Discover the environmental science schools shaping a brighter future

Only one thing is certain in this world we live in: everything changes. The lakes and rainfalls of India, ancient rock formations of Turkey, and sandy beaches of the Caribbean islands — each of these natural wonders are transforming, exacerbated by external forces. It’s no secret that humans collectively exert a massive force through rapid development. In fact, we have raised the global temperature by 2°C in the past century — a number that may seem small, but significantly increases accumulated heat — and it is severely affecting biodiversity. If we are to envision a future at all, it must involve the keen knowledge and practice of environmental science.

Environmental experts are at the cutting edge of addressing climate change. They know that mitigating unsustainable practices is no longer enough; we must now innovate solutions in every industry for the world to have a chance at healing. The next generation of environmental scientists therefore requires the insight and training to design frameworks that appropriately address 21st-century challenges.

If you have a passion for nature and want to acquire the skills to protect it, an environmental science degree may be perfect for you. Let your search begin here; discover how these schools could empower you to become a future leader in the battle against climate change.

UNIVERSITY OF PLYMOUTH

Located in the stunning natural landscape of south-west England, the University of Plymouth’s School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences (SoGEES) invites you to learn by way of exploration. Verdant national parks, colourful towns and cities, and a 650-mile coastline provide the ideal setting to delve into a practical undergraduate programme, both in and out of the classroom.

Source: University of Plymouth – School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

Choose from the BSc (Hons) Environmental Management and Sustainability, BSc (Hons) Environmental Science, or BSc (Hons) Environmental Science with Foundation Year according to your career goals. “Our degree programmes are designed with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals in mind and prepare students for the workplace,” says Head of School Professor Jon Shaw. These courses have recently been refreshed to align their skills and content with 21st-century challenges. Each course is interdisciplinary in nature, allowing students to envision and magnify real-world applications of what they learn.

Once pandemic travel restrictions are lifted, students will also get to engage in field classes putting taught material into practice at spectacular locations at home and abroad. They can explore the option to undertake an exchange programme in the US, Canada, Australia, or elsewhere too.An environmental degree allows you to make a real difference. Upon completion, you could even specialise with a postgraduate degree, a range of which are also offered at SoGEES. “Our academic staff share their pioneering research from a range of fields including climate change, biodiversity, conservation and sustainability, in marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Applying the latest techniques in the laboratory and the field, you will graduate ready to shape the future of fields from ecosystem management to environmental monitoring and beyond,” says programme leader Dr. Alison Stokes.

UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI 

Since Finland is a pioneer of powerful climate research, it comes as no surprise that the University of Helsinki is positioning itself at the forefront of this charge. At the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, research is robust in areas of molecular and integrative sciences; organismal and evolutionary biology; as well as ecosystems and environment. It is the university’s most high-profile, extensive hub of research and teaching.

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You can start with a Bachelor of Science and progress to a master’s programme in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology or Environmental Change and Global Sustainability. Students receive insight from highly-cited researchers and glean industry updates from the projects of their  professors, all the while growing their own understanding of environmental science, from molecular to ecosystem levels. Want to go further? There’s a solid doctoral programme here too, which produces approximately 60 graduates from the faculty every year. 

The faculty has biological stations at Kilpisjärvi in Lapland and Lammi in Southern Finland, which provide unique opportunities to explore the natural environment of the country. Furthering the spirit of cross-faculty research is the Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science, where you may find a place for your expertise in the grand scheme of the green race. Graduates will be ready to advise and lead in research institutes, government, industry, schools, and universities.

UNIVERSITY OF BARCELONA

Rigour, creativity, social responsibility, and ethical commitment. These are the qualities you will sharpen through your bachelor’s degree in Environmental Sciences at the University of Barcelona’s Faculty of Biology, which is a leading scientific institute in Spain.

environmental science

Your passion for sustainability has created a global vision for the environment. This course will train you to zero in on this vision through the context of its relationships with other entities, be it industrial or social. How? Well, prepare to take your knowledge of sustainable development to the next level by learning how to implement projects that serve them. You may even progress to a master’s degree in Ecology, Environmental Management and Restoration, which trains professionals in preventive and corrective techniques to tackle the climate emergency.

Graduates of this bachelor’s programme may go on to pursue academic interests or bring their expertise to one of the many areas that need a trained environmentalist. This includes impact consultancy, environmental technology, as well as public and private sector quality management. Additionally, the University of Barcelona is covered under the European Higher Education Area, which grants its graduates the chance to explore their study and career opportunities in a participating member country.

*Some of the institutions featured on this article are commercial partners of Study International