BSc (Hons) Environmental Sciences with a Foundation Year
Course options
Key Details
- Award
- Degree of Bachelor of Science
- UCAS Course Code
- 8F90
- Typical Offer
- CCC
- Contextual Offer
- CDD
- Course Length
- 4 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2025
Why you should choose us
Course Overview
How can we effectively address sustainability issues? What are the best options for a low carbon world? How is climate change affecting our natural world and how can we manage the effects? How can I contribute to a better future as a successful graduate?
By taking your Environmental Sciences with a Foundation Year with us, you’ll prepare yourself for a degree course that will help you explore these questions and more. You can tailor your Foundation Year to your interests, and then transfer to ANY degree in the School of Environmental Sciences.
In your Foundation Year, you may choose to study the physical, chemical, and biological surroundings, or opt for more human geography modules. In your foundation year, you’ll discover how natural systems of the environment are interlinked, and the effects of human influence on them as you learn about topics such as the wide range of natural systems on earth, the challenges for achieving a sustainable future, and the latest research into environmental changes and their management. In addition to exploring these questions, you’ll gain essential academic skills needed throughout your degree and beyond.
At UEA, you’ll conduct experiments in our state-of-the-art laboratories, and develop highly valued transferable skills in data analysis, spatial visualisation and science communication. Lectures will be taught by world-leading researchers, and you’ll have your curiosity stimulated by small-group discussions in seminars.
Once you have successfully completed your foundation year, you're guaranteed to transfer to the BSc Environmental Sciences. But we believe our students should have flexibility to shape their studies to their evolving skills and interests, thus our foundation year students have the option to transfer onto any degree in the school (Geography BA or BSc, Geology with Geography, Geophysics), depending on the optional modules selected and grades achieved.
Accreditations
This course is accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES).
Students enrolled on IES accredited programmes can apply for free Student Membership of the Institution. Look for the CHES accreditation logo which provides a mark of quality and indicates that an educational institute is planning the career paths of its students.
After graduating you may choose to progress to a Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) or Chartered Scientist (CSci) status. This will demonstrate to employers your commitment to continuing to develop the knowledge and skills gained in your degree.
Study and Modules
Structure
During your Foundation Year, you’ll choose modules alongside the compulsory ones. In addition, each semester, you’ll also take a module to develop your data science skills at a level that fits your ability and confidence. The balance of your foundation year study is from optional modules with a choice of biology, chemistry, physics, or you may opt for human geography modules on global challenges.
Over the year, you’ll explore various aspects of our natural environment where you’ll discover where your passions lie. This will help you decide which BSc, BA or MSci degree course to transfer to at the end of your Foundation Year.
Your personal academic adviser and the Foundation Year course director will be on hand to support and advise you, ensuring that you make the most of the options and opportunities in this important first year.
For the years of study beyond the Foundation Year, please see the full range of degrees in the School of Environmental Science.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 20)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 80)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
Teaching
Depending on your chosen optional modules, you're likely to have about 15 hours per week, experiencing a range of learning environments including lectures, seminars, laboratory practicals, field work and IT practicals. Together, these develop your subject knowledge and key skills whilst also developing your ability to think and communicate as an undergraduate.
Most lectures are recorded and accessible throughout the rest of your degree.
Independent study
During your Foundation Year, you’ll read around content delivered in taught sessions to broaden your understanding and develop as an independent learner. This will help you gain important study skills as you take part in group sessions, independent study and enjoy extra-curricular activities – skills that are essential for the rest of your course and beyond into graduate jobs.
Optional support sessions run on several modules alongside provided resources available on Blackboard (an online learning support platform).
Assessment
During your Foundation Year, you’ll be assessed based on your understanding of modules taken. The type of assessment depends on the modules you take, but may be in the form of written reports, problem sheets, tests, presentations, and exams. Some modules have two or more assessments which may be a combination of the above.
For each module, you’ll have the chance to prepare for assessment with “formative” assignments that are similar to the summative (marked) assignments. Feedback on the formative assignments will help you improve the graded summative assessments.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK fee-paying students. Choose UK above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
We welcome and value a wide range of qualifications, and we recognise that some students might take a mixture of different qualifications. We have listed typical examples that we accept for entry.
You should hold or be working towards the specified English and Mathematics requirements and one of the examples of typical entry qualifications listed below. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.
- English and Mathematics
All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at minimum grade 4 or grade C.
We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies page.
- Contextual Offers
UEA are committed to ensuring that Higher Education is accessible to all, regardless of their background or experiences. One of the ways we do this is through our contextual admissions schemes.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
A levels
CCC.
Contextual offer: CDD.
Not accepted: Critical Thinking and General Studies.
BTEC
Level 3 Extended Diploma: MMM.
Contextual offer: MMP.
Combinations of BTEC and A levels
Diploma: MM plus C at A level.
Contextual offer: MM plus D at A level.
Extended Certificate: M plus CC at A level.
Contextual offer: M plus CD at A level.
Not accepted: Critical Thinking and General Studies.Access to HE Diploma
Pass Access to HE Diploma with 45 credits at Level 3.
T levels
Obtain an overall Pass including a C in the core of the T Level and a Pass in the Occupational Specialism. Any subject is acceptable.
- Further Examples of Typical Entry Requirements
International Baccalaureate
28 points overall.
Irish Leaving Certificate
6 subjects at H4.
Scottish Highers
BBCCC.
Scottish Advanced Highers
DDD. A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable.
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
-
IELTS: 6.5 overall (minimum 5.5 in all components)
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study.
-
- Deferred Entry
We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
- Recent Study
We would prefer you to be able to demonstrate evidence of recent academic study within 5 years of the start of the course. If your last qualification will have been completed more than 5 years ago by the time the course starts, please contact Admissions.
Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
View our information for Tuition Fees.
Scholarships and Bursaries
We are committed to ensuring that costs do not act as a barrier to those aspiring to come to a world leading university and have developed a funding package to reward those with excellent qualifications and assist those from lower income backgrounds. View our range of Scholarships for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
In your Foundation Year, much of the guided reading is available from the UEA library as textbooks or digital resources.
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of other course-related costs.
How to Apply
UCAS Hub is a secure online application system that allows you to apply for full-time undergraduate courses at universities and colleges in the United Kingdom.
Your application does not have to be completed all at once. Register or sign in to UCAS to get started.
Once you submit your completed application, UCAS will process it and send it to your chosen universities and colleges.
The Institution code for the University of East Anglia is E14.
View our guide to applying through UCAS for useful tips, key dates and further information:
Employability
After the Course
Once you successfully complete your Foundation Year, you’ll transfer onto your choice of *degree within the School of Environmental Science. Throughout your studies, you're encouraged to take advantage of the career development support embedded in your course. We work closely with UEA’s Careers Service to help you meet employers (including alumni), explore career options, speak to industry mentors, and apply for internships, volunteering, and graduate jobs.
Our degrees lead to a wide range of careers, many of which involve making a difference to the environment, as a graduate employee or perhaps perusing a career as a researcher.
(*pre-requisite foundation year modules and grades)
Careers
Examples of careers that you could enter include:
- Environmental consultant
- Conservation officer
- Environmental analyst
- Renewable energy adviser
- Graduate sustainability consultant
- Graduate carbon management consultant
Discover more on our Careers webpages.