Environmental Science BSc (Hons) Degree Apprenticeship
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) Gold award
Our commitment to high quality teaching has been recognised with a TEF Gold rating. The University has received an overall rating of Gold, as well as securing a Gold award in the framework's two new student experience and student outcomes categories.
Why choose this programme?
Are you considering a career in the environmental sector? Would you like to find sustainable solutions to environmental challenges such as climate change, development pressures, resource use and environmental pollution?
You'll learn to investigate, monitor, evaluate and understand environmental systems and to predict and respond to environmental challenges.
This programme is highly practical; day and residential field trips will help you develop your field-based research skills from Level 4 to Level 6. You'll work on an independent research project based on an industry problem identified by your employer. This will combine your own environmental science interests with those of your employer.
One day a week will be at university rather than your place of employment. There will also be learning activities at your workplace. The programme leads to a BSc (Hons) Environmental Science (Degree Apprenticeship) and Level 6 Environment Practitioner.
| Attendance | Year of entry |
|---|---|
| 5 years part time | 2024 2025 |
| Main Location | Penrhyn Road |
Reasons to choose Kingston University
- Kingston University was involved in the Trail Blazer Group and developed the programme in collaboration with leading employers.
- We are one of the first universities to offer the Level 6 Environment Practitioner Degree Apprenticeship.
- Our programme is also the first accredited through the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA).
What you will study
Different levels
Prior knowledge, skills and behaviours can exempt individuals from certain elements of the programme, resulting in different entry levels and learner journeys for the apprentices.
Level 4
Level 5
Level 6
Level 4 introduces key environmental science concepts and methods of scientific investigation. You will learn in a variety of environments including the classroom and laboratory and develop fundamental fieldwork skills. You will study environmental systems and the nature and consequences associated with environmental change. You will investigate how people interact with their environment and examine sustainability challenges. You will learn to make accurate observations of environmental phenomena in the field and the laboratory, and evaluate your findings.
Core modules
Our Dynamic Earth
30 credits
This module introduces key fundamental topics in physical geography, overviewing the various spheres of the Earth, associated processes and interaction. Themes are presented systematically as a cross-section of the Earth's physical structure: geological underpinning, Earth surface processes (introducing geomorphology, the pedosphere and hydrosphere), the atmosphere, and the biosphere.
Interwoven within these topics are lectures on associated environmental hazards, including geophysical hazards (e.g., volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and tsunamis), atmospheric hazards (including hurricanes and tornadoes) and environmental and ecological hazards (including oil spills, and wildfires).
Processes behind these major natural and man-made environmental hazards will be described, with reasons provided for their occurrence and global spatial distribution. Detailed case studies from a variety of geographical regions will help to build a portfolio of examples, enhancing student knowledge of the processes, impacts and means of forecasting and mitigating against hazards becoming disasters.
The module introduces students to the application of environmental and geophysical knowledge and skills to real world challenges and potential discipline-related employment opportunities.
Introduction to Environmental Science
30 credits
This module introduces the basic principles of environmental science, including environmental chemistry, water quality analysis/assessment, environmental pollution, and ecology. The module will investigate basic environmental principles to help students understand how physical and human processes can promote change in environmental systems at a range of spatial and temporal scales.
Students will investigate the impacts of environmental change, understand their significance, and show how this knowledge can be applied to the management of environmental challenges. The importance of a holistic approach to problem solving in the environmental sciences will be introduced along with material on key underpinning scientific disciplines including environmental chemistry and ecology through the investigation of global habitats.
Digital Mapping
15 credits
Maps are tools for visualising spatial information to communicate pattern, processes, and the results of geographical analysis. This module explores the principles and practice of map design and production using Geographical Information System (GIS) software. GIS are introduced, including representations of reality, data types, data management, data quality, and simple analytical operations.
The cartographic design process will be explained including graphic design principles and different modes of delivery (hardcopy/web map/3D) and contrasted to ‘traditional' manual map-making. Legal and ethical issues relating to copyright and attribution of data and media are explained.
Research and Fieldwork Methods
15 credits
This module introduces students to a range of research methods that form the basis of successful investigations in their subject discipline areas, including research design, qualitative and quantitative data collection, and analysis interpretation.
The module, importantly, also introduces fieldwork as a key investigative element of both environmental and geographical study. The module incorporates the core Level 4 fieldwork, developing both generic fieldwork skills (e.g. pre-field trip reconnaissance using a range of secondary data sources and remote sensing, field safety risk assessments, safety in the field, and ethical considerations) and discipline specific site investigations (e.g. field observations, triangulation for map location and geometrical data collection using compass-clinometers, surveying techniques and GPS location, water quality surveys, analyses of archival data, and questionnaires and interviews).
Navigating your Apprenticeship Journey
15 credits
Apprentices are introduced to their course learning aims and consider their anticipated learning targets from induction to graduation. Apprentices are guided to identify and take ownership of their apprenticeship journey through the development and application of academic and occupational skills aligned to KU Graduate Attributes, discipline-specific professional body learning outcomes and the relevant IfATE Standard KSBs (ST0331, ST0417, and ST0778).
Apprentices are tutored in a range of learning to learn techniques and are introduced to assessment for learning and the role of feedback, reflection and feedforward as an integrated part of their learning journey. This will be supported through active engagement in the KU Navigate Programme enabling apprentices to understand and begin to develop a design-thinking approach to Future Skills development.
Sustainability for Professional Practice
15 credits
This module will explore the global environmental, economic, and social problems that society faces and encourage students to find and create sustainable innovative solutions.
The students will be introduced to the complex societal problems and current challenges associated with social justice, cultural inequalities, ethics, and climate change emergencies, this will enable them to reflect on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. The students will be immersed in a culture of education that provides knowledge, values, attitudes, and skills and encourages them to think about possible solutions seeking to balance economic, environmental, and social objectives set by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), and the challenges in achieving those goals.
Students will be able to develop knowledge, values, attitudes, and skills associated with systems thinking and integrated problem-solving within the context of environmental systems and processes and the built environment. This will encourage students to critically address ways to mitigate and solve complex global societal problems addressed by the UNSDGs.
Working in teams, students will explore, and debate: to evaluate the interconnectivity between the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), collaborate and co-design practical and equitable strategic solutions to Net Zero carbon (positive), and evaluate sustainability-related global challenges (e.g., the climate emergency) while developing critical thinking and self-awareness
Level 5 builds knowledge of environmental systems and develops your analytical science skills portfolio through the collection, analysis and interpretation of environmental data. You will develop your practical skills such as environmental project management, cartography and Geographic Information Science.
Core modules
Rivers, Oceans and the Atmosphere
30 credits
This module explores the physical science of Earth's hydrosphere and the atmosphere, key processes and principles, and associated hazards. Through a sculpted narrative, the module will take students on an investigative journey to explore land, ocean and atmosphere environments and their interactions, with a persistent focus on the impact of climate change on these systems.
The narrative will follow the water cycle, starting with precipitation on land and a study of drainage basins, followed by investigations of rivers, estuaries and coasts, then the ocean and ocean circulation, and finally the atmosphere. Hydrological and sedimentological processes will be considered, following a source to sink approach.
A variety of hydrospheric and atmospheric hazards will be considered throughout the module. These include riverine and coastal flooding, sea-level rise, and severe weather hazards associated with ENSO, the Indian Ocean Dipole and the SE Asian Monsoon System. Fieldwork, GIS and remote sensing practicals are integral to this module; they provide real-world skills and training relevant to a wide variety of environmental science, hazards and geography careers.
Principles of Ecology and Conservation
15 credits
Ecological concepts are explained using a hierarchical approach: population, community and ecosystem levels of ecology are explored, highlighting the interactions between man and nature. A research-led approach is used to emphasise the models by which ecologists attempt to explain complex biological systems. Core factual material is provided using keynote lectures to explain concepts. The practical and fieldwork elements are designed to develop observing, recording, data analysis, data interpretation and presentation skills.
Contaminated Land, Assessment and Remediation
15 credits
This module has three key components. First, an understanding of the fundamental principles of soil science is developed whereby the various soil properties and processes, including storage/retention and transport of water and chemicals in soil, are explained. This provides a good support to developing an understanding of soil and hydrological interactions with soil nutrients and contaminants. This knowledge of soil and water environmental interaction forms the essential base for introducing and explaining soil pollution, including the impact of pollutants on environmental systems (soil, water, plants and air) and human health. It also discusses pollution mitigation and control/remediation strategies.
Advanced Research Methods and Statistics
30 credits
Students will design, manage and execute an environmental science research project in a ‘real-life' field-based setting. Students are tutored in aspects of research design: defining research questions, research philosophy and appropriate methodologies. Students learn practical aspects of research design such as logistical considerations of time and budget limitations, as well as data archiving. Students will be trained in quantitative and qualitative data analysis. Students will learn how to collect, manipulate, and interpret statistical environmental and geographical data and apply this learning to their project-based investigations.
Understanding our World with GIS
15 credits
With the increasing focus on data science and big data, data literacy and the ability to develop and implement analytical workflows have become essential transferrable skills. This module is concerned with how to obtain, process, integrate, analyse, visualise, and analyse geographical data within GIS software to discover and quantify spatial patterns. It offers the means to critically evaluate data, analytical approaches, and the outcomes in relation to the principles of information and cartographic design.
The principles and methods of digital data collection and post-processing are introduced (e.g. GPS, mobile apps, aerial and space-based survey, secondary data, APIs). Students will learn how to apply exploratory and basic analytical techniques (e.g. buffer, spatial join, overlay, surface and network analysis) to discover pattern. They are introduced to and gain practical experience of the relational database, and network and surface data models and their analytical use.
Exploring Professional Skills in Project Management
15 credits
This is a core module for all level 5 students on engineering programmes. Students will demonstrate a developing awareness of the skills required to operate as a professional in their subject area. This module will scaffold Future Skills from Level 4 Navigate to Level 6 Apply.
This module considers the principles and practices for the design and management of engineering projects. The nature of engineering project management is discussed in the context of constraints on quality, time, risk, and sustainability. The module broadens the student's knowledge of how organisations undertake and monitor projects.
The module is skills-rich, including the development of team-working, interpersonal and interdisciplinary skills, critical self-reflection, communication and presentation, time management, and the ability to organise, strategize and prioritise.
A key element of this module will be the participation in an inter-disciplinary design thinking project. Students will contextualise their subject-specific knowledge, skills and behaviours as an interdisciplinary team member charged with developing a solution to a designated sustainability challenge. The teamwork project enables students to demonstrate their ability to explore and contextualise their subject specific knowledge and helps prepare them for their individual project in Level 6.
Level 6 modules build on your environmental knowledge and skills delivered in Level 5, enabling you to apply your knowledge to investigate contemporary environmental science challenges.
Core modules
Application of your Professional Skills for End Point Assessment
15 credits
The module will provide an opportunity for the apprentices to consider and prepare for their End Point Assessment. The apprentices will be guided to understand key themes associated with their End Point Assessment Portfolio, and to undertake a case study exercise which highlights their developing competencies against their relevant IfATE Standard KSBs (ST0331, ST0417 and ST0778), such that on conclusion of this module, they are fully prepared to gather together evidence and collate this towards their portfolio submission at Gateway. The apprentices will develop a suite of technical, management and interpersonal skills required to perform in a team environment, building on skills developed at Levels 4 and 5. Apprentices will participate in Kingston University's Bright Ideas competition where they will develop and present a business idea of their choice, in-so-doing developing competence and confidence in delivering their work-based project presentations which are integral to their End Point Assessments. Apprentices will be guided to interact with professional and learning communities beyond the university and reflect on these interactions.
Land and Water Resources Management
30 credits
This module examines the relationship between land and water management, global challenges associated with the management of land and water, and sustainable options to seek their resolution.
The module will develop an understanding and critical evaluation of these challenges from several perspectives through the systematic investigation of land-use practices, the applications of soil science and linking practices to processes and patterns of land degradation, the interface between land management and water management, global concerns for water security, land use impacts on the wider environment, including climate, physical and socio-political drivers and an examination of the regional land-water management issues.
The module will highlight a range of employability skills and challenge students to identify and value the transferability of these skills to the workplace. These will include assessment for learning activities that will develop fieldwork skills, problem-solving and the communication of environmental knowledge.
The Science of Climate Change
15 credits
This module explores the science of climate change through an in-depth exploration of the components of the climate system and an examination of climate change indicators such as sea-level change and ocean acidification. The influence of human activities that contribute to climate change, such as greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation will be explored and future climate models and scenarios will be evaluated.
The module will highlight how recent climate change is predominantly due to anthropogenic forcing rather than natural climate drivers. Students will learn to critically evaluate and discuss models of future climate change and will produce their own climate projections for the UK based on real data.
The fieldwork programme will also provide students with an opportunity to enhance their understanding of climate change by seeing examples of past climate change in the local palaeo and geomorphic record. Examination of the palaeo record of past climate change will give context to the evaluation of future projected climate change scenarios.
Conservation, Theory and Practice
15 credits
The importance of historical and contemporary land use practices in shaping current biotic communities is discussed. Current issues in biodiversity conservation and biodiversity patterns influenced by anthropogenic climate change are explored through a lecture and seminar programme. Fieldwork supports the lectures and assignments which are designed to introduce students to important aspects of practical conservation work, such as global strategies for mitigating effects of biodiversity loss, writing funding bids, species conservation strategies, and communicating to non-specialists/decision makers.
End Point Assessment
30 credits
This is a core Level 6 module for L6 Environmental Practitioner Degree Apprentices and serves both as 30 credits at Level 6 towards the BSc. (Hons) Environmental Science Integrated Degree Apprenticeship degree award and as the End Point Assessment (EPA) for the L6 Environmental Practitioner Degree Apprenticeship, required to complete the apprenticeship programme.
In line with the EPA strategy for the Standard ST0778, this module is guided by the EPA Methods, comprising a Work-based Project (Method 1, Component 1) and Presentation of key findings upon its conclusion (Method 1, Component 2) and a structured interview based on the apprentice's Portfolio (Method 2).
Successful completion of this module requires the student to pass both module elements of assessment: the Work-based Project Report (compliant with Methods 1, Component 1) and End Point Assessment (Method 1, Component 2 and, Method 2).
Climate Change Hazards, Resilience and Solutions
15 credits
This module tackles the key issues relating to climate change in the three main subject areas of science, policy and society. The module presents a series of thematic taught sessions (classroom and field-based) overviewing: climate-related hazards and disasters; how climate change is impacting the level of risk associated with various hazards – for example, heatwaves, droughts and wildfires, flooding events, and geophysical hazards; and the ways in which impacts and risk associated with climate change can be lessened through mitigation and adaptation.
Human activities in developed and industrialised nations in regions such as Europe, North America and East Asia have largely caused the changes in atmospheric composition and the current climate crisis; but it is poorer less developed nations (especially in Africa, south-east Asia and the Pacific islands) that are often most at risk to the increase in climate-related hazards. Students will learn how to examine, interpret and evaluate international, national and local policies and practices responding to climate change, and have the opportunity to engage in role-play debates and oral presentations.
The production of a detailed and coherent stakeholder report will provide real-world learning skills relevant to the environmental sector and tackling climate change. The fieldwork programme will provide the students with the opportunity to enhance their understanding of climate-related societal issues and consider current case studies of adaptation and mitigation.
Please note
Optional modules only run if there is enough demand. If we have an insufficient number of students interested in an optional module, that module will not be offered for this course.
Accreditation
This programme is accredited by Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) and has been designed in accordance with IEMA profession standards.
Entry requirements
Teaching and assessment
Who teaches this programme?
The programme is taught at the Faculty of Engineering, Computing and the Environment. Faculty staff have a wide range of experience across research and industry and continue to practice and research at the cutting edge of their discipline. This ensures that our programmes are current and industry informed ensuring you get the most relevant and up to date education possible.
Staff will use their experience and professional networks to hone your skills and shape you into the next generation of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) graduates.
Postgraduate students may run or assist in lab sessions and may also contribute to the teaching of seminars under the supervision of the module leader.
End-Point Assessment (EPA)
Each apprentice on an approved Apprenticeship Standard is required to take an End-Point Assessment (EPA) to complete the programme. The EPA is delivered by an End-Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO) that is registered with the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA).
The EPA is either integrated as part of the apprenticeship or completed after the course element. If an apprentice is completing the EPA after the course element, they must ensure they have successfully completed their learning, achieved the gateway requirements and finished uploading their evidence prior to taking the EPA.
Local Employer Group (LEG)
The LEG was established to monitor, support and enhance the delivery and operation of the programme. This includes management and periodically reviewing of work-based learning by this established local employer group with the aim of delivering an apprenticeship programme that is a high-quality satisfactory experience for all. Representatives of apprentices are invited to serve on the group. Terms of reference include:
In advance of each group meeting, the course administrator asks the apprentice representative to gather feedback from their fellow apprentices to be channelled through them at the meeting.
Facilities
There is a wide range of facilities for practical work at our Penrhyn Road campus, where this course is based. You will have access to a modern environment with the latest equipment, including:
- laboratories dedicated to environmental science learning and research
- the £9.8 million Eadweard Muybridge building with state-of-the-art laboratories
- computing laboratories and a team of IT technicians to offer assistance
- the award-winning Town House, with a well-stocked library that boasts an impressive collection of texts, journals and online e-books/journals
- excellent social spaces, plus a large, fully equipped gym and fitness centre
- a fully integrated virtual learning environment (Canvas) so you can learn and interact with others on your course 24/7
Next steps
Employees
If you are currently employed full time and would like to find out more about apprenticeships, please ask your employer to contact the Kingston University apprenticeship team.
Employers
If you are an employer interested in how apprenticeships can support your organisation and employees, please contact the apprenticeship team for further details.
Course changes and regulations
The information on this page reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. To improve your student experience and the quality of your degree, we may review and change the material information of this course. Course changes explained.
Programme Specifications for the course are published ahead of each academic year.
Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.
