This module examines a number of contemporary themes and issues relevant to the study of psychology, sociology, social policy, politics and international relations, geography, and sustainable environmental management. You’ll expand your knowledge of these disciplines and develop the academic skills you’ll need in your successful progression into higher education.    

You’ll study topics such as:  

• Different research approaches and using data to investigate a problem  

• Key perspectives, ideas and theories 

• Key themes in natural science, and society’s relationship with our changing world 

• Citing and referencing information  

This module examines a number of contemporary themes and issues relevant to the study of psychology, sociology, social policy, politics and international relations, geography and sustainable environmental management. You’ll expand your knowledge of these disciplines and develop the academic skills you’ll need in your successful progression into higher education.    

You’ll study topics such as:  

• Different research approaches and using data to investigate a problem  

• Key perspectives, ideas and theories 

• Key themes in natural science, and society’s relationship with our changing world 

• Citing and referencing information  

Module aim:  

To develop an understanding of the pathways to a sustainable future for people and planet. 

Indicative content:  

• Sustainability and social justice principles. 

• Wellbeing in environmental education and advocacy.  

• Nature recovery. 

• Circular economy. 

• Energy Transitions. 

• Modelling for a net zero future. 

Module aim: 

This module will develop key foundational knowledge of Earth System Science, climate change through deep and historical time, the concept of the Anthropocene, and social drivers of the climate emergency.  

Indicative content:  

• Introduction to Earth systems science  

• Introduction to the biosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere and hydrosphere, and energy pathways that link them  

• Introduction to Global environmental change through deep time and historical time  

• Introduction to the concept of the Anthropocene  

• Introduction to the key social, political and economic drivers of climate change  

Module aim:  

This module will enable you to develop techniques and professional skills which build a foundation for your future studies and career.  You will critically reflect on your skills and ambitions and understand how these align with careers addressing global environmental challenges. 

Indicative content:  

• Digital skills  

• GIS 

• Analysis and presentation of data / information 

• Research skills – qualitative and quantitative / mixed methods 

• Employability and careers (presenting as a professional / aspirations / ambitions / work experience) 

• Practical skills  

• Fieldwork 

• Laboratory work 

• Communication 

• Environmental challenges e.g., sustainability, climate crisis, nature recovery, pollution 

• EDI awareness  

• Reflection / personal growth / self-awareness 

Module aim:  

The module will introduce you to the interdependence between climate change and biodiversity decline, examining the key drivers of global biodiversity loss and how they directly and indirectly relate to climate change. This will involve examining different biomes/realms across the world to explore how climate change is impacting the Earth's ecosystems. You will develop the skills required to communicate this science accurately and effectively online.  

Indicative content:  

• An introduction to the IPCC reports 

• An introduction to biodiversity crisis and the IUCN typology map 

• Concepts of novel ecologies, conservation, restoration, and rewilding 

• Lectures and workshops 

• Digital skills and GIS 

• One-day field trips 

• Peer-support and learning through online presentations 

Module aim:  

This module aims to develop understanding of how to design, plan and co-ordinate research in a range of settings (lab and field) to tackle challenges related to the climate crisis, sustainability and environmental management. You will develop your skills on an employer-led professional placement. 

Indicative content: 

• Work integrated learning placement 

• Research design skills, including development of research aims, objectives and methodological approaches 

• Data collection in laboratory and field settings 

• Analytical skills 

• Statistics skills 

• Communicating analytical findings  

• Reflective practice

Module aim:  

To use fieldwork and spatial research toolkits to explore a range of global challenges in distinct geographical contexts. 

Indicative content:  

• Environmental hazards and impacts in distinct geographical contexts.  

• Sustainability challenges and approaches in distinct geographical contexts. 

• Social inequality and injustice in distinct geographical contexts. 

• The intersection of human and physical geography field work for a fuller understanding of the world and real-world challenges. 

• Understanding the past and present factors/processes that shape places. 

• GIS site context mapping and analysis.  

• GIS in the field.  

• Fieldwork and field data gathering methods – quantitative and qualitative.  

• Collaborative research.  

Module Aim:

The Global Climate Emergency module aims to enable students to learn in a multi-disciplinary and international environment, focussed on introducing the biggest challenge in the world – the Climate Emergency. The module will develop applied knowledge, skills and values that empower students to understand climate action and act as informed, engaged, responsible and responsive global citizens.

Workshops, classroom, online, international collaboration

Indicative content:

Global environmental change and drivers of the climate crisis

The uneven impacts of the climate crisis on society, nature and the environment

An international view of social justice and human rights with respect to the Climate Emergency

Introduction to international agreements and frameworks, such as the Sustainable Development Goals, relevant to the Climate Emergency

An exploration of climate solutions, mitigation and adaptation An introduction to governments, organisations and business in driving change

The economic challenges and opportunities of climate change

Driving change through activism, communication and media

Module aim:  

To develop an understanding of the spatial distribution of climate vulnerabilities and consumption inequalities, and the initiatives to address them, in order to understand how transition projects will have the most impact in terms of environmental benefit and lifestyle change.  

Indicative content:  

• GIS mapping and analysis of environmental, demographic and consumption data to identify climate vulnerabilities and consumption inequalities.  

• Sustainable futures (e.g. Net Zero) modelling approaches to understand transition challenges and opportunities. 

• Exploration of policy and legislation toolkits that support a just transition to a sustainable future.  

Module aim:    

The aim of this module is to enhance students’ professional development through the completion of and reflection on meaningful work placement(s).  

A work placement will provide students with opportunities to experience the realities of professional employment and experience how their course can be applied within their chosen industry setting. The placement will: 

• Allow student to apply the skills, theories and behaviours relevant and in addition to their course 

• Enable students to enhance their interpersonal skills in demand by graduate employers – communication, problem solving, creativity, resilience, team work etc.  

• Grow their student network and relationship building skills. 

• Provide student with insights into the industry and sector in which their placement occurs 

• Help student make informed graduate careers choices. 

Indicative Content:  

In this module students undertake a sandwich placement (min 24 weeks / min 21 hours per week) which is integrated, assessed and aligned to their studies.  

Their personal Placement Academic Supervisor (PAS) will be their key point of contact during their placement and will encourage and support students to reflect on their experience, learning and contribution to the organisation they work for.  

To demonstrate gains in professional development, students will be required to share their progress, learning and achievements with their Placement Academic Supervisor and reflect on these for the summative piece of work. 

Module aim: 

This module aims to enable you to gain further research skills with hands-on training in a range of data collection and analytical methods in different environmental areas. You will take part in real-world live briefs set by external partner organisations to develop these skills, and will choose a theme within which to design an independent dissertation, allowing you to discover, explore and communicate your own response to a key environmental challenge. 

Indicative content:  

• Research design 

• Project management 

• Ethics and risk assessment 

• Employability skills 

• Skills relevant to the 4 course pathways of Environmental Change, Energy, Waste and Resources, Nature Recovery, and Sustainable Societies 

• Laboratory skills 

• Field skills 

• Statistical skills 

• Digital skills and GIS 

• Analysis and presentation of data 

• Critical evaluation skills 

• Communicating to specific audiences. 

• EDI awareness and global perspectives 

• Reflection / personal development 

Module aim:  

This module aims to develop a deep understanding of approaches to developing sustainable societies of the future and the opportunities, challenges and transitional processes involved in changing the way we live.  

Indicative content:  

• Energy demand reduction. 

• Equity and justice in transition.  

• Renewable and clean energy. 
  Greening of industry 

• Carbon capture use and storage 

• Circular economy 

• Food systems 

• Spatial planning  

• Nature based solutions. 

• Transportation  

• Wellbeing 

• Case study-based learning. 

Module aim:  

This module aims to provide a holistic and global understanding of the interconnected natural and social elements of Disaster Risk Reduction, by examining a range of climate-related, geophysical, hydrological, and industrial hazards. It explores risk assessment and monitoring, preparedness, response, and mitigation, and seeks to address questions around long-term vulnerability, equity and resilience in the face of uncertainty and change. 

Indicative content:  

• Key concepts in Disaster Risk Reduction 

• The complex social, political, economic and geographic factors impacting dynamic vulnerability 

• Multi-hazard scenario analysis 

• Governance and policy relating to Disaster Risk Reduction 

• Ethics, colonialism and inequity in management of environmental hazards 

• Extreme weather and meteorological hazards 

• Drought, wildfires and climatological hazards 

• Flood and landslide hazards 

• Seismic and volcanic hazards 

• Environmental pollution and industrial hazards 

• Hazard analysis approaches; monitoring, modelling, data and geospatial information  

• Uncertainty, risk evaluation and management 

• Institutional and individual perceptions, preparedness and response 

• Adaptation, mitigation and resilience to hazard and risk

Module aim:  

This module aims to provide in depth knowledge and understanding of different approaches to nature recovery and natural resource management. It then reflects on the opportunities and challenges of translating these into practice through multidisciplinary assessments.   

Indicative content:  

• Embedding survey and analysis into evidence-based decision making. 

• Approaches to management of natural resources including land and water management.   

• Land-use policy and decision-making approaches, for example; scenario planning, Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNGs) assessments. 

• Approaches to recovering nature; for example, concepts such as ecological restoration, conservation, rewilding.    

• Exploring sustainable livelihoods and environments through global cultural perspectives.   

• Examining different methods of valuing nature and how they change over space and time.