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Environmental Management and Sustainability

BSc (Hons)

Investigate environmental issues and plan for a sustainable future. You’ll engage in practical, hands-on learning from day one, and graduate with the skills employers value.

UCAS Code: F850 or F852

Single Honours

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With engaging classroom sessions and insightful range of field trips, our graduates are known by employers for their knowledge of environmental issues as well as their research, organisation and project management skills.

1st

in the UK for Quality Education

THE University Impact rankings 2024
Top10

university for environmental sustainability

People & Planet 2024/25
CEDHE Accreditation logo
Accredited by the Community for Environmental Disciplines in Higher Education (CEDHE), the education committee of the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES).

This means you can students can apply for free Student Membership, starting your journey in becoming a Chartered Environmentalist or Chartered Scientist.

First for jobs

The University of Worcester is first in the UK for sustained employment, further study or both, five years after graduation (excluding specialist institutions) - Longitudinal Educational Outcomes Survey 2024.


Overview

Nature is in crisis at a global scale, and we can all make a difference to transform the world into a greener place. By learning how to assess, interpret and manage the environment, you can play your part in reducing the human impact on ecosystems.

During this course, you’ll gain valuable fieldwork experience and be confident with using industry-standard equipment and software. You may use our drones to sample and map air pollution, utilise our large environmental chamber to analyse pollutants, undertake river and soil sampling and analysis and use trail cameras to evaluate mammal populations.

Our career-based assessment methods also compliment your field trip experiences. These include research reports, science reports, restoration plans and case study evaluations, which’ll prepare you for work in the environmental industry.

There’s plenty of opportunities to make new friends. You’ll peer review each other’s work, travel together for field trips and get to join the societies which interest you.

By taking this course, you’ll become an advocate for sustainable practices, moving us towards a responsible and healthier use of Earth’s precious resources.

Discover more in our course brochure.

Placements

After successfully completing your second year, you will have the opportunity to take a professional placement year. This opportunity will demonstrate work-related experiences to potential employers. Previous students have worked in environmental consultancy, working in environmental management and sustainability roles for a company/organisation or gained experience in environmental laboratories.

Fieldwork

Our course includes fully-funded residential fields trips, so you can investigate other environments and cultures. Students have recently explored the environmental impact of historic mining activities in the Brecon Beacons as well as biodiversity conservation and the impact of wildfires in Provence (France).

We also make the most of the region around us. Worcester, on the banks of the River Severn, is the perfect base for fieldwork, with easy access to a diverse range of urban and rural settings, including the Malverns, the Cotswolds, and Birmingham.


Discover our course


Course content

On this accredited course you’ll study the theory behind environmental management and sustainability and get the opportunity to apply this learning on various fieldtrips or scenarios in virtual reality.

We regularly review our courses to reflect the latest research and developments in the subject area, as well as feedback from students, employers and the wider sector. As a result, modules may change to ensure the course remains current and relevant.

Optional modules will run if enough students choose to study them. It is not guaranteed that all modules will be offered every year.

Mandatory modules
Optional modules


Careers

The Environmental Management & Sustainability course will prepare you for a broad range of rewarding careers, including environmental consultancy, environmental managers, roles in local government (e.g. environmental services, town and country planning, climate change development officers) and environmental analysis laboratories.

Students have gone on to be employed at:

  • The Environment Agency
  • Severn Trent Water
  • AECOM
  • Wildlife Trusts
  • PJA Civil Engineering Ltd

Graduates not wanting to go directly into employment will also have the opportunity to gain further qualifications, on courses such as our Environmental Studies/Science MPhil/PhD.


Course highlights

students are standing in a hilly environment looking at the floor
Students on field trip to the alps
Student using fieldwork equipment next to a stream
A student wearing a virtual reality headset
Environmental Management and Sustainability

You will be taught by university lecturers carrying out internationally recognised research to address environmental issues, including pollution, sustainable food production, and the conservation of species and habitats. 


Teaching and Assessment

Our course has been designed by researchers and industry specialists to prepare you for a career in environmental management and sustainability. So our teaching is a combination of practical field work, seminars, lectures and 1-1 tutorials.

With regular meetings with your academic tutor, you will also be able to reflect on progress and build up a profile of skills, achievements and experiences that will enhance your employability.

Teaching and assessment contents

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, field trips, site visits, and laboratory practicals. Furthermore, due to our excellent contacts in the environmental sector, you will also have guest lectures from industry experts.

At the University of Worcester, you will receive essential training in a variety of field and laboratory techniques using state-of-the-art equipment and facilities. Continuing technological advances means the discipline rapidly changes, and at Worcester, due to our impressive research profile you will be trained in highly advanced and cutting-edge techniques.

In the second year of your course, you have the option to study abroad for a semester at a university either in Europe or further afield. Previous students have studied at American, Australian, Canadian, and Spanish universities. Other destinations are also available! On successful completion of your second year of study you can also choose to take a Professional Placement Year with a relevant organisation.

Meet the team

You will be taught by university lecturers carrying out internationally recognised research to address environmental issues. You can view our staff list.

Here are a few members of the department who currently teach on this course:

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Professor Alan Dixon

Alan is an interdisciplinary Geographer and Human Ecologist with research interests in sustainable development and social-ecological systems, especially in the global south. 

University of Worcester logo on a light blue background

Dr John Dutton

Dr John Dutton joined the University of Worcester in May 2009 with a strong and extensive lecturing background having lectured at the Associate Faculty of UWE, Hartpury College and at Otley College, Suffolk. He has eclectic research experience, which includes investigating the role of rabbits in sand-dune conservation, small mammal habitat use, restoration ecology and the reintroduction of European beavers, wild boar in the Forest of Dean and expedition-based ecological research.

University of Worcester logo on a light blue background

Dr Matthew Smith

Matt is an environmental scientist with a focus on aerobiology, biogeography and phenology.

Matt is an active researcher, and much of his career has been spent examining temporal and spatial variations in airborne allergenic pollen and fungal spores. This has included investigating the impacts of environmental change on the phenology and distribution of allergenic plants, especially in relation to allergy and health.

University of Worcester logo on a light blue background

Professor Alan Dixon

Alan is an interdisciplinary Geographer and Human Ecologist with research interests in sustainable development and social-ecological systems, especially in the global south. 

University of Worcester logo on a light blue background

Dr John Dutton

Dr John Dutton joined the University of Worcester in May 2009 with a strong and extensive lecturing background having lectured at the Associate Faculty of UWE, Hartpury College and at Otley College, Suffolk. He has eclectic research experience, which includes investigating the role of rabbits in sand-dune conservation, small mammal habitat use, restoration ecology and the reintroduction of European beavers, wild boar in the Forest of Dean and expedition-based ecological research.



Entry requirements

UCAS tariff points required: 104 - 120

Typical Offer
QualificationGrade
A-levelBCC-BBB
BTEC National Extended DiplomaDMM-DDM
T-levelMerit

We do accept Access to HE Diplomas and other qualifications which may not exactly match the combinations above. Work out your estimated points with the UCAS tariff calculator.

We do accept Access to HE Diplomas and other qualifications which may not exactly match the combinations above. Work out your estimated points with the UCAS tariff calculator.

Mature students

If you will be over the age of 21 at the beginning of your undergraduate study, you are considered a mature student. At Worcester this means our offer may be different, taking into account any work or life experiences you have, alongside any qualifications you hold.

If you’re unsure whether you meet certain requirements you can email our admission team admissions@worc.ac.uk or contact the course Admissions Tutor.

International students

If English is not your first language you will need to show that you have language skills at IELTS level 6.0 (with no skill below 5.5) or equivalent.

For country specific information see our international student pages.

Any questions?

If you have any questions about entry requirements, please call our Admissions Office on 01905 855111 or email admissions@worc.ac.uk.


Fees

Fees contents

UK and EU students

The Government has announced that it will increase tuition fees and maintenance loans by 3.1% from the 2025/26 academic cycle. Subject to approval, the University intends to increase our tuition fees in line with this and as per our terms and conditions. This means that from September 2025 the standard fee for full-time home and EU undergraduate students on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees will be £9,535 per year for new and continuing students.

For more details on course fees, please visit our course fees page.

International students

The standard tuition fee for full-time international students enrolling on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees in the 2025/26 academic year is £16,700 per year.

For more details on course fees, please visit our course fees page.


Field trips

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students investigating a pool at the side of a path
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student writing in the outdoors with glasses on her head
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group of students looking towards a mountain
students investigating a pool at the side of a path
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How to apply

How to apply contents

Full-time applications

Applying through UCAS

UCAS is the central organisation through which applications are processed for full-time undergraduate courses in the UK.

Read our how to apply pages for more information on the application process, or if you’d like to apply for part-time study.

UCAS codes

Environmental Management and Sustainability - F850

Environmental Management and Sustainability - F852

Apply for Environmental Management and SustainabilityApply for Environmental Management and Sustainability (with Professional Placement Year)

Contact

If you have any questions, please get in touch. We're here to help you every step of the way.

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Dr John Dutton

Senior Lecturer

Admissions Office

01905 855111

More to explore

Open Days

Visiting us is the best way to get a feel for student life at the University of Worcester.

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The City of Worcester

Worcester is a welcoming university city with great transport links and plenty of student parking.

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Accommodation

Benefit from our accommodation guarantee. We have rooms on campus to suit every budget including en-suite options.

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