These links are being extended and more opportunities may be available in future years. The programme offers a wide range of activities and involves fieldwork. Currently, residential field courses take place in Devon and Co. Durham, and there are many additional day visits including trips to Wicken Fen and Aston Rowant National Nature Reserves, RSPB headquarters, and local areas of environmental interest. There are other laboratory-based practicals, workshops, computer simulations, map and survey work alongside lectures and discussion groups. Assessment consists of essays, project work, fieldwork and experiment reports, oral presentations and examinations.
Consideration is given to a student's previous study and relevant experience.
The part-time Gateway Opportunities programme provides a means of access to the modular degree scheme for those lacking formal entrance qualifications. Within this programme, students take a specially designed module which prepares them to study at degree level, together with a 'taster' module chosen from one of the subjects.