Environmental Practitioner - BSc(Hons) Environment and Sustainability

* subject to final UWE Bristol approval

Introduction

Study our vocational Environmental Practitioner degree apprenticeship to get the BSc(Hons) Environment and Sustainability degree you need to become a qualified environmental professional for your organisation. Gain the latest research and insight from experts in the industry.

Why study for an Environmental and Sustainability apprenticeship?

Our practice-based Environmental Practitioner degree apprenticeship (Level 6) provides a solid foundation of knowledge based on the latest research, and a holistic learning experience relevant to many organisations.

Environmental challenges, such as climate change and plastic waste, are big on the global agenda. The urgency surrounding these issues means theres now a growing need for competent, qualified environmental and sustainability professionals.

Government bodies, organisations and communities emphasise sustainability and green skills. This degree will enable you to work across subjects and showcase a broad professional skillset, preparing you for a wide range of environmentally and sustainability focused careers.

Why UWE Bristol?

Our Environmental Practitioner degree apprenticeship will appeal to you if you're passionate about the environment and want to make a difference in the world. Youll explore environmental factors affecting the world as well as the relationships, impact and responses this has on people and society.

At UWE Bristol, youll be part of a university thats recognised for its commitment to environmentally sustainable futures. Youll study in Bristol, a city renowned for its global leadership in sustainability and its pioneering environmental efforts and initiatives.

Drawing on our strong links with employers, you'll benefit from placements, live project briefs, site visits and guest lectures throughout your course. Youll connect with internal and external experts and future employers, engage with the department's research centres and go on field trips to link your learning to real life experiences.

Benefits to your employer

Designed in discussion with employers, this Environmental Practitioner degree apprenticeship integrates core skills into the learning journey from the outset. This collaboration ensures the skills and knowledge gained are relevant and adaptable to a wide range of organisations with environmental responsibilities.

Throughout your apprenticeship, you'll learn from experts in the field and through research projects across the department. These rich learning opportunities will broaden your knowledge, which you'll apply and share to drive improvements within your workplace, benefitting your team and wider organisation.

Our apprenticeship allows your employer to develop their existing workforce and address sustainability skills gaps within your organisation. You'll study your degree alongside your employment, so you won't need to take significant time away from work. Upskilling you and providing opportunities for you to progress your career can improve employee retention too.

Careers

On successful completion of the Environmental Practitioner degree apprenticeship, you'll achieve a BSc(Hons) Environment and Sustainability degree. This apprenticeship offers an opportunity to achieve a degree while you work, enabling you to progress your career with your employer.

In addition to supporting your development in the workplace, this apprenticeship will help you to understand the career landscape in your sector and plan for your longer-term ambitions. Our award-winning Careers Service is on hand to give you independent advice and guidance at any point in your studies.

Course details

Content

This course has been developed in line with the Level 6 Environmental Practitioner (Degree) standard set out by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.

The optional modules listed are those that are most likely to be available, but they may be subject to change.

Year one

An Introduction to Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing
Engaging people, communities, and institutions
Environmentalism, Society and Governance.

Year two

Air, Land and Water: Fundamental Processes
Analysing Environmental Change
Sustainable Technologies.

Year three

Air, Land and Water: Data and Models
Applied Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Environmental Assessment
Environmental Management in Organisations.

Year four

Environmental Psychology in the Community.

Plus, three optional modules from:

Climate and Environmental Justice
Climate Change: Challenges for the 21st Century
Ecology
Understanding Coastal Dynamics
Understanding River Dynamics
Water and Energy Futures.

Year five

Managing Air Quality
Practising Waste Management
Environment Practitioner End-Point Assessment (EPA).*

Plus, one optional module from:

Biogeography and Conservation
Environment and Behaviour
Managing Rivers and Coasts
Hazard and Disaster Management.

*Cannot be taken until all the gateway requirements of the apprenticeship standard have been fulfilled, including the successful achievement of all other required modules.

On successful completion of our Environmental Practitioner Degree Apprenticeship, you'll gain a BSc(Hons) Environment and Sustainability qualification from UWE Bristol.

Learning and Teaching

This degree apprenticeship is delivered through day-release over five years.

You'll spend one day per week engaging with interactive sessions, practical content and exercises to maximise experiential learning using a problem-based approach. As you progress through the course, you'll have the opportunity to specialise in sustainability, biodiversity or rivers and coasts, tailoring your studies to your professional interests.

As an apprentice, you'll benefit from peer learning opportunities with other apprentices and full-time students from BSc(Hons) Environment and Sustainability, providing a rich and diverse learning experience.

You'll also learn through field trips across the UK (subject to funding and employer agreement), offering first-hand experience of environmental management challenges and tools. For example, recent visits have included the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) in Wales.

See our glossary of teaching and learning terms.

Assessment

We've designed an innovative, authentic assessment strategy with an applied focus, reflecting professional practice in organisations relevant to environmental management. You'll be assessed through a range of assessment methods including blog posts, podcasts, reports, presentations, real-world case-based problems and an independent research project.

Learn more about assessments.

Life

Health and Wellbeing

We provide support in the way you need it.

Bristol

A stunning city for student living with all the qualities to make you want to stay.

Sports, societies and activities

There is more to your experience here than study. Choose to make the most of it and try new things.

Sustainability

It is embedded in our culture, teaching and research.

Campus and facilities

Discover our campuses and the wealth of facilities provided for our students.

Entry

Typical offers

Tariff points: 112
GCSE: GCSE: Grade C/4 or above in English and Mathematics, or equivalent (we accept Functional Skills Level 2 in English and Maths).
A-level subjects: Points from A-level General Studies and AS-level subjects (not taken onto full A-level) can be included towards overall tariff. You must have a minimum of two A-levels. No specific subjects required.
EDEXCEL (BTEC) Diploma: No specific subjects required.
Access: No specific subjects required.
Baccalaureate IB: No specific subjects required.
Irish Highers: No specific subjects required.
T Levels: No specific subjects required.

Entry requirements

Accredited Learning and Accredited Experiential Learning

You may be able to gain accreditation for prior learning from another institution (Accredited Learning). Or you may be able to get credit for learning achieved through experience that may not be formally accredited (Accredited Experiential Learning). For more information, please see our Accredited Learning (AL) page.

ESFA eligibility requirements

To study an apprenticeship, you need to:

be aged 16 years or over
be an EEA citizen (with Right to Work in the UK) and not be in any other kind of full-time education (including being enrolled on any other apprenticeship programme)
be employed (for at least the full planned duration of your apprenticeship) in a role that is linked to the appropriate industry for the apprenticeship training
receive at least legal minimum wage for apprentices (wages vary depending on experience, employer and level or type of apprenticeship)
commit to at least six hours per week of apprenticeship training during your normal working hours
have support from your employer, including a mentor/line manager. Your employer is also responsible for funding your apprenticeship.

Find out about eligibility for apprenticeship funding.

We use the UCAS Tariff system to make offers to applicants. You can use the UCAS Tariff Calculator to convert your qualifications and grades into points.

How to apply

Employed

If youre interested in applying and have the support from your employer, speak to your line manager and/or HR team in the first instance for approval. Your employer will contact us so we can send you an application link.

Unemployed

If youre not employed, you can use the following tools to find an apprenticeship vacancy with an employer:

For more guidance on higher and degree apprenticeship applications.

For further information

For course-specific enquiries, please contact the Programme Leader.

For all other enquiries, please email our Apprenticeship Hub apprenticeships@uwe.ac.uk or call +44 (0)117 32 84888.

For further information about Higher and Degree Apprenticeships.

Higher/Degree Apprenticeship Environmental Practitioner