Ecological and Environmental Sciences BSc (Hons)

Level: Undergraduate

Subject: Ecological and Environmental Sciences

Year of entry: 2026

Key facts

UCAS Code

CF17

Award

BSc (Hons)

Duration of study

4 years

Delivery

Full-time

Study location

King's Buildings campus

Start date

September 2026

School

School of GeoSciences

College

College of Science and Engineering

Study abroad

Available

Placement

No

Open days and events

About the degree programme

If you are:

  • passionate about the environment
  • curious about the relationship between humans and nature
  • concerned about our impact on the planet

Then ecological and environmental sciences may be for you.

Our world is suffering from:

  • rapid climate change
  • the over-exploitation of natural resources
  • the degradation of natural habitats

This degree will help you address some of our planet's greatest environmental challenges.

What is ecological and environmental science?

  • Ecological sciences study how organisms interact with each other and their physical, chemical and biological environments.
  • Environmental sciences is an integrated science. We apply biological, chemical and physical sciences to understand the natural environment and how it is changing.

Understanding both sciences is important for managing changing environments for a more sustainable future.

How long it takes to complete this degree programme

This programme is studied over 4 years.

A key benefit to studying a 4-year degree programme is that you have the flexibility to study a range of subjects, outside your chosen degree programme, in Year 1 and Year 2.

This allows you the opportunity to study other courses that interest you or enhance your degree. By the end of Year 2, you can decide which of these subject areas you want to focus on in the honours years of your programme.

How long it takes to complete our degree programmes

Programme rankings

  • 6th in the UK for environmental sciences in QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • 5th in the UK, and world's top 30 universities for natural sciences subjects in QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025

Programme benefits

  • Learn from one of the UK's largest and most successful groupings of geographers, and Earth and environmental scientists.
  • Enjoy access to a world of experience with our research and industry networks.
  • Benefit from a wide group of experts who contribute to the programme through guest lectures, discussions and more.
  • Gain valuable experience taking part in field trips using tools and high-tech equipment.
  • Get advice and guidance with our dedicated Careers Service.

Find your entry requirements

Use the dropdowns to find out your entry requirements.

  1. Select the country where you are studying or where you studied your qualification.
  2. Select the qualification you are studying or studied.
United Kingdom,

Tuition fees for BSc (Hons) Ecological and Environmental Sciences

View the tuition fees for one academic year of BSc (Hons) Ecological and Environmental Sciences.

Tuition fees for this programme

Additional costs

The School of GeoSciences does not charge extra fees for compulsory field trips or field courses.

Costs of travel, accommodation and general upkeep on compulsory field trips are covered by the programme, thanks to the continued support of our generous alumni community.

However, you are responsible for any incidental/personal expenses. This may include suitable outdoor clothing and footwear. For more local excursions, you may occasionally be asked to make your own way there using public transport.

Dissertation costs

There may be some costs associated with your dissertation research project, including field costs. You can design your dissertation project to reduce costs.

The School of GeoSciences also provides a £200 allowance for using facilities to support your dissertation project.

Accommodation and living costs

You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.

We estimate that a single student can potentially spend a maximum of £920 to £2,257 on living costs each month, depending on your accommodation.

This estimate covers the costs of:

  • accommodation
  • food
  • utility bills
  • travel within Edinburgh
  • health and wellbeing costs

See a breakdown of living costs

Scholarships and funding

Funding information

You can find detailed information on financial support available, based on where you are living, in our funding section.

Funding

What you will study

We will teach you how to:

  • understand ecological and environmental issues
  • design strategies for sample collection
  • make ecological and environmental measurements
  • critically evaluate ecological data sets using modern statistical analysis
  • measure progress and efficiency of conservation and environmental management plans
  • use enhanced planning and management skills to develop solutions to environmental problems
  • understand the science to contribute to difficult management questions and policy
  • understand conflicts between humans and the natural world and how human pressures are changing our planet

Our programme has a strong focus on data-driven innovation and computational analysis. Demand is growing for these data skills across many employment sectors.

The exciting nature of your degree means you will have a diverse learning experience during your years with us. You could be discussing animal adaptions to habitat in a tutorial one day, or in a Scottish forest collecting plant samples the next.

Throughout your degree, you will:

  • learn the general principles and key methods in ecology and environmental sciences
  • develop in-demand skills in data science and computational data analysis
  • have a lot of fun outdoors

You can find details for individual courses through the 'Programme Structure' link below.

Option courses

One of the best things about a Scottish undergraduate degree is the amount of electives (called 'option courses') you can study. You have the opportunity to take a significant number of courses outside your degree in Years 1 and 2.

You can choose courses related to your degree, or you can try something different and new to you.

Changes to teaching and learning

We are committed to offering high-quality education to all our students. However, there may be changes to course options and delivery. All decisions are made to make sure we can provide the highest standards for your educational experience.

We try to provide a wide range of option courses to choose from but these can be changed or cancelled at short notice. Course capacity and timetabling constraints can limit places on option courses. Therefore, we cannot guarantee every offer holder their top choice of option courses.

We will introduce you to fundamental aspects of ecology, involving both theoretical and practical studies. You will explore the diversity of living organisms and the evolutionary forces that created them.

About half of your courses will be in ecological and environmental sciences on the BSc programme. The other half will be your chosen option courses.

Find Year 1 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

You will learn how aspects of nature are connected. We will give you insights into the diversity, distribution and abundance of life on planet Earth.

As in Year 1, you will have significant flexibility in your option course choices.

Find Year 2 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

You will start Year 3 with a week-long summer field course. Through fieldwork, you will learn different measurement and evaluation techniques.

Your coursework will focus on specialised aspects of your degree, learning at the cutting edge of different ecological and environmental disciplines.

You can also choose from a wide selection of option courses.

Find Year 3 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

The main focus will be on your dissertation. This is an independent, original piece of research in your chosen specialist field.

  • You will receive individual supervision from an academic with experience in your chosen subject area.
  • Often, dissertations are undertaken in partnership with companies or UK research centres.
  • Most students will do outdoor field data collection as part of their project.

Here are some recent honours dissertation titles to give you an idea of what you can do:

  • Does cacao drive deforestation in Amazonian Peru?
  • The effect of speed bump presence on potentially toxic element concentration in road dust in Edinburgh
  • Competition interactions in a neotropical cloud forest
  • Carbon payback times of wind farms on the Isle of Lewis
  • Investigating the relationships between the European otter and the invasive signal crayfish
  • Plant detritus decomposition in a Mediterranean lagoon
  • How does charcoal production influence wealth and natural resource use in Mabalane District, Mozambique?
  • A critical review of land reform policies in devolved Scotland

You will also continue to study compulsory ecology and environmental science courses. This includes a week-long summer residential field course.

We will help you develop skills in designing and conducting your own field experimental project.

Find Year 4 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

Study abroad

There are exciting opportunities to study abroad as part of the University's exchange programmes. We also currently offer a subject-specific exchange with the University of Sydney.

Many of our students spend Year 3 abroad in Europe or further afield. A year abroad can give you invaluable academic and life skills.

What are my options for going abroad?

Field trips

Field trips are at the heart of this programme.

We know that getting out in the world is essential for understanding how it works. We will take you beyond the classroom so that you can apply your learning to real-life situations.

Our hands-on approach to learning helps build your confidence and gives you practical field skills valued by employers.

Our compulsory field trips or field courses are free, including travel and accommodation.

What do you do on a field trip?

Our field courses and day excursions are challenging and fun. Often, they will provide some of your most memorable moments.

For example, you could be:

  • splashing through rivers, counting insects
  • trekking through the forest, measuring trees and taking leaf samples
  • applying your skills to field conservation in wild and remote areas
  • learning how people manage land for conservation, forestry and agriculture

We also want you to gain valuable skills by using as many types of field equipment as possible. With our range of tools and high-tech equipment, you can obtain and interpret ecological and environmental measurements. For example:

  • assessing biodiversity and water quality
  • taking climate and trace gas measurements
  • estimating carbon stocks of forests
  • collecting water samples
  • calculating and measuring rates of photosynthesis
  • detecting water stress in plants
  • evaluating the influence of soil chemical properties on vegetation

The locations and experiences of each trip will vary. We want to give you a broad understanding of how the world works. Our goal is to reduce our carbon footprint while providing you with the best training opportunities.

Ecological & Environmental Sciences - what do you do on a field trip?

You can also find our blog posts and videos about fieldwork experiences on the School of GeoSciences website.

School of GeoSciences field trips

Changes to field trips

Field course locations may change for various reasons, including the health and safety of our students, staff and communities, and to make sure we can maintain the highest standards for your educational experience.

Where suitable, fieldwork will be relocated or rescheduled. We will also look at alternative arrangements that will make sure you achieve the quality learning outcomes of your degree.

We will announce any changes as soon as possible.

Accessibility on field trips

We are committed to making our degree as accessible and inclusive as possible. If you cannot attend all trips or only some of them, we will provide alternatives with similar learning outcomes where necessary.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

You will learn from a wide range of experienced academics at the forefront of their field. Our research-led, industry-informed teaching draws on the latest developments.

The types of teaching styles depend on the courses you choose and the nature of the topics explored.

Teaching can be through a mix of:

  • lectures
  • tutorials
  • practical classes
  • workshops
  • field trips and field courses
  • project work

You will also design and carry out your project dissertation in Year 4.

Assessment

You will be assessed in different ways, depending on the courses you choose and the nature of the topics explored.

Assessment can be through a mix of:

  • written or practical exams, including multiple-choice exercises
  • laboratory reports and field project reports
  • practical evaluation in the field or field notebooks
  • coursework such as essays
  • posters
  • individual or group projects and presentations

Support for your studies

We want to help you make the most of your studies with us.

Student Adviser

You will have access to a range of resources and activities to support you during your studies. You will be assigned a Student Adviser for the duration of your degree, who will be your main contact if you have any questions related to academic or pastoral support.

The Student Adviser works closely with academics in your degree and the wider University support services. They can also help you with a wide range of administrative and practical issues, and can direct you to relevant resources or people.

Find out more about student support

Cohort Lead

You will also be assigned a Cohort Lead who will organise activities to help you get to know the other students on your degree.

They will also advise and support you on a range of topics including:

  • course choices
  • how to develop and improve your academic skills
  • how to effectively use feedback
  • advice on your future career opportunities

Our academic staff

We are one of the largest and most successful groupings of geographers, and Earth and environmental scientists in the UK. Many of us are world experts in our field and can help you gain valuable real-world experience to produce meaningful change.

Our staff will include their latest research in your teaching and share our discoveries in a range of areas, from the tropics to the poles. Your dissertation also offers practical experience and a chance to align with potential employers and real-world issues.

Research networks

Our Centre for Sustainable Forests and Landscapes is linked to this degree.

Visit the Centre for Sustainable Forests and Landscapes website

Through this programme, you are also directly linked to researchers from world-leading research centres such as The Centre for Adapting to Changing Environments (ACE). ACE is a leading centre in multidisciplinary research to address how populations can adapt to our rapidly changing world.

Visit the ACE website

Our experts

We also have a wide network of external experts who may contribute to the programme.

They may:

  • be invited as external speakers on our field courses
  • deliver guest lectures
  • contribute to discussions
  • highlight links between in-class materials and real-world projects
  • provide possible dissertation opportunities

One example of an external organisation we engage with includes the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH).

Visit the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology

Where you will study

Study location

Most teaching occurs in the School of GeoSciences, at the University's King's Buildings campus. On this campus, the School of GeoSciences is mostly based in the Grant Institute, and the Crew Building.

Depending on the option courses you choose, you may study at different campus locations in Edinburgh.

King's Buildings campus

The King's Buildings (KB) is the main campus of the College of Science and Engineering.

The King's Buildings campus is around 15 minutes from central Edinburgh. It is easily accessible by bus. You can also cycle (10 minutes) or walk (25 minutes) to the campus from the central area.

Academic facilities

The School of GeoSciences houses a wide range of cutting-edge facilities and services. We also provide many collaborative centres of research excellence.

You will:

  • have access to a range of high-tech facilities, letting you analyse various types of samples
  • collect some of these samples during field excursions
  • conduct field measurements using various techniques used in ecological and environmental sciences

Visit the School of GeoSciences Research Facilities

We also host the NERC Field Spectroscopy Facility.

Visit the NERC Field Spectroscopy Facility website

University facilities

You will have access to the facilities across all University sites.

For example:

  • laboratories
  • libraries
  • study spaces (some study spaces are open 24 hours)
  • computing facilities
  • social spaces
  • leisure facilities

Career paths

Our degree opens up a diverse range of career pathways.

For example, you could:

  • pursue a career focused on the sciences, placing you at the forefront of the climate challenge
  • work for an environmental consultancy or conservation organisation
  • work in forestry, land use or water resource management industries

Our graduates are not confined to science-related careers.

You can also move into areas such as:

  • consultancy
  • policy
  • communications
  • education
  • media

In these roles, you can change how business, government and communities impact the environment.

Where do our graduates find employment?

We have a large network of graduate alumni within our programme. They can provide you with direct opportunities for projects, placements and job applications.

Our graduates have gained employment in roles such as:

  • Conservation Scientist
  • Environmental Consultant
  • Sustainability Coordinator
  • Project Director
  • Ecology Inspector
  • Research Assistant
  • Ranger
  • Offshore Environment Manager
  • Field Ecologist
  • National Park Manager
  • Environmental Advisor
  • Renewables Project Officer
  • Forestry Consultant

In the environmental sector, the range of occupations is expanding. There is also increasing demand for more environmental roles across other job sectors.

Our graduates work in a variety of organisations, including:

  • Birdlife International
  • Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation
  • Linklaters
  • London Wildlife Trust
  • AECOM
  • National Trust
  • Loch Lomond National Park
  • East Devon Council
  • Cambridgeshire Council
  • WYG Group
  • Scottish Power Renewables
  • EnergieKontor Wind Farms
  • IKM Engineering
  • Bidwells

One of our alumni, Piers Sellers, went on to become an astronaut for NASA.

A sustainable future

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are a call for action to address the significant global challenges of our generation. There are 17 overarching goals with a timeline set to 2030. Nearly all countries in the world have committed to this plan. They address challenges such as:

  • climate change
  • environment
  • water
  • food inequality
  • protecting our planet

Changes are taking place in every sector, including government, civil society, and the private sector. With this degree, you can work in fields that directly contribute to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.

Careers Service

We support you in recognising the many possibilities ahead.

Our award-winning Careers Service plays an essential part in your student experience. We also support you after graduation.

We provide:

  • tailored advice
  • individual guidance
  • internships and networking opportunities (with employers from local organisations to top multinationals)
  • access to the experience of our worldwide alumni network

We invest in your future beyond the end of your degree. Studying here is about laying the foundations for your future success.

Visit our Careers Service

Further study

Our programmes also prepare you for competitive entry into relevant postgraduate degree programmes. Many of our students progress to further postgraduate study and research.

Graduate profiles

Hear directly from our alumni to find out more about the possible careers open to you.

School of GeoSciences undergraduate alumni profiles

How to apply

You must submit a full application through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) before the relevant deadline.

Guidance on applying through UCAS

What you need to apply

As part of your application, you will need:

  • your academic qualifications
  • a personal statement
  • evidence of your English language skills (with relevant qualifications)
  • a reference

How we select

If you have met, or are predicted to meet, all our entry requirements by the relevant deadline, then your application will go into our selection process.

As part of this selection process, we will review all the information you submit in your UCAS application when we decide who to select for this degree programme.

How we select applicants

When to apply

  • 2026 entry UCAS deadline: 14 January 2026 (6:00pm GMT)

This is the deadline for all UK, EU and international applicants to non-medicine and veterinary medicine programmes.

To find out if any degree programmes have spaces after 14 January 2026, search the University of Edinburgh on the UCAS website.

Search degrees that are open on the UCAS website

Key application dates and deadlines

After you apply

After you have applied for your degree programme, we suggest you have a look at the following information to help you prepare for university:

Applying as an international student

As an international student, you apply for this degree programme through UCAS.  

Find out more about applying through UCAS  

Visas and immigration 

If you do not have the right to live in the UK, you will need to apply for and secure a Student visa before the start date of your degree programme.  

Our Student Immigration Service can help you with the Student visa application process. 

Applying for a visa  

Agents  

An education agent is someone who can help you with the application process as an international student. 

We work with education agents around the world and have a list of local offices you can contact.  

Find contact details for an education agent

What our students say

What is it really like to study with us?

No one knows what it is like to study here better than the students themselves.

Our students are sharing their experiences, from studying to living in Edinburgh and everything in between.

Get social with us:

Accommodation

We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single undergraduate students from outside Edinburgh. To be eligible, you need to meet all criteria and apply for accommodation by 16 August in the year of your entry to the University.

University accommodation website

Accommodation guarantee criteria

If you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.

Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place

Societies and clubs

Our societies and sports clubs will help you develop your interests, meet like-minded people, find a new hobby or simply socialise.

Societies

Sports clubs

The city of Edinburgh

Edinburgh is not only a fantastic city to live in, it is the perfect location to see the subjects you study first-hand. We have rich ecological and environmental locations to explore right on our doorstep. Explore rugged coastlines, misty mountains, forest glens and sparkling freshwater lochs.

We will also take you on day trips throughout your studies to help you make the most of your local surroundings.

Health and wellbeing support

You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.

The support services we offer include:

  • a student counselling service
  • a health centre (doctor's surgery)
  • support if you're living in University accommodation
  • dedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustment

Health and wellbeing support services

Contact us

Contact us through our enquiry team if you have any questions about this programme.

Open days, events and visits

Find out when our next open days will be taking place

Open days, events and visits

Chat to our students on Unibuddy

Related degree programmes

Other degrees in Ecological and Environmental Sciences

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Discover Uni data

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It is one of many sources of information which will enable you to make an informed decision on what and where to study.

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