Our BSc (Hons) Environmental Science and Management (Environmental Practitioner Degree Apprenticeship) allows you to invest in your workforce by combining university education, work-based learning and ongoing professional development. While working as a valuable part of your team, apprentices can develop the scientific, research and managerial understanding needed to address your organisation’s environmental management challenges in a sustainable way.

Key information

Award:

BSc (Hons)

Mode of Study:

Part-time

Duration:

5 years

Location:

University of Bolton

UCAS points:

Start date:

To be confirmed

Course Details

The Level 6 Environmental Practitioner degree apprenticeship standard was developed by a consortium of employers, educators and professional bodies from across the sector. The University of Bolton’s BSc (Hons) Environmental Science and Management (Environmental Practitioner Degree Apprenticeship) has been fully mapped to the apprenticeship standard (ST0778) and offers an excellent combination of theory and practice. Study in weekly blocks at the University complements learning in the workplace, supporting apprentices from across the UK to gain the core knowledge, skills and behaviours required to provide employers with a high level of professional environmental expertise.

This degree apprenticeship can support your organisation to attract the best new talent and retain valued staff through career progression. Leading to an internationally recognised honours degree, this programme of structured training supports apprentices who wish to work towards membership of a range of professional bodies*. By integrating study into the normal working week, your apprentices will have opportunities to put their new skills and understanding into practice without delay, building their confidence and experience and benefitting your organisation immediately.

Our expert team will support your apprentices as they learn how to promote sustainable growth in a manner that is practical and responsible, helping your organisation to use fewer natural resources and produce less waste without compromising the quality of the built and natural environment. We’ll help them gain a high level of professional environmental expertise, underpinned by in-depth knowledge of key issues and the relevant policies, regulations and legislation an organisation must consider when delivering a specific project or programme. This multidisciplinary profession draws on aspects of science and engineering, business management, law, sociology, statistics and computer modelling. Helping your apprentices to become adaptable and to think critically about how their knowledge can be applied in different situations is a key focus of this course.

We emphasise the behaviours required for occupational success, such as the ability to provide professional advice, maintain confidentiality, undertake lifelong learning and demonstrate cultural sensitivity. You can be assured that we’ll work hard to support your apprentices as they develop into competent and confident environmental practitioners.

If you’re looking for undergraduate-level training in this subject area but don’t work for an employer who is offering apprenticeships, please see our self-funding opportunities. Please visit our full-time BSc (Hons) Environmental Science and Management and part-time BSc (Hons) Environmental Science and Management course search web pages for details.

*Please note, the University is currently seeking accreditations by environmental professional bodies and are in discussions with the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA), the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES), the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM), the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), and the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM).

Highlights

This course is accessible to apprentices from across the UK. Delivery in weekly blocks (instead of by day-release) allows apprentices to travel to the University and book local accommodation for the block weeks. Your apprentices will be able to benefit from face-to-face sessions and one-to-one support from our team of highly knowledgeable and enthusiastic lecturers.
Additional learning opportunities will be available remotely. Apprentices will be able to take part in these live classes using video conferencing software. Where possible, we'll record these classes so that apprentices can review and revise them at their convenience.
On successful completion of the apprenticeship, your apprentices will gain two awards: the BSc (Hons) Environmental Science and Management degree qualification from the University of Bolton and a Degree Apprenticeship certificate from the relevant awarding body.
As well as academic knowledge and understanding, we promote practical skills development. Our expert team will guide your apprentices as they learn laboratory procedures, from sampling, collecting and interpreting data, technical analysis and drawing reasoned conclusions, to how to present results and write-up technical reports.
Guest lectures by specialists from industry, the professional bodies and other academic institutions, enhance the learning experience.
This apprenticeship offers knowledge and training that is highly relevant to those with the longer-term goal of achieving membership of a relevant professional body*.

Key Features

This course skillfully combines study in our well-established School of Engineering environment with practical and focused work-based learning and experience in your organisation.
Course materials are available online, allowing your apprentices to prepare work in advance to make the most of the highly interactive in-class tuition.
Our approach to teaching and learning is ‘student-centred’, so we’ll work with your apprentices on an individual basis, providing tailored help and support throughout their studies.
The programme design and curriculum benefits from consultation with our Industrial Advisory Board (IAB), which includes representatives such as consultants, building engineers, contractors, local government and government agencies.
Quarterly and annual reviews, where each apprentice, their workplace mentor and a member of our team meet to assess your apprentice’s progress, promote continuing conversation between your workplace and the University. This helps to ensure the success of your apprentices and maximise the value of their studies to your organisation.

Professional recognition

Please note, the University is currently seeking accreditations by environmental professional bodies and are in discussions with the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA), the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES), the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM), the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), and the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM).

We’ll encourage your apprentice to become a student member of one of these professional bodies and take part in the events they offer to build their professional portfolio and reputation.

96 UCAS points. We accept a full range of qualifications that carry UCAS points, including A-levels, BTECs and T levels. Please see our guide to the UCAS Tariff for examples of how to achieve these points. For most courses, we are also able to consider non-tariffable qualifications
The applicant’s Level 3 subjects must include a science subject; for instance, A-level Biology or BTEC Extended Diploma in Applied Science.
Applicants should have five GCSEs at grade C or above or grade 4 to 9 (or equivalent), including English and Mathematics. If an applicant has yet to achieve appropriate Level 2 English and Mathematics qualifications, then with their employer's support, they can complete suitable equivalents locally or with assistance from the University before commencing the apprenticeship. Please contact apprentices@bolton.ac.uk for a list of acceptable GCSE equivalents, further information and support.
We also welcome applications from prospective apprentices who have completed a foundation year in a relevant area or a Level 3 apprenticeship in a relevant area.
We’re happy to consider applicants with non-traditional entry qualifications provided they can demonstrate relevant experience or a suitable portfolio of work that is deemed a reasonable substitute for the above qualifications. We'll consider such applications in line with the University’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) procedures, as appropriate.
Applicants will attend a joint discussion with their employer and the University of Bolton. This combined interview and onboarding discussion fosters trust and sets the tone of the relationship between the applicant, their employer and our tutors. As part of the interview, applicants may be asked to undertake additional assessment(s) or provide a portfolio of appropriate work to determine their suitability for the course.
Admission to this programme is only available to applicants who meet ESFA eligibility criteria, including the following: 1) They are employed for a minimum of 30 hours per week in a role relevant to the apprenticeship. 2) They have the right to live and work in the UK. 3) Their employer is willing to sponsor them to spend a minimum of six hours per week of their time in off-the-job training, including attending the University (times and dates to be determined) for the duration of their course. Please note that an apprentice cannot be self-employed. ESFA eligibility criteria may change so please contact apprentices@bolton.ac.uk for up-to-date information.
If English isn’t the applicant's first language, they will also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.
To be eligible for tuition fee funding through the Apprenticeship Levy, candidates should not normally have already completed a qualification at the same level as the proposed apprenticeship, unless that qualification was gained in a completely unrelated discipline.

Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.

The BSc (Hons) Environmental Science and Management (Environmental Practitioner Degree Apprenticeship) is designed to meet the Level 6 Environmental Practitioner Degree Apprenticeship Standard (ST0778). This standard underpins a highly relevant qualification and professional development pathway that educates future specialists with a high level of professional environmental expertise so they can offer a robust overview of key issues and the relevant policies, regulations and legislation an organisation must consider when delivering a specific project or programme.

On successful completion of the degree apprenticeship, graduates will possess the knowledge and skills needed to perform as an independent, highly competent environmental practitioner. Employers can expect them to possess a wide range of transferable skills, such as the ability to work with a high level of autonomy, respond positively to complex and unpredictable situations, work in teams and groups, and be able to influence and make decisions that support others across and external to the organisation. They will be adept at planning and time management, rational decision making, critical thinking and possess excellent communication skills. They will have the all-round skills needed to apply their knowledge, understanding and technical prowess to a wide range of environmental specialisms so that they can achieve defined outcomes for your organisation.

What can I do with this qualification?

This degree apprenticeship aims to support the development of the next generation of environmental practitioners. Graduate apprentices who have completed the University of Bolton’s BSc (Hons) Environmental Science and Management (Environmental Practitioner Degree Apprenticeship) will be well prepared to initiate, manage and analyse specialist environmental projects, including environmental tests and activities, research and field inspections, and the provision of appropriate policy, regulatory and legislative guidance. They will have the interpersonal skills to work with junior and senior members of their own project team, as well as other environmental specialists such as environmental managers and consultants, environmental impact assessors, environmental protection officers and regulators. They will also be able to work to specialists from beyond their profession; for instance, design and commissioning engineers, surveyors, construction site personnel and architects.

Successful apprentices will be well qualified to take on roles such as environmental advisor, environmental protection officer, environmental impact assessor, land use planner and environmental coordinator. They’ll also be able to work in more specialist fields covering air quality, acoustics, ecology, landscape, heritage and water resources.

Graduate apprentices will also be well placed to continue their studies by pursuing a master’s degree.

Course fees

Apprentices will need to be employed by your organisation for a minimum of 30 hours per week. Your organisation will also need to commit to sponsoring apprentices to complete this qualification.

For further information on how your organisation can access funds to support apprentices, please e-mail connected@bolton.ac.uk.

Whether you’re an employer, employee or school leaver, please visit our Apprenticeship web page for support and advice regarding apprenticeships.

International applications are not possible for this course

As an international student you are not allowed to study this course because of the restrictions on your visa.

We offer a wide range of full-time courses in lots of different subjects, many of our courses start in September and January. If you would like to see what courses are available please visit our Course Search.

Useful information

Apprentices will not be expected to pay tuition fees towards this programme. If your organisation has a wage bill of more than £3 million per annum, then it may be able to fund this apprenticeship through its Apprenticeship Levy contributions. If your organisation does not pay the levy, it may be eligible for government support to fund apprenticeships. This support, called co-investment, covers 95% of the apprenticeship's tuition fees, with your organisation funding the remaining 5% of the fees.

Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2022-2023 academic year: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.

The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.

For details of how to apply for this course, please choose your status from the options below:

Please contact the programme leader for details of the application procedure. You can find their name, email address and phone number in the Programme Contacts section of this page.

For support and advice regarding apprenticeships, please visit our Apprenticeship web page.

International applications are not possible for this course

As an international student you are not allowed to study this course because of the restrictions on your visa.

Environmental science and management encompass a diverse and multi-faceted range of disciplines so we use a wide range of teaching and learning methods. These are designed to fully engage apprentices, helping them to develop the skills, knowledge, self-awareness and behaviours essential to become an effective, professional environmental practitioner, with particular reference to your organisation and their place within it. Learning focuses on your workplace environment, and builds towards the transferable body of knowledge and skills needed to achieve membership of a relevant professional body* and apply this expertise within your organisation. Your apprentices will spend the majority of their time gaining on-the-job knowledge and experience. On average, they will also complete at least six hours per week in off-the-job learning, including studying at the university, which for this course usually takes the form of weekly blocks (rather than day release).

As well as attending timetabled lectures, seminars, workshops, practical sessions and tutorials, apprentices will also be expected to allocate significant time to independent and self-directed studies. For example, background reading, revisiting practical work, preparing for seminars, working on assignments and revising for exams will support their timetabled learning and develop good habits for lifelong learning. Our friendly and supportive tutors will be here to guide them and will gladly help them devise an independent study regime focused on their individual development needs. Learning will also be supported by the University's virtual learning environment, Moodle.

Your organisation will need to provide each apprentice with a workplace mentor to support their development. They will also benefit from regular visits from a University tutor. The workplace mentor, University tutor and apprentice will work together to create an individual learning plan. An individual learner record (ILR) will be completed on a monthly basis.

For the degree element of this programme, we assess each apprentice’s individual performance through a strategic blend of written coursework, examinations, oral presentations, time-constrained activities, practical work and portfolios. Some assessments contribute to their final module marks, while others are designed to help them identify their strengths and weaknesses and where they need to seek extra support from course tutors. In addition to the assessments associated with the degree programme, apprentices will undertake the end point assessment, at the end of the apprenticeship period.

Modules

The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.

Introduction to Environmental Science and Engineering
Environmental Principles, Practices and Policies
Environmental Media and Pollution
Climate Change
Communications Technology
Work-based Portfolio and PDP 1
Energy and Natural Resources
Modelling and Statistics in Environmental Science
Laboratory Skills for Pollution Analysis
Environmental Project Management
Digital Approach to Environmental Solutions
Work-based Portfolio and PDP 2
Environmental Business Management and Governance
Interdisciplinary Project
Research Methods and Dissertation
Work-Based Portfolio and PDP 3

Assessment methods

Level	Assesment method
Level one	Coursework 50%, Practical exams 17%, Written exams 33%
Level two	Coursework 60%, Practical exams 15%, Written exams 25%
Level three	Coursework 85%, Written exams 15%

Learning activities

Level	Learning activity
Level one	Guided independent study 77%, Scheduled learning and teaching activities 23%
Level two	Guided independent study 77%, Scheduled learning and teaching activities 23%
Level three	Guided independent study 75%, Scheduled learning and teaching activities 25%

Disclaimer

The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.