Ecological and Environmental Sciences

取得日期：2026-11-05、2026-09-16

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Ecological and Environmental Sciences BSc (Hons)

Level: Undergraduate

Subject: Ecological and Environmental Sciences

Year of entry: 2027

Key facts

UCAS Code

BSc (Hons)

Duration of study

Delivery

Full-time

Study location

King's Buildings campus

Start date

September 2027

School of GeoSciences

College of Science and Engineering

Study abroad

Available

Placement

Open days and events

Overview

About the degree programme

If you are passionate about the environment, curious about the relationship between humans and nature, and concerned about our impact on the planet, then Ecological and Environmental Sciences may be for you.

Our world is suffering from:

rapid climate change

the degradation of natural habitats

the over-exploitation of natural resources

To address these challenges, we need ecological and environmental scientists who understand both living systems and the physical environments they depend on.

What is Ecological and Environmental Sciences?

Ecological and Environmental Sciences combines two complementary areas of study that help us understand and manage the natural world. On this degree, you will explore:

Ecological sciences

Ecological sciences is the study of how organisms interact with each other and their physical, chemical and biological environments.

Environmental sciences

An integrated science which applies biological, chemical and physical sciences to understand the natural environment and how it is changing.

Together, these disciplines provide a complete picture of how natural and managed ecosystems function, so we can learn from the past, understand the present and how we can protect them for a sustainable future.

Throughout your degree, you will also benefit from the wide range of research interests of our academics – many at the forefront of their field – making it easy for you to tailor your studies and research dissertation to suit your interests.

By the end of this degree, you will gain sought-after analytical, field and computational skills that employers value, including how to conduct environmental impact assessments, collect and analyse qualitative and quantitative data, and develop advanced critical thinking skills.

These skills prepare you for careers in sustainability, ecological and environmental consultancy, environmental research and beyond.

Why study Ecological and Environmental Sciences at the University of Edinburgh?

We are living in a rapidly changing world with a growing population. This is putting pressure on our ecosystems. With a BSc in Ecological and Environmental Sciences, you can discover how we can be sustainable in our interactions with the environment. Dr. Sebastian Hennige discusses what you will study, our field trips and the career paths you can take.

How long it takes to complete this degree programme

This programme is studied over 4 years.

A key benefit to studying a 4-year degree programme is that you have the flexibility to study a range of subjects, outside your chosen degree programme, in Year 1 and Year 2.

This allows you the opportunity to study other courses that interest you or enhance your degree. By the end of Year 2, you can decide which of these subject areas you want to focus on in the honours years of your programme.

How long it takes to complete our degree programmes

Programme rankings

7th in the UK for environmental sciences in QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026

4th in the UK, and world's top 30 universities for natural sciences subjects in QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026

Programme benefits

Flexible first and second years. Explore a range of courses before specialising in areas that inspire you most

Get hands-on experience. Connect theory with real-world scenarios through fieldwork throughout each year of study

Build future-ready skills. From data analysis to environmental impact assessments, graduate with skills employers and policymakers need to tackle complex global issues

Edinburgh and Scotland are your living classroom. From coastal ecosystems to Scottish highlands, our programme provides access to unique landscapes

Join one of the UK’s largest communities of geoscientists. Learn from leading ecologists and environmental scientists working in the fields of conservation, data science, sustainability and ecosystems science - from the tropics to the poles

Learning hands-on in nature allowed me to connect my in-class knowledge to the local environment. It was a real sense of achievement to do field experiments collecting our own data. Also, the social aspect of these was fantastic, each one brought our year group together, creating the sense of community I noticed on my Open Day.

Alison Stewart

BSc (Hons) Ecological and Environmental Sciences, graduated 2021

Entry requirements

Find your entry requirements

Use the dropdowns to find out your entry requirements.

Select the country or region where you are studying or where you studied your qualification.

Select the qualification you are studying or studied.

Where you are studying or where you studied

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Qualification

- Select a qualification -

Qualifications from Hong Kong-SAR China

A levels: standard requirements

A levels: widening access requirements

IB: standard requirements

IB: widening access requirements

SQA Highers: standard requirements

SQA Highers: widening access requirements

Other UK qualifications

Mature applicants (including adult returners)

To apply for this programme and be considered for an offer, you will need:

academic qualifications that meet our entry requirements, including required subjects

evidence of your English language ability (for example, from school or an English language test)

See our region-specific pages to find the entry requirements we accept.

Undergraduate entry requirements by region - Hong Kong-SAR China

English language requirements

You must prove that you can read, write, listen and speak in the English language at a level that will allow you to succeed in your studies.

This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals.

You can meet our English language requirements with qualifications from school or an English language test.

School qualifications we accept

We accept any of the following, at the specified grade or higher:

SQA National 5 English at C

GCSE English at C or 4

Level 2 Certificate English at C

International Baccalaureate (IB) Standard Level English at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry)

Before you apply, check the required subjects for this programme, as you may need a higher English grade to meet the academic requirements.

Other qualifications we accept

We also accept other qualifications from around the world.

English language qualifications and tests we accept

English language tests we accept

If you don’t have school qualifications that meet our requirements, we accept any of the following English language tests, at the specified grade or higher:

IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component.We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.

TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition) before 21 January 2026: total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.

TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition) from 21 January 2026: total 4.5 with at least 4.0 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.

C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 162 in each component.

Trinity ISE (2026 entry only. We are reviewing our acceptance of Trinity ISE for 2027 entry. Requirements for this qualification will be available in early October.): ISE II with distinctions in all four components.

Oxford ELLT: total 7 with at least 5 in each component. We do not accept Oxford ELLT Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.

Oxford Test of English Advanced: total 145 with at least 125 in each component.

Other English language tests we accept

We also accept other types of English language tests.

How old your English language qualifications can be

Qualifications no more than two years old

Qualifications from the following English language tests must be no more than two years old from the start date of this programme, regardless of your nationality:

IELTS Academic

TOEFL-iBT

Trinity ISE

Oxford ELLT

Oxford Test of English Advanced

Qualifications no more than three and a half years old

All other types of English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of this programme.

If you are a national of a majority English-speaking country or region, there is no time limit on how old these other types of English language qualifications can be.

Check the UKVI list of majority English-speaking countries and territories

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for BSc (Hons) Ecological and Environmental Sciences

View the tuition fees for one academic year of BSc (Hons) Ecological and Environmental Sciences.

Tuition fees for this programme

Additional costs

The School of GeoSciences does not charge extra fees for compulsory field trips or field courses.

Costs of travel, accommodation and general upkeep on compulsory field trips are covered by the programme, thanks to the continued support of our generous alumni community.

However, you are responsible for any incidental/personal expenses. This may include suitable outdoor clothing and footwear for compulsory fieldwork, for which you may wish to budget approximately £100 to £150.

For more local excursions, you may occasionally be asked to make your own way there using public transport.

Dissertation costs

There may be some costs associated with your dissertation research project, including field costs. You can design your dissertation project to reduce costs.

The School of GeoSciences also provides a £150 allowance for using facilities to support your dissertation project.

Costs for an optional year abroad

If you study abroad in Year 3 through the University's study exchange programme, you will need to pay related costs. These include:

tuition fees

accommodation and living costs

country-specific expenses like travel, visas and insurance

You can use our budget calculator to help estimate your costs.

Find out more about costs for studying abroad

You can also use a tool like Numbeo to compare the cost of living abroad to Edinburgh or your hometown or city.

If you are away on exchange or placement, you may receive a reduction in your tuition fees for the year. This depends on:

the type of placement you are on

how long you are away

As an indication, you can see the reductions for students studying away in 2026-27. These are reviewed annually and are subject to change.

Study away fees for 2026-27

Accommodation and living costs

You will need to pay for your accommodation and living costs (such as rent, food and utility bills) for the duration of your programme.

For 2026-2027, we estimate that it will cost an average of £1,546 each month to live in Edinburgh as a single undergraduate student. This equates to £13,914 for a 39-week academic year and £18,552 for a full year.

The exact amount you spend will depend on different factors, especially the accommodation you choose.

Living costs: estimates explained

Scholarships and funding

Funding information

You can find detailed information on financial support available, based on where you are living, in our funding section.

Programme details

What you will study

We will teach you how to:

design strategies for sample collection

understand ecological and environmental issues

make ecological and environmental measurements

critically evaluate ecological data sets using modern statistical analysis

understand the science to contribute to difficult management questions and policy

measure progress and efficiency of conservation and environmental management plans

use enhanced planning and management skills to develop solutions to environmental problems

understand conflicts between humans and the natural world and how human pressures are changing our planet

Our programme has a strong focus on data-driven innovation and computational analysis. Demand is growing for these data skills across many employment sectors.

The exciting nature of your degree means you will have a diverse learning experience during your years with us. One of the highlights of our degree is the opportunity to conduct fieldwork. You could be discussing animal adaptations to habitat in a tutorial one day, or you could be in a Scottish forest collecting plant samples the next.

You can find details for individual courses through the 'Programme Structure' link below.

Option courses

One of the best things about a Scottish undergraduate degree is the amount of electives (called 'option courses') you can study. You have the opportunity to take a significant number of courses outside your degree in Years 1 and 2.

You can choose courses related to your degree, or you can try something different and new to you.

Although we try to provide a wide range of option courses to choose from, these can be subject to change or cancellation at short notice. Places on option courses can be limited due to course capacity and timetabling constraints. It may not be possible to guarantee every student their top choice of option courses.

Future programme changes

This programme is undergoing changes which will impact this programme from September 2028 onwards. Details of these changes can be expected in Spring 2027.

As a result, it is not possible to apply for deferred entry for this programme. If you are planning to apply for deferred entry, please contact us at futurestudents@ed.ac.uk to discuss alternatives.

These upcoming changes are not expected to impact you if you are applying for entry in September 2027.

We will introduce you to fundamental aspects of ecology and environmental science, involving both theoretical and practical studies. You will explore the diversity of living organisms and the evolutionary forces that created them. You will also gain confidence in applying scientific methods and engaging with global environmental challenges.

You will start to develop essential academic abilities in:

data handling

critical thinking

communication and teamwork

Half of your courses will be compulsory courses from the BSc programme in Ecological and Environmental Sciences. The other half will be your chosen option courses.

Find courses

The courses you can study will vary from year to year and may be different for your year of entry.

You can get an idea of what you might study by viewing the latest course information for this programme.

Find Year 1 courses (2026-2027 academic year)

Year 2 deepens your understanding of ecological and environmental systems, focusing on biodiversity, ecosystem dynamics, and the application of statistical and analytical methods.

You will learn how aspects of nature are connected, and we will provide insights into the diversity, distribution and abundance of life on planet Earth.

You will also be introduced to applied practical skills, such as:

programming languages such as R or Python

species identification and habitat observation

statistical techniques, including the ability to analyse uncertainty in environmental data

designing and writing research projects, including hypothesis formulation and methodological planning

Your communication and collaboration skills are further developed through structured academic writing and presentations.

As in Year 1, you will have significant flexibility in your option course choices.

Find Year 2 courses (2026-2027 academic year)

In Year 3, you will apply specialist knowledge and independent judgment to evaluate the environmental impacts of human activity on biodiversity, pollution and ecosystem health.

You will start Year 3 with a week-long summer field course. Through fieldwork, you will learn different measurement and evaluation techniques, including statistical methods to analyse complex ecological and environmental data.

Your coursework will focus on specialised aspects of your degree, learning at the cutting edge of different ecological and environmental disciplines.

You will also further advance your professional and academic skills in:

ethical reflection

research-led learning

advanced data analysis

critical evaluation of evidence

independent and group project work

research communication and presentation skills

digital research tools to collate, manage, and synthesise scientific literature

You can also choose from a wide selection of option courses.

Find Year 3 courses (2026-2027 academic year)

The main focus will be on your dissertation. This is an independent, original piece of research in your chosen specialist field:

Most students will do outdoor field data collection as part of their project

You will receive individual supervision from an academic with experience in your chosen subject area

Often, dissertations are undertaken in partnership with companies or UK research centres, including SRUC and UKCEH

Here are some recent honours dissertation titles to give you an idea of what you can do:

Does cacao drive deforestation in Amazonian Peru?

Competition interactions in a neotropical cloud forest

Plant detritus decomposition in a Mediterranean lagoon

Carbon payback times of wind farms on the Isle of Lewis

A critical review of land reform policies in devolved Scotland

Investigating the relationships between the European otter and the invasive signal crayfish

The effect of speed bump presence on potentially toxic element concentration in road dust in Edinburgh

How does charcoal production influence wealth and natural resource use in Mabalane District, Mozambique?

You will also continue to study compulsory ecology and environmental science courses. This includes a week-long summer residential field course.

We will help you develop skills in designing and conducting your own field experimental project.

Find Year 4 courses (2026-2027 academic year)

There are exciting opportunities to study abroad as part of the University's exchange programmes. We also currently offer a subject-specific exchange with the University of Sydney.

Many of our students spend Year 3 abroad in Europe or further afield. A year abroad can give you invaluable academic and life skills.

What are my options for going abroad?

Field trips

Field trips are at the heart of this programme.

We know that getting out in the world is essential for understanding how it works. We will take you beyond the classroom so that you can apply your learning to real-life situations.

Our hands-on approach to learning helps build your confidence and gives you practical field skills valued by employers.

Our compulsory field trips or field courses are free, including travel and accommodation.

What do you do on a field trip?

Our field courses and day excursions are challenging and fun. Often, they will provide some of your most memorable moments.

For example, you could be:

splashing through rivers, counting insects

applying your skills to field conservation in wild and remote areas

trekking through the forest, measuring trees and taking leaf samples

learning how people manage land for conservation, forestry and agriculture

We also want you to gain valuable skills by using as many types of field equipment as possible. With our range of tools and high-tech equipment, you can obtain and interpret ecological and environmental measurements. For example:

collecting water samples

detecting water stress in plants

estimating carbon stocks of forests

assessing biodiversity and water quality

taking climate and trace gas measurements

calculating and measuring rates of photosynthesis

evaluating the influence of soil chemical properties on vegetation

You can also find our blog posts and videos about fieldwork experiences on the School of GeoSciences website.

School of GeoSciences field trips

Field trips are hard work, loads of fun and always memorable! On this featured field trip, Ecological and Environmental Sciences students brave the Scottish weather to learn to gather data in the field, accessing various plant species.

Fieldwork and Scottish biodiversity

Studying in Scotland offers a unique opportunity to explore diverse environments close to home.

Our fieldwork makes the most of Scotland’s rich natural diversity, using its landscapes as living laboratories for understanding climate change, restoration, and rewilding. By studying locally, we will reduce our carbon footprint while developing a deeper sense of connection to the places and environments that shape our shared future.

Fieldwork opportunities include:

rare arctic plant communities in the UK

engagement with restoration and rewilding projects across Scotland

freshwater ecology, including visits to lochs using boats and underwater cameras

Living Labs

Undergraduate students on the ‘Ecological Measurement’ course in the School of Geosciences, led by Dr. Claudia Colesie, experienced the benefit of a Living Lab opportunity by working on the Forest and Peatland Programme site, Barvick Burn Wood. Students collected valuable baseline plant survey data from the area, where woodland creation is soon to take place.

The Forest and Peatland programme

Accessibility on field trips

We are committed to making our degree as accessible and inclusive as possible. If you cannot attend all trips or only some of them, we will provide alternatives with similar learning outcomes where necessary.

Disclaimer

We are currently reviewing our fieldwork courses. This review focuses on improving the inclusivity and accessibility of our fieldwork courses, whilst delivering sustainable and low-carbon experiences, and maintaining pedagogical excellence.

As a result, our field course locations may vary year to year, but will always align with your course learning outcomes.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

You will learn from a wide range of experienced academics at the forefront of their field. Our research-led, industry-informed teaching draws on the latest developments.

The types of teaching styles depend on the courses you choose and the nature of the topics explored.

Teaching can be through a mix of:

lectures

tutorials

workshops

project work

practical classes

computer practicals

day field trips and residential field courses

You will also design and carry out your project dissertation in Year 4.

Assessment

You will be assessed in different ways, depending on the courses you choose and the nature of the topics explored.

Assessment can be through a mix of:

coursework such as essays

laboratory reports and field project reports

individual or group projects and presentations

practical evaluation in the field or field notebooks

written or practical exams, including multiple-choice exercises

Sample timetable

Below is a sample timetable for a Year 1, Semester 1 BSc (Hons) Ecological and Environmental Sciences student. It is intended to give you an idea of how your time might be spent in your first year.

In this example, we have chosen the optional course Living in the Anthropocene, offered by the School of GeoSciences.

No classes

10:00 to 13:00 - Biology 1A: Variation - practical

13:10 to 14:00 - Introduction to Ecological and Environmental Sciences - lecture

14:10 to 15:00 - Introduction to Ecological and Environmental Sciences - tutorial

Wednesday

10:00 to 10:50 - Living in the Anthropocene - lecture (optional course)

14:10 to 16:00 - Biology 1A: Variation - workshop

Thursday

13:10 to 14:00 - Introduction to Ecological and Environmental Sciences - drop-in session

17:10 to 18:00 - Living in the Anthropocene - workshop (optional course)

14:10 to 15:00 - Biology 1A: Variation - lecture

16:10 to 17:00 - Living in the Anthropocene - tutorial (optional course)

Support for your studies

We want to help you make the most of your studies with us.

Student Adviser

You will have access to a range of resources and activities to support you during your studies. You will be assigned a Student Adviser for the duration of your degree, who will be your main contact if you have any questions related to academic or pastoral support.

The Student Adviser works closely with academics in your degree and the wider University support services. They can also help you with a wide range of administrative and practical issues, and can direct you to relevant resources or people.

Find out more about student support

Cohort Lead

You will also be assigned a Cohort Lead who will organise activities to help you get to know the other students on your degree.

They will also advise and support you on a range of topics including:

course choices

how to develop and improve your academic skills

how to effectively use feedback

advice on your future career opportunities

Building our cohort

For each year of study, you are supported by a dedicated academic cohort lead, who organises a series of cohort-building events throughout the semester.

Usually taking place at the beginning of the semester, events focus on student wellbeing, and may include trips to see the local gannet populations at Bass Rock or a visit to the famous Roslyn Glen.

Other cohort events focus on academic content, such as writing or poster-making workshops.

Finally, cohort events are also valuable networking opportunities, and we regularly invite graduates to share their career paths with current students.

Our academic staff

We are one of the largest and most successful groupings of geoscientists in the UK. Many of us are world experts in ecology and environmental science and can help you gain valuable real-world experience to produce meaningful change.

Our staff will include their latest research in your teaching and share our discoveries in a range of areas, from the tropics to the poles. Your dissertation also offers practical experience and a chance to align with potential employers and real-world issues.

Research networks

Our Centre for Sustainable Forests and Landscapes is linked to this degree.

Visit the Centre for Sustainable Forests and Landscapes website

Through this programme, you are also directly linked to researchers from world-leading research centres such as The Centre for Adapting to Changing Environments (ACE). ACE is a leading centre in multidisciplinary research to address how populations can adapt to our rapidly changing world.

Visit the ACE website

Our experts

We also have a wide network of external experts who may contribute to the programme.

They may:

be invited as external speakers on our field courses

deliver guest lectures

contribute to discussions

highlight links between in-class materials and real-world projects

provide possible dissertation opportunities

One example of an external organisation we engage with includes the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH).

Visit the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology

Where you will study

Most teaching occurs in the School of GeoSciences, at the University's King's Buildings campus. On this campus, the School of GeoSciences is mostly based in the Grant Institute, and the Crew Building.

View the Grant Institute location in Google Maps

View the Crew Building location in Google Maps

Depending on the option courses you choose, you may study at different campus locations in Edinburgh.

The King's Buildings (KB) is the main campus of the College of Science and Engineering.

The King's Buildings campus is around 15 minutes from central Edinburgh. It is easily accessible by bus (there is a regular free shuttle bus between both locations). You can also cycle (15 minutes) or walk (35 minutes) to the campus from the central area.

Walking map from the Crew Building to George Square central campus

Shuttle bus route and timetable

Academic facilities

The School of GeoSciences houses a wide range of cutting-edge facilities and services. We also provide many collaborative centres of research excellence.

You will:

collect some of these samples during field excursions

have access to a range of high-tech facilities, letting you analyse various types of samples

conduct field measurements using various techniques used in ecological and environmental sciences

Visit the School of GeoSciences Research Facilities

You will be exposed to the University's own Airborne Research and Innovation Facility (ARI), run by specialist aviation staff and instrument scientists.

Airborne Research and Innovation Facility

We also host the NERC Field Spectroscopy Facility.

Visit the NERC Field Spectroscopy Facility website

University facilities

You will have access to the facilities across all University sites.

For example:

libraries

laboratories

social spaces

leisure facilities

computing facilities

study spaces (some study spaces are open 24 hours)

Career paths and further study

Career paths

Our degree opens up a diverse range of career pathways.

For example, you could:

work in forestry, land use or water resource management industries

work for an environmental consultancy or conservation organisation

pursue a career focused on the sciences, placing you at the forefront of the climate challenge

Our graduates are not confined to science-related careers.

You can also move into areas such as:

education

consultancy

communications

In these roles, you can change how business, government and communities impact the environment.

Where do our graduates find employment?

We have a large network of graduate alumni within our programme. They can provide you with direct opportunities for projects, placements and job applications.

Our graduates have gained employment in roles such as:

Field Ecologist

Project Director

Ecology Inspector

Research Assistant

Forestry Consultant

National Park Manager

Conservation Scientist

Environmental Advisor

Sustainability Coordinator

Environmental Consultant

Renewables Project Officer

Offshore Environment Manager

In the environmental sector, the range of occupations is expanding. There is also increasing demand for more environmental roles across other job sectors.

Our graduates work in a variety of organisations, including:

Bidwells

Linklaters

NatureScot

WYG Group

IKM Engineering

East Devon Council

Birdlife International

London Wildlife Trust

Cambridgeshire Council

Cultural Heritage Scotland

EnergieKontor Wind Farms

Loch Lomond National Park

Scottish Power Renewables

Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation

National Trust and National Trust for Scotland

One of our alumni, Piers Sellers, went on to become an astronaut for NASA.

A sustainable future

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are a call for action to address the significant global challenges of our generation. There are 17 overarching goals with a timeline set to 2030. Nearly all countries in the world have committed to this plan. They address challenges such as:

environment

food inequality

climate change

protecting our planet

Changes are taking place in every sector, including government, civil society, and the private sector. With this degree, you can work in fields that directly contribute to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.

Careers Service

We support you in recognising the many possibilities ahead.

Our award-winning Careers Service plays an essential part in your student experience. We also support you after graduation.

We provide:

tailored advice

individual guidance

internships and networking opportunities (with employers from local organisations to top multinationals)

access to the experience of our worldwide alumni network

We invest in your future beyond the end of your degree. Studying here is about laying the foundations for your future success.

Visit our Careers Service

Further study

Our programmes also prepare you for competitive entry into relevant postgraduate degree programmes. Many of our students progress to further postgraduate study and research.

Explore School of GeoSciences postgraduate degrees

Edinburgh Earth, Ecology and Environment Doctoral Training Partnership (E5 DTP)

Satellite Data in Environmental Science - Centre for Doctoral Training (SENSE CDT)

Graduate profiles

Degree: BSc (Hons) Ecological and Environmental Sciences

Year of graduation: 2021

Current work: Laboratory Technician, Biotech industry

I wanted to study at the University of Edinburgh because of its status as a world-renowned university. After attending the open day and chatting to future lecturers and students, I realised there was a good sense of community within my course. The reason for selecting this specific course was my interest in the natural world, wanting to study it to use that knowledge to make real change in the world.

Read Alison's profile

Gary Chan

Year of graduation: 2015

Current work: Principal Environmental and Sustainability Consultant, Environmental Consultancy industry

The programme had a good variety of subjects in the first couple of years, which allowed me to get a feel for what subjects I enjoyed. I wasn’t 100% sure whether I was more interested in the ecological part of the degree or environmental science part more. In the latter years I was able to develop these skills further.

Read Gary's profile

Hear directly from our alumni to find out more about the possible careers open to you.

School of GeoSciences undergraduate alumni profiles

Applying

How to apply

You must submit a full application through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) before the relevant deadline.

Guidance on applying through UCAS

What you need to apply

As part of your application, you will need:

your academic qualifications

a personal statement

evidence of your English language skills (with relevant qualifications)

a reference

How we select

If you have met, or are predicted to meet, all our entry requirements by the relevant deadline, then your application will go into our selection process.

As part of this selection process, we will review all the information you submit in your UCAS application when we decide who to select for this degree programme.

How we select applicants

When to apply

2027 entry UCAS deadline: 13 January 2027 (6:00pm GMT)

This is the deadline for all UK, EU and international applicants to non-medicine and veterinary medicine programmes.

To find out if any degree programmes have spaces after 13 January 2027, search the University of Edinburgh on the UCAS website.

Search degrees that are open on the UCAS website

Key application dates and deadlines

After you apply

After you have applied for your degree programme, we suggest you have a look at the following information to help you prepare for university:

How to submit your qualifications

Attend an offer holder event

Receiving our decision

Accepting your offer

After you’ve accepted your offer

If you have a disability and need more support at university

Applying as an international student

As an international student, you apply for this degree programme through UCAS.

Find out more about applying through UCAS

Visas and immigration

If you do not have the right to live in the UK, you will need to apply for and secure a Student visa before the start date of your degree programme.

Our Student Immigration Service can help you with the Student visa application process.

Applying for a visa

An education agent is someone who can help you with the application process as an international student.

We work with education agents around the world and have a list of local offices you can contact.

Find contact details for an education agent

Life at Edinburgh

What our students say

What is it really like to study with us?

No one knows what it is like to study here better than the students themselves.

Our students are sharing their experiences, from studying to living in Edinburgh and everything in between.

Get social with us:

School of GeoSciences student experience blog

School of GeoSciences TikTok

School of GeoSciences Instagram

Accommodation

We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single undergraduate students from outside Edinburgh. To be eligible, you need to meet all criteria and apply for accommodation by 31 July in the year of your entry to the University.

University accommodation website

Accommodation guarantee criteria

If you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.

Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place

Societies and clubs

Our societies and sports clubs will help you develop your interests, meet like-minded people, find a new hobby or simply socialise.

Societies

Sports clubs

There are a number of societies and clubs related to geosciences. Here are a few you may be interested in:

Community BEES

Dirty Weekenders

Geoscience Society

Geographical Society

The city of Edinburgh

Edinburgh is not only a fantastic city to live in, it is the perfect location to see the subjects you study first-hand. We have rich ecological and environmental locations to explore right on our doorstep. Explore rugged coastlines, misty mountains, forest glens and sparkling freshwater lochs.

We will also take you on day trips throughout your studies to help you make the most of your local surroundings.

Exercise, leisure and support facilities

Outside of your studies, we offer a range of facilities you can use, including:

sport and active wellbeing facilities

University cafes and catering

Edinburgh University Students' Association venues and shops

a multi-faith chaplaincy for all faiths and none

a University nursery (based at King’s Buildings campus)

Health and wellbeing support

You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.

The support services we offer include:

a student counselling service

a health centre (doctor's surgery)

support if you're living in University accommodation

dedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustment

Health and wellbeing support services

Contact and events

Contact us

Contact us through our enquiry team if you have any questions about this programme.

Follow us on social media

Visit our social media on Facebook

Visit our social media on YouTube

Visit our social media on LinkedIn

Visit our social media on TikTok

Visit our social media on Instagram

Open days, events and visits

Find out when our next open days will be taking place

Chat to our students on Unibuddy

Related degree programmes

Ecological and Environmental Sciences with Management BSc (Hons)

You may also be interested in

Biological Sciences (Ecology) BSc (Hons)

Earth Sciences BSc (Hons)

Earth Sciences MEarthSci

Earth Science and Physical Geography BSc (Hons)

Earth Science and Physical Geography MEarthSci

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課程頁官方原文 A levels: standard entry requirements The A level grades you need to be considered for an offer These are the grades most applicants needed to receive an offer in recent years: from AAA to ABB in one set of exams What do these grades mean? Required subjects The grades you use to meet our entry requirements must include **two** of the following at A level: Biology* at B Chemistry* at B Environmental Science at B Environmental Technology at B Geography at B Geology at B Mathematics* at B Physics* at B *include at least one of these subjects Your other A level can be in any other subject, except the few subjects we do not accept. See approved subjects GCSEs required You must also have the following at GCSE: Mathematics at B or 6 English at C or 4 https://study.ed.ac.uk/programmes/undergraduate/16-ecological-and-environmental-sciences/entry-requirements 取得日期：2026-11-05

香港／國際頁官方原文 With the exception of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, all HKDSE applicants will be required to pass the HKDSE with four core subjects achieved at Level 3 or above, or three core subjects achieved at Level 3 or above and one at ‘Attained’ in Citizenship and Social Development only, plus three elective subjects at Level 555. Where Mathematics is a required subject candidates will require Level 5 in both the Compulsory and Extended Parts of Mathematics. Degree programmes in Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and Science and Engineering - Level 4 overall with Level 4 in each component. https://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/international/country/asia/east-asia/hong-kong 取得日期：2026-11-05

UCAS課程完整原文 Required subjects: A levels: two from Biology* at B; Chemistry* at B; Environmental Science at B; Environmental Technology at B; Geography at B; Geology at B; Mathematics* at B; Physics* at B. *include at least one of these subjects GCSEs: Mathematics at B or 6; English at C or 4. Standard A level requirements must be achieved in one set of exams. https://www.ucas.com/explore/courses/f673fa9d-a535-5fc6-c427-78674411a4b9?studyYear=2027 取得日期：2026-09-16

香港／國際頁完整官方原文 Hong Kong-SAR China Undergraduate entry requirements for applicants from Hong Kong. Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) With the exception of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, all HKDSE applicants will be required to pass the HKDSE with four core subjects achieved at Level 3 or above, or three core subjects achieved at Level 3 or above and one at ‘Attained’ in Citizenship and Social Development only, plus three elective subjects at Level 555. Where Mathematics is a required subject candidates will require Level 5 in both the Compulsory and Extended Parts of Mathematics. College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences For all degree programmes in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, any subject specific requirements as listed in the undergraduate prospectus must be achieved at Level 5 at either core or elective level. College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine Applicants for Medicine will require 3 elective subjects, with grades 5*5*5* to include Chemistry and one from either Biology; Physics or Mathematics, with four core subjects achieved at Level 3333 or above. Applicants for Veterinary Medicine will require 3 elective subjects with grades of 555 to include Chemistry, Biology and one other elective subject. A minimum of grade 3 must be gained in all other elective subjects. For Biomedical Sciences, HKDSE with four core subjects achieved at Level 3333 or above plus three elective subjects at Level 555 to include Biology and Chemistry. To be exempt from taking a further English Language test you must achieve Level 4 overall in English with Level 4 in each component. HKDSE English Language Requirements Achievement at the following level/grade in English is accepted for entry by the University and HKDSE applicants are not required to provide a further English qualification. Degree programmes in Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and Science and Engineering - Level 4 overall with Level 4 in each component. Degree programmes in Biomedical Sciences - Level 4 overall with Level 4 in each component. Degree programmes in Medicine & Veterinary Medicine - Level 5 overall with Level 5 in each component. https://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/international/country/asia/east-asia/hong-kong 取得日期：2026-11-05

HKDSE英文對照官方完整原文 Degree programmes in Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and Science and Engineering - Level 4 overall with Level 4 in each component. https://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/international/country/asia/east-asia/hong-kong 取得日期：2026-11-05

A-level 核准科目原文 Approved subjects A level subjects we accept for general university entry. For many degrees, we will expect you to have achieved certain grades in specific A levels subjects. We call these ‘required subjects’. We accept most A levels for general University entry. There are some A levels subjects which we only accept under certain conditions, or for entry to specific degrees. There are a few A levels subjects that we do not accept. A levels subjects with conditions Subjects with common material We do not typically count subjects that contain a high proportion of common material (such as biology and human biology) separately. Native language A levels We accept A levels in your native language, except for some degrees where you cannot use your native language to meet a language requirement. If a native language is not accepted to meet the language requirement, we will specify this in the entry requirements section in the degree finder. A level art and design strands We only accept one art and design strand per application, unless you are applying for a degree in art and design (excluding MA Fine Art and History of Art). A level Applied Art and Design We do not accept A level Applied Art and Design for general University entry. We do accept it for entry to art and design degrees (excluding MA Fine Art and History of Art). A level Biology and A level Human Biology We only accept one of A level Biology and A level Human Biology. A level Citizenship Studies We do not accept A level Citizenship Studies in combination with either A level Law or A level Government and Politics. A level Economics and Business We do not accept A level Economics and Business in combination with either A level Economics or A level Business Studies. A level Mathematics and A level Further Mathematics We accept A level Mathematics and A level Further Mathematics as two separate subjects unless otherwise stated in the entry requirements section in the degree finder. A level Moving Image Arts We do not accept A level Moving Image Arts for general University entry. We do accept it for entry to art and design degrees (excluding MA Fine Art and History of Art). A level Physical Science We do not accept A level Physical Science in combination with either A level Chemistry or A level Physics. A level Professional Business Services We do not accept A level Professional Business Services in combination with A level Business Studies. A level Sports Science and the Active Leisure Industry We do not accept A level Sports Science and the Active Leisure Industry for general University entry. We do accept it for entry to Applied Sport Science or Sport Management. A level Use of Mathematics We do not accept A level Use of Mathematics in place of A level Mathematics as a required subject. We do not accept A level Use of Mathematics in combination with A level Mathematics. A level subjects we do not accept Applied ICT Applied Science Communication and Culture Creative Writing General Studies Journalism in the Media and Communications Industry Leisure Studies Media: Communication and Production Performing Arts Travel and Tourism Advice Get in touch if you need advice on the acceptability of any subject for entry to a particular degree, or on subjects sharing common material. Contact us for advice Subject choice As long as you are taking the required subjects listed in the degree finder for your degree, we advise you to do subjects that you enjoy most, or the subjects you are most likely to do well in. Doing subjects that you are most likely to do well in gives you the best chance of meeting the entry requirements. Required, preferred and recommended subjects We use different terms in the degree finder like 'required' and 'preferred' subjects when talking about entry requirements. When we use these terms, we mean: Required: must have this subject Preferred: will get preference in selection if you have this subject Recommended: this subject is good preparation for this degree Understanding our entry requirements Degree finder https://study.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/entry-requirements/english-welsh-northern-irish-qualifications/approved-subjects 取得日期：2026-11-05

院校未公布 DSE 對應等級，請向院校確認。

請查看下方完整入學要求原文，或向院校確認。