Environmental Science A Level
Qualification: GCE A Level in Environmental Science
Exam Board & Specification Code: AQA; 7447; Specification
Course Entry Requirements: 4 in English Language GCSE, 4 in Maths GCSE and 4 in 2 Science GCSEs (Combined Sciences accepted but not Applied Science) (Updated November 2024)
Please make sure that you have understood the overall entry requirements to study at BHASVIC. These are available here and outline the GCSE grades you need to take up one of the Study Programmes at the college.
Length and size of qualification: 2 year single course, equivalent to 1 A level
Timetable hours: 4.5 hours per week
Assessment method: 2 x 3 hour exams
BHASVIC Department: Biology
What will I study?
You will explore the key challenges facing our planet and how the environment supports us, how we threaten these support systems and strategies for a more sustainable lifestyle. Studying wildlife conservation, resource management, energy use, pollution and food production you will develop in-depth understanding of the problems… and the solutions. The new specification covers many aspects of the world around us, including conservation methods, land use conflict, global climate change, pollution, energy resources, sustainable biological resources, evolution, biotechnology and ecosystems and population dynamics – it’s a really good range of topics so that everyone will find areas that interest them! It is also very contextualised to relate it to how the world works around you.
Is this course right for me?
This subject is for you if you: have a real interest in the environment and its sustainable management; enjoy science and want to apply your understanding in real-world contexts; want to develop your skills in researching and evaluating information and analysing data; like debate and problem solving. You are most likely to succeed if you are a self-motivated independent learner. Lessons are interactive and build upon independent study. You should be willing to participate in topical discussions and debates, be able to structure well-balanced arguments in essay-style questions and use data from different sources to analyse results. Good with Biology, Chemistry, English, Geography, Maths, Psychology, Politics.
Where next?
Your interest in the environment and ethical issues could lead you into a diverse world of career paths. If you are interested in sustainability, world resources or conservation then this could be the course that takes you towards a rewarding career. Possible related sectors include ecology and wildlife conservation, environmental science, agriculture, geography, geology or climatology. Students wishing to study this subject at degree level may also consider: Zoology, Marine Biology, Biotechnology, Animal Science, Sustainable Civil Engineering, Journalism, Urban Landscape Design etc. Environmental experts are needed in business, industry and government as well as estate management, land reclamation, countryside management and conservation. Useful websites to research careers and wider progression options could include The Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM), Institute of Environmental Management (IEMA), All About Careers and The Apprenticeship Guide.
ApplyLast year, 22 BHASVIC students went onto study Environmental Science-related degrees at 11 different universities.
Popular universities included Bristol, Bristol UWE, Leeds, Newcastle and Bournemouth. There is an increasing range of degrees on offer as the need for sustainability grows more apparent.
Environmental Science A-level also combines well with Geography or Biology.
Should I study Environmental Science at degree level?
If you enjoy science or geography and have an interest in environmental or conservation issues, this type of course could be for you. You usually have about 14-15 hours teaching a week, including lectures, weekly workshops and practicals. Course content depends largely on choice of optional modules selected prior to the academic year.
There is a huge range of Environmental Science related degrees including:
- Conservation
- Marine Conservation
- International Disaster Management
- Ocean Science
Entry Requirements
A-levels usually required
Choose two from environmental science, biology, chemistry, geography, maths and physics
Top Universities for Environmental Science
Cambridge, Oxford, Durham, Glasgow, St Andrews
Lancaster, Loughborough, Sussex, Royal Holloway – all very high student satisfaction scores
LSE, Exeter, York, Liverpool Hope - all with top graduate prospects
Many of our students choose a combined degree - applications from our students have included:
- Environmental Science (with placement)
- Wildlife Conservation
- Environment and Business
- Ocean Science and Marine Conservation
Example entry requirements (please check):
A-Level/BTEC equivalents:
Southampton Environmental Science AAB
Plymouth Environmental Science 104 - 112 UCAS points
Bristol UWE Environmental Science 112 UCAS points
Swansea Environmental Science and the Climate Emergency (Single) (Foundation) C,D,D
Some examples of Environmental Science-related degrees that our BHASVIC students have gone onto study in the past few years are:
- Global Environmental Change and Sustainability with Year Abroad
- Environmental Sciences with a Year Abroad
- Marine Environmental Science
- Ocean Exploration and Surveying
- Ocean Science and Marine Conservation
- Sustainability and Environmental Management
- Wildlife Conservation with Zoo Biology
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Science
- Business and Environment
- Conservation Biology
- Ecology and Conservation Biology with Placement Year
- Ecology and Wildlife Conservation with Foundation
- Environment and Business
- Environmental Geography with a Year of Study Abroad
- Environmental Geoscience Marine Environmental Science
- Ocean Exploration and Surveying
- Ocean Science and Marine Conservation
- Sustainability and Environmental Management
- Wildlife Conservation with Zoo Biology
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Science
- Environmental Management and Sustainability Environmental Sciences with a Year Abroad
How BHASVIC helps: We have a wide range of information and resources to support students applying for university including subject area guides, personal statement and UCAS resources, super-curricular activity guides, open day and bursary information. We also cover university research, careers, art foundation and all other destinations in depth in tutorial and students can choose an appropriate pathway for them in the second year from UCAS, Employability & Enterprise, Visual Arts, Oxbridge and Medics. Our Spring Futures Fair brings in a huge number of university visitors with workshops and information stands and departments will bring speakers in wherever possible.
Environmental science equips students with scientific background and key skills for a range of careers, including conservation & sustainability.
Jobs where an Environmental Science degree would be useful include:
- Environmental education officer
- Environmental engineer
- Environmental manager
- Environmental health practitioner
- Estates manager
- Landscape architect
- Toxicologist
- Transport planner
Career Prospects
This is also one of those subjects where graduates don’t usually go to London to work, so if you want to work in East Anglia or the South West – or overseas – this might be a good subject. Graduates tend to get jobs in the environment, in surveying and as lab technicians, but, like a lot of other subjects, if you want a job in research, start planning to take a doctorate. A small number become oceanographers and meteorologists. Sought-after transferable skills developed by environmental science students include numeracy, communication, data handling, team-working and problem-solving skills. These are in demand from many employers including government departments and regulators, banks, universities, consultancies and the water industry.
Local Market
Brighton and Hove 20 Year Strategy. A report in the Argus states there are 15,840 businesses in Brighton and Hove and that business grew by 20% between 2012 and 2017. The new strategy for the next 20 years will focus on a low carbon economy and there are plans to build on the strength of sectors which are strong in the region such as the digital, ‘green technology’ sector, life sciences, higher education and tourism.
Examples of apprenticeships and opportunities include:
- Environmental Scientist
- Sustainability and Community Administration Apprentice
- Water Treatment Service Engineer
How BHASVIC helps: We have a wide range of information and resources to support students applying for university including subject area guides, personal statement and UCAS resources, super-curricular activity guides, open day and bursary information. We also cover university research, careers, art foundation and all other destinations in depth in tutorial and students can choose an appropriate pathway for them in the second year from UCAS, Employability & Enterprise, Visual Arts, Oxbridge and Medics. Our Spring Futures Fair brings in a huge number of university visitors with workshops and information stands and departments will bring speakers in wherever possible.
You will gain many transferable skills studying Environmental Science that will be valued in the workplace including:
Teamwork, Technical ability, Problem solving, Social Skills, Organisation, Numeracy, Communication, Attention to detail, Administration, Analytics, Discipline
Local Skills
The Local Skills agenda considers job prospects and employment in our local area of Sussex. Many of our students will contribute to the National Skills agenda and go onto find a career in a wide range of sectors. For students in Sussex our local skills are identified as the following sectors:
- Construction
- Creative & Cultural
- Digital (includes IT and Technology)
- Engineering & Manufacturing
- Healthcare (includes Bio Life Sciences and Pharmaceutical)
- Visitor & Hospitality
- Land-based (includes Agriculture and Viticulture)
- Green Skills
Degree choices that match the Green Skills agenda our BHASVIC students went onto study include:
- Agribusiness Management (with Placement)
- Environmental Geoscience
- Environmental Humanities with Employment Experience
- Sustainability and Environmental Management
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Science
Career choices that match the Green Skills agenda our BHASVIC students went onto work in include:
- Environmental education officer
- Renewable Energy engineer
- Environmental manager
- Environmental health officer
- Planning Officer
How BHASVIC helps: Skills Week in A1 helps students build skills in the workplace and a focus on developing skills through tutorial in A1 and A2 supports students in writing outstanding Personal Statements and CVs. We know our students have already gained a wide variety of skills at home and with extra-curricular activities and will increasingly take up jobs. Our focus is on supporting them to evidence skills already gained, identify gaps and ensure that they transfer that to CVs and applications. This is in partnership with every curriculum area.