Environmental Science
Environmental science addresses the interactions between human activity and the natural systems of the planet, examining how pollution, land use, climate change, and resource extraction affect the air, water, soil, and ecosystems that all life depends on. It is a discipline that applies rigorous scientific methods to environmental problems, equipping practitioners to understand what is happening, why it is happening, and what can realistically be done about it. As the scale and urgency of environmental challenges grows, well-trained environmental scientists are more in demand than ever.
At the University of Hull, this four-year full-time programme is accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences and gives you a range of practical, field, and analytical skills designed to help you solve real environmental problems. You will study the physical, chemical, and biological dimensions of environmental systems alongside the policy, regulatory, and management frameworks that govern how those systems are protected and managed. Field skills are central to the programme: you will learn to collect and interpret environmental data in real settings, from freshwater and coastal environments to urban landscapes.
Laboratory skills in chemical and biological analysis complement the fieldwork, and you will develop competence in using GIS and remote sensing tools that are standard in professional practice. The placement year provides direct professional experience in environmental work, allowing you to develop your skills and build your professional network before you graduate.
Graduates from environmental science programmes work in environmental consultancy, regulatory agencies, water companies, the energy sector, local authorities, research bodies, and international development organisations. The IES accreditation supports progression towards professional membership of the environmental science sector. Further study at postgraduate level in environmental science, ecology, hydrology, or environmental management is available for those wishing to specialise further.