Study Area: Agriculture & Environment | Discipline: Environmental Science
Environmental Science — What to Study, Where to Study, Fees, Jobs & Salaries
Summary: Environmental Science combines biology, chemistry, geology, data/GIS and policy to solve real-world issues—water quality, pollution, biodiversity and climate risk. Below you’ll find example bachelor’s and master’s programs (with typical fees in USD), best countries and universities, accreditations to check, tuition comparison and career outcomes.
About Environmental Science
Typical subjects
- Ecology, conservation biology, biogeochemistry
- Environmental chemistry & toxicology
- Hydrology, water resources, soil science
- Remote sensing, GIS, statistics & modelling
- Environmental impact assessment (EIA) & policy
- Climate risk, adaptation & sustainability
Skills you build
- Sampling & monitoring (water, air, soil) and lab methods
- Data analysis, GIS mapping and decision-making tools
- Report writing for government and industry
- Stakeholder engagement and project management
Popular Bachelor’s Programs (with typical annual tuition)
USD values are approximations to help compare options. Always check the official university page before applying.
| University | Degree | Length | Tuition (local) | ~USD | Official page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Manchester (UK) | BSc Environmental Science | 3 years | £35,000 | ≈ $45,500 | manchester.ac.uk |
| University of Exeter (UK) | BSc Environmental Science | 3 years | £30,900 | ≈ $40,170 | exeter.ac.uk |
| The University of Queensland (Australia) | Bachelor of Environmental Science (Hons) | 4 years | A$50,560 | ≈ $34,380 | uq.edu.au (fees) |
| University of Auckland (New Zealand) | BSc (Environmental Science major) | 3 years | NZ$44,972–55,247 | ≈ $27,400–33,700 | auckland.ac.nz (fees) |
| University of British Columbia (Canada) | BSc Environmental Science | 4 years | Per-credit tuition (Science) | ≈ $39,000 (typical year) | ubc.ca (tuition) |
Popular Master’s Programs (with typical annual tuition)
| University | Degree | Length | Tuition (local) | ~USD | Official page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Oxford (UK) | MSc Environmental Change & Management | 1 year | £34,120 | ≈ $44,360 | ox.ac.uk |
| Wageningen University & Research (Netherlands) | MSc Environmental Sciences | 2 years | €21,200 (non-EU) | ≈ $23,320 | wur.nl |
| The University of Queensland (Australia) | Master of Environmental Management | 1.5–2 years | A$54,096 | ≈ $36,780 | uq.edu.au |
| University of Melbourne (Australia) | Master of Environment | 2 years | A$54,976 | ≈ $37,380 | unimelb.edu.au |
| University of Auckland (New Zealand) | Master of Environmental Science | 1–2 years | NZ$52,842 | ≈ $32,230 | auckland.ac.nz |
| University of British Columbia (Canada) | Master of Land & Water Systems | 12 months | C$46,323 (total, example) | ≈ $34,280 | ubc.ca |
Conversions use mid-2025 market rates (e.g., £1≈$1.30; €1≈$1.10; A$1≈$0.68; NZ$1≈$0.61; C$1≈$0.74). Always confirm current figures on the university site.
Best Countries to Study Environmental Science (and why)
- United States: broadest choice and research intensity; many top-ranked programs and strong internship networks.
- United Kingdom: three-year focused bachelor’s, clear professional pathways (e.g., IES/CEDHE, Chartered Environmentalist).
- Australia: very practical, field-based training with strong demand for environmental scientists across states.
- Netherlands: world-class systems and sustainability focus at Wageningen; competitive fees at master’s level.
- New Zealand: excellent fieldwork access and regional council projects; good value relative to the UK/US.
Best University for Environmental Science (and why)
Harvard, Stanford and UC Berkeley are frequent global leaders for Environmental Sciences by major rankings. For a dedicated environmental systems university, Wageningen University & Research in the Netherlands is renowned for sustainability and environment-related research and industry impact. Choose based on fit: research focus, facilities, supervision, and funding, not just rank.
Accreditations & Professional Certifications to Check
- UK: IES/CEDHE degree accreditation; pathway to Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv).
- USA (related fields): ABET for Environmental Engineering; EHAC/NEHA for Environmental Health programs.
- Professional credentials: Many roles value relevant certificates (e.g., EIA practitioner, hazardous materials, GIS) in addition to your degree.
Average Tuition by Country (USD)
| Country | Bachelor (per year) | Master (per year) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | $40k–60k | $25k–60k | Large spread by state and school; scholarships/assistantships can reduce costs. |
| UK | $38k–46k | $35k–47k | Lab-heavy programs cost more; Master’s usually 1 year. |
| Australia | $33k–37k | $36k–38k | Applied learning, field work; check Honours track (4th year) for research focus. |
| Netherlands | — | ~$23k (non-EU MSc) | Public universities; non-EU fees higher than EU fees. |
| New Zealand | $27k–34k | $32k–35k | Strong field exposure and links to regional councils. |
| Canada | $26k–40k | $15k–35k | Per-credit models vary by faculty; many co-op options. |
Careers & Salary Outlook
Common roles after Environmental Science
- Environmental Scientist / Specialist
- Environmental Consultant (EIA, permitting, compliance)
- Water / Soil Scientist; Hydrologist (with related modules)
- Environmental Health & Safety (EHS)
- Climate / Sustainability Analyst; Carbon & ESG reporting
- Conservation Officer / Restoration Planner
- GIS & Remote Sensing Analyst
Salary snapshots (guide)
- United States: median pay around $80,000 for Environmental Scientists; stable growth outlook.
- Australia: Environmental Scientists show steady national demand with strong median weekly earnings.
- United Kingdom: Environmental consultants commonly progress from ~£25k–£30k (graduate) to £40k–£50k+ (experienced).
- New Zealand: typical experienced ranges often fall between NZ$76k–$129k depending on role and region.
Actual salaries vary by region, employer, and experience. Internships, placement years, and professional certifications improve outcomes.
Best countries for study + jobs
USA and Australia offer the best combination of program choice, applied training and job demand. The UK and New Zealand also provide strong consultancy and government pathways, while the Netherlands excels for research-led sustainability roles.
Country Differences (at a glance)
| Country | Bachelor length | Teaching style | Why pick it? |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | 4 years | Flexible major + breadth | Top research labs, many internships, high salary ceiling. |
| UK | 3 years | Specialised from Year 1 | Fastest to degree; chartership routes (CEnv); strong consultancy market. |
| Australia | 3–4 years (Hons) | Field-intensive, industry-connected | Strong employability; diverse ecosystems for fieldwork. |
| Netherlands | 3 years (BSc) | Systems & sustainability focus | Global leader for environment & agri-systems; moderate MSc fees. |
| New Zealand | 3 years | Field-heavy; regional projects | Great outdoor learning; good value for international students. |
| Canada | 4 years | Co-op options; per-credit tuition | Balanced costs, strong environmental policy and resource sectors. |
Sources (official pages)
- University of Manchester — BSc Environmental Science: manchester.ac.uk
- University of Exeter — BSc Environmental Science: exeter.ac.uk
- The University of Queensland — Fees & programs: uq.edu.au
- University of Auckland — International fees & MEnvSci: auckland.ac.nz
- University of British Columbia — Tuition (UG & PG): ubc.ca
- University of Oxford — MSc Environmental Change & Management: ox.ac.uk
- Wageningen University & Research — MSc Environmental Sciences tuition: wur.nl
- University of Melbourne — Master of Environment: unimelb.edu.au
- Accreditation bodies — IES/CEDHE (UK): ches.info; Society for the Environment (CEnv): socenv.org.uk; ABET (US): abet.org; EHAC/NEHA (US Environmental Health): nehacenter.org, neha.org.
All fees are indicative and rounded to USD for easy comparison. Always verify the latest tuition, accreditation and entry requirements on the official university website.