or related fields, contributing to the scientific evidence base that informs environmental policy and management. This is a degree for people who are motivated by the state of the natural world and who want to apply scientific rigour to understanding and addressing environmental challenges.