BSc (Hons) Environmental Science and Outdoor Education

at University of Stirling

We blend lecture-based teaching, substantial field-based learning about the environment and practical training in navigation, mountain hazards and outdoor safety. We’ll also train you to design and deliver outdoor courses with environmental and ecological learning outcomes.
 

We’ve strong links with conservation and environmental management employers, giving you the opportunity to get hands-on experience working with industrial partners during your degree.
 

In the outdoor education components you’ll learn from some of the UK’s top mountaineering instructors and outdoor educators. The optional but included Summer Mountain Leader Award requires you to complete a minimum of 40 quality mountain days.
 

This degree requires a high level of health, fitness and mobility and a commitment to outdoor pursuits (in particular, mountain walking).
 

We’ve a proud history of innovation in Environmental Science. University of Stirling was one of the first universities to establish a degree course in Environmental Science in 1980 and we are still committed to training graduates with the skills valued by employers today. We offer the only Environmental Science MSci course in Scotland, which is accredited by the Institution for Environmental Sciences (IES).
 

Modules
The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the current academic year (September 2021). Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.
 

Disability Discrimination Act - Policy statement:

Applicants should be aware that a certain level of health, fitness and mobility is required to complete modules coded EOE. In the event of unsuccessful completion of one of these modules due to lack of health, fitness or mobility, the candidate will be offered the opportunity to transfer to a different degree programme. Where there are early signs that an individual's level of health, fitness and mobility may not be high enough for successful completion of the degree programme and the award of a Certificate in Mountain Leadership, their position will be reviewed by the Programme Director. Prospective students seeking advice on their medical suitability for the degree programme should contact the Programme Director.
 

Year 1, Semester 1

Compulsory module

• Navigation and Mountain Skills (EOEU1OE)    20 credits
• Prior to 2021/2 EOEU1S1 was taken instead.
   

Compulsory module

• Building Planet Earth (ENVU1BP)    20 credits
• prior to 2021/2 ENVU1GE was taken instead
   

Option module
 

Select 20 credits from BIOU1CE, GEOU1PP or SCIU1LS list

• Introduction to Cell Biology (BIOU1CE)    20 credits
• People and the Environment (GEOU1PP)    20 credits
   

Year 1, Semester 2

Compulsory module

• Development and Application of Outdoor Education (EOEU2OE)    20 credits
• Prior to 2021/2 EOEU2S2 was taken instead and in 2020/1 EOEU4R4 was taken instead
   

Compulsory module

• Landscape Evolution (ENVU2LV)    20 credits
   

prior to 2021/2 ENVULE was taken instead
 

Compulsory module

• Global Environmental Issues (GEOU2GE)    20 credits
• Prior to 2021/2 GEOU2EI was taken instead
   

Year 2, Semester 1

Compulsory module

• Biogeography: An Ecological and Evolutionary Approach (GEOU3BE)    20 credits
• Prior to 2021/2 GEOU3BG was taken
   

Compulsory module

• Mountain Leader Training (EOEU3OE)    20 credits
• Prior to 2019/0 EOEU3S3 was taken, in 2020/1 EOEU4R4 was taken, and in 2021/2 EOEU2S2 is taken instead.
   

Option module

Select 20 credits from any module (Environment degrees) list

• Accounting and Finance for Managers (ACCU7M1)    20 credits
• Our Blue Planet (AQUU1OP)    20 credits
• Introduction to Aquatic Environments (AQUU3AE)    20 credits
• Evolution and Genetics (BIOU3GE)    20 credits

 

Year 2, Semester 2

Compulsory module

• Statistical Techniques (SCIU4T4)    20 credits
   

Compulsory module

• Responsibilities and Safety in Outdoor Education (EOEU4R4)    20 credits
• in 2020/1 and 2021/2 EOEU3S3 is taken instead
   

Compulsory module

• Practical Science Skills II: Field Skills (SCIU2PS)    20 credits
• prior to 2021/2 SCIU2FS was taken instead
   

Year 3, Semester 1

Compulsory module

• Geographical Information Systems (GEOU9SP)    20 credits
• Prior to 2021/2 GEOU9IS was taken instead
   

Option module
 

Select 40 credits from Year 3 Options for Environmental Science & Outdoor Education list

• Conservation Biology (BIOU7CB)    10 credits
• Population and Community Ecology (BIOU9PC)    20 credits
• Environmental Policy and Management (ENVU5EP)    20 credits
• Habitat Management and Restoration (ENVU9MR)    20 credits
   

Year 3, Semester 2

Compulsory module

• Sustainable Development (GEOU6GI)    20 credits
• prior to 2020/1 GEOU9EH was taken instead
   

Option module
 

Select 40 credits from Year 3 Options for Environmental Science & Outdoor Education list

• Plant Ecology (BIOU6PE)    20 credits
• Methods and Applications in Environmental Sciences (ENVU6EA)    20 credits
• Sustainable Landscapes Field Course (ENVU6SP)    20 credits
• Conservation Management (ENVU8CM)    10 credits
   

ENVU6IC or ENVU6SP are strongly recommended.
 

Year 4, Semester 1

Dissertation

• Environmental Science Honours Project (ENVU9PR)    60 credits
• Continued in semester 8.
   

Option module
 

Select 40 credits from Year 4 Environmental Science & Outdoor Education list

• Conservation Biology (BIOU7CB)    10 credits
• Population and Community Ecology (BIOU9PC)    20 credits
• Environmental Policy and Management (ENVU5EP)    20 credits
• Habitat Management and Restoration (ENVU9MR)    20 credits

 

Year 4, Semester 2

Option module
 

Select 20 credits from Year 4 Environmental Science & Outdoor Education list

• Plant Ecology (BIOU6PE)    20 credits
• Methods and Applications in Environmental Sciences (ENVU6EA)    20 credits
• Sustainable Landscapes Field Course (ENVU6SP)    20 credits
• Conservation Management (ENVU8CM)    10 credits

Year 1 entry – Four-year honours
 

SQA Highers
BBB
 

GCE A-levels
BB
 

IB Diploma
28 points
 

BTEC (Level 3)
MMM
 

Essential subjects
To include one of Biology or Chemistry
 

Preferred subjects
Preference will be given to candidates with a strong science background.
 

English language requirements
 

If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:

• IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with 5.5 in each skill
• Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) 169 overall with a minimum of 162 in each sub-skill
• Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE) 180 overall with a minimum of 162 in each sub-skill
• Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill
• IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing
• IBT TOEFL Special Home Edition 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing
• Trinity ISE II Pass overall and Pass in each sub-skill, ISE III Pass overall and in all sub-skills, ISE IV Pass overall and in all sub-skills
• Aptis (4 skills) CEFR B2 overall and B2 in all sub-skills
• Duolingo 95 overall with a minimum of 90 in all sub-skills
• LanguageCert International ESOL B2 Communicator -  Pass with minimum 33 in each sub-skill
   

Undergraduate
 

Direct Entry to 1st Year:
 

Year 12 Grade – cumulative score of 65% and above from the following state boards:

• CBSE
• ISC/ICSE
• Metro state boards (Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal)
   

Students from other state boards will require Year 12 Grade – cumulative score of 75%.
 

Advanced Entry to 2nd Year:
 

Year 12 Grade – cumulative score of 75% and above from the following state boards:

• CBSE
• ISC/ICSE
• Metro state boards (Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal)
   

Advanced entry is possible on a range of courses. Student applications will be considered on a case by case basis.
 

Please note that advanced entry options for students who have scored 35 in the International Baccalaureate or GCE A-Levels ABB in one sitting will also be considered on a case by case basis.

Overseas students (non-EU)    

2022/23 - £18,800
2023/24 - £20,300
 

You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.

If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
 

Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
 

EU and overseas students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.

Our combined approach for this degree will allow you to enter a wide range of relevant careers, from outdoor instructor through to environmental consultant or ecologist. Graduates have found work as countryside rangers, guides and environmental science or geography educators (raising public awareness of environmental issues), and other careers specific to outdoor education.
 

In addition, students will be prepared for employment in the same professions as our standard Environmental Geography and Environmental Science graduates, such as education, conservation and the environment, science and technology, travel and related occupations, and sports and fitness.
 

Our course will give you the foundation for graduate entry to postgraduate taught and research degree courses in the environmental field.
 

This course is not designed to train you to become an outdoor instructor. However, you may wish to gain additional qualifications independently (e.g. SPA or BCU awards) or undertake a suitable postgraduate programme in outdoor education which would qualify you for this type of career.