University of Plymouth has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
Course summary
Environmental chemists will play a vital role in tackling global environmental challenges, including sustainability, human health, green energy and protecting the environment. A unique skillset will be developed throughout the programme, ensuring a strong knowledge base in chemistry, with specialism in the environmental science sector to meet society’s sustainability needs for the future. Taught by world-class researchers, our students gain both the practical laboratory skills and academic knowledge needed to be a professional environmental chemist in a wide range of careers. Work and learn in our ISO 9001 certified laboratories, our unique offer to undergraduates to train in a regulated professional laboratory environment.
- Equip yourself for successful employment in a competitive job market – our focus on practical, professional skills means you graduate primed to enter the workplace.
- Benefit from award-winning teaching in small groups and be inspired by staff who are world-leading researchers.
- Hone your practical problem-solving skills in our newly-refurbished laboratories, kitted out with the latest analytical instrumentation.
- Take part in fieldwork in the UK and/or overseas in a variety of locations.
- 70% of assessment is based on coursework.
- Experience chemistry in the real world and boost your employability by taking a placement, work-based project in your final year, or working alongside PhD and post-doctoral researchers in our high specification laboratories.
Modules
In your first year, a foundation in core chemistry knowledge will be established, which will be achieved through a combination of workshops, lectures, tutorials and practical sessions, providing you with the essential skills and knowledge for your degree in environmental chemistry. You will also be introduced core aspects of environmental sustainability through critical evaluation of social, environmental and economic aspects of the environmental issues faced by our planet. In your second year you will build on the theoretical and practical areas covered in your first year, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the key areas of chemistry required to become an environmental chemist. You’ll be trained in the use of advanced instrumentation and develop the skills and knowledge to tackle chemical problems in real-life contexts, laying the foundations for more extended projects. Increasing optionality will allow you to begin to forge your own environmental specialism and you will have the option to develop your research skills through a residential field course in the UK or overseas. You can take an optional placement year before completing your degree, an invaluable opportunity to gain workplace experience from research institutes, companies and government organisations. Placements can include Fiberlean Technology, Imerys, the Marine Biological Association, the National Trust and the Eden Project. In your final year, you will develop an understanding of contemporary environmental chemistry, with a focus on developing your skills to a professional standard. You’ll hone your practical skills and project management know-how by planning and undertaking a project with an internationally recognised research group, working with the latest instrumentation and paving your way for successful entry into your profession. You’ll learn how to debate and evaluate contemporary environmental issues, and a choice of modules allows you to pursue your interests, spanning the terrestrial and marine environments. The modules shown for this course or programme are those being studied by current students, or expected new modules. Modules are subject to change depending on year of entry and up to date information can be found on our website.
Assessment method
For up to date details, please refer to our website or contact the institution directly.
Qualified teacher status (QTS)
To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:
- Course does not award QTS
How to apply
31Jan
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
Please select a course option – you will then see the application code you need to use to apply for the course.
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
The University of Plymouth has a dedicated International Student Advice (ISA) service who will support you from the day you accept an offer at the University, right through to graduation. They will offer help and advice so you can get the most out of your studies, and your time in the UK, visit www.plymouth.ac.uk/student-life/services/international-students/international-student-advice for more information. Once you have applied through UCAS, your conditional offer letters will also be sent to you by email, so be sure to enter your current email address on your application and to check this email regularly. You'll need your unconditional letter, and the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) that we'll send you, when applying for your student visa to the UK. A tuition fee deposit will be required before we'll send you the CAS. We're a licenced Sponsor under the Points Based System. To comply with our duties as a Sponsor, we're required to check other aspects of your application in addition to your academic achievements, for example any previous studies, financial status and your immigration history in the UK. For course entry requirements (inc. English requirements) please refer to the specific page for the course you are interested in (www.plymouth.ac.uk/study). A recognised English language qualification (e.g. IELTS) would be required or successful completion of one of the University's pre-sessional English Language courses. Check our country pages to find out more about application from your specific home country www.plymouth.ac.uk/international/study/international-students-country-guides. International fees, please visit our fees and funding pages www.plymouth.ac.uk/study/fees. If you have any questions please contact [email protected]
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 104 - 112 points
A level
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DMM
Access to HE Diploma - M: 33 credits P: 12 credits
Scottish Higher
Scottish Advanced Higher
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 28 points
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
GCSE/National 4/National 5
AQA Certificate in Mathematical Studies (Core Maths)
NCFE Level 3 Certificate in Mathematics for Everyday Life (Core Maths)
T Level
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
Go onto work and study
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
For all information about tuition fees, please visit our fees and funding pages at www.plymouth.ac.uk/study/fees
* Fees are correct at the time of publication and may be subject to change.
Provider information
University of Plymouth
Drake Circus
Plymouth
PL4 8AA