Environmental Science with Hazards and Disasters BSc (Hons)
Subject and course type
- Environmental Science and Geography
- Undergraduate
Gain your Environmental Science with Hazards and Disasters BSc (Hons) degree with ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ. We are ranked No.1 in London and No.4 in the UK for Geography in the Guardian University Guide 2025. This course is also accredited by the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA), the professional body for everyone working in environment and sustainability.
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Protect the planet from environmental emergencies
This course was set up in response to the growing need for emergency planners, both in the UK and globally.
Throughout the degree, we encourage you to think about how to apply your studies to potential real-life work situations. This ensures that you will graduate with the skills employers need.
At our Penrhyn Road campus, you will have access to a modern environment with the latest equipment, including:
- laboratories dedicated to environmental science learning and research
- the £9.8 million Eadweard Muybridge building with state-of-the-art laboratories
- computing laboratories and a team of IT technicians to offer assistance
- the award-winning Town House, with a well-stocked library that boasts an impressive collection of texts, journals and online e-books/journals
- excellent social spaces, plus a large, fully equipped gym and fitness centre
- a fully integrated virtual learning environment (Canvas) so you can learn and interact with others on your course 24/7
The trip to Tenerife has been a highlight of the course. We had spent the previous year and a half learning everything from geology to atmospherics to understanding the environment. Tenerife was the point where we put it all into perspective and utilised what we had learnt. Going into this amazing landscape, looking around and thinking, 'I understand this' was just brilliant.
Field trips
Why choose this course
What are the causes of earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, hurricanes, floods and landslides? How do we plan for them, lessen their impact and handle the emergencies that can result?
This course examines the physical science of natural hazards, the social factors that can contribute to disasters, emergency planning and disaster risk reduction. You'll gain expertise in a range of practical and field techniques through ‘real-world' exercises.
One way we keep the course up to date is by inviting guest lecturers from the many organisations with which we have contact, including:
- the London Ambulance Service
- the Metropolitan Police
- the Fire Service
- the Environment Agency
Guest speakers provide first-hand learning opportunities and introduce you to potential career paths. Many discuss case studies of actual disasters, such as the Boxing Day Tsunami in 2004 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005. You will also work with hazard practitioners in fields such as floods and volcanoes.
In addition, you'll continually apply your studies to real-life situations through fieldwork in the UK and overseas, and through paid work placement opportunities. For example, during Years 2 and 3, many of the modules on this course include day trips and excursions. You might visit:
- Ashtead Common, a national nature reserve, close to Kingston
- The nearby North Downs
- The Sussex coast
- The River Thames in central London and local streams such as the Hogsmill River
- The Thames Estuary, Rochester and the Medway Estuary, Northey Island in the Blackwater Estuary, where you may for example investigate current and future flood risk and the adaptation and mitigation strategies that can increase climate resilience
- The River Thames floodplain
You will also take part in longer field trips throughout the course:
Year 1: Southern UK Based
In your first year you will do a southern UK-based, week-long trip to a specific area, such as Dorset. Here you will:
- learn and develop a variety of environmental fieldwork skills
- consider the ways in which we collect and analyse data to understand social and environmental issues
- study a range of topics, such as water resources, tourism and natural capital, coastal hazards and climate change
- complete work suggested by lectures and individual projects
- research controversial environmental issues
Year 2: European based
In Year 2, you will participate in an overseas field trip to a location, such as Tenerife. This gives you the chance to study an environment very different to that of the UK. You will focus on ecological diversity, develop a range of ecological techniques and design and manage a group-based ecological project.
Year 3: International fieldwork options
In Year 3, students have opportunities to engage in optional fieldwork overseas during the summer. This is part funded by the Turing Scheme (UK government programme) and by the University. Recent summer fieldwork destinations include Almeria in Spain, Bandung in Indonesia and Chesapeake Bay in the USA.
We are ranked No.1 in London for Geography in the Guardian University Guide 2025.
We are ranked No.4 in the UK for Geography in the Guardian University Guide 2025.
Accreditation
This course is accredited by the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA). IEMA is the professional body for everyone working in environment and sustainability. This course entitles students to free student membership for the duration of the course and on successful completion you qualify for GradIEMA. Graduate membership is a launchpad for future leaders within environment and sustainability and offers a range of benefits to support you throughout your career. You can then "Fast track" to Practitioner Membership.
The degree apprenticeship route is accredited by the IEMA.
Course content
As a pathway of the Environmental Science BSc (Hons), the Hazards and Disasters pathway focuses on the key themes of natural hazard science, disaster management and emergency planning.
Year 1
Year 1 provides a broad understanding of earth sciences, the environment and natural hazards. You'll study the building blocks of the environmental science including geology and hydrological, atmospheric and ecological systems. You'll also study modules in Geographical Information Science (GIS) and explore a variety of research and fieldwork methods.
Core modules
30 credits
This module introduces key fundamental topics in physical geography, overviewing the various spheres of the Earth, associated processes and interaction. Themes are presented systematically as a cross-section of the Earth's physical structure: geological underpinning, Earth surface processes (introducing geomorphology, the pedosphere and hydrosphere), the atmosphere, and the biosphere.
Interwoven within these topics are lectures on associated environmental hazards, including geophysical hazards (e.g., volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and tsunamis), atmospheric hazards (including hurricanes and tornadoes) and environmental and ecological hazards (including oil spills, and wildfires).
Processes behind these major natural and man-made environmental hazards will be described, with reasons provided for their occurrence and global spatial distribution. Detailed case studies from a variety of geographical regions will help to build a portfolio of examples, enhancing student knowledge of the processes, impacts and means of forecasting and mitigating against hazards becoming disasters.
The module introduces students to the application of environmental and geophysical knowledge and skills to real world challenges and potential discipline-related employment opportunities.
30 credits
This module introduces the basic principles of environmental science, including environmental chemistry, water quality analysis/assessment, environmental pollution, and ecology. The module will investigate basic environmental principles to help students understand how physical and human processes can promote change in environmental systems at a range of spatial and temporal scales.
Students will investigate the impacts of environmental change, understand their significance, and show how this knowledge can be applied to the management of environmental challenges. The importance of a holistic approach to problem solving in the environmental sciences will be introduced along with material on key underpinning scientific disciplines including environmental chemistry and ecology through the investigation of global habitats.
15 credits
Maps are tools for visualising spatial information to communicate pattern, processes, and the results of geographical analysis. This module explores the principles and practice of map design and production using Geographical Information System (GIS) software. GIS are introduced, including representations of reality, data types, data management, data quality, and simple analytical operations.
The cartographic design process will be explained including graphic design principles and different modes of delivery (hardcopy/web map/3D) and contrasted to ‘traditional' manual map-making. Legal and ethical issues relating to copyright and attribution of data and media are explained.
15 credits
This module introduces students to a range of research methods that form the basis of successful investigations in their subject discipline areas, including research design, qualitative and quantitative data collection, and analysis interpretation.
The module, importantly, also introduces fieldwork as a key investigative element of both environmental and geographical study. The module incorporates the core Level 4 fieldwork, developing both generic fieldwork skills (e.g. pre-field trip reconnaissance using a range of secondary data sources and remote sensing, field safety risk assessments, safety in the field, and ethical considerations) and discipline specific site investigations (e.g. field observations, triangulation for map location and geometrical data collection using compass-clinometers, surveying techniques and GPS location, water quality surveys, analyses of archival data, and questionnaires and interviews).
15 credits
Students are introduced to their course learning aims and consider their anticipated learning targets from induction to graduation. Students are guided to identify and take ownership of their personal academic journey through the development and application of academic skills aligned to KU Graduate Attributes and their discipline-specific professional body learning outcomes.
Students are tutored in a range of learning to learn techniques and are introduced to assessment for learning and the role of feedback, reflection and feedforward as an integrated part of their learning journey. This will be supported through active engagement in the KU Navigate Programme enabling students to understand and begin to develop a design thinking approach to Future Skills development.
15 credits
This module will explore the global environmental, economic, and social problems that society faces and encourage students to find and create sustainable innovative solutions.
The students will be introduced to the complex societal problems and current challenges associated with social justice, cultural inequalities, ethics, and climate change emergencies, this will enable them to reflect on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. The students will be immersed in a culture of education that provides knowledge, values, attitudes, and skills and encourages them to think about possible solutions seeking to balance economic, environmental, and social objectives set by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), and the challenges in achieving those goals.
Students will be able to develop knowledge, values, attitudes, and skills associated with systems thinking and integrated problem-solving within the context of environmental systems and processes and the built environment. This will encourage students to critically address ways to mitigate and solve complex global societal problems addressed by the UNSDGs.
Working in teams, students will explore, and debate: to evaluate the interconnectivity between the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), collaborate and co-design practical and equitable strategic solutions to Net Zero carbon (positive), and evaluate sustainability-related global challenges (e.g., the climate emergency) while developing critical thinking and self-awareness
Year 2
Year 2 develops the theory and practice of disaster risk reduction. You'll enhance your knowledge of GIS, geomorphology, atmospheric science, tectonic hazards, climate-driven hazards such as flooding and a range of hazard mitigation and adaptation strategies. An overseas trip will provide the opportunity to develop your fieldwork skills.
Core modules
30 credits
This Level 5 module introduces the key theories and concepts in the social science approaches to understanding disasters, one of the major global challenges facing humanity. It explores the social, cultural, political, economic and other factors that combine to construct vulnerabilities to disasters, and the ways in which these might be countered through Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) strategies. These issues are explored at a range of spatial scales, from the local to the global, along with the inter-linkages and process that bind them together.
The relationship between evolving theories and practice are explored through a number of case studies which consider developed and developing world examples across a variety of hazard types. The challenges posed by the interdisciplinary approaches that are necessary to tackle disasters, and the need to communicate with a wide range of stakeholders, are examined. The complex range of factors influencing DRR implementation in particular contexts, and the variety of skills needed to evaluate DRR are investigated through fieldwork.
The fieldwork will also provide an opportunity for students to gain an understanding of the processes involved in developing a research proposal. Employability skills and the transferability of acquired knowledge to the workplace environment are introduced and developed.
30 credits
This module explores the physical science of Earth's hydrosphere and the atmosphere, key processes and principles, and associated hazards. Through a sculpted narrative, the module will take students on an investigative journey to explore land, ocean and atmosphere environments and their interactions, with a persistent focus on the impact of climate change on these systems.
The narrative will follow the water cycle, starting with precipitation on land and a study of drainage basins, followed by investigations of rivers, estuaries and coasts, then the ocean and ocean circulation, and finally the atmosphere. Hydrological and sedimentological processes will be considered, following a source to sink approach.
A variety of hydrospheric and atmospheric hazards will be considered throughout the module. These include riverine and coastal flooding, sea-level rise, and severe weather hazards associated with ENSO, the Indian Ocean Dipole and the SE Asian Monsoon System. Fieldwork, GIS and remote sensing practicals are integral to this module; they provide real-world skills and training relevant to a wide variety of environmental science, hazards and geography careers.
15 credits
This module presents a series of thematic taught sessions overviewing major geomorphological processes and landforms, sedimentary environments and potential hazards associated with these environments. Students will investigate a diverse range of geomorphological environments encapsulating a variety of continental and tectonic terranes and coastal landscapes. Module curricula will explore geomorphological features fundamental to these various environments and consider the geological and geomorphological processes that shape these landscapes.
Geomorphological change will be considered for the various landscapes and, in concordance, students will explore how climate change is impacting the various environments, in what way this affects populations living in these areas, and how the risk can be managed. On completion, students will gain a detailed understanding of the major surface processes and their geomorphological significance and will be able to interpret a range of geomorphological landscapes.
The module emphasises the mastery of geomorphological skills through experiential learning closely associated to core lecture delivery. The practical programme will aid students in evaluating key geomorphological concepts, learning and testing analytical techniques. The fieldwork programme provides an arena for applying new skills and knowledge gained and provides a learning bridge to students wishing to pursue physical geographical and/or hazards-based research projects at Level 6.
30 credits
Students design, manage and execute an environmental science or environmental hazards research project in a ‘real-life' field-based setting. Students will be trained in quantitative and qualitative data analysis. Therefore, students will learn how to collect, manipulate and interpret statistical environmental data, and apply this learning to their project-based investigations.
15 credits
With the increasing focus on data science and big data, data literacy and the ability to develop and implement analytical workflows have become essential transferrable skills. This module is concerned with how to obtain, process, integrate, analyse, visualise, and analyse geographical data within GIS software to discover and quantify spatial patterns. It offers the means to critically evaluate data, analytical approaches, and the outcomes in relation to the principles of information and cartographic design.
The principles and methods of digital data collection and post-processing are introduced (e.g. GPS, mobile apps, aerial and space-based survey, secondary data, APIs). Students will learn how to apply exploratory and basic analytical techniques (e.g. buffer, spatial join, overlay, surface and network analysis) to discover pattern. They are introduced to and gain practical experience of the relational database, and network and surface data models and their analytical use.
15 credits
Optional professional placement year
The optional professional placement year between Years 2 and 3 includes a work placement or international exchange. The work placement gives an opportunity for paid work and valuable experience in an environmental or hazards-related field. We will keep in touch with you throughout your placement, ensuring the skills and training you receive translate effectively into your studies and career aspirations.
Final year
The modules in Year 3 further develop your knowledge of disaster management, with an emphasis on recent case studies. You'll also research and engage with practising professionals in all areas of disaster management.
Core modules
30 credits
This module provides students with experiences in the design, preparation and execution of an independent and supervised programme of research.
The module guides students to employ reflective learning techniques and to develop a variety of level-appropriate employability skills by engaging with their research project as academic research with commercial, policy or political value which requires effective dissemination and communication to a range of suitable audiences. Employability skills developments are integral to the Research Project module.
The specific nature of the research project chosen allows the students to target specific skills they wish to develop in their learning pathway and the project supervisors will work closely with the students to identify and articulate these skills and relate these to Future Skills.
15 credits
This module explores the science of climate change through an in-depth exploration of the components of the climate system and an examination of climate change indicators such as sea-level change and ocean acidification. The influence of human activities that contribute to climate change, such as greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation will be explored and future climate models and scenarios will be evaluated.
The module will highlight how recent climate change is predominantly due to anthropogenic forcing rather than natural climate drivers. Students will learn to critically evaluate and discuss models of future climate change and will produce their own climate projections for the UK based on real data.
The fieldwork programme will also provide students with an opportunity to enhance their understanding of climate change by seeing examples of past climate change in the local palaeo and geomorphic record. Examination of the palaeo record of past climate change will give context to the evaluation of future projected climate change scenarios.
15 credits
This module takes a critical approach to disaster management (DM) and its implementation. The focus is largely based on the UK where the term used is emergency management (EM) but there is some consideration of disaster management beyond these boundaries.
The module examines the varying ways in which society attempts to reduce the impacts of hazards through disaster management, providing an exploration of how the historical, geographical, social, economic and political contexts shape its creation and implementation. The complex division of responsibilities and the wide range of stakeholders involved in emergency management in the UK are explored. The challenges of coordination and communication in this system are considered and evaluated.
The module develops a range of employability skills to prepare students for employment in environmental hazards and disaster management careers. This includes interaction with practitioners and the evaluation of the effectiveness of existing strategies and practices to deliver EM and communicate with stakeholders.
15 credits
Students will demonstrate the ability to apply their developing professional skills competencies in their chosen area and will ensure they have a broad understanding of the business environment in which professional activities are undertaken. The module will develop the student's technical, management and interpersonal skills required to perform in a team environment and prepare the students for employment and entrepreneurship.
Students will participate in ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ's Bright Ideas competition where they will work together as a team to develop a business idea of their choice. To do this they will need to interact with relevant stakeholders outside the University.
Students will be guided to interact with professional and learning communities beyond the university and reflect on these interactions. This may include participation in co-curricular events such as subject-specific and career development events (e.g. talks, workshops, speed interviews), networking opportunities offered by the subject-specific professional bodies, exploring pathways to professional chartership/membership, leveraging interactions with professionals in the development of the final year research project and, reflecting on the co-benefits of these interactions.
15 credits
This module offers in-depth knowledge as well as hands-on skills for a series of spatial analytical and modelling approaches that can be used for solving real-world problems.
At the heart of this module will be the notion of spatial understanding of data science. This relates to the fundamental notion in geography and environmental science whereby spatial patterns and spatial inequity are rife in the real world (e.g., high property price in accessible and branded areas; persistence of crime hotspots; specific ecological habitats that exist for particular species; regions prone to a specific natural hazard such as hurricanes).
Offering solutions to these various challenges require a systematic and quantitative appreciation as well as suitable interpretation of the data, and this module is designed to offer the means to achieve this through a series of spatial analytical and spatial statistical methods, including point pattern analysis, spatial interpolation and spatial regression.
Science Foundation Year
Would you like to study one of our science degrees but are not yet ready to join the first year of a BSc(Hons) course?
You can include an extra foundation year within your chosen degree. Please see the science foundation year course page for details of modules.
Initially I was very sceptical about going back to education as I hadn't enjoyed my A-levels, but the teaching here has been fantastic. The lecturers are superb, I can't fault any of them. Classes are clear and well-constructed and you can always get help.
Future Skills and career opportunities
Graduates from this course pursue careers in a variety of commercial, industrial and public sector organisations. For example, they go on to work for local governments, INGOs, first responders (such as the police and fire service), civil defence, insurance companies and environment consultants.
Embedded within this course and throughout the whole Kingston experience is our Future Skills programme. The Future Skills programme was developed to respond to the ever-evolving demands from modern day employment.
It will help you obtain the skills most valued by employers, such as problem-solving, digital competency and adaptability, and learn how to apply these skills in different scenarios. You’ll also learn how to articulate to employers how being able to do so gives you the edge.
At ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ, we're not just keeping up with change, we're creating it
For more information on how Kingston prepares you for the future job market, visit our Future Skills page.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching includes lectures, seminars and tutorials, practical classes and integrated fieldwork study. We place an emphasis is on learning through experiences and there is field and practical work at all stages, including local and overseas fieldwork.
Assessment is varied and your assignments may replicate tasks you are likely to face in the workplace including report writing, role-playing exercises, presentations and environmental hazards and disaster management project exercises.
When not attending timetabled sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This typically will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for final assignments. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, the library and CANVAS, the online virtual learning platform.
Our academic support team here at ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ provides help in a range of areas.
When you arrive, we'll introduce you to your personal tutor. This is the member of academic staff who will provide academic guidance, be a support throughout your time at Kingston and show you how to make the best use of all the help and resources that we offer at ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ.
Type of learning and teaching
Year 1
- Scheduled learning and teaching: 419 hours
- Guided independent study (self-managed time): 826 hours
Year 2
- Scheduled learning and teaching: 437 hours
- Guided independent study (self-managed time): 763 hours
Year 3
- Scheduled learning and teaching: 655 hours
- Guided independent study (self-managed time): 1172 hours
Type of assessment
- Year 1: Coursework: 65%; practical: 15%; exams: 20%
- Year 2: Coursework: 80%; practical: 6%; exams: 14%
- Year 3: Coursework: 71%; practical: 3%; exams: 26%
We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 20 working days.
Your individualised timetable is normally available to students within 48 hours of enrolment. Whilst we make every effort to ensure timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled learning and teaching can take place on any day of the week between 9am and 6pm. For undergraduate students, Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities, but there may be occasions when this is not possible. Timetables for part-time students will depend on the modules selected.
To give you an indication of class sizes, this course normally enrols 5 students and lecture sizes are normally 5Â. However this can vary by module and academic year.
Fees and funding
| Fee category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Home (UK students) | |
| £9,535* | |
| Foundation Year: | £9,535 |
| International | |
| Year 1 (2025/26): | £18,500 |
| Year 2 (2026/27): | £19,200 |
| Year 3 (2027/28): | £19,900 |
| Year 4 (2028/29): | £20,700 |
The tuition fee you pay depends on whether you are assessed as a 'Home' (UK), 'Islands' or 'International' student. In 2025/26 the fees for this course are above.
For courses with Professional Placement, the fee for the placement year can be viewed in our Fees and Funding section. The placement fee published is for the relevant academic year stated in the table. This fee is subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body.
* For full-time programmes of a duration of more than one academic year, the published fee is an annual fee, payable each year, for the duration of the programme. Your annual tuition fees cover your first attempt at all of the modules necessary to complete that academic year. A re-study of any modules will incur additional charges calculated by the number of credits. Home tuition fees may be subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body. Full-time taught International fees are subject to an annual increase and are published in advance for the full duration of the programme.
Eligible UK students can apply to the Government for a tuition loan, which is paid direct to the University. This has a low interest-rate which is charged from the time the first part of the loan is paid to the University until you have repaid it.
Scholarships and bursaries
For students interested in studying this course at Kingston, there are several opportunities to seek funding support.
Additional course costs
Some courses may require additional costs beyond tuition fees. When planning your studies, you’ll want to consider tuition fees, living costs, and any extra costs that might relate to your area of study.
Your tuition fees include costs for teaching, assessment and university facilities. So your access to libraries, shared IT resources and various student support services are all covered. Accommodation and general living expenses are not covered by these fees.
Where applicable, additional expenses for your course may include:
Our libraries have an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as open-access computers and laptops available to rent. However, you may want to buy your own computer or personal copies of key textbooks. Textbooks may range from £50 to £250 per year. And a personal computer can range from £100 to £3,000 depending on your course requirements.
While most coursework is submitted online, some modules may require printed copies. You may want to allocate up to £100 per year for hard-copies of your coursework. It’s worth noting that 3D printing is never compulsory. So if you choose to use our 3D printers, you’ll need to pay for the material. This ranges from 3p per gram to 40p per gram.
ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ will pay for all compulsory field trips. Fees for optional trips can range from £30 to £350 per trip.
Your tuition fees don’t cover travel costs. To save on travel costs, you can use our free intersite bus service. This route links the campuses and halls of residence with local train stations - Surbiton, Kingston upon Thames, and Norbiton.
Specific courses may require uniforms, specialty clothing, or specific equipment like lab coats and safety shoes. ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ will supply you with a lab coat and safety goggles at the start of the year.
If you choose to do a placement year, travel costs will vary depending on your location. These costs could be up to £2,000.
Course changes and regulations
The information on this page reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. To improve your student experience and the quality of your degree, we may review and change the material information of this course. Find out more about course changes
for the course are published ahead of each academic year.
Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.
What our students and graduates say
I felt the knowledge and skills I developed on this course could help me change people's fortunes, making them safer and less at risk. I like how science can help do that.
Key information
The scrolling banner below displays some key factual data about this course (including different course combinations or delivery modes of this course where relevant).
