Environment and Sustainability – BSc

CAO Points: NEW FOR 2027
Location: Thurles
years: 3

Course Code US741
Level 7
Course Type Undergraduate
Study Mode Full Time
Department Applied Science

Fact – TUS graduates are the most employable in Ireland.

We are Ireland’s top university for graduate employment for 3 years in a row!

Course Overview

This programme is designed for students who want a Science degree focusing on the two areas of Environment and Sustainability. The content of the programme is focused on offering students a practical and hands-on learning experience to prepare graduates for careers in environmental consultancy, conservation, renewable energy, corporate sustainability.

Through fieldwork, laboratory experience, work placements, the use of the technology and independent research, students gain technical proficiency in environmental monitoring, data analysis, and sustainability assessment, alongside communication and advocacy skills.

At its core, the programme instils a sense of responsibility and environmental stewardship in students, encouraging them to adopt ethical decision-making in their professional and personal lives. The programme employs a strong thread of sustainable development throughout the four years thereby ensuring that graduates are equipped to lead initiatives that address environmental challenges while promoting social equity and economic resilience.

This course is approved by the Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals (ISEP). This course entitles students to FREE student membership for the duration of the course and on successful completion, graduates will qualify for GradISEP. 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 the “Fast track” to Practitioner Membership (PISEP) following successful completion of the work-based assessment of competence.

Contact Details

Dr. Bridget Kirwan

Email: Bridget.Kirwan@tus.ie

Entry Requirements

Leaving Certificate

A minimum of 5 O6/H7 grades in five Leaving Certificate subjects, including Mathematics and English or Irish.

QQI FET/FETAC

TUS accepts QQI-FET/FETAC awards for entry on all courses of study. Please refer to our Admissions information for details.

Mature Applicants

Candidates applying as mature applicants may be required to attend an interview and may be requested to take an aptitude test to prove their suitability for a place on this programme.

International Applicants

International applicants should apply directly to the International Office at TUS, allowing plenty of time for completing the visa process. Applications for September start should be made by 1st June at the latest to ensure visas are processed in time. You should familiarise yourself with visa processing times for your country of origin to ensure you make a timely application. Find out more here.

Course Modules

Year 1

Professional Skills In Third Level

Credits: 5

This module provides students with knowledge and skills related to professional skills in third level, emphasising scientific understanding, analytical skills, and applied environmental problem-solving.
Introduction To Environmental Chemistry

Credits: 5

This module provides students with knowledge and skills related to introduction to environmental chemistry, emphasising scientific understanding, analytical skills, and applied environmental problem-solving.
Introduction To Sustainable Development

Credits: 5

This module provides students with knowledge and skills related to introduction to sustainable development, emphasising scientific understanding, analytical skills, and applied environmental problem-solving.
Introduction To Laboratory Practice And Measurement

Credits: 5

This module provides students with knowledge and skills related to introduction to laboratory practice and measurement, emphasising scientific understanding, analytical skills, and applied environmental problem-solving.
Earth Science

Credits: 5

This module provides students with knowledge and skills related to earth science, emphasising scientific understanding, analytical skills, and applied environmental problem-solving.
Fieldwork Skills & Safety

Credits: 5

This module provides students with knowledge and skills related to fieldwork skills & safety, emphasising scientific understanding, analytical skills, and applied environmental problem-solving.
Fieldwork Methodology

Credits: 5

This module provides students with knowledge and skills related to fieldwork methodology, emphasising scientific understanding, analytical skills, and applied environmental problem-solving.
Environmental Biology

Credits: 5

This module provides students with knowledge and skills related to environmental biology, emphasising scientific understanding, analytical skills, and applied environmental problem-solving.
Applied Environmental Science

Credits: 5

This module provides students with knowledge and skills related to applied environmental science, emphasising scientific understanding, analytical skills, and applied environmental problem-solving.
Land Use Management

Credits: 5

This module provides students with knowledge and skills related to land use management, emphasising scientific understanding, analytical skills, and applied environmental problem-solving.
Environmental Data Fundamentals

Credits: 5

This module provides students with knowledge and skills related to environmental data fundamentals, emphasising scientific understanding, analytical skills, and applied environmental problem-solving.
Development And Economics

Credits: 5

This module provides students with knowledge and skills related to development and economics, emphasising scientific understanding, analytical skills, and applied environmental problem-solving.

Year 2

Environmental Data Analysis

Credits: 5

This module provides students with knowledge and skills related to environmental data analysis, emphasising scientific understanding, analytical skills, and applied environmental problem-solving.
Public Policy For Sustainable Development

Credits: 5

This module provides students with knowledge and skills related to public policy for sustainable development, emphasising scientific understanding, analytical skills, and applied environmental problem-solving.
Fieldwork In Practice

Credits: 5

This module provides students with knowledge and skills related to fieldwork in practice, emphasising scientific understanding, analytical skills, and applied environmental problem-solving.
Water Quality Management

Credits: 5

This module provides students with knowledge and skills related to water quality management, emphasising scientific understanding, analytical skills, and applied environmental problem-solving.
Environmental Microbiology

Credits: 5

This module provides students with knowledge and skills related to environmental microbiology, emphasising scientific understanding, analytical skills, and applied environmental problem-solving.
Ecological Systems

Credits: 5

This module provides students with knowledge and skills related to ecological systems, emphasising scientific understanding, analytical skills, and applied environmental problem-solving.
Leadership Skills Development

Credits: 5

This module provides students with knowledge and skills related to leadership skills development, emphasising scientific understanding, analytical skills, and applied environmental problem-solving.
Environmental Management And Pollution Control

Credits: 5

This module provides students with knowledge and skills related to environmental management and pollution control, emphasising scientific understanding, analytical skills, and applied environmental problem-solving.
Geographical Information System and Environmental Modelling

Credits: 5

This module provides students with knowledge and skills related to geographical information system and environmental modelling, emphasising scientific understanding, analytical skills, and applied environmental problem-solving.
Environment & Sustainable Development

Credits: 5

This module provides students with knowledge and skills related to environment & sustainable development, emphasising scientific understanding, analytical skills, and applied environmental problem-solving.
Weather And Climate Science

Credits: 5

This module provides students with knowledge and skills related to weather and climate science, emphasising scientific understanding, analytical skills, and applied environmental problem-solving.
Botany Identification Skills

Credits: 5

This module provides students with knowledge and skills related to botany identification skills, emphasising scientific understanding, analytical skills, and applied environmental problem-solving.

Year 3 – Semester 1

Community Engagement & Consultancy

Credits: 5

This module provides students with knowledge and skills related to community engagement & consultancy, emphasising scientific understanding, analytical skills, and applied environmental problem-solving.
Research Techniques

Credits: 5

This module provides students with knowledge and skills related to research techniques, emphasising scientific understanding, analytical skills, and applied environmental problem-solving.
Sustainability Certification And ESG

Credits: 5

This module provides students with knowledge and skills related to sustainability certification and esg, emphasising scientific understanding, analytical skills, and applied environmental problem-solving.
Advanced Research And Spatial Analysis

Credits: 5

This module provides students with knowledge and skills related to advanced research and spatial analysis, emphasising scientific understanding, analytical skills, and applied environmental problem-solving.
Environmental Resource Management

Credits: 5

This module provides students with knowledge and skills related to environmental resource management, emphasising scientific understanding, analytical skills, and applied environmental problem-solving.
Fieldwork – Habitat Assessment

Credits: 5

This module provides students with knowledge and skills related to fieldwork – habitat assessment, emphasising scientific understanding, analytical skills, and applied environmental problem-solving.

Year 3 – Semester 2

Work Placement Portfolio

Credits: 20

This module provides students with knowledge and skills related to work placement portfolio, emphasising scientific understanding, analytical skills, and applied environmental problem-solving.
Work Placement

Credits: 10

This module provides students with knowledge and skills related to work placement, emphasising scientific understanding, analytical skills, and applied environmental problem-solving.

What What can you do after this course?

Career Opportunities

Ireland is experiencing a significant surge in demand for graduates with degrees in Environment and Sustainability, driven by the country’s ambitious climate goals and the transition to a low-carbon economy. Job postings requiring green skills have grown by over 22.1%, this demand comes from sectors such as local government, renewable energy, environmental consultancy etc. The career landscape for environmental and sustainability graduates is diverse and expanding. The SOLAS Quarterly Skills Bulletin further highlights that approximately 400,000 people were employed in green roles in Ireland by the end of 2024.

The employment opportunities for graduates of the programme are extensive and growing, employment options include:

Environmental Consultancy.
Renewable Energy Sector: Role.
Conservation and Biodiversity Management.
Climate Change and Sustainability Specialists.
Waste and Resource Management.
Environmental Policy and Advocacy.
Water and Soil Management and employers could include Local Authority, Sustainability Consultants, Irish Water, Teagasc (Agriculture and Food Development Authority) etc.

The curriculum has an emphasis on practical, hands-on learning to prepare graduates for these diverse careers. As Ireland continues to prioritise sustainability, our graduates will be well-positioned to contribute meaningfully to the changes anticipated in the sector in the future.

Further Study

Upon successful completion of this course, students may progress to year 4 of the BSc (Hons) in Environment and Sustainability.