Environmental Science (A-level)
Environmental Science is one of the most relevant and dynamic subjects’ students can study today. It combines ideas from Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Geography to understand how our planet functions and how humans interact with it.
The subject sits at the intersection of science, society and policy, making it genuinely interdisciplinary.
Students explore some of the biggest challenges facing the world today. How can we provide enough food, water and energy for a growing population? How serious is climate change? How do we balance economic development with protecting biodiversity? Environmental Science encourages students to examine evidence, consider different viewpoints and develop informed opinions on issues that rarely have simple answers.
One of the strengths of the course is that it is constantly evolving. New environmental challenges and scientific discoveries regularly find their way into lessons. Students might investigate the causes of Californian wildfires, analyse trends in heatwaves, explore the impacts of El Niño on global weather patterns or evaluate different approaches to tackling climate change. Lessons are rooted in scientific theory but are always linked back to the real world.
Fieldwork forms an important part of the course. Students collect and analyse their own data through investigations including water quality studies in local chalk streams, biodiversity surveys, coastal fieldwork at Studland Bay and visits to organisations involved in habitat creation and environmental restoration. These experiences help students develop the practical and analytical skills needed to investigate environmental issues first-hand.
Students are assessed through two examinations at the end of the second year:
-
Paper 1 – The Physical Environment, Energy Resources and Pollution
-
Paper 2 – The Living Environment, Biological Resources and Sustainability
The examinations include multiple-choice questions, short-answer questions, data analysis and extended writing. Success in Environmental Science requires students to apply their knowledge to unfamiliar situations, interpret evidence and evaluate different viewpoints.
Environmental Science is recognised by universities as a science A Level and provides excellent preparation for degrees in environmental science, ecology, conservation, geography, sustainability, engineering and many other related disciplines. Students develop a wide range of transferable skills including data analysis, problem solving, critical thinking and scientific communication.
Environmental Science is a subject for students who are curious about how the world works and want to understand the environmental challenges that will shape the future. For those who enjoy joining ideas together, questioning assumptions and applying science to real-world problems, it is a fascinating and rewarding course.