A-Level Programme - Environmental Science

Our A-Level in Environmental Science offers opportunities for skills development and independent thinking which will help you develop an understanding of how human society relies upon natural systems for resources and life support systems.

On our A-Level programme, you will study three or four subjects. Please apply for three or four subjects and use our course selector here to check what options you can do!

What will I study on this course?

• The living environment, understanding the interaction of living organisms with each other and their abiotic environment, and how an understanding of this can inform decisions that lead to sustainable human activities

• The physical environment, understanding how anthropogenic activities are inter-connected with physical processes, to formulate management strategies and plan sustainable activities.

• Energy resources, learning about the importance of these in both past and future developments in society

• Pollution, understanding how the properties of materials and energy forms interact to result in environmental change

• Biological resources, understanding the challenge posed by the need to provide food and forest resources for a growing human population without damaging the planets life support systems.

• Sustainability, developing a holistic understanding of sustainability and the circular economy

• Research methods, investigating a wide range of environmental issues

This qualification is linear. Linear means that students will sit all their exams and submit all their non-exam assessment at the end of the course.

Exam information

The course is assessed by 2 examinations. There will be a combination of multiple choice, short answer, and extended writing questions. Paper 1 lasts 3 hours, 50% of the marks. Paper 2 lasts 3 hours, 50% of the marks.

You will need:

• 5 GCSEs at grade 4 or above including English and maths and, for this specific subject;

• GCSE grade 6-5 or above in combined science, or grade 6 in biology or chemistry

• GCSE grade 5 or above in maths
• Plus 2 additional GCSEs at grade 5 or above