BSc Environmental Science

Introduction to the Program

The Bachelor’s in Environmental Science at The University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) is a three or four year undergraduate degree program taught in English.

About UNNC

The University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) was the first Sino-foreign university to open its doors in China. Established in 2004, with the full approval of the Chinese Ministry of Education, we are run by The University of Nottingham with cooperation from Zhejiang Wanli Education Group, a key player in the education sector in China.




The University of Nottingham is in the top one percent of more than 7,500 higher education institutions worldwide and league tables consistently rank the University highly. For more info visit the page here.

About the Program

This course develops a fundamental scientific understanding of environmental and ecological processes and systems. These systems are also studied in their social, economic, political and cultural settings. In addition the modules offered allow students to develop skills in the collection, processing and analysis of environmental data which are eventually useful in the development and evaluation of policy and practical training in the techniques of environmental management.

The course is multidisciplinary in nature and involves modules from two Schools: Geography and Biosciences. Students can also opt for courses run by the Faculty of Engineering. Participants benefit from exposure to this wide range of perspectives on environmental processes and issues.

This wide choice of modules allows students to design a degree programme tailored to their personal interests and career aspirations with an emphasis throughout on teaching realistic and transferable skills.

Course Structure

The degree is offered as a three of four year programme depending on your entry qualification. Students have the option to study the whole course in China (3+0 or 4+0) or spend their last two years at The University of Nottingham, UK (1+2 or 2+2).

Year One (Preliminary year – Ningbo) N.B. This year is not compulsory for students with appropriate qualifications for year two entry.

Modules common to many degrees at UNNC are studied including:

• Written and Oral communication and study
• Communication and IT Skills
• English in specific academic contexts

Plus a specific foundation environmental module:

• Introduction to the Environment

Students also work in small groups to develop their academic English language skills.

Year Two (Qualifying Year-Ningbo)

Skills modules taught this year include:

• Interpreting Environmental Data
• Introduction to GIS
• The Digital Earth (which are supported by small group tutorials).

Plus specialised modules on:

• Global Environmental Processes
• Environmental Management
• Principles of Ecology

Plus contextualisation of the above with an Environmental Science Dissertation.

Year Three (Part I-Nottingham or Ningbo)

The skills developed at Ningbo are enhanced throughout this year and optional choices allow the development of knowledge in more specialised field of environmental science including:

• Soil Science
• Hydrology and Hydrogeochemistry
• Climate and Environmental Change
• Engineering geology, Energy and the Environment and Environmental Assessment
• Landscape processes in Desert, River and Coastal environments

Year Four (Part II-Nottingham or Ningbo)

This year involves the opportunity for students to practice and demonstrate their acquired skills through a major independent research project leading to the submission of a 10,000 word dissertation on a topic chosen by the student.

Taught modules increasingly focus on the practicaland applied aspects of Environmental Science with modules on:

• Environmental Contaminants and Pollutants
• Environmental Modelling
• River, Coast and Ecological Conservation and Management
• Remote Sensing and Landscape Visualisation
• Hazardous Waste Management and Environmental Assessment

Entry Requirements

Minimum English Requirement

In addition to academic requirements, students whose first language is not English or entry qualification was not obtained in the English medium are required to provide evidence of their proficiency in English.

To ensure that you can fully benefit from your studies at UNNC, you will need to demonstrate a required level of English language proficiency.

For Preliminary year (year one) entry

• IELTS 5.5 with the writing band no less than 5.0 or
• PTE Academic 55 (minimum 51)

For Qualifying year (year two) entry

• IELTS 6.5 with the writing band no less than 6.0 or
• PTE Academic 62 (minimum 55)

Students who have completed a recognised degree, or completed the whole of their secondary education in one of these countries within the last 10 years are not normally required to take a separate English language test.

Otherwise, in addition to the more common language qualifications – such as IELTS, TOEFL, (I)GCSE, O level, IB and A and AS level English – the University also considers a number of other English language qualifications for admission.

The minimum English language requirement for BA English Language and Applied Linguistics, BA English Language and Literature, and BA English with International Business is:

• IELTS 7.0 with each band no less than 6.0 or
• PTE Academic 67 (minimum 55)

Start Date of the program

September

Application Deadline

31 May

Tuition Fees

The tuition fees are RMB80000 per year. The total for the 4 year program is 320000 RMB.

Accommodation

The University has several buildings designated for international students, building 11, 18 and 20. All rooms are fully furnished and equipped with air conditioning and a telephone and computer point; enabling students to make and receive telephone calls and access the University’s data network from their bedrooms. For further information on the accommodation visit the accommodation page here.