
Certificate of Higher Education in Environment
Online United Kingdom
DURATION
1 up to 2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
09 Jan 2025
EARLIEST START DATE
Feb 2025
TUITION FEES
GBP 7,272 *
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
* total cost; part-time at a rate of 60 credits is £3,636 per year
Introduction
This certificate combines aspects of science, technology and social science to help you understand the environments in which we live and work; how our activities influence them; how they influence what we do; and how can we live sustainably within them.
Key features
- Develop the knowledge and skills needed to understand and interpret local and global environmental problems
- Equips you to contribute positively to debates in this field
- Builds a solid foundation for further study
Accessibility
We make all our qualifications as accessible as possible and have a comprehensive range of services to support all our students. The Certificate of Higher Education in Environment uses a variety of study materials and has the following elements:
- Studying online – some modules have a mixture of printed and online material, and others are entirely online (online learning resources may include websites, audio/video media clips, and interactive activities such as online quizzes)
- Using and producing diagrams and screenshots
- Undertaking practical work
- Using mathematical and scientific expressions, notations and associated techniques
- Using specialist software (for example a carbon footprint calculator)
- Working in a group with other students.
How long it takes
- Part-time study - 2 years
- Full-time study - 1 year
- Time limit - 7 years
Program Outcome
Knowledge and understanding
At the end of this certificate you will be able to demonstrate that you know about and understand:
- The structure, processes, and sustainability of environmental systems
- The interaction between environment, development, organizations, human cultures, and values
- Relevant aspects of the contribution of natural sciences, social sciences, and technology disciplines to the identification, understanding, and possible resolution of environmental issues and concerns
- Alternative interpretations of conflicting interests involved in environmental questions and potential solutions.
Cognitive skills
At the end of the certificate you will be able to:
- Use your knowledge and understanding to describe and interpret defined aspects of our environment
- Know about and begin to analyse environmental issues
- Develop, compare and begin to evaluate arguments concerning our environment.
Practical and professional skills
On completion of this certificate, you will be able to:
- Plan and organise your work and reflect on your learning
- Develop a range of transferable skills for employment and future study.
Key skills
At the end of the certificate you will have started to become an independent learner by:
- Developing your skills in reading, writing and communicating in a variety of media about our environment and associated issues
- Searching for and evaluating information from a variety of sources
- Developing your skills in interpreting data, using models and performing calculations relevant to our environment.
Curriculum
This certificate of higher education has one stage, comprising 120 credits.
- You’ll study one 60-credit module and choose one 60-credit option module.
Stage 1 (120 credits)
You'll study the following:
- Environment: journeys through a changing world (U116)
You'll choose one from:
- Global challenges: social science in action (D113)
- Science: concepts and practice (S112)
Assessment
Our assessments are all designed to reinforce your learning and help you show your understanding of the topics. The mix of assessment methods will vary between modules.
Computer-Marked Assignments
- Usually, a series of online, multiple-choice questions.
Tutor-Marked Assignments
- You’ll have a number of these throughout each module, each with a submission deadline.
- They can be made up of essays, questions, experiments or something else to test your understanding of what you have learned.
- Your tutor will mark and return them to you with detailed feedback.
End-of-Module Assessments
- The final, marked piece of work on most modules.
- Modules with an end-of-module assessment won’t usually have an exam.
Exams
- Some modules end with an exam. You’ll be given time to revise and prepare.
- You’ll be given your exam date at least 5 months in advance.
- Most exams take place remotely, and you will complete them at home or an alternative location.
- If a module requires you to take a face-to-face exam, this will be made clear in the module description, and you will be required to take your exam in person at one of our exam centres.
Admissions
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Skills for career development
This certificate course develops a range of transferable skills and a broad understanding of environmental issues – qualities that are increasingly in demand within government bodies, the private sector, and non-governmental organisations now that they are expected to operate more sustainably. Valuable transferable skills include thinking creatively, tackling complex issues and collecting, analysing and interpreting complex data. You’ll also gain problem-solving, research, planning, auditing, IT, communication, and teamwork skills.
Career relevance
Directly relevant careers for those with environmental expertise include pollution control, waste management and recycling, water quality and resources, energy management, planning and sustainability, environmental management and consultancy, ecology and nature conservation, and environmental education. Professionals with qualifications in this subject area can find employment across a wide range of public, private and voluntary sectors. Graduates are found working in:
- Environmental management
- Environmental policy
- Environmental consultancy
- Environmental education
- Local, national, and international governmental agencies
- Nature conservation
- Information systems
- Civil or diplomatic service
- Overseas development
- Journalism
- Research.
Other careers
The skills developed by this course also open paths into financial, business and public sector work.
In addition to improving your career prospects, studying with the OU is an enriching experience that broadens your horizons, develops your knowledge, builds your confidence and enhances your life skills.
Program delivery
With our unique approach to distance learning, you can study from home, work or on the move.
You’ll have some assessment deadlines to meet, but otherwise, you’ll be free to study at the times that suit you, fitting your learning around work, family, and social life.
For each of your modules, you’ll use either just online resources or a mix of online and printed materials.
Each module you study will have a module website with
- A week-by-week study planner, giving you a step-by-step guide through your studies
- Course materials such as reading, videos, recordings, and self-assessed activities
- Module forums for discussions and collaborative activities with other students
- Details of each assignment and their due dates
- A tutorial booking system, online tutorial rooms, and your tutor’s contact details
- Online versions of some printed module materials and resources.
Program Admission Requirements
Show your commitment and readiness for Grad school by taking the GRE - the most broadly accepted exam for graduate programs internationally.