Ecological and Environmental Sciences

Our Ecological and Environmental Sciences degrees are ideal if you are passionate about interactions between humans and the natural world and our impact on the planet.

Study Ecological and Environmental Sciences

Our Ecological and Environmental Sciences degrees are ideal if you are passionate about interactions between humans and the natural world and our impact on the planet.

University of Edinburgh building

Integrated programme

Edinburgh is the only place in the UK where you can study ecological and environmental sciences together in an integrated programme.

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In-demand skills

Our hands-on learning, research, and industry networks equip you with real-world skills, experiences, and opportunities, giving your degree the relevance employers value.

Two students in brightly coloured wet weather gear standing in long grass with grey rain and mist around them

Field trips

Field trips are at the heart of our degrees. Your field experiences will be challenging, rewarding and loads of fun. Oh – and they're free.

We rank in the world's top 50 and the UK's top 10 universities for natural sciences, environmental sciences & earth and marine sciences.

QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025

Join us for an Open Day

Our Open Days are a great opportunity to find out about studying with us from our staff and students.


Degrees at the University of Edinburgh

Our undergraduate Ecological and Environmental Sciences degrees are four-year Bachelor of Science degrees (BSc) with honours.

A combination of both ecological science and environmental science is vital for understanding and tackling environmental challenges.

  • Ecology is the scientific study of the interaction of organisms with each other and their physical, chemical and biological environment
  • Environmental sciences integrates biological, chemical and physical sciences to understand our changing environment

Studying ecological and environmental science will provide you with the skills and knowledge to:

  • understand environmental issues
  • design robust strategies for sample collection
  • make ecological and environmental measurements
  • manage conservation and environmental protection projects

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Ecological and Environmental Sciences

The world's growing population means we now face problems of rapid climate change, the over-exploitation of our natural resources, and the degradation of natural habitats.

Our degree will help you understand these issues, uniquely positioning you to address some of the biggest environmental challenges that face our planet.

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Ecological and Environmental Sciences with Management

Through this programme, you can combine your interest in the environment with an understanding of business and management.

This is a great choice if you are looking for a career in policy, consulting or natural resource management.


Learning beyond the classroom

Learning doesn't just happen in the classroom.

Join Edinburgh, and you'll:

  • Join field trips across the UK
  • Develop a global outlook by studying abroad in Year 3
  • Gain access to world-class facilities, labs, and geospatial data resources
  • Get involved with student societies, sport clubs, and community projects
photo of boots on EES field trip

What do you do on an Ecological and Environmental Sciences field trip?

We know that getting out in the world is essential for understanding how it works.

You could be splashing through rivers counting insects one day, or trekking through the forest measuring trees and taking leaf samples the next.

Ecological measurement field trip to Loch Tay

The best way to learn is to go outdoors, into the real world.

Our undergraduate Ecological and Environmental students explore the diverse vegetation, ecology (and weather) of Scotland.


Where do our graduates work?

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

Companies our graduates work at include

  • Birdlife International
  • Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation
  • Linklaters
  • London Wildlife Trust
  • AECOM
  • National Trust
  • Loch Lomond National Park
  • East Devon Council
  • Cambridgeshire Council
  • WYG Group
  • Scottish Power Renewables
  • EnergieKontor Wind Farms
  • IKM Engineering
  • Bidwells

Graduate roles have included

  • Conservation Scientist
  • Environmental Consultant
  • Sustainability Coordinator
  • Project Director
  • Ecology Inspector
  • Research Assistant
  • Ranger
  • Offshore Environment Manager
  • Field Ecologist
  • National Park Manager
  • Environmental Advisor
  • Renewables Project Officer
  • Forestry Consultant

 


Read our alumni stories

Gary smiles for the camera while standing on a path surrounded by trees.

Gary Chan, graduated 2015

Since completing my degree, I knew I wanted to start a career in environmental consultancy... I managed to secure jobs within various engineering and consultancy firms, working within various sectors such as flood risk, highways, rail, ports and much more.

Alison tree measuring in front of a mountainous green landscape

Alison Stewart, graduated 2021

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.


What's it really like to study here?

Our students are sharing their experiences on our blog and Instagram - from studying to living in Edinburgh and everything in between.


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