Environmental Science

Environmental Science combines physical, biological and chemical sciences to study the environment and discover solutions to environmental problems such as climate change, pollution, loss of biodiversity and the sustainable provision of energy, food, and clean water.

Our Environmental Science courses blend scientific knowledge and technical training. You'll gain the analytical, field and laboratory skills to understand the complex interactions between people and the environment. Our research-led teaching ensures you are up-to-date with the latest knowledge.

Stirling is a superb place to study Environmental Science with a proud history of innovation in environmental research and study. We were one of the first UK universities to introduce an Environmental Science course. Stirling is also a hub for conservation and environmental organisations and we’re ideally located for diverse landscapes and industrial sites.

Environmental Science courses

Courses labelled  are available for online study only.

Undergraduate courses
Course	Start date
BSc (Hons) Ecology and Conservation	September 2025
BSc (Hons) Environmental Geography and Outdoor Education	September 2025
BSc (Hons) Environmental Science	January 2025, September 2025, January 2026
BSc (Hons) Environmental Science and Outdoor Education	September 2025

Postgraduate courses
Course	Start date
LLM Environmental Law and Climate Justice	September 2025
MSc Environmental Management	January 2025, September 2025, February 2026
MSc Environmental Remote Sensing and Geospatial Sciences	September 2025

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Scholarships

We offer a variety of scholarship and funding options to help you finance your studies at the University of Stirling.

Undergraduate scholarships

See more undergraduate scholarships

Postgraduate scholarships

See more postgraduate scholarships

Why study Environmental Management at the University of Stirling?

Take a tour of our Environmental Sciences labs

Graduate careers in Environmental Science

Our Environmental Science degrees focus on scientific knowledge and technical training to create genuine career opportunities with a wide range of organisations, including water authorities, research institutes, renewable energy companies, conservation bodies, businesses, local authorities and government agencies.

Graduates from our Environmental Science degrees enjoy successful careers around the world in areas such as environmental consultancy, transport planning, waste management, environmental protection agencies, education and ecotourism.

Jobs directly related to an Environmental Science degree include:

environmental consultant
nature conservation officer
recycling officer
sustainability consultant
environmental education officer
environmental manager
transport planner
teacher
ecotourist officer
waste management officer
water quality scientist

Partnerships and industry

Many of our Environmental Science degrees are accredited by the Institute of Environmental Sciences (IES). Our BSc (Hons) Environmental Science degree course is also accredited by the Committee of Heads of Environmental Sciences. On our BSc (Hons) Environmental Science and Outdoor Education degree, students have the opportunity to gain the Mountain Leader Award, endorsed by the Mountain Training Association.

The University of Stirling is a hub for conservation activity in Scotland. Several organisations have offices on our campus, including the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Scottish Natural Heritage, British Trust for Ornithology and the Bumblebee Conservation Trust. We work closely with these and other organisations, such as the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, in conducting research, arranging placements and field training, and developing our Environmental Science courses.

We also have links with Environmental Science organisations throughout the UK and overseas, including the International Union for Conservation of Nature, European Environment Agency, Gabonese National Parks Service, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research.

Specialist facilities

The Stirling Controlled Environment Facility is a world-class experimental facility for conducting experimental research investigating the impacts of climate and climate change.

We also have 11 specialist laboratories supporting a wide range of research interests from ecology to analytical chemistry to thin section and micromorphology.

Environmental Science research

In the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), 100% of our Biological and Environmental Sciences research was rated as having either outstanding or very considerable impact – ranking us joint 12th in the UK for Geography and Environmental Studies research.

We consistently attract major research grants and our research impact positions us as leaders in the area of Environmental Science, Environmental Protection and Biological Conservation.

Postgraduate research opportunities

Postgraduate research students in Environmental Science will join a vibrant research environment in which we seek to understand the fundamental processes driving the evolution and maintenance of biodiversity, from the molecular to the ecosystem level. See all our PhD and MPhil opportunities in Biological and Environmental Sciences including Ecology.