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BSc (Hons)
Environmental Chemistry
Key Information
Academic Year
Explore the science shaping our planet and its future
Environmental Chemistry combines chemistry and geography to investigate environmental problems and explore potential sustainable solutions. You'll study how chemical processes affect the environment and how human activity contributes to issues such as water quality, pollution, land contamination, climate change and environmental change.
The course is broadly 50% Chemistry and 50% Geography. You'll learn how to use analytical chemistry to investigate environmental problems, alongside geographical approaches to understanding ecosystems, Earth systems, climate and environmental change.
You'll develop practical experience through laboratory work, fieldwork, case studies and research. You'll also develop skills in data analysis, GIS, environmental assessment and scientific communication, helping you understand how environmental evidence can inform real-world decisions.
At Lincoln, this interdisciplinary approach brings together established Chemistry and Geography expertise, giving you the opportunity to study environmental challenges from both chemical and geographical perspectives.
Why study Environmental Chemistry at Lincoln?
Environmental challenges are complex, so understanding them requires more than one scientific perspective. This course combines Chemistry and Geography to give you a broader range of knowledge and practical skills.
- Combine Chemistry and Geography through a distinctive interdisciplinary degree focused on environmental challenges.
- Investigate real environmental problems, including pollution, water quality, land contamination and climate change.
- Develop practical laboratory skills in sample, contaminant and trace analysis.
- Gain fieldwork experience and learn how to investigate environmental systems outside the laboratory.
- Develop data skills, including GIS, remote sensing and environmental data analysis.
- Explore sustainable and green chemistry and the role of Chemistry in developing potential environmental solutions.
- Build professional skills through environmental assessment, professional practice and employability-focused learning.
- Gain experience beyond the classroom through an optional placement year or study abroad opportunity.
What you'll learn
The course is designed to take you from fundamental scientific knowledge towards independent investigation of environmental problems.
Year 1 – Build your foundations
You’ll develop your understanding of general Chemistry and Environmental Chemistry while exploring sustainable environments, ecosystems, Earth systems, environmental processes and hazards. You’ll also be introduced to GIS and remote sensing, alongside laboratory work designed to develop practical and analytical chemistry skills.
Year 2 – Develop your analytical and environmental skills
You’ll study analytical Chemistry in greater depth, including molecular interfaces, organic materials, materials, surfaces and environmental systems. You’ll also develop your environmental research and data skills while exploring weather, climate change and environmental change. You’ll explore GIS applications for environmental management.
Year 3 – Apply your knowledge
You’ll bring together Chemistry, Geography and environmental science to investigate complex environmental challenges.
Your studies will include climate change and its relationship with politics and human geography, alongside professional skills in environmental science and management, environmental impact assessment, professional practice, AI and Big Data.
You’ll complete a final-year research project, giving you the opportunity to investigate an environmental topic in depth and demonstrate your scientific, analytical and communication skills.
An optional overseas field trip to Chile is also proposed, giving you the opportunity to study Environmental Chemistry in a different geographical setting.
Teaching combines laboratory practicals, case studies, fieldwork, problem-based learning and research-based learning. Assessments are designed to develop both subject knowledge and graduate employability skills, with real-world problems used where appropriate.
Support and student experience
You’ll be supported academically and personally as you progress from supported learning towards more independent study.
Your personal tutor can provide academic and pastoral support and help connect you with wider University services, including library, digital, student support and wellbeing services. Programme and School leaders are also available when additional support is required.
Careers and future opportunities
This degree is designed to prepare you for careers where scientific knowledge, environmental understanding, and analytical skills are needed.
Potential areas of employment include:
- Environmental analysis
- Hydrology and water quality
- Environmental surveying
- Land contamination and pollution
- Environmental science and management
- Environmental assessment
- Net-zero and carbon management
- Renewable energy
- Climate technology
- Environmental data and analysis
- Sustainability and ESG-related roles
- Analytical chemist (testing labs)
- Scientific and laboratory work
These areas reflect the environmental and scientific sectors identified during development of the programme, including growing areas such as net-zero, renewable energy, sustainable finance, climate technology and data roles.
The course is also designed to support further study. Relevant Chemistry and Geography graduate data shows progression into Master's study, professional qualifications, doctoral study and teacher training, although there is currently no graduate outcomes data specifically for Environmental Chemistry.
Develop experience employers can value
Employability is built into the course through practical investigation, research, professional practice and environmental assessment.
You’ll have the opportunity to undertake a placement year between Years 2 and 3. A dedicated academic placement lead and the University’s Careers and Employability team can support you with finding opportunities, applications and interview preparation.
You can also choose to study abroad for a year, including through the Turing Scheme, giving you another way to develop your experience and broaden your perspective.
Entry Requirements 2027-28
United Kingdom
104 to 112 UCAS Tariff points from a minimum of 2 A Levels or equivalent Level 3 qualifications, to include 40 points from Chemistry.
If you are eligible for a contextual offer, a one grade or 8 UCAS Tariff point reduction to the standard entry requirements will be applied. Subject specific requirements will still be required as part of the standard entry criteria.
A Level: BBC to include a Grade B in Chemistry
BTEC Extended Diploma in Applied Science accepted depending on modules: DDM
(Please include units on application)
We will accept a Pearson Level 3 Alternative Academic Qualification BTEC National (equivalent to 1 A Level) in Medical Science or Applied Science to meet the subject specific requirement: Merit
T Level: Not currently accepted.
Access to Higher Education Diploma: 112 UCAS points to be achieved from 45 Level 3 credits, including 40 points from 15 credits in Chemistry.
International Baccalaureate: 29 points overall to include a Higher Level in Chemistry.
GCSEs: Minimum of three at grade 4 or above, which must include English, Maths and Science. Equivalent Level 2 qualifications may be considered.
The University accepts a wide range of qualifications as the basis for entry and do accept a combination of qualifications which may include A Levels, BTECs, Extended Project Qualification (EPQ).
We may also consider applicants with extensive and relevant work experience and will give special individual consideration to those who do not meet the standard entry qualifications.
International
Non UK Qualifications:
If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages
https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/studywithus/internationalstudents/entryrequirementsandyourcountry/ for information on equivalent qualifications.
EU and Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page
If you do not meet the above IELTS requirements, you may be able to take part in one of our Pre-sessional English and Academic Study Skills courses.
For applicants who do not meet our standard entry requirements, our Science Foundation Year can provide an alternative route of entry onto our full degree programmes:
https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/course/sfysfyub/lifesciences/
If you would like further information about entry requirements, or would like to discuss whether the qualifications you are currently studying are acceptable, please contact the Admissions team on 01522 886097, or email admissions@lincoln.ac.uk
Contextual Offers
At Lincoln, we recognise that not everybody has had the same advice and support to help them get to higher education. Contextual offers are one of the ways we remove the barriers to higher education, ensuring that we have fair access for all students regardless of background and personal experiences. For more information, including eligibility criteria, visit our Offer Guide pages. If you are applying to a course that has any subject specific requirements, these will still need to be achieved as part of the standard entry criteria.Is this course right for you?
This course could be a good fit if you:
- Want to understand environmental problems through Chemistry and Geography
- Enjoy science but want to apply it to real environmental challenges
- Are interested in issues such as pollution, water quality, climate change or sustainability
- Want practical laboratory and fieldwork experience Enjoy working with scientific data and evidence
- Want to develop skills relevant to environmental and scientific careers
- Are considering areas such as environmental analysis, sustainability, net-zero or climate technology
- Want the option to gain additional experience through a placement or study abroad
You do not need to have a specific environmental career planned before you start. The course is designed to develop your scientific, analytical and professional skills progressively, helping you understand where those skills could take you.
Fees and Funding
University Study is a major investment, so it’s important to understand the costs and support available. A full breakdown of the fees associated with this programme can be found below. Eligible students may be able to access scholarships and bursaries to help with study costs.