Business and Environment BSc

Program Overview

The BSc Business and Environment program at the University of Exeter equips students with the knowledge and skills to navigate the intersection of business and environmental sustainability. Graduates develop expertise in ecological economics, environmental science, and climate justice, preparing them for careers in both the private and public sectors as adaptable and ethical leaders in sustainable business practices. The program offers optional placement year or year abroad experiences, enhancing employability and global perspectives.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The BSc Business and Environment program focuses on the interdependence of business and the natural environment. It aims to equip future business leaders with the skills and insights needed to address pressing societal challenges, particularly those related to environmental sustainability. The program examines how businesses need to adapt to address intensifying environmental issues and achieve a sustainable economy. It is designed for individuals interested in becoming adaptable and resilient leaders who contribute to long-term ethical solutions.

Objectives:

• To understand the relationship between business and the environment.
• To develop skills and knowledge to address environmental challenges within a business context.
• To prepare students for leadership roles in sustainable business practices.
• To foster an understanding of ecological economics, environmental science, and climate justice.

Outline:

The program is structured over three years (or four years with an optional placement year or year abroad). It covers a range of topics, including:

• Ecological economics: How business can contribute to tackling the ecological crisis.
• Environmental science: How data provides insights into ecosystems that support life.
• Climate justice: The role of environmental laws, regulations, and policies in shaping our relationship with nature.

Year 1:

• Compulsory Modules:
• Environment, Society and Business (BEP1150) - 30 credits
• A Legal Foundation for Environmental Protection (LAW1016C) - 15 credits
• Accounting (BEP1070) - 15 credits
• Understanding Work and Organisations (BEP1100) - 15 credits
• Introduction to data science (GEO1419) - 15 credits
• Global Issues in Environmental Science (GEO1408B) - 15 credits
• Power, Inequality and Global Justice (POC1026) - 15 credits

Year 2:

• Compulsory Modules:
• Research Inquiry for Practice (BEP2060) - 15 credits
• Ecological Economics (BEP2150) - 15 credits
• Strategic Concepts for Business (BEP2040) - 15 credits
• Circular Enterprise Economy (BEP2210) - 15 credits
• Biodiversity and Conservation (BIO2406) - 15 credits
• Optional Modules:
• Environmental Modules (minimum 15 credits):
• Geographical Information Science and Systems (GEO2440) - 15 credits
• Introduction to Ecological Consultancy (BIO2425) - 15 credits
• Remote Sensing for Environmental Management (GEO2441) - 15 credits
• Ice Sheets: Glaciology, Climate and the Oceans (GEO2451) - 15 credits
• Environmental Regulation and Redress (LAW2016C) - 15 credits
• Green Politics in Theory and Practice (POC2114) - 15 credits
• Hazards and Human Society (GEO2463) - 15 credits
• Rural Social Issues (GEO2445) - 15 credits
• Landscape Evolution (GEO2444) - 15 credits
• Biogeography (GEO2450) - 15 credits
• People and Nature (GEO2458) - 15 credits
• Waste and Society (GEO2454) - 15 credits
• Social and Cultural Geographies (GEO2456) - 15 credits
• Oceans and Human Health (ECE2001) - 15 credits
• Business Modules (minimum 15 credits):
• Finance for Business (BEP2050) - 15 credits
• Understanding Financial Statements (BEP2190) - 15 credits
• Business Practice (Placement/Work Experience Project) (BEP2030) - 15 credits
• Social Enterprise Management (BEP2070) - 15 credits
• Workplace Wellbeing (BEP2110) - 15 credits
• Legal Foundations for Sustainable Business (LAW2115C) - 15 credits
• Digital Technologies and the Future of Work (BEP2120) - 15 credits
• History of Black Entrepreneurship (BEP2300) - 15 credits
• Project Management (BEP2020) - 15 credits
• Business Analytics (BEP2140) - 15 credits

Placement Year (Optional):

• Students can choose to spend a year working in a related industry or studying abroad.
• The placement year takes place in the third year, before returning to complete the degree in the fourth year.
• Students can apply directly to the placement year option through UCAS or transfer during their first year.

Final Year:

• Compulsory Modules:
• Business and Climate Change (BEP3011) - 15 credits
• Practice-Based Consultancy Management (BEP3020) - 15 credits
• Biomimicry (BEP3130) - 15 credits
• Future-Facing Dissertation/Project (BEP3050) - 30 credits
• Optional Modules:
• Marine Climate and Environmental Change (GEO3455) - 15 credits
• Business Field Trip (BEP3090) - 15 credits
• Social and Technological Innovation (BEP3010) - 15 credits
• Crisis: Change and Creativity in Organisations (BEP3070) - 15 credits
• Marketing Strategy (BEP3110) - 15 credits
• The Economy of Space (BEP3171) - 15 credits
• The Complexity of Human Societies (BIO3428) - 15 credits
• Science in Society (BIO3411) - 15 credits
• Ecological Responses to Climate Change (BIO3415) - 15 credits
• Climate Change and Society (GEO3437B) - 15 credits
• Sustainable Cities (GEO3475) - 15 credits
• Arctic Frontiers: Can We Preserve the Arctic Environment?
(GEO3461) - 15 credits
• Legal Response to Environmental Destruction (LAW3016C) - 15 credits
• Marine and Coastal Social-ecological systems (GEO3470) - 15 credits
• Globalisation and Internationalisation (BEP3030) - 15 credits
• Local-Global Innovation (Cornwall Research Seminar Series) (BEP3040) - 15 credits
• Future 17: Sustainable Development Goals Challenge (BEP3172) - 15 credits
• Living with Environmental Change (ECE3001) - 15 credits
• Frontiers of Global Health (ECE3002) - 15 credits
• Sustainability Accounting and Reporting (BEP3003) - 15 credits

Course Variants:

• BSc Business and Environment with Industrial Experience (UCAS code: N118):
• A four-year program with a third year spent in a professional placement.
• Students are supported by the Business School Careers Team in finding placements.
• The placement year contributes to the final degree classification.
• BSc Business and Environment with Year Abroad (UCAS code: N117):
• A four-year program with a third year spent studying at one of Exeter's partner universities.
• Students can choose from over 60 partner universities in 26 countries.
• The year abroad contributes to the final degree classification.

Assessment:

• Modules are assessed through a combination of:
• Group work
• Coursework
• Project work
• Presentations
• Examinations
• The weighting of these components varies depending on the module.
• Coursework is typically between 2,500 and 6,000 words in length.
• Exams are usually held at the end of the module in January and May/June.
• First-year assessments must be passed to proceed to the second year but do not count towards the final degree classification.

Teaching:

• Teaching methods include lectures, workshops, tutorials, and seminars.
• Students engage in case studies, discussions of current business issues, and debates on key theories.
• Students develop presentation, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Each student has a personal tutor for advice and support throughout their studies.
• Timetabled contact hours vary between 11 and 14 hours per week.
• Students are expected to complete 20-25 hours of independent or group study per week.

Careers:

• The program develops a wide range of business, management, and environmental skills.
• Graduates are prepared for flexible employment options, including roles such as:
• Project manager
• Marketing manager
• Sales manager
• Graduates are well-suited for positions in:
• Private companies
• Public organizations
• Investment banks
• NGOs
• Third-sector industries (e.g., water, renewables, food supply chain)
• The program equips students with the skills to progress into graduate programs and become:
• CSR managers
• Change managers
• Proven ability to work with modern data technologies and critically analyze challenges.
• Ability to identify and communicate management strategies for sustainable solutions to complex business problems.
• Excellent teamwork and communication skills, including negotiation and sensitivity to diversity.
• Project management, leadership, and consultancy skills applicable to various fields.

Other:

• The program is delivered at the Penryn Campus in Cornwall, offering a beautiful campus environment close to the sea and areas of outstanding natural beauty.
• Students have the opportunity to take up to 30 credits in a subject outside of their course each year, enhancing employability and intellectual horizons.
• Students can achieve proficiency in a second subject (e.g., Data Science, Law, Leadership) by completing 60 credits in that subject, which can be added to their degree title.

UK students: £9,250 per year International students: £23,700 per year