Study environmental science abroad
An in-depth guide to studying environmental science as an international student.
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 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 Biology - BSc Greenville University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 27,580 USD
- Start date
- January, August
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Interdisciplinary Studies - Environmental Science - BSc Long Island University Post, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 35,736 USD
- Start date
- January, September
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Environmental Health & Safety - BSc (Hons) MAHSA University, Malaysia
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 6,600 USD
- Start date
- January, April
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Environmental Science (West Campus) - BSc Arizona State University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 28,453 USD
- Start date
- January, May, August
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Environmental Science - BEng University of Birmingham, UK
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 22,260 GBP
- Start date
- September
Diploma in environmental science
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Environmental Health - UGDip MAHSA University, Malaysia
- Program type
- Undergraduate diploma
- Duration
- 4 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 6,600 USD
- Start date
- January, April
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Environmental Technology - OCADip Centennial College, Canada
- Program type
- Undergraduate diploma
- Duration
- 2 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 16,531 CAD
- Start date
- September
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Environmental Technology - OCADip Durham College, Canada
- Program type
- Undergraduate diploma
- Duration
- 3 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 15,142 CAD
- Start date
- September
Pathway in environmental science
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Environmental Health (Foundation) - FD Leeds Beckett University, UK
- Program type
- Undergraduate pathway
- Duration
- 2 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 11,400 GBP
- Start date
- January, September
Associate in environmental science
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Liberal Arts & Sciences: Mathematics & Science (Environmental Science - Biophysical) - ASc Mohawk Valley Community College, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 6,892 USD
- Start date
- January, September
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Environmental Health and Safety - ASc St. Charles Community College, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 5,520 USD
- Start date
- January, August
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Environmental Science - AA Hesston College, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 28,440 USD
- Start date
- August, January
Environmental science graduate programs
Master's in environmental science
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Earth & Environmental Science - MSc Long Island University Post, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 44,100 USD
- Start date
- -
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Environmental Technology - MSc University College Dublin, Ireland
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 1 year
- Tuition fees per year
- 24,800 EUR
- Start date
- September
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Environmental Science and Technology - by coursework - MSc RMIT University, Australia
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 36,480 AUD
- Start date
- February, July
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Environmental Science - MPhil University of Newcastle, Australia
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 38,825 AUD
- Start date
- February, July, September
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Environmental Science - STEM Designated - MSc American University, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 44,600 USD
- Start date
- January, August
Doctorate in environmental science
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Coastal Sciences - PhD University of Southern Mississippi, USA
- Program type
- Doctorate
- Duration
- 4 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 10,770 USD
- Start date
- January, August
Diploma in environmental science
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Environmental Technology - OCDip Fanshawe College, Canada
- Program type
- Postgraduate diploma
- Duration
- 20 months
- Tuition fees per year
- 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.
