BSc (Hons) Environmental Geography Bachelor's degree at York St John University
BSc (Hons) Environmental Geography at York St John University. Environmental Geography at York St John invites you to examine our natural world and our relationship with it, while exploring how to advance environmental sustainability.
About this course
Explore the natural world, evaluate our relationships with it. Discover how we can improve our planet From the provider’s course page.
BSc (Hons) Environmental Geography is a Bachelor's degree (BSc (Hons)) at York St John University, based in YSJ Main Campus. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.
For Geography, earth and environmental studies graduates from this provider, 80% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 45% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £23,500. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Environmental Science, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Limited evidence Published sample: 10; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 80% (2021-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 90% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year 1 5 modules
- Discover GeographyCompulsory20 credits
Module details
Discover the breadth of human geography at university level, as you are introduced to contemporary issues and debates. Using examples and case studies from local, regional, national and global scales. These themes are likely to include: Globalisation, Social justice and inequalities, Sustainability, Mobility, Landscape spaces. You will also develop your skills in academic writing, referencing and critical thinking.
- Understanding Physical Geography and GeoscienceCompulsory20 credits
Module details
On this module you will focus on the essential concepts for understanding physical geography and geoscience. You will explore the Earth systems ranging from global atmospheric circulation and ocean systems to Earth surface processes and ecosystems, looking at how we understand patterns in the natural environment. Practical work will include field and/or laboratory work.
- Geographical Quantitative Data AnalysisCompulsory20 credits
Module details
Investigate aspects of environmental changing as you develop your understanding of how to handle, process and analyse numerical data. Through a series of workshops we will introduce you to the theory behind data handling and statistical analysis, before developing your skills using software such as Microsoft Excel and IBM's SPSS Statistics which are both widely used in industry. These skills prepare you for your own investigations later in your degree.
- Geographical Qualitative Research MethodsCompulsory20 credits
Module details
Engage with a range of qualitative methods commonly used in geographical research. Through a series of workshops we will introduce you to the theory behind data handling and statistical analysis, before developing your skills using software such as Microsoft Excel and IBM's SPSS Statistics which are both widely used in industry. These skills prepare you for your own investigations later in your degree. You will also assess the ethical and health and safety considerations at a basic level involve
- Environmental GeographyCompulsory20 credits
Module details
Environmental geography investigates human/nature relations. Through this module you will explore environmental concerns from a variety of perspectives, from society's impact on biological and physical systems such as soil or water, through environmental policies and politics, to environmental values and identities.
Year 2 8 modules
- Geographical Information SystemsCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The development of sophisticated Geographical Information System (GIS) and online mapping tools in recent years has revolutionised the use of geospatial data. This module will develop your theoretical and practical understanding of these technologies and their applications. A central theme is the use of geospatial technologies to address problems and concerns associated with environmental geography. You will gain first hand experience in using the GIS flow line, collecting data, manipulating and
- Geographical Research MethodsCompulsory20 credits
Module details
Geography is an extraordinarily diverse discipline. In this module you will learn about the variety of methodological approaches that geographers use in their research, across human, physical and environmental geography. This includes paying attention to the very latest developments, as well as the ethical and political dimensions of producing geographical knowledge. The module prepares you for undertaking your own research later in your degree.
- Understanding Environmental ChangeOptional20 credits
Module details
This module focuses on identifying and understanding environmental change, its causes and consequences. There is an emphasis on understanding the timescales of environmental change, the relation of available data to these timescales, and the uncertainties involved in identifying environmental change. You will develop skills in quantitative data analysis, particularly in identifying relationships and trends. We will consider a range of contexts, such as: Global climate change, Hydrological change
- Environmental Challenges and SustainabilityCompulsory20 credits
Module details
On this module we will examine some of the key environmental challenges of the 21st century, from local to global scales. Develop your understanding of environmental sustainability and its relation to social and economic sustainability. We will pay particular attention to the barriers to addressing global environmental challenges such as climate change, food, water, waste and pollution. Key themes are action and agency, from global governance through to individual decision making.
- Research and Residential Field TripCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module will involve working in small groups to develop research plans and then undertaking the research on a residential field trip. The module provides practical experience in conducting your own research, helping prepare you for your independent dissertation next year. During the module you will also produce a research proposal for your dissertation.
- Professional PracticeCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This is an opportunity to experience professional practice related to your degree. This might be a short internship, a period of shadowing a relevant professional, voluntary work in an appropriate setting or a study of a profession, workplace or employer relevant to geography. This will develop new skills and experience that will help you become more employable after you graduate. It will also help you identify areas of personal and professional development you would like to build on to prepare
- Conservation and BiodiversityOptional20 credits
Module details
Why do species live where they do, and how and why is biodiversity changing? What role does conservation have to play? What are the most effective conservation approaches in different places? These are the types of questions this module's lectures, seminars, and workshops focuses on. You will explore the theory of ecosystems and practice of conserving the habitats and species within them.
- GeomorphologyOptional20 credits
Module details
Building on your understanding of physical systems developed in your first year, you will focus on the key concepts of geomorphology. Examine the processing driving change in a variety of physical environments such as river, desert, coastal and hillslope systems and learning about the landforms they produce. You will have opportunity to take part in practical laboratory classes to learn about scientific methodology and observe physical processes in controlled environments.
Year 3 5 modules
- DissertationCompulsory40 credits
Module details
This year long module will involve working independently to research a topic of your choice. It is the culmination of your degree studies, and your chance to explore a topic you are passionate about. You will build on the research skills you developed earlier in the course, demonstrating your capacity for independent working, autonomy, self reliance and project management. Once your dissertation proposal has been approved and has passed ethical scrutiny you will work under the guidance of a tuto
- Habitat Management and ConservationOptional20 credits
Module details
This module builds on earlier modules to develop your understanding of ecosystems and biodiversity through a consultancy style project. We will consider approaches to habitat management in protected areas and in the wider countryside. You will examine different techniques for maintaining, enhancing, restoring and recreating a range of habitats. You will undertake your own assessment of a selected locality and develop a habitat management plan.
- Nature and SocietyOptional20 credits
Module details
On this module you will examine and expand the idea of nature and its relationship with humans. You will also look at this in relation to a variety of themes, such as: Medicine and health, Food production and consumption, Animals, Wilderness and conservation, Climate and the Anthropocene. You will gain a better understanding of the contemporary environmental issues that are arising and the responses to these. Overall, you will gain an understanding of various sustainability issues and the import
- Remote Sensing and Environmental MonitoringOptional20 credits
Module details
Scientists use an array of different tools to measure and monitor the environment, from detecting land cover change from satellite images, through using lasers on aircraft to map landforms, to monitoring volcanic activity using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (drones). This module explores how these 'remotely sensed' technologies have transformed the ways we understand, measure and model the Earth's environment. You will further develop your own data analysis and spatial problem-solving skills through
- Residential Field StudyOptional20 credits
Module details
The focus of the module is a period of residential fieldwork. Through this module, you will be required to develop your understanding of an environment that is remote from the centre of population and is in some respect different from other environments you have previously studied. This will usually be in an overseas country, but may also take place closer to home. You will consider the following: The natural environment around, Human relations with the non-human world, Communicating your unders
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
You'll explore the natural world and evaluate our relationships with it, discovering how to improve our planet. A course like this typically begins with foundations in Earth Systems Science, Ecology Fundamentals and Environmental Data & GIS, grounding you in how the planet works and how to map and analyse environmental systems. In Year 2, you'll usually progress to Climate Change Science & Policy, Pollution & Environmental Management, and residential fieldwork, applying methods to real landscapes. By Year 3, you'll choose specialist options such as Climate Science, Conservation, GIS & Remote Sensing, Environmental Policy, or Water & Pollution, and undertake an independent field- or data-based research project alongside work with organisations on live environmental problems.
Who it's for
This course is for you if you're curious about environmental systems and human impact, with a genuine interest in understanding how we can address ecological challenges. You'll suit it if you enjoy both field-based investigation and critical analysis, and if you're motivated by the possibility of contributing to environmental improvement. The work is intellectually demanding and practical; expect to combine theoretical study with hands-on research, independent enquiry and real-world problem-solving.
Careers & job market
Across Environmental Science courses nationally, around 90% of graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating. Of those working, 65% are in highly skilled roles or pursuing further study. National graduate earnings for the field show a starting range of £24,000–£30,000 at 15 months, rising to £26,350–£37,200 after five years. Careers span environmental consultancy, conservation, policy, education, sustainability roles and related sectors.
University & format
This BSc (Hons) is delivered full-time at York St John University, a university founded in 1841 and located at its Main Campus. The course runs for 3 years and is taught in English. As a recognised UK degree-awarding body, the award is nationally recognised. The university holds a Silver award for teaching quality from the Office for Students' TEF 2023.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Placement year. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Entry & how to get in
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 100% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Accepted students came in with a broad spread of qualifications and UCAS points. If you're worried about grades, this course has historically taken a wide range, and contextual offers may apply.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course. One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).
Check fees at York St John University →For students who normally live in England
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.
Amounts, exclusions and deadlines can change. An award is not guaranteed unless the university confirms it.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What Environmental Science graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £23,500 | £21,000 – £29,000 | 10 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Limited evidence. Published sample: 10; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in environmental science · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Environmental Science nationally
National figures for Environmental Science graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2021-23. Limited evidence. Published sample: 10; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 15-month median earnings compare with Environmental Science courses at the same study level.
Compared with 560 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Administrative occupationsSOC 2020 41 · 25% of published destinations · ASHE median £27,006
- Sales occupationsSOC 2020 71 · 25% of published destinations · ASHE median £15,975
- Conservation and environment professionalsSOC 2020 215 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £40,520
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 25; response rate: 80%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Is BSc (Hons) Environmental Geography worth it?
Weigh it carefully. On these figures graduates of BSc (Hons) Environmental Geography earn close to non-graduate pay, so on cost alone the course is slow to pay off.
Cumulative earnings vs. going straight to work at 18, counting tuition and 3 years of wages given up while studying. The model remains below break even after 30 years. This is a simplified gross-earnings comparison, not a forecast of cash loan repayments.
Model: this course’s own median graduate earnings (Graduate Outcomes / LEO) above the £24,000 non-graduate baseline (ONS), net of £9,790/yr over 3 years (published course home fee). Eligible England-domiciled students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan; repayments are 9% only on income above the threshold, with anything left written off after 40 years. That makes the cash flow different from conventional commercial debt. Opportunity cost assumes £18,000 gross earnings forgone in each study year; figures are nominal and exclude tax, living costs, investment returns and loan interest. A simplified estimate. Earnings and actual fees vary by graduate, provider, fee status and UK nation.
Job market & outlook
How Environmental Science graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Environmental Science graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Environmental consultancies
- Environment Agency
- Energy & utilities
- NGOs & local authorities
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Environmental Science graduates.
Is this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
Student finance
Published home tuition is £9,790/year for this course. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
Where graduates go
80% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £23,500. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 8.7 out of 10: NSS 91.3% · in work or study 80% · continued 90%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
York St John University
Geography, earth and environmental studies (social sciences) across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around YSJ Main Campus
2,229 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Environmental Science right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to York St John University from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £12,100 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check York St John University’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with York St John University and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at York St John University
Environmental Science at other universities
BA (Hons) English Studies and Climate ChangeAberystwyth University
BSc (Hons) Environmental Earth Science (with integrated year in industry)Aberystwyth University
BSc (Hons) Environmental Earth Science (with integrated year studying abroad)Aberystwyth University
BSc (Hons) Environmental Earth ScienceAberystwyth UniversityCommon questions
How competitive is entry?
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
What will it cost me?
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