

Prepare for a future in environmental science with a diploma that blends rigorous academic study, practical investigation, and personal support, equipping you with the skills and knowledge to address urgent environmental challenges and succeed in higher education.
The Environmental Science: Access to Higher Education Diploma is a nationally recognised qualification, equivalent to two or three A Levels, completed in just one year. This course is designed for adults seeking to return to study and progress to university or college. The curriculum provides a strong foundation in environmental studies, geography, and mathematics, ensuring you develop both scientific understanding and analytical skills.
Key features include hands-on practical investigations, independent research projects, and the use of statistical and mathematical methods to analyse environmental data. The environmental studies module covers key concepts in ecology and sustainability, the impact of human intervention, and conservational techniques to support sustainability. Geography modules explore biotic resources, biogeochemical cycles, and energy resources, while mathematics modules develop essential skills in algebra, geometry, and statistics.
Study skills sessions and weekly tutorials offer dedicated support for academic progress and university applications. Graduates are well prepared for university-level study and a variety of careers, including energy management, ecology, environmental consultancy, education, sustainability, pollution control, recycling, and water or air quality professions. The course’s proven track record of successful progression makes it an excellent choice for those committed to making a positive impact on the environment.
This diploma is suitable for you if you are pursuing a career in the areas below (after graduating from a relevant higher education course):
Many students who study an Access to Higher Diploma use the government's Advanced Learner Loan initiative to fund it. This means there are no up-front fees or credit checks. Visit the government's useful pages here to find out more.
Statistical and Mathematical Methods: You will be using the statistical and mathematical methods in your practical investigation/project work.
Practical Skills: You will plan and conduct your own practical investigation to show the understanding of the subject along with application skills. You will be using different types of research methods during planning and carrying out your research. It will give you experiences in independent study/research. This will help you to enhance your research and presentation skills for the future roles.
Study Skills: This part of the course focuses on developing the practical skills you will use on a higher education course; including essay writing, referencing and effective note-taking.
Tutorial: You will receive all the help you need with university applications and study support in a weekly tutorial, which also gives you the chance to talk to your tutor about your academic progress and plans for university.
Environmental Studies: In this course you will study wide range of issues threating environmental change which is definitely the need of the hour. To begin with you will understand the key concepts of environment, ecology and sustainability. Further it will focus on impact of human interventions on environmental and ecological balance along with possible solutions by covering conservational techniques. By the end of this course you will able to understand how to construct conservational techniques that can support sustainability.
Geography: Through reading and discussion, you will learn and understand different concepts of geography crucial to environmental studies. These include biotic resources, biogeochemical cycles, types of energy resources and their effects on sustainability.
Maths
The subject aims to provide knowledge and understanding of key concepts in mathematics needed for the study of environmental science. The course covers an introduction to mathematics, algebra, geometry and statistics. You will also have the opportunity to complete a research project in mathematics.
Study Skills
This part of the course focuses on developing the practical skills you will use on a higher education course; including essay writing, referencing and effective note-taking.
Tutorial
You will receive all the help you need with university applications and study support in a weekly tutorial, which also gives you the chance to talk to your tutor about your academic progress and plans for university.
The aim of the course is to provide you with a route into higher education at university or college. Hundreds of former students have gone on to higher education courses at both our own University Centre Farnborough and elsewhere, showing that the course is successfully preparing students for the next stage in their education.
This course is designed for mature students, aged 19 or over, who have had sufficient life or work experience between leaving school and starting the diploma.
To make sure this is the right course for you, acceptance onto the diploma is based on aptitude and commitment following an interview and assessment.
You will need an English Language GCSE at grade C/4 or above and GCSE Mathematics at grade C/4 or above.
It is also strongly advised that you contact the university or teaching institution, you wish to attend after completion of this course and check what their exact GCSE requirements are for your chosen degree. Every university admission policy is different so its worth making sure you have the right course for your particular needs.
Please contact us through the form below. After submitting a form we will contact you as soon as possible. We will delete your information one month after the beginning of the next academic year.





