This is the home of science, conservation, forestry, and outdoor studies. If you have a curiosity about the natural world, wish to pursue a career in science, or spend your future working in the great outdoors - we have some ideal course options to get you started.
Based at our Ambleside (Lake District) and Carlisle (Fusehill Street) campuses, our courses in Science and the Environment take advantage of excellent facilities and locations. Explore and study a diverse environment with unique habitats, wildlife, and flora.
No. 1 university in the Northwest and in the Top 10 in the UK for Graduates into employment or further study within 15 months (97% of Graduates – Graduate Outcomes Survey, HESA 2024).
Choose Your Pathway
Sciences
BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science provides you with an in-depth understanding of the complex science behind the cause, consequence, diagnosis, and treatment of illnesses. Also available with Integrated Foundation Year.
BSc (Hons) Environmental Science is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to develop as an environmental practitioner and to develop the personal attributes required to take on this challenge. Also available with Integrated Foundation Year.
We can help you top up your qualification and achieve your goals with our one-year BSc (Hons) - Applied Chemistry (Top Up)
BSc (Hons) Ecology and Wildlife Conservation explores the science and practice of protecting biodiversity and ecosystems in the face of climate change and environmental degradation.
BSc (Hons) Ecology and Wildlife Conservation (With Sandwich Placement) has an additional year featuring a work placement to give you real-world experience.
BSc (Hons) Ecology and Wildlife Conservation (With Integrated Foundation Year) allows you to enter the course if you have alternative qualifications or don't quite meet our entry criteria.
This course is also available as an Integrated Foundation Year and Sandwich Placement
Forestry
BSc (Hons) Forest Management allows you to complete your degree and deepen your understanding and knowledge of forestry. Also available with Integrated Foundation Year.
BSc (Hons) Forest Management (with Sandwich Year) includes a work placement to give you real-world experience.
BSc (Hons) Forestry (top-up) allows you to complete your degree and deepen your understanding and knowledge of forestry.
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Outdoor Studies
BSc (Hons) Outdoor Adventure and Environmental Studies is our three year course giving you everything you need to kick-start your outdoor career. Also available with Integrated Foundation Year.
BA (Hons) Outdoor Leadership combines a passion for the outdoors with working in a team and leading in different scenarios. Also available with Integrated Foundation Year.
BA (Hons) Outdoor and Experiential Learning (top-up) is our one year course building your theoretical knowledge in practical real-life scenarios.
Woodland Ecology
BSc (Hons) Woodland Ecology and Conservation studies the science and art of sustainably managing trees, woods and forests at our National School of Forestry.
BSc (Hons) Woodland Ecology and Conservation (with Sandwich Year) has an additional year featuring a work placement to give you real-world experience.
BSc (Hons) Woodland Ecology and Conservation (with Integrated Foundation Year) allows you to enter the course if you have alternative qualifications or don't quite meet our entry criteria.
Geography
BSc (Hons) Geography is our three year course exploring challenges in climate change, inequality and difference, and valuing the ecosystem services we derive from the Earth system.
Also available with Integrated Foundation Year which allows you to enter the course if you have alternative qualifications or don't quite meet our entry criteria.
Zoology
BSc (Hons) Zoology covers all aspects of animal biology and, as such, covers a fascinating range of often highly diverse topics. Also available with Sandwich Year and Integrated Foundation Year.
Postgraduate
MA Outdoor and Experiential Learning explores the theory and practice of personal and social development through meaningful experiences in nature and outdoor settings.
MSc Forest Science equips you with the advanced knowledge and skills needed for modern forestry practice.
MSc Conservation Management meets the growing demands for professional conservation scientists to address global environmental challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss.
DIGITAL VOICES OF THE FUTURE
The future of UK treescapes belongs to the children and young people of today: they will witness and judge the long-term legacy of the decisions made today about planting and caring for trees in the UK.
Digital Voices of the Future is one of five knowledge exchange projects funded in 2023 as part of a UKRI joint research councils (NERC, ESRC, AHRC) programme the Future of UK Treescapes. A larger companion project within the Treescapes programme, Voices of the Future has been working since 2021 to hear the voices of children and young people, developing new methods of engaging them in the design, creation and caring of mainly urban treescapes.
Find out moreStay Focused. Go Far.
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![Sophie Babbs, Zoology]()
I had an amazing opportunity to take part in a two-week field trip with the university. This allowed me to gain some hands-on skills working with a self-led project in small groups. I chose to work with aquatic vertebrates and see if fisheries are sustainable. This further ignited my passion for marine conservation and along with the previous experiences allowed me to realise
Sophie Babbs, Zoology
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![Kahina, Forensic Science]()
I feel that my course has opened up a wide range of areas to specialise in both within forensics and the greater scientific field...During the first year, I set up and chaired the forensic science society. We organised talks from people in the industry such as DigTrace that improves upon footwear analysis, social events and trips to museums.
Kahina, Forensic Science
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I really liked the professional feel of the programme and the lecturers. The three years I spent at the University of Cumbria were great! During the course I was able to find paid opportunities in international youth expedition leadership and led expeditions to Cambodia and Borneo.
Andy Eccles, Outdoor Leadership
Explore Our Schools for Training & Research
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Centre for National Parks & Protected Areas
The CNPPA are focused on making a difference to national parks and protected area management. Collaborating with those professionals seeking to manage our special places for the benefit of all.
The National School of Forestry
The University of Cumbria is home to the National School of Forestry and has a strong reputation for producing award-winning, professional graduates who now occupy some of the most senior positions in the forestry and woodland sector.
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Our Locations
Fusehill Street, Carlisle
At our Fusehill Street campus, our modern science labs and teaching facilities are designed to provide you with hands-on, practical experience. Just a short walk from Carlisle Train Station, our campus is also your gateway to the breath taking English Lake District, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its natural beauty and rich biodiversity.
Discover Fusehill Street
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Our Locations
Ambleside, the Lake District
Nestled in the heart of The Lake District National Park, our Ambleside Campus is the only university campus in the UK located in a UNESCO World Heritage site. We have some exciting and unique facilities on campus, including our own bouldering wall, impressive science labs, and an equipment hire department. Studying here, you'll get unrivalled access to 912 square kilometres of stunning landscape - with more than 150 high peaks, 52 lakes and tarns with unique habitats and wildlife to discover.
Discover Ambleside