Bachelor of Environmental Studies

Quick Facts

Credential:
Bachelor's degree

Duration:
4 years

Format:
Full time, Part time

How to apply

Start date:
January, May, September 

Location:
Abbotsford campus

Cost:
Tuition and fees

Features:

  • Field trips enhance classroom learning
  • Co-op semester(s) provide paid work experience in your field of study

Program description

UFV’s four-year Bachelor of Environmental Studies (BES) program provides you with the skills to shape business, industry, and government practices using economically and environmentally-sound principles.

Developed as an integrated and interdisciplinary program, the BES builds connections between fields such as environmental studies, art, natural sciences, and communications. The program also incorporates a regional focus by addressing the environmental needs of the Fraser Valley, including agriculture and food security, climate change, land use planning/GIS, and environmental communications.

The Bachelor of Environmental Studies is structured around a primary core of courses that engage you on questions related to human-environment relationships, resource scarcity and allocation, innovation and problem solving, environmental research, and communication of ideas and results. Courses are delivered in both online and face-to-face formats, using lecture, seminar, field-based, and technology-supported classroom experiences.

Your program also includes a practical work experience component. You can meet this requirement through a practicum or by joining the cooperative education program. Gaining such real-world experience will enhance your technical skill sets and help build your job-ready qualifications.

Upon graduation, you are prepared to work as an environmental professional in Canada or abroad. Alternatively, you may also choose to pursue graduate studies or another professional designation.

If you plan on working in the environmental science field and seek additional professional accreditation after graduation, you may consider the Bachelor of Environmental Studies (Natural Sciences).

View program outline

Career expectations

Bachelor of Environmental Studies graduates are well equipped to work as environmental professionals in a variety of fields (forestry, agriculture, urban and commercial transportation planning, conservation).

You may find employment as:  

  • Environmental technician
  • Sustainability manager or educator
  • Non-profit project manager
  • Geographic Information System (GIS) technician
  • Planning technician
  • Environmental advisor 
  • Environmental impact analyst
  • Environmental education consultant
  • Environmental program coordinator

Entrance requirements

International student admissions

Upgrading options

Students who do not meet the entrance requirements may complete upgrading to meet prerequisites for university-level courses. 

Prospective students should contact the Future Students office to learn more about upgrading options. 

Current or returning students should connect with the appropriate advising area based on the level of upgrading required:  

Questions?

Our Future Students team is here to help you understand your options and get ready to submit an application.

When you submit the form below, you'll get a follow-up message (no phone calls!) with answers to any specific questions you share in the form.

You'll also receive informational emails about applying to UFV (you can unsubscribe at any time.)

I am a:

Please select an option above to enable the form.