BSc (Hons) Environmental Science with Foundation Year

Entry year:
2025/26
Start date:
September
Study mode:
Full-time
Course duration:
5 years Placement year, 4 years FullTime
Campus:
City
UCAS Code:
SENF
Grades/points required:
DDD-CDD (72-80)

Why study this course with LJMU?

  • The course covers the major challenges currently facing the environment and solutions to tackle them
  • Fieldwork is integral to the course, with field trips to Greece, the Lake District, North Wales and the North West coast included in fees*
  • Access to state-of-the-art computing facilities and analytical equipment
  • Prepares you for a career in the expanding green jobs employment sector, with excellent employment opportunities in areas such as: environmental management; government authorities; engineering and surveying; civil service; and Geographical Information Systems
  • Taught by experienced, research-active staff
  • Focus on skill acquisition via practical workshops and field learning
  • Options to undertake work placements of 4-6 weeks and/or a 12 month sandwich year
  • Options to study abroad for part of the degree
  • International Foundation Year course available offering direct progression onto this degree programme

About your course

The environment is currently facing major challenges, such as climate change, pollution and decreasing biodiversity. Studying BSc (Hons) in Environmental Science with Foundation Year will allow you to investigate the challenges we are facing and learn how to tackle these pressing issues for future populations.

About the Foundation Year

The Foundation Year is ideal if you have the ability to study for a degree but don't have the qualifications to enter directly onto the Environmental Science honours degree programme. Once you pass the Foundation Year you will progress directly onto the first year of the honours degree. If you are a full-time UK student, you will qualify for student financial support for the full duration of your course (subject to eligibility criteria).

About BSc (Hons) Environmental Science with Foundation Year

Exploring the way in which our physical environment develops and how humans affect natural processes and interact within the world form the basis of the course. This is a highly practical programme that provides you with ample background and practical knowledge for understanding environmental processes and interactions. It also offers plenty of opportunities to apply your knowledge in practical contexts. Fieldwork, completed both in the UK and overseas, is integral to the course, with field trips to Greece, the Lake District, North Wales and the North West coast included in fees.

This programme will provide you with the skills and knowledge to address these issues, and prepare you for entry into the expanding green jobs employment sector. You will acquire skills and knowledge through practical learning and use of LJMUs state-of-the-art facilities, such as Geographical Information Systems facilities and analytical equipment.

 

Course modules

What you will study on this degree

Further guidance on modules

Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.

Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.

Core modules

Core modules

Core modules

Optional Modules

Core modules

Optional Modules

Your Learning Experience

Excellent facilities and learning resources

We adopt an active blended learning approach, therefore teaching includes classroom, laboratory and field-based learning. A fully hands-on approach is taken, with emphasis on the development of practical skills across a wide range of subjects alongside substantial knowledge development. GIS and development of computer literacy is an important component.

Dedicated personal tutor, plus study skills support

All students are allocated a personal tutor to provide academic support and pastoral guidance throughout all years of study. Tutor groups typically have 5-8 students, and meet for regular (fortnightly) tutorial meetings discussing course material linked to academic and transferable skills with fellow students.

The school is fully committed to promoting a learning environment that supports a culture of equality, diversity and inclusivity (EDI) and has a Disability Support Coordinator, an EDI Coordinator and a School EDI Working Group. Personal Tutors also play a vital role in promoting awareness of support services for students.

Assessment varies depending on the modules you choose, but will usually include a combination of exams and coursework.

Assessment varies across the course and is scheduled across the semesters. The assessment types will be varied and include in-class tests, essays, scientific reports, oral presentations, poster presentations, blogs, presentations and more. Feedback will be provided following standard university procedure and will include bespoke marking criteria for each assessment type.

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Data for courses in Geography, earth and environmental studies at Liverpool John Moores University

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Where you will study

What you can expect from your School

You will study at the Byrom Street site in the university's City Campus in the heart of Liverpool. You will have access to first class teaching facilities, laboratories and study areas. The Avril Robarts library is within easy walking distance and here you'll find all the information you need to support your studies.

Course tutors

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We are living in a world threatened by climate change, pollution and decreasing biodiversity. We need Environmental Scientists to help us tackle these issues

Career paths

Environmental Science graduates have a broad range of career prospects in the expanding green jobs employment sector.

Graduate opportunities include all areas of environmental monitoring, management, as well as consultancy roles in the water, resources and sustainability sectors. Example roles include working as Environmental Consultants operating in multi-national consultancies and operational government authorities such as the Environment Agency and Natural England. Beyond the directly applied career opportunities, graduates can gain employment in teaching, the civil service and a range of Geographical Information Systems and analyst-related roles across non-environment employment sectors.

Student Futures - Careers, Employability and Enterprise Service

A wide range of opportunities and support is available to you, within and beyond your course, to ensure our students experience a transformation in their career trajectory. Every undergraduate curriculum includes Future Focus during Level 4, an e-learning resource and workshop designed to help you to develop your talents, passion and purpose.

Every student has access to Careers Zone 24/7, LJMU's suite of online Apps, resources and jobs board via the LJMU Student Futures website.

Tuition fees and funding

The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees in accordance with any changes to the maximum allowable fees set by the UK Parliament. In the event of such a change, any fee increase will be subject to a maximum cap of 10% of the total course cost as originally stated at the time of your offer.

The fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as:

  • library membership with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources
  • access to programme-appropriate software
  • library and student IT support
  • free on-campus wifi via eduroam

Additional costs

Although not all of the following are compulsory/relevant, you should keep in mind the costs of:

  • accommodation and living expenditure
  • books (should you wish to have your own copies)
  • printing, photocopying and stationery
  • PC/laptop (should you prefer to purchase your own for independent study and online learning activities)
  • mobile phone/tablet (to access online services)
  • field trips (travel and activity costs)
  • placements (travel expenses and living costs)
  • student visas (international students only)
  • study abroad opportunities (travel costs, accommodation, visas and immunisations)
  • academic conferences (travel costs)
  • professional-body membership
  • graduation (gown hire etc)

Funding

There are many ways to fund study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you'll find all of the information you need on our specialist funding pages.

Practical and field activities underpin all programmes in the School. PPE is provided for all necessary practical work. There are no costs for day field trips for core and optional modules. Residential field trips associated with core modules are subsidised and include travel and half-board accommodation costs. Any residential field trips for optional modules will have costs involved. Locations may be subject to change and also subject to national and international travel restrictions. A DBS check is not required for your application, however a DBS may be required for modules where there is a work based learning placement option. Work based learning placements that do not require a DBS check are available.

Entry requirements

Please choose your qualifications below to view requirements

Grades/points required from qualifications: DDD-CDD (72-80)

Work out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth by visiting the UCAS Tariff Calculator.

Qualification requirements

How to apply

Securing your place at LJMU

UCAS is the official application route for our full-time undergraduate courses. Further information on the UCAS application process can be found here https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/study/undergraduate-students/how-to-apply.

Your university life

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See what our students are saying

At LJMU we want you to know you're making the right choice by studying with us. You can see what our students are saying about their experience with us through their reviews on the following websites:

The university reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the university. Where this does happen, the university operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.
Further information on the terms and conditions of any offer made, our admissions policy and the complaints and appeals process.