Environment, Economics and Ecology BSc
ABB at A level, one of the following subjects: Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Economics, Environmental Studies, Geography, Geology, Mathematics, Physics or Psychology; graduates earn a median £26,000 three years on.
Typical A level offer
ABB
one of the following subjects: Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Economics, Environmental Studies, Geography, Geology, Mathematics, Physics or Psychology · 95% of entrants came with A levels · 85% stay on after year 1 · York course page, Discover Uni
Year 13 · applying
What do you need to get in?
ABBtypical A level offer; abb including one of the following subjects: biology, business studies, chemistry, economics, environmental studies, geography, geology, mathematics, physics or psychology
Typical offer — the grades most applicants are asked for. Contextual offer: BBB, for applicants from under-represented backgrounds.
York course page, read 19 September 2026 · Discover Uni entry profile
- 1one of the following subjects: Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Economics, Environmental Studies, Geography, Geology, Mathematics, Physics or Psychology
Who actually got in: 95% with A levels. Based on 30 entrants.
Other qualifications6
| Qualification | Typical offer | Required subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Access | 30 credits at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit or higher including Business, 30 credits at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit or higher including Business, Economics or Science-related units. | — |
| BTEC | DDMDDM We consider a range of BTEC qualifications equivalent to 3 A Levels, or in combination with A Levels or other qualifications. For example: Distinction, Merit in BTEC Level 3 National Diploma plus | — |
| IB | 34 points34 points including one of the following subjects: Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Economics, Geography, Geology, Mathematics (either Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretations) | one of the following subjects: Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Economics, Geography, Geology, Mathematics |
| T Level | Distinction overall in following T Level subjects: Finance; Science | — |
| Scottish Highers | BBBC | — |
| Advanced Highers | B in one of the following: Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Economics, Envi | — |
Years 1–3
What do you study?
6compulsory modules in year 1
Compulsory modules this year: green & sustainability 63% · transversal skills 20% · natural sciences 13% · social & cultural skills 2%.
Module — one course unit, usually a term or a year long; “core” means everyone takes it. One UK credit is about ten hours of study; a full year is 120 credits.
York course page · optional modules vary by year
Year 1 · 6 core · 120 credits ≈ 1,200 hours
- Ecological Principles
What you learn (9)
- explain the ecological principles governing ecosystem stability
- explain the ecological principles governing population growth
- describe the rationale underlying methods for sampling biological populations
- apply field techniques to measure biological populations
- analyse ecological data to identify patterns and relationships
- produce a scientific report presenting ecological data findings
- identify factors shaping local and regional patterns in biological communities
- identify factors shaping global patterns in biological communities
- describe current approaches used in biodiversity conservation
- Economics Principles
What you learn (4)
- explain key factors influencing individual economic decision making
- describe theoretical frameworks underlying different market structures
- apply economic theory to assess welfare effects of government interventions
- evaluate how price controls and taxes affect consumers and producers
- Introduction to Research Skills
What you learn (2)
- explain different approaches used in research
- apply a suitable research approach to a given problem
- Introduction to Global Challenges
What you learn (5)
- describe the nature of major global challenges
- explain the impacts of global challenges on societies and environments
- apply different concepts and theories to proposed solutions
- evaluate the effectiveness of potential solutions to global challenges
- reflect critically on personal values in relation to global challenges
- Environment, Development, and Society
What you learn (8)
- describe the relationship between economic activity and the environment
- relate environmental and economic concepts to sustainability
- describe common sustainability models, concepts and theories
- compare competing theoretical debates within sustainability studies
- apply sustainability strategies to current local, national and international issues
- apply sustainability concepts to analyse the global economy
- evaluate key indicators used to measure sustainable development
- assess social dimensions of sustainable development such as poverty and gender
- Economics of Sustainable Development
What you learn (8)
- explain how economic activity affects environmental systems
- explain how environmental change affects economic outcomes
- describe economic principles underlying environmental policy
- apply economic concepts to sustainable development issues
- construct economic arguments relevant to sustainability
- apply economic analysis to global sustainability challenges
- justify accounting for the social value of environmental quality
- evaluate strengths and weaknesses of environmental policy approaches
Year 2 · 4 core, 6 optional · 80 credits ≈ 800 hours
- Applied Ecological Economics
What you learn (5)
- describe the main characteristics of common econometric and quantitative methods
- identify appropriate quantitative techniques for a given analytical problem
- apply quantitative analysis to investigate relationships between variables
- apply economic concepts to analyse environmental problems
- apply valuation methods to appraise environmental policies
- Engendering Change
What you learn (6)
- analyse complex sustainability issues to identify underlying causes
- identify priority areas where change could improve sustainability outcomes
- apply theoretical frameworks and concepts of change to real-world contexts
- evaluate the usefulness of different change models for sustainability practice
- compare different strategies for achieving sustainable change
- reflect critically on the effectiveness of chosen change approaches
- Research Skills and Project Design
What you learn (8)
- describe a range of field-based research methods and data analysis techniques
- select an appropriate research method to address a given problem
- identify stakeholders relevant to a study location
- recognise conflicting viewpoints among different stakeholders
- collaborate effectively within a team to achieve shared goals
- collect and synthesise data from multiple sources
- process and analyse collected data
- justify a chosen research methodology
- Enhancing Biodiversity
What you learn (11)
- locate current UK legislation on site and species protection
- interpret UK legislation relevant to biodiversity enhancement
- apply protected site and species legislation to practical scenarios
- evaluate site biodiversity value using standard mapping tools
- assess conservation status of sites using biodiversity databases
- discuss emerging technologies used in species management
- discuss emerging technologies used in habitat management
- describe key principles for managing important UK habitats
- describe key principles for managing important UK species
- explain the relevance of landscape-scale approaches to biodiversity
- apply landscape-scale approaches to enhance biodiversity
6 optional modules
- Megacities and Urbanisation
What you learn (5)
- synthesise debates on urban geography themes and concepts
- critically reflect on key concepts in urban geography
- evaluate the factors driving urbanisation processes
- assess the significance of cities for everyday life experiences
- explain links between equity, social justice and sustainability
- Food, Space, Culture and Society
What you learn (12)
- discuss key debates in sustainability and sustainable consumption
- critique geographical concepts relevant to food consumption
- apply geographical concepts to the sustainable food debate
- evaluate economic impacts of food consumption practices
- evaluate social impacts of food consumption practices
- evaluate environmental impacts of food consumption practices
- analyse complex and contradictory bodies of knowledge
- evaluate arguments and underlying assumptions critically
- formulate sound judgements from critical analysis
- frame a research problem clearly
- devise a solution to a defined problem
- communicate findings effectively to an audience
- Geographical Information Systems
What you learn (4)
- identify different types of spatial data
- describe core functions available in GIS software packages
- process satellite imagery to classify land cover types
- conduct spatial analysis of environmental datasets using GIS software
- Solving Environmental Problems with Code
What you learn (4)
- use a version control system to manage code changes
- design algorithms to perform data analyses
- describe common software development techniques
- apply software development techniques to coding tasks
- Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation
What you learn (6)
- evaluate strategies for mitigating climate change
- synthesise co-benefits arising from mitigation strategies
- assess the degree of societal adaptation required for climate change
- evaluate vulnerability and adaptability factors affecting adaptation
- consider climate justice issues in adaptation decisions
- communicate complex climate concepts clearly and coherently
- Ecosystem Management and Conservation
What you learn (6)
- explain the concept of natural capital
- explain how social, economic and historical factors shape ecosystem distribution
- analyse how ecosystems support human needs over time
- identify limitations of different ecosystem management approaches
- describe techniques for monitoring ecosystem management outcomes
- evaluate the effectiveness of ecosystem management using monitoring data
Year 3 · 3 core, 6 optional · 80 credits ≈ 800 hours
- Research Project
What you learn (11)
- describe recent research developments within a chosen topic
- explain how own research relates to existing studies in the field
- formulate a research topic and corresponding hypothesis
- organise independent research activities outside scheduled sessions
- develop and adhere to a project timetable
- design methods to investigate research questions or hypotheses
- apply statistical methods to analyse research data
- compose a scientific paper presenting research findings
- manage multiple tasks and adapt to changing demands
- communicate findings through written reports
- communicate findings through oral presentations
- Natural Resource Economics
What you learn (7)
- explain key concepts of natural resource economics
- apply environmental economic concepts to sustainability challenges
- apply econometric techniques to analyse natural resource problems
- describe conceptual frameworks used for environmental valuation
- apply non-market valuation methods to environmental goods
- describe conceptual frameworks for causal inference
- apply policy evaluation methods to assess interventions
- Sustainability Clinic
What you learn (11)
- collaborate within multi-disciplinary teams to address local sustainability issues
- scope and plan a real-world sustainability project
- carry out a live sustainability project in practice
- identify client needs through professional engagement
- manage client expectations throughout project delivery
- produce accurate and clear project outputs for clients
- analyse complex sustainability-related information
- evaluate sustainability information to inform decision-making
- design outputs that promote positive sustainability change
- reflect on personal growth gained through project work
- evaluate one's role as a leader serving the public good
6 optional modules
- Atmosphere and Ocean Science
What you learn (6)
- explain the biological, physical and chemical controls on atmosphere and ocean systems
- apply mathematical descriptors to represent atmospheric dynamics
- apply mathematical descriptors to represent ocean dynamics
- explain how the earth's system components interact
- manage own learning through independent study
- critique scientific texts through critical reading
- Biodiversity and Society
What you learn (3)
- describe approaches for linking ecological and social systems
- explain fundamental ecological principles
- identify tools used in wildlife conservation and management
- Land Use Change and Management: A Global Perspective
What you learn (11)
- explain key challenges facing contemporary land use managers
- evaluate trade-offs between environmental, economic and social goals in land use
- describe temporal and spatial scales relevant to agricultural and forest systems
- explain the biological processes underlying autotrophic production
- identify environmental limits constraining autotrophic production
- relate autotrophic production principles to diverse agricultural and forest systems
- analyse contemporary issues in global agricultural and forest land use
- evaluate the future sustainability of global land use systems
- explain social, political and economic drivers of agriculture and forestry
- analyse how driving forces shape land use management systems and their impacts
- design a land use management plan weighing costs, benefits and constraints
- Tackling Britain’s Environmental Challenges (field course)
What you learn (5)
- apply field research techniques to study a real-world environmental issue
- analyse evidence gathered to explain the causes of an environmental issue
- collaborate within a multi-disciplinary team to examine an issue from different viewpoints
- design potential solutions to an environmental problem collaboratively
- explain complex environmental concepts clearly to a non-expert audience
- Pollution: Monitoring, Assessment and Control
What you learn (4)
- apply interdisciplinary approaches to assess environmental challenges
- evaluate existing knowledge to identify research gaps
- design studies to address identified knowledge gaps
- communicate technical information to diverse stakeholder audiences
- Energy Transitions and Low Carbon Futures
What you learn (4)
- evaluate different energy sources and their operating mechanisms
- explain the social, economic and political drivers behind decarbonisation
- analyse the wider implications of shifting to low carbon energy systems
- present complex energy policy ideas and recommendations to stakeholders
“What you learn” restates each module’s published learning outcomes in our own words, as short skill statements in the same form as the GCSE and A level curriculum, with the help of an AI model; fields of knowledge follow the twelve fields of the knowledge sphere. The university’s module page, linked from each title, is the authoritative description.
After graduating
Where does it lead?
£26,000median pay three years after graduating
Lower quarter£21k
Median£26k
Upper quarter£31k
Median — the middle earner: half earned more, half less. Pay is for graduates of this subject at this university who finished in 2016-18, not adjusted for inflation; based on 105 graduates.
Discover Uni dataset (HESA and Office for Students, CC BY 4.0, contains HESA data); earnings from the Longitudinal Education Outcomes data (Department for Education) · aggregation level 14, 12, 22
Half of graduates earned between £21,000 and £30,500. Five years on, the median is £34,000. 80% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing; 50% of those in work were in professional or managerial jobs.
All outcome figures7
| Measure | Value | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| Continue after year 15% left | 85% | 30 |
| In work or study, 15 months on15% studying | 80% | 15 |
| Professional or managerial job | 50% | 10 |
| Pay 15 months on, median | £30,000 | 30 |
| Pay 3 years on, median | £26,000 | 105 |
| Pay 5 years on, median | £34,000 | 110 |
Money
What does it cost?
£10,050a year for UK students, 2027/28 entry
Tuition fee loan — paid straight to the university; repayments start the April after you leave, at 9% of income above the threshold. UK fees are capped by government and rise with inflation; placement and study-abroad years are usually charged at a lower rate.
York fees page · source
About £30,150 in fees over 3 years, covered by a tuition fee loan you repay only when earning above the threshold. International students: £33,500 a year (2027/28).
National Student Survey 2025-26
What do students say?
95%agreed the course was good overall (question 26)
NSS — a yearly survey of final-year students at every UK university; 71% of this course’s final year answered. Small groups can swing a lot year to year.
National Student Survey, via Discover Uni · 20 students answered
Highest: 95% agreed on question 1; lowest: 53% on question 25.
All questions26
| Question | Agree |
|---|---|
| Question 1 | 95% |
| Question 2 | 75% |
| Question 3 | 75% |
| Question 4 | 75% |
| Question 5 | 90% |
| Question 6 | 85% |
| Question 7 | 85% |
| Question 8 | 70% |
| Question 9 | 85% |
| Question 10 | 75% |
| Question 11 | 65% |
| Question 12 | 65% |
| Question 13 | 90% |
| Question 14 | 60% |
| Question 15 | 95% |
| Question 16 | 89% |
| Question 17 | 85% |
| Question 18 | 85% |
| Question 19 | 89% |
| Question 20 | 85% |
| Question 21 | 90% |
| Question 22 | 95% |
| Question 23 | 89% |
| Question 24 | 76% |
| Question 25 | 53% |
| Question 26 | 95% |
Question texts are published by the Office for Students; the dataset carries only the question numbers.
Modules, entry requirements and fees are facts read from University of York’s course page on 2026-09-19 and may change; the university’s page is authoritative. Descriptions are not reproduced. Outcome figures are from the Discover Uni dataset. University of York is a trade mark of the university; sch.today is independent of it.