A-Level Programme - Environmental Science

Our A-Level in Environmental Science offers opportunities for skills development and independent thinking which will help you develop an understanding of how human society relies upon natural systems for resources and life support systems.

On our A-Level programme, you will study three or four subjects. Please apply for three or four subjects and use our course selector here to check what options you can do!

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Select your A-level subjects and apply

Course Video - A-Levels

If you want help with choosing your A-level subjects, visit the page below and use our A-level course selector.

A-level Course Selector

Course Description
What will I study on this course?
- The living environment, understanding the interaction of living organisms with each other and their abiotic environment, and how an understanding of this can inform decisions that lead to sustainable human activities
- The physical environment, understanding how anthropogenic activities are inter-connected with physical processes, to formulate management strategies and plan sustainable activities.
- Energy resources, learning about the importance of these in both past and future developments in society
- Pollution, understanding how the properties of materials and energy forms interact to result in environmental change
- Biological resources, understanding the challenge posed by the need to provide food and forest resources for a growing human population without damaging the planets life support systems.
- Sustainability, developing a holistic understanding of sustainability and the circular economy
- Research methods, investigating a wide range of environmental issues
Entry Requirements
You will need:
- 5 GCSEs at grade 4 or above including English and maths and, for this specific subject;
- GCSE grade 6-5 or above in combined science, or grade 6 in biology or chemistry
- GCSE grade 5 or above in maths
- Plus 2 additional GCSEs at grade 5 or above
Course Length

How long is this course?

2 years

When does this course start?

02/09/2026

How many hours / days per week is this course?

Full-time courses at CWA are generally 3 - 4 days per week (though you may be in for an extra day if you are resitting English and / or Maths). The college day is typically longer than a day at school and students will need to plan their individual study in their free time (including individual study hours which are recorded at college in the Learning Resource Centre or other study areas). Work experience will be a key component of your course and most students will complete a minimum of 60 hours per academic year (on top of their college hours), depending on the course they are studying. CWA has a dedicated team of work placement co-ordinators to support you with this.
Course Fees

* Some of our courses may have additional costs to cover trips, unform and equipment. These costs will be confirmed to you at enrolment.

Fee information

Though this course is free for those aged 16-18, there may be additional costs related to the programme, such as additional equipment and uniform, educational trips and work placement costs. Full details will be sent to applicants before enrolment.

Find all the information you need about course fees and financial help below.

Information on Fees and Financial Help

Please note the information on this page was correct at the time of publication but is subject to change due to factors beyond our control.
Additional Information

What qualification will I achieve?

AQA A-Level in Environmental Science

How is my course assessed?

This qualification is linear. Linear means that students will sit all their exams and submit all their non-exam assessment at the end of the course.

Exam information

The course is assessed by 2 examinations. There will be a combination of multiple choice, short answer, and extended writing questions. Paper 1 lasts 3 hours, 50% of the marks. Paper 2 lasts 3 hours, 50% of the marks.