Climate Change BSc (Hons)
- Level(s) of Study: Undergraduate
- UCAS Code(s): F764; F763
- Start Date(s): October 2024
- Duration: Three years full-time / four years with placement
- Study Mode(s): Full-time / Sandwich
- Campus: Brackenhurst Campus
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Entry Requirements:
More information
Introduction:
The climate crisis is the most pressing issue of our time. This course isn’t just about you and your career – it’s about the future of life on Earth itself. It’s for the activists and the visionaries; those itching for change and searching for solutions. The world is in danger. It’s time for you to intervene.
On this course, you’ll be given the knowledge, skills and tools to make a real difference. You’ll get hands-on with the same industry-standard equipment and software our researchers use. You’ll witness the impact of climate change first-hand, and become a driving force for mitigation strategies. You’ll study on a Green Flag campus, at the second most sustainable university in the world. At NTU, sustainability is more than just a buzzword: from solar-powered classrooms to low-impact fieldtrips, it’s a key part of who we are. Beyond the science of climate change, our course is about understanding what brought us to this point – you’ll delve into social and environmental justice, politics and policy, and the conflict between prevention and adaptation.
Climate change experts are leading change at organisations around the world. This course will make you a global citizen and a guardian of our environment, arming you with the skills and confidence to tackle worldwide issues head-on.
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On this course, the world is your classroom. Your studies will be based on our picturesque Brackenhurst Campus, with fieldwork opportunities right on your doorstep. You can live on-site, a stone’s throw away from our working farm and conservation areas, or commute from Nottingham’s vibrant city. -
Our research isn’t just a mysterious, abstract thing – it feeds directly into our teaching, and you’ll be using the same equipment as our researchers. There are also bursaries available, allowing you to get directly involved by helping our staff complete their research. -
At NTU, you’ll be studying at the UK’s most sustainable university — and the second-most in the whole world (UI GreenMetric rankings 2022). That’s no mean feat: we genuinely care about climate change, and we’re doing something about it. -
We were one of the first universities to receive accreditation by the Royal Geographical Society – meaning we’re always peer-reviewed, provide high quality teaching and learning, and operate in accordance with their sustainability and inclusivity guidelines.
What you’ll study
On this course, you’ll study the breadth of what climate change really means – from how it works to why it happens; from who it affects to how we can prevent it. You’ll discover the Earth’s geological and atmospheric processes, and learn how societies across the globe are experiencing climate change in different – and unequal – ways.
Our fieldwork commitments
Climate change goes beyond the classroom. At NTU, experience is just as important as lectures and seminars, so we offer a range of exciting and enriching fieldtrips locally, nationally and overseas. As part of our commitment to sustainability, and to comply with the Royal Geographical Society’s guidelines, all our fieldwork is:
- Sustainable. Every field trip on Climate Change is designed with our carbon footprint at the forefront, using sustainable forms of transport and bypassing air travel.
- Safe, responsible and ethical. We aim to make a positive impact on fieldtrip destinations, negating any harm to the environment or local people.
- Accessible and inclusive. We believe every student should be able to take part in fieldwork, so all our core trips are arranged to suit your lifestyle, time commitments and financial situation.
We have adopted and signed the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) Principles for Undergraduate Field Courses.
Earth Systems
Learn about the Earth’s surface systems, processes and geology and develop your understanding of how the physical landscape is shaped.
Atmosphere, Weather and Climate
Explore the Earth's climate system, weather patterns and the ways in which these are being altered by human activity to cause the global climate emergency.
Geographies of Global Change
Explore the geopolitical and cultural framework in which the world moves today, and investigate trends, transactions and patterns in environmental governance. Topics include globalisation, the geography of trading, and the changing status of women in the global economy.
Global Environmental Issues
Study contemporary global environmental issues and their underlying causes, including how humans impact the environment and how the natural environment impacts human society.
Practical and Professional Skills
Develop an understanding of a range of practical and professional skills, including data collection, data analysis and report writing.
Climate and Society
You'll learn about the interrelationships between society and environmental change by exploring the social causes of climate change, the costs and benefits of different solutions, and the challenges and opportunities of collective responses to climate crisis.
Experimental Design and Analysis
Cultivate an understanding of research methodology, hypothesis testing, statistical analysis, and data presentation.
Geographical Information Systems and Spatial Analysis
Study the mapping and analytical techniques used in geographical information systems (GIS). Explore the applications of technology across a wide range of topic areas.
Global Climate Emergency
Study the science of climate change, consider the ethical conflict, analyse political arguments, and apply reasoning to the resolution of this pressing environmental problem.
The Biosphere in a Changing Climate
Learn the key concepts that help us understand the patterns of past and present species distribution and the part climate change plays in altering these distributions. You'll evaluate management interventions that may assist biosphere resilience and nature-based solutions to the impacts of climate change.
Sustainability
Appraise the contrasting theories, explanations of, and approaches to sustainability. Review the barriers between the theory and the practice of sustainable development.
Natural Hazards and Disasters
This module explores environmental hazards which directly threaten human life or economic well-being. You’ll examine their physical causes and social impacts alongside assessing the threats they pose. You'll also explore the actions needed to manage the aftermath of environmental hazards and reduce disaster potential.
Placement year for students on the four-year course.
Dissertation
Undertake independent research, under supervision. Focus on your own area of interest within climate change.
Environmental Justice
Engage critically with the relationship between global social justice, international development and the climate crisis. The debates about the links between climate change and social inequalities at international, national and local scales are at the centre of this module.
Mitigation and Adaptation in Practice
You'll work on climate change mitigation and adaptation scenarios provided by employers, an opportunity for you to participate in a ‘real-world’ project related to your degree. This module focuses students on reflection to combine their learning in relation to their future career aspirations.
Energy for a Low Carbon Future
Investigate how to harness and distribute safe, clean energy from sources that do not deplete with use. Consider the depletion of fossil fuels and the increasing demand for energy and evaluate the choices available for the future.
Optional modules (choose two of the following):
Water Resources
Study the process by which water and solutes move through a drainage basin, alongside basin management, land use management, and water quality issues. You’ll also look at sustainable drainage basin management for supplying drinking water, covering current national and international concerns in water resources.
Natural Resource Management
Explore the principles underlying the exploitation of natural resources, and cultivate a critical awareness of the social, economic and political importance of natural resource management. You will also evaluate the complex nature of managing natural resources.
Applications of Remote Sensing
You’ll learn how to process, analyse and interpret information from a range of existing remote sensing techniques. You'll also obtain information for mapping and spatial analysis using data from both historical and the very latest high-resolution sensors.
Global Agriculture and Food Security
Gain an insight into the global agricultural industry and investigate the concepts of production in agriculture, forestry and fisheries. You’ll learn about the current agricultural practice and policy in the UK and EU, investigate current scientific advances, explore issues relating to harvesting and production of food from sustainable sources, and consider global food security.
The Cryosphere
Study the physical basis of the cryosphere, including glacial and former glacial environments. Topics include glacial thermal regime, glacial motion and erosion, the development of glacial landforms and the impact of climate change on the cryosphere.
How you’re taught
On our Brackenhurst Campus, it’s all about small class sizes and expansive classrooms. You’ll get to know your coursemates and lecturers on a personal level, whilst studying across 200-hectares of land, learning spaces and facilities, both indoors and out. Your learning environment will be focused, friendly, and familiar.
Please note that field trip locations may vary and are subject to availability and change.
Contact hours
Typically, your contact hours will break down as follows:
- Year One — lectures / seminars / workshops (26%), independent study (74%)
- Year Two — lectures / seminars / workshops (26%), independent study (74%)
- Year Three — lectures / seminars / workshops (24%), independent study (76%)
If you choose to complete a placement, you’ll take it between Years Two and Three of your course.
How you’re assessed
Take control of the ways you’re assessed, with a wide range of assessment formats that reflect real-world situations. You’ll grow confident in communicating complex ideas in accessible ways, designed to appeal to different stakeholders – from writing reports to creating podcasts and delivering presentations. We also have a range of unseen, part-seen and seen examinations, to alleviate some of that pre-exam anxiety and allow you to showcase your strengths.
Your assessments will be broken down into the following splits between coursework and exams:
- Year 1 coursework (83%), written exam (17%)
- Year 2 coursework (100%)
- Year 3 coursework (83%), written exam (17%)
Careers and employability
Your future career
The course will equip you to work in a rapidly developing and fast-moving sector. Climate change adaptation is a challenge for the whole economy, and you’ll be able to pursue a career within:
- adaptation advisory and analytics services
- sustainable energy use and generation
- insurance and reinsurance
- environmental law
- local and national government
- national and international NGOs
- sustainable transport and logistics
- food security and agriculture
- environmental consultancy.
You could also progress on to postgraduate study.
Placement opportunities
You can choose to take an optional placement year in industry at the end of your second year of study. This work experience will enable you to develop your skills and put your knowledge into practice in a working environment. This experience is highly valued by future employers.
Potential placement opportunities exist in organisations such as:
- Environment Agency
- Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
- Severn Trent Water.
NTU Enterprise
You'll also have the opportunity to turn your ideas into a viable business with help from NTU Enterprise, NTU's purpose-built Centre for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise, a support centre to help students create, develop and grow their own businesses.
Campus and facilities
Study takes place at Brackenhurst Campus, a 200-hectare rural teaching estate 14 miles from Nottingham near the idyllic market town of Southwell. The combined benefits of modern teaching, computing and accommodation facilities with natural woodland, wetland and farming estate provides the perfect learning centre for the study of climate change. Our outdoor classroom enables students to test their knowledge and the physical application of their studies.
We have a lively community of students at Brackenhurst supported by:
- modern accommodation
- a Students' Union and bar
- sports pitches
- a library.
However, if you prefer city living you can commute from Nottingham in 45 minutes by bus. Study at NTU and you can split your time between our stunning Brackenhurst Campus and the vibrant city of Nottingham. Live on campus or in the city – it’s your experience, your choice.
Find out more about the facilities at Brackenhurst Campus.
Entry requirements
- 104 - 112 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications.
- GCSE English and Maths grade C / 4.
To find out what qualifications have tariff points, please use our tariff calculator.
Contextual offers
A lower offer may be made based on a range of factors, including your background (such as where you live and the school or college you attended), your experiences and individual circumstances (you may have been in care, for example). This is called a contextual offer and we get data from UCAS to make these decisions. NTU offers a student experience like no other and this approach helps us to find students who have the potential to succeed here but who may have faced barriers that make it more difficult to access university. Find out how we assess your application.
Other qualifications and experience
We may also consider credits achieved at other universities and your work/life experience through an assessment of prior learning. This may be for year one entry, or beyond the beginning of a course where applicable, for example, into year 2. Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available for this route.
Access to Higher Education courses
If you’re aged 19+ and don’t have the qualifications to meet the entry criteria, you can study an Access to HE course right here at NTU. These one-year courses are designed specifically as an alternative route to university.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form.
- 112 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications.
- GCSE English and Maths grade C / 4.
International qualifications
We accept qualifications from all over the world – check yours here:
Undergraduate preparation courses (Foundation)
If you don’t yet meet our entry requirements, we offer Foundation courses through our partner Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC), based on our City Campus:
English language entry requirements
You can meet our language requirements by successfully completing our pre-sessional English course for an agreed length of time, or by submitting the required grade in one of our accepted English language tests, such as IELTS:
Advanced standing (starting your undergraduate degree in year 2 or 3)
You may be able to start your undergraduate course in year 2 or 3 based on what you have studied before. This decision would be made in accordance with our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy.
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
Fees and funding
Preparing for the financial side of student life is important, but there’s no need to feel anxious and confused about it. We hope that our fees and funding pages will answer all your questions.
Getting in touch
For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service.
Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2494
Additional costs
Your course fees cover the cost of studies and include loads of great benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert Employability team, and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses.
Library books
Most study modules will recommend one or more core text books, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary and further information is available in the University’s bookshop. Our libraries provide a good supply of essential text books, journals and materials (many of which you can access online) – meaning you may not need to purchase as many books as you might think! There may also be a supply of second-hand books available for purchase from previous year students.
Field trips
Non-residential UK day excursions are included in the tuition fee. You will be charged a maximum of 20% of the price per student cost for any compulsory residential trips or courses in the UK, as a contribution towards travel, accommodation and entrance fees where applicable. For example, a typical 5-day UK residential field trip cost would be approx. £500 per student, and we would ask for a £100 contribution from students. You will be charged a maximum of 30% of the price per student cost for any compulsory overseas residential courses, as a contribution towards travel, accommodation and associated trip fees where applicable. For example, a typical 6-day residential overseas field trip cost would be approx. £600 per student, and we would ask for a £180 contribution from students. Other non-compulsory field trip opportunities, in the UK and abroad, may also be offered, and these will be charged at 80% cost to students. A valid passport and any associated visas will also be required for field trips outside of the UK.
Placements
If you're undertaking a placement year, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst on placement. Many of our placement students do earn a salary whilst on placement which can help to cover these living costs.
Print and copy costs
The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the Printing, photocopying and scanning information on the Library website.
Other costs
All students will also be expected to provide their own appropriate fieldwork clothing, including walking boots (with ankle support), wellingtons and waterproof trousers and coat.
Tuition fees for September 2024 entry are yet to be confirmed.
For guidance, course fees for September 2023 entry are:
Mode of study | International tuition fee |
Full-time | £16,500 |
Full-time with placement | £16,500 + £1,850 (placement year) |
Tuition fees are payable for each year that you are at the University. The level of tuition fees for the second and subsequent years of your undergraduate course may increase in line with inflation and as specified by the UK government.
Scholarships
We offer scholarships of up to 50% of your tuition fee. You can apply for your scholarship when you have an offer to study at NTU.
Living costs
Get advice on the cost of living as an international student in Nottingham and how to budget:
Paying fees
Find out about advanced payments, instalment plan options and how to make payments securely to the University:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
Additional costs
Your course fees cover the cost of studies and include loads of great benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert Employability team, and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses.
Library books
Most study modules will recommend one or more core text books, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary and further information is available in the University’s bookshop. Our libraries provide a good supply of essential text books, journals and materials (many of which you can access online) – meaning you may not need to purchase as many books as you might think! There may also be a supply of second-hand books available for purchase from previous year students.
Field trips
Non-residential UK day excursions are included in the tuition fee. You will be charged a maximum of 20% of the price per student cost for any compulsory residential trips or courses in the UK, as a contribution towards travel, accommodation and entrance fees where applicable. For example, a typical 5-day UK residential field trip cost would be approx. £500 per student, and we would ask for a £100 contribution from students. You will be charged a maximum of 30% of the price per student cost for any compulsory overseas residential courses, as a contribution towards travel, accommodation and associated trip fees where applicable. For example, a typical 6-day residential overseas field trip cost would be approx. £600 per student, and we would ask for a £180 contribution from students. Other non-compulsory field trip opportunities, in the UK and abroad, may also be offered, and these will be charged at 80% cost to students. A valid passport and any associated visas will also be required for field trips outside of the UK.
Placements
If you're undertaking a placement year, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst on placement. Many of our placement students do earn a salary whilst on placement which can help to cover these living costs.
Print and copy costs
The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the Printing, photocopying and scanning information on the Library website.
Other costs
All students will also be expected to provide their own appropriate fieldwork clothing, including walking boots (with ankle support), wellingtons and waterproof trousers and coat.
How to apply
Ready to join us? Then apply as soon as you can. Just click the Apply button at the top of the page and follow the instructions for applying. Make sure you check the entry requirements above carefully before you do.
Writing your application and personal statement
Be honest, thorough and persuasive in your application. Remember, we can only make a decision based on what you tell us. So include all of your qualifications and grades, including resits or predicted grades.
Your personal statement is a really important part of your application. It’s your chance to convince us why we should offer you a place! You’ve got 4,000 characters to impress us. Make sure you use them to show how your skills and qualities are relevant to the course(s) you’re applying for. For more hints and tips, take a look at our page on how to write a good personal statement.
Keeping up-to-date
After you’ve applied, we’ll be sending you important emails throughout the application process so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
You can get more information and advice about applying to NTU on our Your Application page. Good luck with your application!
Getting in touch
If you need any more help or information, please email our Admissions Team or call on +44 (0)115 848 4200.
You can apply for this course through UCAS. If you are not applying to any other UK universities, you can apply directly to us on our NTU applicant portal.
Application advice
Apply early so that you have enough time to prepare – processing times for Student visas can vary, for example. After you've applied, we'll be sending you important emails throughout the application process – so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
Writing your personal statement
Be honest, thorough, and persuasive – we can only make a decision about your application based on what you tell us:
Advice on writing a good personal statement
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
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