Environmental Science & Sustainability (Dumfries campus) BSc
Accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES), this programme places field work and practical experience at its core. Situated in the 'Living Laboratory' of Dumfries and Galloway, this programme utilises our 85-acre campus and the diverse surrounding landscapes as dynamic learning environments.
Environmental Science & Sustainability
Our Dumfries Campus is located close to a range of natural resources, unique fieldwork environments and placement providers: a diverse outdoor laboratory only minutes from the classroom.
- September start
- Session dates
- Environmental Science & Sustainability (Dumfries) BSc (Hons): D447 4 year degree
- Dumfries campus
- Professionally accredited
- Study abroad available
Dumfries campus
Set in 85 acres of historic parkland, The University of Glasgow Dumfries Campus is situated in South-West Scotland. Combining idyllic surroundings with world class teaching and outstanding placement opportunities, this is the perfect setting to give you an incredible student experience.
A welcoming learning environment
This close-knit community is typically made up of students and staff from over 40 countries. Friendly residences and small class sizes will help you to get to know students and staff from all disciplines. You will be taught by academics who are among the top researchers in their fields, and who have a progressive vision for interdisciplinary teaching and research.
An idyllic location
Creative and picturesque, Dumfries has a lively arts and festival scene, strong cultural heritage and a wealth of outdoor activities including hiking and cycling trails, rivers and lochs. Enjoy stunning views of the Solway estuary and hills, proximity to hiking and cycling trails, rivers and lochs, and a walk or short bus ride to the historic town centre. With excellent transport links, the rest of the UK is within easy reach; Glasgow and Edinburgh are just under two hours away, while Carlisle is under an hour.
Student life
Discover the many ways to get involved with the wider student community and Dumfries and Galloway; find out more about life at the University of Glasgow, read our Student Stories, chat with current students, and find out all you need to know with blogs from those who know best, our students.
Programme structure
The Environmental Science & Sustainability programme utilises the surrounding countryside in its courses to demonstrate environmental work in practice. This is through fieldwork, field classes and visits to environmental sites and organisations. This programme also offers you exceptional placement opportunities which is fundamental to developing your skills for graduate employment.
Year 1
Year 1 provides a broad-based education representing a mixture of core environmental courses and electives from non-environmental programmes. This gives you the opportunity to add breadth to your degree. Current core courses:
- Water, Natural Hazards & Resilience
This course aims to introduce the science of hydrology and emphasise physical processes and their measurements. It will describe the distribution, causes and effects of various water-related natural hazards, and methods of monitoring, prediction and mitigation - Earth System Science
This course introduces you to the Earth’s major systems, both now and in the past, and examines the Earth’s history and environment by considering the fundamental processes which determine the general functioning of the Earth as a system. - Energy, Waste & Pollution: Options for Sustainability
This course examines renewable energy and waste management options, and pollution control measures to move our planet towards a more sustainable future. - Introduction to Global Environmental Issues
In this course you will explore the most significant and topical global environmental issues affecting societies, ecosystems and the physical milieu.
Year 2
You will take the core courses:
- Research Methods for Environmental Scientists
- Human Impact on the Environment
- Biodiversity, Ecology and Ecosystems
- Introduction to GIS.
Year 3
- Applied Ecology and Conservation
- Aquatic Environment: Processes, Monitoring and Management
- Rural Tourism and Stewardship.
You will also undertake either a dissertation or placement where you will gain experience in the environmental sector.
Year 4
- Residential Environmental Field Course
- Environmental Policy and Management
- Water Resources Policy & Governance
- Environmental Stewardship Project (on a research topic of your choice)
Fieldwork and practical experience
The School of Social & Environmental Sustainability is uniquely located for the study of Environmental Science & Sustainability with easy access to estuarine, maritime and terrestrial environments such as the Southern Uplands, peat bogs and moorland. These features, together with the extensive agricultural and forested environment of the region, present a vibrant and diverse “laboratory” in which to study.
Examples of past and current field classes include:
- Freshwater macroinvertebrate sampling
- Water quality sampling and chemical analysis
- Analysing carbon efflux under different land management
- Soil sampling and analysis. Field classes to a number of energy generation sites within Dumfries & Galloway
- Managing invasive non-native species
- Weekly fieldwork on the Research Methods for Environmental Scientists course, which includes skills such as phase 1 habitat surveys; laboratory skills; soil sampling with chemical and physical analysis; mapping and GIS
- Assessing cockle stocks on the Solway Firth and the Outer Hebrides.
Course details
Year 1
Level 1 (SCQF Level 7)
- INTRODUCTION TO GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
- EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCE
- WATER, NATURAL HAZARDS AND RESILIENCE
- ENERGY, WASTE AND POLLUTION: OPTIONS FOR SUSTAINABILITY
Year 2
Level 2 (SCQF Level 8)
Core courses:
- RESEARCH METHODS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS
- HUMAN IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT
- INTRODUCTION TO GIS
- BIODIVERSITY, ECOLOGY AND ECOSYSTEMS
Year 3
Level 3 (SCQF Level 9)
Core courses:
- APPLIED ECOLOGY & CONSERVATION
- AQUATIC ENVIRONMENT: PROCESSES, MONITORING AND MANAGEMENT
- RURAL TOURISM AND STEWARDSHIP
You will also undertake either a dissertation or placement where you will gain experience in the environmental sector.
Year 4
The Honours year consists of an environmental stewardship project on a research interest of your choice, and courses on environmental policy and management, perspectives on the environment, and the environmental field course.
Level 4 (SCQF Level 10)
- ENVIRONMENTAL FIELD COURSE
- ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND MANAGEMENT
- WATER RESOURCES POLICY AND GOVERNANCE
- ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP PROJECT
Programme alteration or discontinuation
The University of Glasgow endeavours to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional
circumstances, however, the University may withdraw or alter a programme. For more information,
please see: Student contract.
Special Glasgow feature
This programme offers you an exceptional placement opportunity as part of your degree. Students have undertaken placements with the following organisations:
- Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation, Greece
- World Glacier Monitoring Service, Switzerland
- Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
- SAP Ecology and Environmental (consultants)
- Dumfries & Galloway Council, East Ayrshire Council, Glasgow City Council
- Scottish Wildlife Trust
- Natural Power
- Australian Koala Foundation
- Jersey Zoo
- Tillhill Forestry
- Transport Scotland
- Raja Ampat Diving Project
- Five Oceans Environmental Services LLC.
Our international links
You will have the opportunity to apply to study abroad: see Study abroad.
Entry requirements
for entry in 2025
Summary of entry requirements for Environmental Science & Sustainability
SQA Higher entry requirements (by end of S6)
- BBBB
- Additional requirements: Higher Science subject (two Higher Sciences are recommended).
SQA Higher adjusted entry requirements
- No Adjusted Higher Requirements
A-level standard entry requirements
- BBB – CCC
- Additional requirements: A-level Science subject.
IB standard entry requirements
- 32 (5,5,5)
- Additional requirements: HL Science subject.
Admissions guidance
Glasgow International College
International students with academic qualifications below those required should contact our partner institution, Glasgow International College, who offer a range of foundation certificates.
English language
For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.
English language requirements
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)
- 6.5 with no sub-test under 6.0.
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.
Common equivalent English language qualifications
All stated English tests are acceptable for admission to this programme:
TOEFL (ib, my best or athome)
- 90 with minimum R 20, L 19, S 19, W 23.
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Combined scores from two tests taken within 6 months of each other can be considered.
PTE (Academic)
- 60 with minimum 59 in all sub-tests.
- Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Combined scores from two tests taken within 6 months of each other can be considered.
Glasgow International College English Language (and other foundation providers)
- 65%.
- Tests are accepted for academic year following sitting.
University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses
- Tests are accepted for academic year following sitting.
Cambridge English Qualifications
- Cambridge Advanced English (CAE): 176 overall, no subtest less than 169
- Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE): 176 overall, no subtest less than 169
School Qualifications
- iGCSE English or ESOL 0522/0500, grade C
- International Baccalaureate English A SL5 or HL5
- International Baccalaureate English B SL6 or HL5
- SQA National 5 English or ESOL, grade B
- SQA Higher English or ESOL, grade C
- Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education, English Language grade 4
- West African Examination Council, Senior Secondary School Certificate, English grade C6
Alternatives to English Language qualification
- Undergraduate degree from English speaking country (including Canada if taught in English)
- Undergraduate 2+2 degree from English speaking country
- Undergraduate 2+2 TNE degree taught in English in non-English speaking country
- Masters degree from English speaking country
- Masters degree (equivalent on NARIC to UK masters degree) taught in English in non-English speaking country.
For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept an IELTS test (Academic module) from any of the 1000 IELTS test centres from around the world and we do not require a specific UKVI IELTS test for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.
Pre-sessional courses
The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We also consider other BALEAP accredited pre-sessional courses:
- School of Modern Languages & Cultures: English for Academic Study
- BALEAP guide to accredited courses
FAQs
What do I do if...
my language qualifications are below the requirements?
The University's School of Modern Languages and Cultures offers a range of Pre-sessional courses to bring you up to entry level. The course is accredited by BALEAP, the UK professional association for academic English teaching.
my language qualifications are not listed here?
Please contact External Relations
If you require a Tier 4 student visa, your qualification must be one of the secure English language tests accepted by UK Border Agency:
- UK Border Agency Tier 4 English Language requirements
- UKBA list of approved English language tests [pdf]
Visa requirements and proof of English language level
It is a visa requirement to provide information on your level of English based on an internationally recognised and secure English language test. All test reports must be no more than 2 years old. A list of these can be found on the UK Border Agency website. If you have never taken one of these tests before, you can get an initial idea of your level by using the Common European Framework self-assessment grid which gives you a level for each skill (e.g. listening B1/writing B2 etc.) However, please note that this is not a secure English language test and it is not sufficient evidence of your level of English for visa requirements.
Further information about English language: School of Modern Languages & Cultures: English for Academic Study
Career prospects
You will develop a range of skills in environmental management techniques, preparing you to enter the graduate job market in a wide variety of roles. The combination of a broad-based education with specialist input, supplemented with real work experience, will equip you with essential skills and qualities. Our programme is CEDHE-accredited which means our students can apply for free student membership of the IES and for a fast-track to membership once they graduate, starting you on a route towards becoming a Chartered Environmentalist or Chartered Scientist.
Previous graduate career paths include:
- Ecologist with consultancy firm
- Carbon manager at international energy company
- Sustainability officer with energy supplier
- PhD research
- Fisheries scientist
- Sustainability consultant with national construction company
- Environmental consultant for international consultancy firm
- Environmental protection officer at SEPA
- Conservation manager in various destinations across the globe.
Accreditation
This programme is accredited by the Committee of Heads of Environmental Sciences (CHES), the education committee of the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES). CHES is the collective voice of the environmental sciences academic community and serves to enhance the quality of environmental education worldwide.
A programme accredited by CHES is assured to meet high standards and contain a strong component of practical, field and theoretical activities, and has excellent opportunities for training, work experience and links to the professional environmental sector.
Degrees and UCAS codes
When applying you will need to know the UCAS code for the subject or subject-combination that you wish to apply to:
BSc (Hons)
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
How and when you pay tuition fees depends on where you’re from: see Tuition fees for details.
Scholarships
The University is committed to supporting students and rewarding academic excellence. That's why we've invested more than £1m in additional scholarship funding in recent years.
2023 Sustainability Scholarship
SuperRoundRobin is a software provider with a passion for giving back in a series of sustainability-related projects including tree-planting and scholarship awards for students on sustainability-related courses. The 2023 SuperRoundRobin Sustainability Scholarship is a 'no-essay-required' award with a simple no-fee application process.
College of Social Sciences Deans' Award
The College of Social Sciences is offering two scholarships worth £10,000 each towards tuition fees for academically excellent students wishing to study an Undergraduate programme within the College’s programme portfolio for 2024 entry.
Undergraduate Excellence Scholarship
The University of Glasgow has a number of Undergraduate Excellence Scholarships available to new International and EU students for 2024 entry. The scholarship is awarded as a tuition fee discount of £7,000 per year of study and is subject to satisfactory progress for consecutive years of study.
EU Welcome Award
The University of Glasgow continues to be committed to ensuring a strong relationship with our existing and future EU students, and supporting EU talent to make their home at the University of Glasgow.
We appreciate the challenging financial implications that have arisen for our European applicants, and are therefore delighted to offer the EU Welcome Award to new incoming EU students starting an undergraduate programme for Academic Session 2024-25. The scholarship is awarded as a tuition fee discount of £5,000 for every year of study and is subject to satisfactory progress for consecutive years of study. This discount cannot be combined with another University scholarship.
Applicants that completed a Study Abroad year, Exchange programme or International Summer School at the University of Glasgow and therefore eligible for the Alumni discount could be granted the EU Welcome Award as well.
RUK Excellence Scholarship
The RUK Excellence Scholarship of £1,000 for each year of study will be awarded to first degree new entrants who have attained academic excellence in one sitting at A Level (or equivalent).
RUK Access Bursary
The bursary supports talented students who may not be able to take their place at University for reasons of financial hardship. It is available to new entrant full-time, undergraduate students of the University of Glasgow who are fully registered for the up coming academic session, ordinarily domiciled in England, Wales or Northern Ireland and paying annual tuition fees of £9,250 per annum.
James McCune Smith Undergraduate Scholarship
The University of Glasgow has up to 30 undergraduate scholarships available for students of African/African-Caribbean backgrounds. The scholarship supports students who could face financial difficulties taking up their place to study at the university. The value of the scholarship is £2,000, paid in instalments for year one of undergraduate study. The scholarship is open to new applicants to the university for 2024 entry. Current students who have previously been in receipt of the award may reapply, however, preference will be given to applicants entering their first year of study.
Beaconhouse Schools
The University of Glasgow offer a 15% discount on the first year of tuition fee to students from Beaconhouse Schools and who enrol on an undergraduate programme at the University of Glasgow. The discount does not apply to Veterinary Medicine, Medicine and Dentistry programmes.
Republic of Ireland (RoI) Access Bursary
Glasgow has a long and proud tradition of providing financial support to talented students who, for reasons of financial hardship, might not be able to take a place at university. Our RoI Access Bursary is part of our commitment to continue to attract and support students from a diverse range of backgrounds. For 2023 entry, the RoI bursary will be up to £2,000 for your first year of study and £1,000 for continuing years.
Payments of the RoI Access Bursary will be detailed in your Award Letter.
- The RoI Access Bursary will be awarded as a cash payment.
- The RoI Access Bursary will be paid in 10 instalments from October until July; this award is based on household income
- The RoI Access Bursary will only be awarded in years where tuition fees of £9,250 apply
Please see here for up to date information and criteria for 2024 entry.
Republic of Ireland (RoI) Excellence Scholarship
The RoI Excellence Scholarship of £1,000 for each year of study will be awarded to first degree entrants who have attained at Irish Higher grades H1, H1, H1, H2, H2 from the Irish Leaving Certificate for 2023 entry. Dentistry, Medicine and Veterinary Medicine applicants are not eligible for this award.
Payments
- The RoI Excellence Scholarship will be processed as a cash payment.
- The RoI Excellence Scholarship will be paid in 2 instalments.
- The first payment will be in October and the second payment will be in February.
These payments will be credited to the UK bank account held on your MyCampus profile; therefore, it is vital that this is up to date at the start of the session. By submitting your bank details on the MyCampus system, you are confirming that you agree with the terms and conditions of the award.
Please see here for further information and eligibility criteria for 2024 entry.
Undergraduate Talent Scholarships
The University of Glasgow is awarding c.50 undergraduate Talent Scholarships to support students who could face financial difficulties in taking up their place to study at the University for 2024 entry. The value of each scholarship is typically £1,500 p.a. for each year of the degree programme, subject to satisfactory progress. Talent Scholarships are available to students entering any of the University's Colleges.
Dental School students are eligible for a Talent Scholarship in their first year of study only. They are eligible for the NHS Dental Student Support Grant in the following years.
Cowrie Foundation Scholarship
The University of Glasgow and The Cowrie Scholarship Foundation (CSF) will offer a scholarship to support Black African and Caribbean heritage applicants from socio-economically challenged backgrounds. Applicants must be ordinarily resident in the UK and commencing an undergraduate study in the academic year 2024-25
The Cowrie Scholarship Foundation wants to fund 100 Black British students through UK universities in the next decade. More information on the Foundation can be found here.
Sanctuary Scholarships
The University of Glasgow is offering up to 20 Sanctuary Scholarships for applicants to the University, who have been forced to travel to the UK for humanitarian reasons and are facing challenges in progressing onto Higher Education. The scholarship is open to prospective undergraduate and postgraduate taught students at the University of Glasgow applying for entry in September 2024/25. Please note that you must have applied to the University before submitting an application for this scholarship.
The scholarship will meet the cost of tuition fees for the duration of your programme, for applicants who are unable to access mainstream funding through Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) or Student Finance. The Sanctuary Scholarship also provides a £5,000 per year stipend, to assist with study costs. In addition, if the eligibility criteria for university accommodation is met, this will also be provided for the duration of your degree, if required. For more information on the accommodation criteria, please see the Accommodation Services section on the website.
Undergraduate students with refugee status (or equivalent) and access to funding, are eligible to apply for the scholarship and would receive the £5,000 stipend towards study costs only, if successful.
Postgraduate Taught Masters students with refugee status (or equivalent) and access to funding, are eligible to apply for the scholarship and would receive the £5,000 stipend towards study costs and a partial tuition fee waiver, to cover any shortfall not met by your Postgraduate Masters tuition fee loan.
The Clan Gregor Society Prize
The Clan Gregor Society is offering an award to new entrants to the University of Glasgow who descend from Clan Gregor. Prospective students will be asked to submit an application highlighting areas of consideration such as academic excellence and financial need. The award is open to both Undergraduate and Postgraduate applicants for 2024 entry.
The scholarships above are specific to this programme. For more funding opportunities search the scholarships database
How to apply
Full-time students must apply through the Universities & Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
SQA applicants who are eligible for our Widening Participation programmes are encouraged to participate in one or more of these programmes, including Summer School, to support your application and the transition to higher education.
International students to Arts, Engineering, Law, Nursing, Science, and Social Sciences can also apply using The Common Application: however, if applying to more than one UK university, we recommend using UCAS. Applications to Dentistry, Education, Medicine, and Veterinary Medicine must be made through UCAS.
Application deadlines
- 16 October: if including Dentistry, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine or also applying to Oxford or Cambridge
- 31 January: all other UK applicants (unless otherwise stated on the UCAS website)
- 30 June: international students.
We do not usually accept any applications after these deadlines.
It's your responsibility to ensure the accuracy of your application before submission. Requests to correct application content, change degree programme or change college of entry, will not be accepted after these deadlines. This policy is in place to ensure fairness and consistency to all applicants, and no exceptions will be made.
- Apply at www.ucas.com or through your school or college
- Contact UCAS on 0871 468 0468
- Apply at commonapp.org (international students to certain areas only)
Subject league tables
Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide [Geography & Environmental Science]
Related programmes
Open Days
Our next open day will take place soon: see Open Days for more information.
