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Undergraduate admissions

Environmental Studies

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Why choose Environmental Studies at UVic?

Work on real environmental challenges from your first year. Learn how human activity shapes ecosystems—and how you can help create solutions that matter. At UVic, Environmental Studies combines ecological science, social insight and Indigenous ways of knowing. You’ll build practical skills through community-based research, local restoration projects and hands-on fieldwork across Vancouver Island and beyond.

What you’ll gain:

  • Hands-on experience with real communities and environmental projects
  • Skills in communication, collaboration and systems thinking
  • Opportunities for co-op, internships and applied research
  • A flexible degree you can combine with other programs
  • A strong foundation for careers in sustainability, policy and environmental change.
Jump to admission requirements

Customize your degree

Shape your degree around the issues you care about most.

  • Ethnoecology - Understand how cultures and ecosystems are connected. Learn from diverse knowledge systems, including Indigenous perspectives.
  • Ecological Restoration - Restore damaged ecosystems and bring projects to life. Learn how to design restoration plans, build community support and secure long-term funding.
  • Political Ecology - Explore how politics, economics and power influence environmental decisions at local and global levels.

Earn while you learn

Co-operative Education (Co-op)

  • Through UVic’s Co-op program, you’ll apply what you learn in paid, career-related positions that count toward your degree—and give you a head start after graduation.
  • Co-op is available to everyone, including international students with co-op work permits.
  • On average, 70 percent of UVic Co-op students graduate with a job offer already in hand.
  • Unlike at some universities, at UVic, you don’t have to compete for a spot in Co-op.

Field schools

Learn by doing—in real environments, with real challenges.

  • Farm to Plate (Vancouver Island): Explore food systems and sustainability trade-offs
  • Field Methods in Ethnoecology (Chatham Island): Study relationships between people and ecosystems
  • Coastal-marine conservation (aboard the schooner Passing Cloud): Hands-on ocean learning
  • Peru Field School: Study ecology, economy and Indigenous spirituality in a global context

Community Engagement option

Build real experience working alongside communities. Add the Community Engagement option to:

  • Work directly with local organizations
  • Contribute to real projects and research
  • Learn ethical, respectful approaches to community collaboration

This option helps you graduate with practical experience—and a clear understanding of how to create meaningful change.

Student life & community

Environmental Studies Student Association

  • Organize ecological work parties and restoration projects
  • Host career nights and networking events
  • Plan nature walks, fundraisers and social activities.

Inspiring courses

  • Field Course in Reconciliation, Ecology and Place-based Law
  • Climate, Energy and Politics
  • Ethnobotany: Plants and Human Cultures
  • Introduction to Permaculture Design
  • Sustainable Cities

Career possibilities

  • Sustainability coordinator
  • Environmental impact assessment officer
  • Urban or regional planner
  • Natural resources specialist
  • Climate action campaigner

Admission

Apply directly to this program as a high school student or a transfer student from another post-secondary institution.

Note that the major in Environmental Studies must be combined with another degree program as a double major or honours/major. You can indicate your second program when you declare your major after one year of full-time study.

Alternatively, you can apply to another major and then add this program as a minor after one year of full-time study.

Program details

Providing you accurate application deadlines, tuition fee estimates, admission requirements, scholarships and transfer credit depends on your situation.

Program details

This information assumes you are . If this is incorrect, please update your information.

Application deadline

Admission requirements

Expanded qualifications

English language proficiency

Transfer credit

Tuition & fees

Tuition rates effective May 1, 2025 (please note some ancillary fees are subject to change for Fall 2025).

This is an estimate only and should be used to give students, parents, and/or sponsors an approximation of the tuition and ancillary fees. This estimate does not include housing, food, cost of books and supplies or other expenses that students can expect in a term.

Scholarships

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We'll walk you through all of the steps in the process, from submitting your online application to accepting your offer of admission.

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