Environmental science type degrees

[Bimkom]

Was having a browse on UCAS subjects for DD (who still has GCSEs to go, but has started thinking a bit about A Levels,). I saw Zoology as a subject, and Veterinary Science and Geography, but couldn't see anything that corresponded to some sort of Environmental science. Are there no degrees in that subject, or are they grouped under what seemed to be the most closely related - eg Zoology and Geography? DD is interested in animals and in conservation and habitat and nature. At the moment thinking that A Levels will be Biology and Geography and don't know. I just wanted to make sure that we covered all the bases where she might want to go, so we don't get to choosing a degree and finding that she doesn't have the necessary prerequisites. Interestingly UCAS seemed to suggest that Geography was not absolutely necessary for a Geography degree, but that Zoolology or Vet Science would require Biology and possibly another science or maths.

But I just wanted to get a feel for what else is out there roughly in this domain, eg environmental conservation type degrees, if any, so we could look at their A Level requirements.

UEA in Norwich has an excellent Environmental Science degree. Would recommend A levels in geography, biology and maths. They'll take you without the maths but I recommend maths for any science!

Just Google environmental science degrees. I found 62 in a fraction of a second.

Oxford Brookes does a BSc in animal science and conservation, as a starting point.

Thanks! Don't know why it didn't occur to me to just Google, rather than use UCAS. Found a site called www.whatuni.com which lists loads of options. Does seem like if she does Biology and Geography she would be fine for most of them. Sounds like most of them would really like maths, but while she is good at it, she doesn't enjoy maths and really doesn't want to do it for A level.

Would she want a practical or theoretical course? Zoology at a top university will be theoretical but a course like Zoo Biology at Nottingham Trent University is an alternative practical course. DN is doing Wildlife Conservation at NTU and loving it. It is very hands-on with placements and lots of coursework rather than exams.

My stepson did environmental science at Manchester.

Just to warn you the environmental field is notoriously competitive with low pay. Your dc will probably need to do lots of voluntary work to build up experience. I would strongly recommend they start now by volunteering with their local wildlife trust or rspca site. It’s great work, but a bit rubbish for doing long term in terms of money!

Chemistry would also be good, and lead to more options relating to air and climate modeling etc.
Some biology and chemistry degrees will have environmental options.

UEA do an interesting degree in Meteorology and Oceanography if climate change and Geography interest your DD. It is great that you are researching this so early as A level choices may be key for some degrees. Geography, Maths and Biology will give loads of Environmental Science opportunities

Geography can include a lot of environmental science. So don’t discount Geography. Also maths as well as biology and geography is useful.

I know a very bright young person who looked at Liverpool, Birmingham, Leeds, Nottingham and Sheffield for Environmental science. None require stellar A levels for the BSc. Better employment prospects lie with the Undergrad masters courses though. So look at these. Leeds in particular.

It’s an area of work where grads will compete with geographers and natural scientists and it’s about the worst paid science.

Veterinary science doesn’t pay well either. There is a Vet bioscience course at Bristol that’s 4 years and is outstanding. Look at the various vet schools to see what’s on offer. I would tend to avoid zoology.

Not discounting anything at this stage. Just doing a bit of exploring for her along her lines of interests. I am very well aware that none of this is well paid (I thought Veterinary science was, or at least a proper career path, but very very competititive to get into), it is where her interests lie, however. She is desperate to volunteer, but just about everywhere seems to require you to be at least16 now, and many seems only to take 18 year olds which is driving her crazy. In Australia the RSPCA allow you to volunteer at 15, but here it is 16+ (keeps threatening to go visit Grandma & Grandpa so she can volunteer!). She is one of the youngest in her year, so will be making A Level choices before she is old enough to volunteer (note that is not even this year, so we still have a while, we are just thinking ahead).
I suspect that she will be drawn to more practical courses - while she can do very well academically, she would much rather be outside and doing. I would love her to do maths, and she is likely to get the GCSE grades to do it, but she does it because she has to, and loathes it (doesn't help that she has a maths teacher known for making really sarcastic, nasty comments). She can't wait until she can drop it. Might be prepared to do Chemistry (again, does very well in it, but not so interested). Really would like to steer her to something with real career potential. Obviously no idea how she will perform at A Level, but she is top set for everything where they set other than English (where she is set 2, and periodically does really stunningly well and periodically doesn't).

Look at Wildlife Conservation and Environmental Management at Harper Adams, with a year out in Industry.

Wildlife Conservation and Environmental Management does sound like the sort of thing she is really interested in. But it doesn't seem to require very challenging A Levels (it seems three Cs would get you in). Shouldn't I be trying to look for something a bit more aspirational at this stage? Let's say, for the moment, she could get three As in Biology, Geography and Chemistry (btw one other option she might consider for A Levels is photography, she is doing a GCSE in photography outside of school, as it was not offered in school, and is particularly interested in wildlife photography). Maybe even an A star to two. Where should she be looking if we is keen on the sort of area covered by Wildlife conservation and Environmental Management?

Yes. Look for Environmental science or geography. Geography leaves lots of doors open for a masters after in whatever she wants. Don’t look at lesser courses if she doesn’t need to. Wages will be low after graduation! Aim high!

Don’t narrow it down. She needs general first and then specialise.

My sister did Envornmental science or biology. (not sure f exact title.) At Aberystworth (Excuse spelling.0 In wales.

Plymouth offers a well regarded Environmental Science BSc

I would be cautious of photography unless it's a 4th A level. Biology, Chemistry and Geography would be a good preparation for the kinds of degrees she might be interested in.

I would look at job ads for the kinds of jobs she might like, and see what their person spec wants in terms of degrees.

I guess the more practical outdoor courses are less likely to be the most academic in terms of results.
Would she consider Politics? That could be useful if she wants to go into environmental lobbying?

No. Politics wouldn’t be helpful. Political lobbying requires facts. Not a knowledge of politics at degree level.

I would be extremely careful about seeing this as a career too. It’s all very well to think it’s the thing to do, because Greta is in the news, but lobbyists work for someone. They are not just people with degrees and no jobs. They are employed as lobbyists by the charities and scientific organisations to lobby. Greta is an outlier so look closely about how this role is really carried out. The big company, industry or charity provide the lobbyist with the “facts” they want government to know about and consider regarding legislation.

The people who do the leg work are the environmental scientists. There are lots and lots of them wanting to be heard and now its easy to believe these grads will be listened to. Unless they become very senior and respected, they won’t.

By all means look to see how she can become a lobbyist but the fact is, they sell their services and their connections. If she’s a scientist, then she might be better off sticking to the science and looking for a job in this field. One of the better areas to get into, regarding pay, is being able to advise on flood relief and where to build new homes.

As grad jobs are not easy to get and many grads don’t get them, go RG if at all possible. Aim high.

These are the top universities for geography and environmental science. Oxford, for example, doesn’t offer Env Sci as a separate science but it offers modules within the geography degree and is, as you would expect, a world leader in this field. Don’t ignore the geography courses as the best universities. They want higher qualifications to get into them and their grads will always be in demand. Here is the list:

Watching. DS is choosing GCSE's but considering environmental science / engineering in the future.

Far more money in engineering! DH does this. It’s sought after. Civil Engineering with environmental engineering modules is the way to go. Must do maths and physics A level though. Geog good for a third A level if interested in the environment.

My DD is in her final year of a Biology degree at Sussex and her interest in environmental issues and conservation has developed whilst she has been there, so she has chosen her modules to reflect this. She is considering a Masters year in global biodiversity conservation, but is concerned about taking on another year of student finance. I have no idea about potential job prospects in the field.

I'd read env science about 20 years ago. My a levels were biology, chemistry, geography and AS maths. Most people had this type of combination. At the time main jobs were poorly paid wildlife work that needed lots of experience or consultancy work that needed a Msc. to start at bottom.
If want to work in industry would need another qualification. H&S is the obvious addition plus management systems.

If they are good at physics I'd second the env engineering route as much more options and better pay these days.

Nottingham do environmental science. My DS didn't get the grades for his offer to study Geography and they offered him environmental science as an alternative. It didn't appeal to him though so he didn't go there but loved the Uni itself.

Env Sci offers from RG are lower than Geography at the same university, quite often. There are not enough scientists to go round! Also higher achievers should look at MEng courses. Faster track to getting qualified post grad. Also some Env Sci courses are not accredited so watch that too.