Environmental science degrees abroad
A degree in environmental science is designed to give you an understanding of both natural and human environmental problems. You will explore biological and geographical perspectives of the environment, with a focus on real world issues like food security, climate change, energy security, pollution and natural hazards.
You can expect to get your hands dirty, as most environmental science programs put an emphasis on practical experience and transferable skills. Local and overseas field trips, lab work, and work placements play an important role in many courses.
By studying environmental science abroad, you’ll get the chance to see different environments first hand. There are programs available all over the world at all degree levels, so you won’t be short of options when looking to study environmental science overseas.


Environmental science program structure
An undergraduate degree in environmental science is usually offered as a BSc, and will take between three and four years to complete. This will vary based on the country you are studying in, or if the program includes a placement year, or a year of study abroad.
Many universities, especially in the UK, offer an MSci which is a four or five year undergraduate degree that combines a bachelor’s and master’s program. If you already have an undergraduate degree in a related subject, you can study an MSc as a separate program over one or two years.
PhD doctorate degrees are also available, and can be studied in environmental science, or a more specialized area focussing on subjects like soil, atmosphere or geology. PhD programs can take several years to complete, and the length of time will depend on whether you study part or full time.
The exact program structure and content of an environmental science program will depend on several factors including the university you study at, and the level of degree you choose. Programs will include core modules you have to study, and a range of electives you can choose yourself. Here are some of the most common modules you will study:
- Diversity of life
- Geoscience and Earth history
- Environmental chemistry
- Global ecology
- Global environmental issues
- Plant sciences
- Research methods
- Physical geography
- Microbiology
Alternative environmental studies degrees
Best countries to study environmental science
Best universities to study environmental science
How to study environmental science abroad
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Environmental science study abroad programs
Environmental science undergraduate programs
Bachelor's in environmental science
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Environmental Science and Human Geography - Dual BA (Hons) Keele University, UK
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
20,508 USD
Fee in university's local currency 15,000 GBP
- Start date
- September
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Earth and Environmental Science—Environmental Science - BA/BSc New Jersey City University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
21,000 USD
Fee in university's local currency 21,000 USD
- Start date
- January, September
-
Environmental Biology - BSc Millersville University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
21,560 USD
Fee in university's local currency 21,560 USD
- Start date
- January, September
-
Environmental Science - BSc DePaul University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
40,551 USD
Fee in university's local currency 40,551 USD
- Start date
- -
-
Environmental Biology - BSc Drury University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
31,100 USD
Fee in university's local currency 31,100 USD
- Start date
- January, August
Associate in environmental science
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Environmental Health and Safety - ASc St. Charles Community College, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
5,520 USD
Fee in university's local currency 5,520 USD
- Start date
- January, August
-
Environmental Science - ASc Douglas College, Canada
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
14,128 USD
Fee in university's local currency 18,000 CAD
- Start date
- January, May, September
-
Environmental Science - ASc Hesston College, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
28,992 USD
Fee in university's local currency 28,992 USD
- Start date
- January, August
-
Environmental Science - ASc North Seattle College, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
9,687 USD
Fee in university's local currency 9,687 USD
- Start date
- September, January, April, June
-
Environmental Science - AA/ASc Seattle Central College, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
9,687 USD
Fee in university's local currency 9,687 USD
- Start date
- September, January, April, June
Diploma in environmental science
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Environmental Technology - OCADip Centennial College, Canada
- Program type
- Undergraduate diploma
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
12,975 USD
Fee in university's local currency 16,531 CAD
- Start date
- September
-
Environmental Technology - OCADip Durham College, Canada
- Program type
- Undergraduate diploma
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
11,885 USD
Fee in university's local currency 15,142 CAD
- Start date
- September
-
Environmental Health - UGDip MAHSA University, Malaysia
- Program type
- Undergraduate diploma
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
6,600 USD
Fee in university's local currency 6,600 USD
- Start date
- January, April
Pathway in environmental science
-
Environmental Health (Foundation) - FD Leeds Beckett University, UK
- Program type
- Undergraduate pathway
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
15,586 USD
Fee in university's local currency 11,400 GBP
- Start date
- January, September
Environmental science graduate programs
Master's in environmental science
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Environmental Health & Safety - MSc (with foundation) Technological University Dublin, Ireland
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
15,179 USD
Fee in university's local currency 12,500 EUR
- Start date
- September, January
-
Environmental Health - MSES American University of Beirut, Lebanon
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
28,380 USD
Fee in university's local currency 28,380 USD
- Start date
- January, August
-
Environmental Science - MSc Pace University, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
34,584 USD
Fee in university's local currency 34,584 USD
- Start date
- January, September
-
Environmental Health - MSc University of the West of England - UWE Bristol, UK
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
19,825 USD
Fee in university's local currency 14,500 GBP
- Start date
- September
-
Environmental Science and Sustainability - MSc Linnaeus University, Sweden
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
16,356 USD
Fee in university's local currency 135,400 SEK
- Start date
- September
Doctorate in environmental science
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Coastal Sciences - PhD University of Southern Mississippi, USA
- Program type
- Doctorate
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
10,770 USD
Fee in university's local currency 10,770 USD
- Start date
- January, August
Diploma in environmental science
-
Environmental Technology - OCDip Fanshawe College, Canada
- Program type
- Postgraduate diploma
- Duration
- 20 months
- Annual tuition fee
-
12,821 USD
Fee in university's local currency 16,334 CAD
- Start date
- September
Future environmental science careers
The aim of all environmental science programs is to give students a range of technical and transferable skills that will help them in their future career. Many graduates look to work in the environment sector, but there are many industries where the skills you’ll learn will be useful.
Some of the careers closely related to an environmental science degree include:
- Environmental consultant
- Environmental researcher
- Conservation manager
- Waste awareness officer
- Policy adviser
- Ecological consultant
- Teacher
Many graduates can go on to work for local government or environment agencies, but other sectors like IT and finance are also popular. Most universities will have career services who will be able to help you achieve your career goals, or help you work out what your future could look like.
