Overview
Our Environmental Geography course seeks to make sense of our changing world. It’s unique in bridging environmental and social sciences, and in exploring the pressing human-environment issues of the 21st century.
We’ll turn you into an Environmental Geographer with the expert knowledge and skills to research, analyse and communicate how the changing environment affects our lives. Your ability to visualise geographical issues at different spatial scales, from global to local, and to offer solutions to our most pressing environmental problems, will ensure that you’re highly sought after by a wide range of employers.
"Environmental Geography at Stirling has provided me with the confidence and essential skills necessary for graduate employment. The extracurricular opportunities on offer and high quality teaching has ensured that my time spent here has been both valuable and transformational."
Johnathan Kitchen, BSc (Hons) Environmental Geography
Take a tour of our Environmental Sciences labs
Top reasons to study with us
Prizes or awards
At the end of Year 3 the Altajir Scholarship of £500 is awarded to the two best performing students in Environmental Science and Environmental Geography. At the end of Year 4 the best performing student across the Environmental Geography degree is awarded a prize. We also have a new Research in Sustainability Prize.
Entry requirements
Year 1 entry – Four-year honours
SQA Highers
AABB
GCE A-levels
BBB
IB Diploma
28 points
BTEC (Level 3)
DDM
Essential subjects
To include one of Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Geography, Geology, Mathematics or Physics.
Essential subjects must have been taken within the last five years to ensure your required subject knowledge is current. Recent work experience can be taken into consideration in place of a formal qualification.
Widening access students
Widening access students may be eligible for an adjusted offer of entry. To find out if this applies to you go to our widening access pages.
Care-experienced applicants will be guaranteed an offer of a place if they meet the minimum entry requirements.
Year 2 entry – Three-year honours
SQA Advanced Highers
ABB
GCE A-levels
ABB
IB Diploma
32 points
Essential subjects
To include one of Environmental Science, Geography or Geology AND one of Biology, Chemistry, Economics, Mathematics, Physics, Politics or Sociology.
Essential subjects must have been taken within the last five years to ensure your required subject knowledge is current. Recent work experience can be taken into consideration in place of a formal qualification.
Other Scottish qualifications
Scottish HNC/HND
Year one minimum entry - Bs in graded units.
Access courses
University of Stirling access course - for mature students only. You must pass the course with 50% or above.
SWAP access course - for mature students only.
Email our Admissions Team for advice about other access courses.
Foundation Apprenticeships
Considered to be equivalent to 1 Higher at Grade B
Essential subjects
To include one of Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Geography, Geology, Mathematics or Physics.
Essential subjects must have been taken within the last five years to ensure your required subject knowledge is current. Recent work experience can be taken into consideration in place of a formal qualification.
Other qualifications
English, Welsh and Northern Irish HNC/HND
Merits and Distinctions
English, Welsh and Northern Irish access courses
Access to Higher Education - 60 credits, minimum 45 at QCF Level 3, pass at 60% or above.
Essential subjects
To include one of Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Geography, Geology, Mathematics or Physics.
Essential subjects must have been taken within the last five years to ensure your required subject knowledge is current. Recent work experience can be taken into consideration in place of a formal qualification.
International entry requirements
Advanced entry
Advanced entry is not available for this course.
Other routes of entry
If you don't currently meet our academic requirements, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need to progress onto some of our courses. Explore University of Stirling International Study Centre to see the routes available.
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 a minimum of 5.5 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.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses
Course details
Environmental Geography is an integrated four-year degree course that provides you with training across the spectrum of the subject. We emphasise research-led and experience-based approaches to understanding the complex relationships between people and the planet. With an international context, the course is designed to give you essential skills in critical thinking and reasoning, fieldwork, laboratory work, statistics and geospatial analysis.
Semesters 1-2 focus on the building of planet Earth and the surface processes responsible for the evolution of our landscape. Alongside these core earth-science modules you'll be introduced to how people interact with the environment and the most pressing human-environment issues of the 21st century – including global warming, water resources, pollution and biodiversity loss.
In Semesters 3-4, the emphasis is on field skills, biogeography and environmental resilience, including the essential systems of nutrient cycling for sustaining life on Earth.
In Semesters 5-6, research-led teaching provides a wide range of advanced modules that include themes of sustainable environmental resources, palaeo-environments, earth-surface processes and advanced geospatial techniques including remote sensing and GIS. You'll also learn about sustainable development issues and there is a choice of skills-centred field courses in Year 3.
In your final year you'll develop and apply your research skills through your Honours research project. You'll be closely supported by your academic supervisor and can actively participate in national and international research programmes. In doing so, you can take full advantage of the wider geographical research community at the University.
Modules
Course details
Teaching
The University of Stirling achieved five stars for teaching in the QS Stars University Ratings 2024.
Our research-led teaching is delivered by world-leaders researching the interface between the environment and society. Everything you learn will reflect the latest thinking and developments in Environmental Geography.
At all levels of the degree we also emphasise practical local field studies. There’s a range of stunning natural environments around Stirling, plus easy access to major urban centres, new towns and rural settlements.
Fieldwork
We have a wide range of habitats on campus and regularly use them for practical work. Some modules also include short excursions to visit sites and species close to the University. Our residential Scotland field course will offer you the opportunity to gain practical experience in the Scottish Highlands.
You will also have the choice of a residential overseas field trip. Our 10-day field course to South Africa will develop your field research skills. The trip provides an opportunity to develop an understanding of different physical and environmental processes and ecosystem functioning, alongside the conservation and management challenges of international landscapes.
Travel, accommodation, and subsistence on residential field courses are not included in the course fees.
We know that residential field courses can be difficult for some students to attend and incur an environmental cost. To widen participation and increase sustainability in our teaching, there is the option of a non-residential field course module based on day trips around the University.
Assessment
Assessment balances a wide range of coursework and examinations throughout the programme.
Work placement opportunities
Students can build strong links with industry through summer placements with local employers and large corporates. Our Careers Service can help you to secure placements and offer the support and advice you need to plan your career, develop your employability or think about further study.
Study abroad
Environmental Geography has well established course links with the University of Guelph in Canada. You may spend either one or two semesters during Year 3 studying courses equivalent to those taken at Stirling, giving you the opportunity to broaden your geographical and cultural experience.
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
Scottish students
This fee is set by the Scottish Government and is subject to change.
Although you’re liable for annual tuition fees, if you are domiciled in Scotland you can apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish Government on your behalf.
You will be charged the annual tuition fee each year when you enrol.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
This tuition fee may be subject to change depending on guidance provided by the UK Government.
You can apply for financial assistance, including a loan to cover the full cost of your tuition fees, from your relevant funding body. Students from the Republic of Ireland are eligible for a tuition fee loan of up to £9,535 from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).
We also offer additional funding – such as our Honours Year Scholarship – for students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. See our funding opportunities section below for more information.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy and terms and conditions.
International students (including EU)
Eligible students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £8,000-£30,000 over the duration of your course. See our range of generous scholarships for international undergraduate students.
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.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
You’ll need to pay towards the costs of travel, accommodation and subsistence for the Scottish field course in Year 2 and the optional fieldtrip in Year 4.
Funding
See what funding opportunities and loans are available to help you with tuition and living costs.
Students from Scotland
Find funding opportunities for Scottish students.
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
Eligible students will automatically receive our Undergraduate Welcome Scholarship, Undergraduate Merit Scholarship, and our Honours Year Scholarship, which are worth between £1,000 and £9,250.
International students
Eligible international students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £8,000-£30,000 over the duration of your course. Find funding opportunities for international students.
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.
International (including EU) 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.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay.
After you graduate
Environmental Geography graduates are equipped with a unique combination of subject-specific and transferable skills, enabling them to develop their understanding of the relationships between the environment and people.
Our course will also give you the foundation for graduate entry to advanced postgraduate taught courses and research degree courses in the geographical and environmental fields.
