Environment and Sustainability with Foundation Year

Led by internationally recognised researchers, this BSc Environment and Sustainability will equip you with a deep understanding of what drives environmental change and how to manage natural systems under unprecedented pressure.

Why choose this course?

- It gives you the opportunity to discover the scientific principles you need to understand key environmental challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss and biosecurity.

- It offers you a range of core modules in the ecological and social dimensions of environment and sustainability, as well as option modules on pressing themes like nature conservation, the food system and urban studies, so you can tailor your degree to your interests.

- This course allows you to develop valuable social and technical skills that will help with both academic research and establishing a successful career in the field, including data collection and analysis, and geographic information systems (GIS).

What you will learn

This course will help you to acquire theory and knowledge, practical skills, and research and project management experience, all of which can enhance your employability.

Core modules are designed to ground you in the ecological and social dimensions of environment and sustainability, including adaptation, mitigation and corporate responsibility. You will also learn to collect, analyse and interpret environmental data to improve management practices.

You can then follow your interests by drawing from a range of option modules in the fields of human, physical and environmental geography, sustainability, GIS and international development.

How you will learn

This BSc Environment and Sustainability combines classroom-based activities, such as seminars and workshops, with online learning resources, computer-based practical sessions and field teaching. You will study in small classes, interacting with classmates keen to share their experience and expertise, some of whom are already working in relevant sectors.

You can study this course full- or part-time and it follows an evening timetable, with some weekend attendance and field trips, so you can balance your studies with other commitments, such as family and work.
Foundation Year

If you opt for the Foundation Year route, this will fully prepare you for undergraduate study. It is ideal if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied the relevant subjects, or if you didn't achieve the grades you need for a place on your chosen undergraduate degree.

Highlights

- The Managing Environments module enables you to apply for the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) Graduate membership. This is a requirement for many environmental management jobs.

- We are proud of our vibrant research culture, powered by a shared passion for learning and intellectual engagement among our academics and students.

- Our staff are actively involved in the Birkbeck Centre for Environment and Sustainability, and host annual events such as the Birkbeck Climate Festival.

- Our campus in central London offers students the chance to explore one of the world’s great multicultural cities, and access to world-class libraries and institutions like the British Museum and the British Library.

Careers and employability

On successfully graduating from this BSc Environment and Sustainability you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including in:

- workload management

- critical thinking

- written and oral presentation skills

- hands-on experience with GIS

- project management and reporting.

Some of our graduates from this course have gone on to be employed in local government, conservation agencies and businesses and environmental NGOs working in areas like corporate responsibility and compliance, pollution and waste management.