If you choose an environmental and earth sciences degree or apprenticeship, you'll explore how the earth and the environment have evolved and how they interact. Hands-on field work will equip you to tackle some of the biggest issues facing us in our lifetime: climate change, energy sources and carbon emissions. It's a growing area in which to build a career, as according to PwC's Green Jobs Barometer, there has been a 118.2% increase in green jobs advertised since 2021.
The impact you could make
Help find solutions to tackle climate change
Explore renewable energy sources to reduce reliance on the earth's natural resources
Play a part in local, national and global research and consultancy on environmental issues
"My favourite module was forest ecology and management, where we learned to identify the UK’s most common trees and also learned the lifecycle of a tree."
Second year student at University of Nottingham
Example project
"My favourite project was a systematic literature review on the survivability of bacteria in outer space."
Second year student at Brunel University London
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Some environmental and earth sciences courses or apprenticeships will have requirements for previous qualifications in certain subjects. Entry requirements vary, so always check with the provider.
Physics
Geography
Biology
Chemistry
Maths
Computing
Hard skills you'll develop
Geographical data analysis
Field-work research
Lab data evaluation and reporting
Environmental compliance knowledge
Soft skills you'll develop
Communication and teamwork
Problem-solving
Project management
Writing and presentation skills
Careers: Where can it take you?
Find out more about your career prospects from studying environmental and earth science.
The following information is based on a typical environment professional role. Data powered by Lightcast.
You may never have heard of environmental horticulturists, but the work they do is key in supporting net-zero ambitions, whilst preserving and improving wildlife habitats and ecological systems. Ideal for those that are green-fingered and want to make a difference to the environment through tackling bio-diversity, improving air pollution, and helping towards mitigating climate change effects, environmental horticulturists are changing the world, one plant at a time.
Take our careers quiz to find your ideal job matched to your personality type.
Getting in: Entry requirements
Find out more about what you'll need to study environmental and earth sciences at university or as an apprenticeship.
Average requirements for undergraduate degrees
Entry requirements differ between university and course, but this should give you a guide to what is usually expected from environmental and earth sciences applicants.
A levels
ABB
Scottish Highers
AAAAB
Vocational
BTEC: DDD
Other Level 3/Level 6 qualifications (e.g. Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma or SQCF Level 6) may be accepted as an alternative
Check out our industry guide to help you decide if an apprenticeship might be the right choice for you.
The expert view
The Institution of Environmental Sciences
Environmental science is based on the idea of 'interconnectedness' and systems thinking. We cannot hope to improve the environment if we do not combine talent and expertise from across all fields of science.
Check out live apprenticeship vacancies in environmental and earth sciences.
Explore further
Go deeper into topics around environmental and earth sciences with the following.
BBC Earth Podcast
The BBC Earth Podcast features fascinating and funny stories from around the natural world, told by global speakers, experts and campaigners.
TED Talks - Earth, Appreciated
Watch this inspirational playlist of TED Talks, featuring experts across sustainability, climate change, resources and the interaction between humans and our habitat.
are highly likely to recommend environmental and earth sciences to others
Application advice
Whether it's personal statement tips or what to write in a cover letter for an apprenticeship application, our application advice will help you get ahead in your environmental and earth sciences journey.
Skills, experiences and interests to mention
Do you enjoy practical work and being outdoors? Maybe you did Duke of Edinburgh, or you like hiking at the weekends.
Have you got experience in lab work and experiments, perhaps at your school or college in science lessons?
Do you have a passion for the environment and can you give any examples, like recycling, sustainable travel and eating habits?
Have you got experience in research projects, teamwork and time management? This could be in school group projects, or in a part-time job.
Do you like maths, problem-solving and looking at the big picture? You'd need to be able to confidently talk about the impact this sort of subject could have and why this would appeal to you.
We asked admissions tutors to share their dos and don’ts for writing a strong and engaging environmental and earth sciences personal statement. Here's what they told us.