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Environmental Studies Minor Pathway

The Environmental Studies Minor Pathway offers undergraduate students the option to build on their existing studies with three 30-credit modules spanning Levels 4 to 6 to graduate with a high level of environmental literacy that they and future employers will value. The pathway will be of benefit to students who have an academic interest in human-environment relationships and also to those seeking knowledge and skills relevant to careers in sustainability, environment and ethics.

How does it work?

Students can opt in to the minor pathway by asking their programme administrator when they choose their option modules. By taking 90 credits of modules from the pathway, the student can graduate with an Environmental Studies minor, e.g. BA Sociology with Environmental Studies. 

To successfully complete the minor award, students must take a minimum of 90 credits from the range of modules offered, 60 credits of which must be at Level 5 or 6.

Environment Studies Modules

The following indicative modules are offered as part of the Environmental Studies minor pathway or can be taken as optional modules. All modules are 30 credits unless otherwise stated. These are subject to availability and dependent on the level of optionality offered on the student's chosen degree.

  • Level 4

    • Humans and the Environment
    • Introducing Natural Environments
    • Introduction to Environmental Science
    • Climate Change Communication: Feeling, Thinking, Acting

  • Level 5

    • The Ethics of Life and Death: Humans, Animals and the Environment
    • Future Food Systems and Sustainability
    • Global Environmental Histories
    • Environmental Law (15 credits)*
    • Managing Environments
    • The Arts of Adaptation: Creative Climates
    • Beginnings: The Archaeology of Prehistory
    • The Archaeology of Everyday
    • Culture, Space and the Environment in Brazil

    *Environmental Law can only be taken once at one of the levels offered. 

  • Level 6

    • Climate and Society: Past, Present and Future
    • Environmental Law (15 credits)*
    • Race, Environment and International Development
    • Geological Hazards (15 credits)
    • Performing Environments
    • Culture, Space and the Environment in Brazil
    • Landscapes
    • Human Evolution

    *Environmental Law can only be taken once at one of the levels offered. 

While we aim to offer a broad and consistent range of modules each year, please note that module availability can vary. Factors such as timetable constraints, minimum enrolment requirements, or changes in staffing may occasionally mean that not all modules listed will run in every academic year.

Because of this, there is a small risk that students who begin the Environmental Studies Minor pathway may not be able to access the full combination of modules needed to complete the minor award, particularly if their primary degree has limited space for optional modules.

If you are considering the minor, we strongly encourage you to:

  • discuss your plans early with your Programme Administrator or Programme Director,
  • plan your module choices as far in advance as possible,
  • remain flexible about which modules you take within the pathway.

We will make every effort to help you find a suitable module combination so you can complete the minor successfully.

The list of modules shown here reflects offerings planned for the 2025/26 academic year. Some modules may vary in future years.