Other Courses

Environmental Science A Level (S9417)

Paston College

Grammar School Road, North Walsham, Norfolk, NR28 9JL

GCE A/AS Level or Equivalent

Level 3

Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Care

Available start dates

Friday, 01 September 2023

Paston College

2 Year(s)

Full time

Daytime/working hours

Application Instructions

3 A Level Programme

Minimum of 66444 at GCSE (Please note : grade 4 may be replaced by an 'old C' grade and grade 6 by 'old' B grade)

Vocational subjects cannot replace GCSEs for entry on to an A Level programme.

You must also study English/Maths GCSE if you have not already achieved grade 4 in these subjects.

4 A level programme

If you achieve a minimum of 3 GCSE's at grade 8 (A*) plus 5 at grade 7 (A) and your English Language and Maths are at minimum grade 4, you will have the option to join the A Plus programme.

Please note that A Plus is designed for applicants to academic courses at Oxford, Cambridge or other Russel Group universities. Grades in vocational subjects cannot replace GCSE's for entry to this programme.

Vocational programmes

Minimum of five grade 4 at GCSE (or old grade C) or Merit/Distinction in a relevant BTEC First Diploma (or equivalent) plus 1 grade 4 (or old grade 4) at GCSE. You must also study English Language and/or Maths GCSE if you have not already achieved grade 4 in these subjects.

Level 2 programme

Minimum of three grade 4 at GCSE (or old Grade C).

This programme is designed for those students who just miss our entry requirements for level 3 study. It includes an opportunity to improve your GCSE English Language and Maths grades, alongside a Workskills course to develop the skills required for progression into employment or onto a level 3 programme.

Course Details

Environmental Science goes beyond the scientific understanding of earth's natural processes and man's impacts on these. It helps us understand how we can use technological developments to help manage these problems and create more sustainable life-styles. You will be taught using contemporary case studies by experiences and enthusiatic teachers. You can expect to undertake a range of lab work, debates, research actitivites in group and individual work.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN?

You will spend the first year studying topics related to living and physical environments. These topics allow you to explore why life exists on earth and develop a deep understanding of biodiversity and ecosystems, such as grasslands and coral reefs and the conservation of these habitats in the UK and abroad. You also study the impact that humans have on the atmosphere.

In the second year, you will learn about the challenges that the Earth’s growing population has created. Students examine how we can balance the needs of people for minerals, fuel and food with the environmental impacts this creates. You will discover how technological developments can help humans continue to exploit resources but in a more sustainable way.

UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES

You will have the opportunity to take part in up to 4 fieldwork days and a variety of lab experiments. These are taken in the local area and could include day trips to Winterton-on-Sea and the Norfolk Broads to learn about conservation and habitats. There have also been opportunities for students to venture further afield on international expeditions, such as conservation work in South Africa. Closer to home, students have also taken part in the annual Biodiversity Conference in Norwich.

IS IT SUITABLE FOR YOU?

This course is ideal for anyone interested in contemporary environmental issues. If you are excited and optimistic about how new technologies could help us create new solutions to environmental problems and develop more sustainable societies, this is the course for you.

HOW YOU ARE ASSESSED?

This course is assessed through examination only. You will sit two 3 hour exams that include multiple choice questions and extended writing.

THIS COURSE GOES WELL WITH…

Geography, Biology and all other sciences as well as all social-science and humanities subjects.

Entry requirements

3 A Level Programme

Minimum of 66444 at GCSE (Please note : grade 4 may be replaced by an 'old C' grade and grade 6 by 'old' B grade)

If you achieve a minimum of 3 GCSE's at grade 8 (A*) plus 5 at grade 7 (A) and your English Language and Maths are at minimum grade 4, you will have the option to join the A Plus programme.

Your next steps...

YOU CAN GO ON TO DO...

A wide range of careers such as; agriculture, economics, environmental law, conservation or environmental management. It is well respected by universities and students go on to study a wide variety of science or social science courses.

For more courses like this, check our courses page.