Environmental consultant

You'll usually need a degree or postgraduate qualification in environmental science, environmental studies or environmental sustainability.

You might also be able to take a related subject like:

• biology
• chemistry
• geoscience
• ecology
• agricultural science

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

• a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
• university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/

You could apply to do an Environmental Practitioner Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.

You might also specialise by completing a Soil Scientist Level 7 Apprenticeship, or Spatial Data Specialist Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

Employers will set their own entry requirements.

Volunteering is a great way of getting experience and a taste of environmental work. It will also give you the opportunity to develop your skills and make contacts.

Organisations who offer volunteering opportunities include:

• The Conservation Volunteers
• National Trust
• The Wildlife Trusts

You can find more opportunities through the Countryside Jobs Service .

Career Tips

As a graduate you could look for environmental postgraduate training positions offered through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) .

In a KTP, you get the opportunity to run a research project together with an organisation and a university or research body. You may also work towards postgraduate qualifications.

Professional and Industry Bodies

You can join the Society for the Environment for your professional development and to make industry contacts.

Further Information

You can discover more about environmental work and training through:

• the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management
• Green Careers Hub
• Green Jobs for Nature

As an environmental consultant, you could:

• assess potential impacts from industrial, commercial and environmental development projects
• collect and analyse survey data from sites, such as soil samples
• write scientific reports and present findings
• respond to environmental accidents and manage clean-up operations
• provide policy advice to businesses, landowners and the government
• advise organisations on environmental laws and regulations

We've identified this as a green job

As an environmental consultant, you'll make sure the design, construction and operation of a building project meets environmental and sustainability standards. This can have a positive impact on the environment.

Find out more about green careers

You could work in an office or at a client's business.

Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time and you'll travel often.