female student in library holding a textbook

A-Levels

Level 3

01 Sep 2025

2 Years

LOXTON CAMPUS

ALENVSD1LC

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Environmental Science, A Level

Environmental Science focuses on the scientific study of the natural world and the human impact on the environment. It is a multidisciplinary subject that integrates concepts from biology, chemistry, physics, geology, and geography to provide a comprehensive understanding of the environment and the issues surrounding it. Throughout the course, you will explore a range of topics, such as ecosystems, biodiversity, pollution, climate change, energy, and sustainability. You will learn how human activities affect the environment and the consequences of those impacts, as well as strategies for managing and mitigating those impacts.

You will develop practical skills through fieldwork, laboratory work, and data analysis, and will learn how to communicate scientific concepts effectively through reports, presentations, and debates. You will also develop critical thinking skills and ethical awareness by considering the ethical and social implications of environmental issues.

Our Sixth Form is located at Loxton Campus. This purpose-built facility has been designed to simulate a university environment, preparing you for future higher education studies. When you study here you will automatically join our Career Excellence Hub and benefit from a range of additional opportunities designed to enhance your career prospects. We have established strong partnerships with respected employers, enabling you to gain valuable work experience in June of year one and February of year two. We'll support you in finding suitable placements or provide a week of experiences that align with your career aims.

In the first year of your course, you'll have the opportunity to follow a pathway that aligns with your career aspirations. Options including environmental and social enterprise will provide you with additional skills and experiences to enhance your career prospects. You'll also attend guest lectures, industry visits, and trips, all of which will broaden your horizons and provide valuable insights into the industry. You'll be taught by experienced teachers who are passionate about their subjects.

Our dedicated Tutor Learning Mentors are focused on helping you develop effective study skills and prepare for exams. Additionally, we offer dedicated assistance and guidance for interviews, whether you're applying to university or seeking job opportunities.

WHAT DOES THIS COURSE INVOLVE

The living environment
The physical environment
Energy resources
Pollution
Biological resources.

This programme is part of a Sixth Form offer, learners typically choose three or four A Level subjects to study over a two-year period. Which A Levels you study can affect your choices at university and your future career. Take a look here at our other A Level programmes

ASSESSMENT METHOD

Two 3-hour exams.

FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES

Suitable degrees once you have successfully completed your A Level Environmental Science course include environmental science, ecology, microbiology, law, geography, and conservation to name a few.

Beyond university, potential future careers for A Level Environmental Science students include in-demand careers such as:

Environmental specialists
Landfill engineers
Nuclear waste management
Hydrogeologists
Geologist

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Five GCSEs at grade 9-4, including English, and grade 5 or above in core and additional science and maths.

WHAT DO I DO NEXT?

Ready to apply – please use the ‘apply now’ button at the top of this page.
I’d like to visit and see the facilities and chat to staff – see when our next open event is here: EVENTS | Weston College
I have a quick question – use our Live Chat facility on the bottom right of this page.

Category & Subject Area

A Levels Courses for 16 to 18-year-olds Courses for 16 to 18-year-olds

iAn interview is required for this course.

Fees Information

Level 2 Qualifications

This course may be Free* if you live in the South West of England and:

You are defined by the Adult Education Board (AEB) as being unemployed because one of the following applies:
- receive Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), including those receiving National Insurance credits only
- receive Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- receive Universal Credit and your take home pay, as recorded on your Universal Credit statement (disregarding Universal Credit payment and other benefits) is less than £345 a month (learner is sole adult in the benefit claim) or £552 a month (learner has a joint benefit claim with their partner)
- are released on temporary licence, studying outside a prison environment, and not funded by the Ministry of Justice
You are employed, or self-employed, and earn less than £18,525.00 annual gross salary.

Level 3 Qualifications

This course is Free* if:

The qualification you have chosen to study is part of the Legal Entitlements list and you are aged 19-23 at the start of your course and you do not already have a qualification at Level 3 or higher. From April 2021, any adult aged 24 and over who wants to achieve their first full level 3 qualification will be able to access certain courses we run for free.

The full fee is payable if:

this is not your first full level 3

the qualification you wish to study isn’t on the approved list of level 3 qualifications the College can run for free.

However, you may qualify for an Advanced Learner Loan.

Apprenticeships - Information for Employers

The cost of apprenticeships will be split into 30 funding bands ranging from £1,500 to £27,000. The prices will depend on the type of apprenticeship and the level it is taught at, and are negotiable with your training provider.

For 98% of employers, the reforms mean that employing an apprentice will be better value for money than ever before. Small businesses will only have to pay 5% of the training costs, with the Government picking up the remaining 95%. In some cases, the Government will fully fund apprenticeships for small businesses.

Click here for more information about how the reforms and levy will affect your company.

Advanced Learner Loans

You may be eligible to apply for an Advanced Learner Loan from Student Finance England, to fund the cost of your course. For further information and to check eligibility, please follow the links below:

Other Important information

While every care has been made to ensure the accuracy of our prospectuses and website, errors may occur from time to time resulting in incorrect information / fees being shown / printed.

Fees quoted online and in our prospectuses are for the current academic year only, and are subject to change – two and three-year courses will have fees to pay again in subsequent years.
You may still need to buy a uniform/kit which is your professional start-up kits or pay professional/personal memberships and all students will need to provide a National Insurance number and up-to-date proof of benefits, if applicable, at the time of enrolment.
Please click here for our current term dates.

If you are 16-18 years old on the 31st August in the current academic year, this course is usually Free.
Students who are EU/EEA or Swiss Citizens who have lived in the UK before 1 January 2021 who do not have indefinite leave to enter or remain in the UK or haven’t applied for the EU Settlement Scheme and been granted pre-settled or settled status – please contact the College Registrar on 01934 411 531 for advice on appropriate UKVI student visa fees before you enrol.

Refunds

Full refunds will be payable if we need to cancel a course.
Tuition fee refunds are payable if you change your mind within 14 days of enrolling on your course and before the start of the course (10% of tuition fee or £25 administration fee whichever is larger will be charged).

If you change your mind about a course before it starts or during the first three weeks, we will happily transfer you to an alternative course - you may need to pay any difference in fees or have a credit note issued to you if the course is cheaper.
If you wish to withdraw from a course you can request a credit note for the remaining proportion of the tuition fees to a maximum of 50% of tuition fees paid (a £25 administration fee will be charged). Credit notes are valid for one calendar year.
There are different terms and conditions for Higher Education courses - please call 01934 411 409 for further details.

Discretionary Learner Support Fund

This is a College-administered fund which can support some costs associated with attending qualification courses. It is mean-tested against gross household income and limited in its amount per learner. For further information please contact Student Services on 01934 411 571.