Skip to main content
Birkbeck, University of London Environment and sustainability courses

Our diverse range of courses explore some of the most important issues facing our planet

Come and meet us
Download a prospectus

Environment and sustainability

Why study environment and sustainability at birkbeck?

Study environment and sustainability in central London, exploring some of the most pressing challenges facing our planet. Our interdisciplinary courses, co-taught across the university, equip you with the knowledge and skills to understand and respond to ecological and sustainability issues. You’ll gain practical, analytical and policy-focused expertise to prepare for a career in this rapidly evolving field.

Careers

Birkbeck’s environment and sustainability degrees equip you with scientific, analytical and policy-focused skills for a wide range of careers. Graduates work in environmental consultancy, conservation and biodiversity, sustainability management, urban planning, resource management, environmental NGOs, policy and regulation, or roles involving data-driven environmental assessment and climate resilience. Graduates have pursued roles such as:

  • Environmental consultant or sustainability manager
  • Conservation or biodiversity specialist
  • Policy adviser or climate-resilience planner

Highlights

  • Top 25 in the UK for Earth Systems and Environmental Science research (2021 Research Excellence Framework).
  • Research-rich ecosystem (BRCES, annual Climate Festival) linking science, policy and social justice.
  • Benefit from UK/international fieldwork, specialist labs (with UCL Earth Sciences access) and computing.

Come and meet us

Undergraduate courses

Take a look at our undergraduate and environment and sustainability courses that span multiple disciplines.

Environmental Studies Minor Pathway

The minor pathway option offers undergraduate students the option to build on their existing studies and graduate with a high level of environmental literacy.

Postgraduate courses

Our postgraduate courses are ideal for those looking to further their career, or embark on a new one.

MPhil/PhD Courses

See the details for our MPhil/PhD Geography, Environment and Development Studies.

Study Environment and Sustainability at Birkbeck

Our environment and sustainability degrees give you the tools to understand today’s global challenges, from climate change to biodiversity loss, and the skills to drive meaningful change.

View all courses

"You can weave study into whatever else you're doing in life"

Hear from Toni Scarr who balanced full-time work, raising twins and completing a PhD.

Environment and Sustainability research centre

This centre is a hub for sustainability and environment research and knowledge exchange.

Unibuddy

Chat to one of our students on Unibuddy to find out what it's like to be a Birkbeck student (note: third party provider - by signing up you share your data with Unibuddy on their terms).

Student services

Our comprehensive student services provision ensures you are fully supported during your time at Birkbeck, both in and outside the classroom.