Course Overview
Environmental Science will enable you to gain a well informed insight into the environment and the scientific processes that control and affect it.
You'll develop an understanding of how different events and cycles within the environment are interrelated and how they influence subsequent environmental events.
Human impact is considered and strategies that can be used to minimise problems are explored. Environmental Studies encompasses global and local issues and highlights how they are connected.
At Hartpury, we follow the AQA Environmental Science specification.
On this course you'll study the following topics over two years.
Environmental Science combines information from many different subjects to learn about how human society depends on the natural world and how we can live more sustainably with particular focus on how we can mitigate against threats like Global Climate Change.
- The living environment – conditions for life on Earth, the importance, threats to and conservation biodiversity.
- The physical environment – how we depend on the atmosphere, hydrosphere, soils and biogeochemical cycles, the lithosphere.
- Pollution
- Energy Resources
- Biological resources – agriculture, aquatic food resources and forest resources
- Sustainability
- Research methods – planning investigations, fieldwork techniques, data and statistical analysis
The majority of A-level lessons are delivered from the classrooms in our College Learning Centre, providing a modern learning environment, contemporary classrooms with smart boards, well-equipped library and learning resources.
Lessons are delivered in a traditional manner and include individual tasks as well as group work. A-level students will be set regular homework tasks as well as regular assessments throughout the academic year.
A-levels offers a unique timetable facilitating sporting development and extra-curricular activities, and a full enrichment programme to enhance employability skills and the holistic development of all students.
A-level students have access to our equine and sport facilities, animal collection, and our commercial Home Farm.
Students have a pastoral tutor who will support them to succeed in their studies and their enrichment activities. All students have access to our academic and wellbeing support teams who run regular workshops and one-to-one sessions on campus and online. In addition, all students have access to medical professionals on campus.
Exam board: AQA
Two three-hour exam papers worth 50% each. Each exam paper includes a combination of short answer questions, multiple choice questions, a 9-mark essay and a 25-mark essay. Approximately 10% of the marks available in each paper are from maths questions.
There is a requirement to carry out four days of practical fieldwork, this is then assessed in each exam paper through questions about Research Methods.
To help prepare you for your exams throughout the course, you’ll complete regular end-of-topic assessments, homework tasks and mock exams. These will help track your progress and highlight areas to improve.
An A-level in Environmental Science can be combined with subjects like Geography, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Business Studies and Economics and can lead to a wide range of exciting progression routes. Students may go on to careers in sustainability, conservation, energy, environmental consultancy or planning.
Popular combinations include Environmental Science with Geography for careers in town planning, water or waste management, sustainability consultancy or transport planning; or with Biology for ecology, zoology, conservation, agriculture or marine biology. Pairing Environmental Science with Chemistry or Physics supports progression into geology, food technology, oceanography or the renewable energy sector. Students combining it with Maths, Business or Economics can explore opportunities in environmental engineering, policy, circular economy or sustainability strategy.
These combinations support national skills priorities in clean energy, life sciences and advanced manufacturing. Locally, they align with Gloucestershire’s skills needs in agriculture, rural enterprise, construction, infrastructure, and green renewables.
Course Overview
Course information
Environmental Science will enable you to gain a well informed insight into the environment and the scientific processes that control and affect it.
You'll develop an understanding of how different events and cycles within the environment are interrelated and how they influence subsequent environmental events.
Human impact is considered and strategies that can be used to minimise problems are explored. Environmental Studies encompasses global and local issues and highlights how they are connected.
At Hartpury, we follow the AQA Environmental Science specification.
What you’ll learn
On this course you'll study the following topics over two years.
Environmental Science combines information from many different subjects to learn about how human society depends on the natural world and how we can live more sustainably with particular focus on how we can mitigate against threats like Global Climate Change.
- The living environment – conditions for life on Earth, the importance, threats to and conservation biodiversity.
- The physical environment – how we depend on the atmosphere, hydrosphere, soils and biogeochemical cycles, the lithosphere.
- Pollution
- Energy Resources
- Biological resources – agriculture, aquatic food resources and forest resources
- Sustainability
- Research methods – planning investigations, fieldwork techniques, data and statistical analysis
How you’ll learn
The majority of A-level lessons are delivered from the classrooms in our College Learning Centre, providing a modern learning environment, contemporary classrooms with smart boards, well-equipped library and learning resources.
Lessons are delivered in a traditional manner and include individual tasks as well as group work. A-level students will be set regular homework tasks as well as regular assessments throughout the academic year.
A-levels offers a unique timetable facilitating sporting development and extra-curricular activities, and a full enrichment programme to enhance employability skills and the holistic development of all students.
A-level students have access to our equine and sport facilities, animal collection, and our commercial Home Farm.
Students have a pastoral tutor who will support them to succeed in their studies and their enrichment activities. All students have access to our academic and wellbeing support teams who run regular workshops and one-to-one sessions on campus and online. In addition, all students have access to medical professionals on campus.
How you’ll be assessed
Exam board: AQA
Two three-hour exam papers worth 50% each. Each exam paper includes a combination of short answer questions, multiple choice questions, a 9-mark essay and a 25-mark essay. Approximately 10% of the marks available in each paper are from maths questions.
There is a requirement to carry out four days of practical fieldwork, this is then assessed in each exam paper through questions about Research Methods.
To help prepare you for your exams throughout the course, you’ll complete regular end-of-topic assessments, homework tasks and mock exams. These will help track your progress and highlight areas to improve.
What can you do after this course?
An A-level in Environmental Science can be combined with subjects like Geography, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Business Studies and Economics and can lead to a wide range of exciting progression routes. Students may go on to careers in sustainability, conservation, energy, environmental consultancy or planning.
Popular combinations include Environmental Science with Geography for careers in town planning, water or waste management, sustainability consultancy or transport planning; or with Biology for ecology, zoology, conservation, agriculture or marine biology. Pairing Environmental Science with Chemistry or Physics supports progression into geology, food technology, oceanography or the renewable energy sector. Students combining it with Maths, Business or Economics can explore opportunities in environmental engineering, policy, circular economy or sustainability strategy.
These combinations support national skills priorities in clean energy, life sciences and advanced manufacturing. Locally, they align with Gloucestershire’s skills needs in agriculture, rural enterprise, construction, infrastructure, and green renewables.
A minimum of five GCSEs at grade 4 or above.
A science subject or Combined Science at grade 6 or above. For Combined Science, you'll need a double grade, 66.
You should expect some small costs for books and stationery. There will also be opportunities to take part in trips related to the topics you are studying. In the past, these have included visits to Alton Towers, the Houses of Parliament, JCB, Uttoxeter, and the Cadbury Factory. These trips incur a charge/are covered by the educational visits fee.
Students are required to pay a non-refundable educational visits fee at enrolment.
Which other A-levels does this work well with?
A-level Environmental Science typically goes well with: Biology, Business, Chemistry, Economics, Geography, Mathematics, and Physics.
Can I study A-level Environmental Science and play in the Sports Academy?
This will depend which other A-levels you are studying. Where possible we try to work academy timetables around academic timetables, however this is not always possible. Please email to discuss your individual circumstances.
Can I bring my horse and study A-levels?
Yes - we provide students with the opportunity to bring their horse (or horses) with them while they study. On-site livery is offered to students on a DIY or full livery basis. This is subject to availability as demand is always high. Fees apply.
How much does the course cost?
If you're a UK student under the age of 19 enrolling in full-time A-level courses at Hartpury College, you typically won't need to pay tuition fees. For further information, details for those over 19 year-of-age and international students, visit: Finance | Hartpury College
Outstanding
Rated 'Ofsted Outstanding in all areas' for academic and curriculum-related provision
99.4% pass-rate
With an A-level pass rate of 99.4% (Hartpury College 2025), our outcomes for students are exceptional.
Living in on-site college accommodation at Hartpury, you’ll be part of a vibrant and international community of students of all ages who share their experience of life at college and university together on one campus.
The Hartpury Certificate is an enrichment programme designed to support our students to grow.
A-levels or a diploma?
Are you unsure about whether A-levels or a BTEC Diploma are the right choice for you? Find out the key differences and which qualification would best suit your learning style and your career and further study ambitions on our dedicated page.
Similar courses
A-level in Mathematics
Mathematics is an interesting and challenging A-level that will enable you to study a wide range of topics across pure and applied mathematics. You'll develop and deepen your understanding of topics covered at GCSE and be introduced to many new concepts too.
A-level in Physical Education
Our A-level Physical Education qualification allows you to pursue your sporting passions by developing a broad theoretical understanding of factors that affect both participation rates within society as well as the performance levels of elite athletes.
A-level in Physics
Physicists explore the answers to complex questions such as: How did the Universe begin? How does the sun keep shining? What are the basic building blocks of matter? What is mass? What makes things move? If you think these questions are fascinating, then you'll enjoy studying physics.
Find a course
Our partners & accreditations