ES
Study Environmental Science
Environmental Science in Ireland: NFQ Level 8 where applicable, typical duration 3-4 years, and provider-specific entry rules. Official CSO 2025 sector benchmark: €913 median weekly earnings and -1.2% employment change from 2024 to 2025. This is not an occupation-specific salary or forecast.
Length3-4 years
Workload8/10
Avg salaryEUR 48
Payback1.6 yr
OutlookSoftening
About Environmental Science.
Environmental Science is presented in an Irish context using QQI qualification levels, provider-specific admission rules, CSO Q1 2026 earnings and employment evidence, and SOLAS skills-demand signals. The closest broad labour-market benchmark is Professional, scientific and technical activities.
Environmental Science is localised for Ireland. The closest CSO sector benchmark is Professional, scientific and technical activities, with average weekly earnings of €1,311, 2,600 vacancies and a 1.9% vacancy rate in Q1 2026. Sector employment changed -7.3% between Q1 2025 and Q1 2026. These are sector-level indicators, not a guaranteed occupation salary or job outcome.
Why Environmental Science can be a strong path.
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Irish market signal
SOLAS identifies shortages in analytical, process and medical science roles, with continuing demand in life sciences and advanced manufacturing. Current CSO sector evidence is shown separately from longer-term skills demand.
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Evidence-first path
Projects, placements, labs, portfolios and documented outcomes remain the strongest proof of applied ability.
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Irish qualification context
This route is mapped to NFQ Level 8 where applicable; final award level and accreditation must be checked with the provider.
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Provider-specific route
CAO, direct application, regulated-profession and apprenticeship routes differ. Verify the actual programme before applying.
Environmental Science is presented for Ireland using the National Framework of Qualifications, provider-specific requirements and Irish labour-market evidence. The closest broad benchmark is Professional, scientific and technical activities. Average weekly earnings were €1,311 and the sector recorded 2,600 vacancies in Q1 2026. These are sector-level indicators, not a guaranteed graduate salary or placement outcome.
From foundation to Environmental Science — your 3–4 years arc.
Science◇
Additional Details
Tools and Topics
Tools
GIS softwareField sampling equipmentWater and soil test kitsR or ExcelGPS unitsData loggers
Topics
Environmental chemistryEcologyGISField samplingHydrology and soilsEnvironmental policy
Credential roadmap.
01Honours Bachelor3-4 yearsEnvironmental Science
NFQ Level 8 · 180-240 ECTS. Exact programme modules and progression must be verified with the Irish provider.
02Master1-2 yearsMSc Environmental Science
NFQ Level 9 · 60-120 ECTS. Exact programme modules and progression must be verified with the Irish provider.
03Doctorate3-4 yearsPhD Climate Science
NFQ Level 10 · research degree. Exact programme modules and progression must be verified with the Irish provider.
Honours BachelorEnvironmental Science
YEAR 160 ECTS/year
FOUNDATIONSYEAR 1 emphasizes foundations for Environmental Science, using Ecology, Climate systems, GIS to build research poster, lab notebook, reproducible analysis, literature review, or fieldwork record.
Explain and apply Ecology in realistic tasks.Produce research poster, lab notebook, reproducible analysis, literature review, or fieldwork record.Document decisions, trade-offs, risks, and results clearly.
YEAR 260 ECTS/year
CORE SYSTEMSYEAR 2 emphasizes core systems for Environmental Science, using Ecology, Climate systems, GIS to build research poster, lab notebook, reproducible analysis, literature review, or fieldwork record.
Explain and apply Climate systems in realistic tasks.Produce research poster, lab notebook, reproducible analysis, literature review, or fieldwork record.Document decisions, trade-offs, risks, and results clearly.
YEAR 360 ECTS/year
SPECIALIZE · INTERNYEAR 3 emphasizes specialize · intern for Environmental Science, using Ecology, Climate systems, GIS to build research poster, lab notebook, reproducible analysis, literature review, or fieldwork record.
Explain and apply GIS in realistic tasks.Produce research poster, lab notebook, reproducible analysis, literature review, or fieldwork record.Document decisions, trade-offs, risks, and results clearly.
YEAR 460 ECTS/year
CAPSTONE · APPLYYEAR 4 emphasizes capstone · apply for Environmental Science, using Ecology, Climate systems, GIS to build research poster, lab notebook, reproducible analysis, literature review, or fieldwork record.
Explain and apply Sampling methods in realistic tasks.Produce research poster, lab notebook, reproducible analysis, literature review, or fieldwork record.Document decisions, trade-offs, risks, and results clearly.
EntryEnvironmental Technician0-2 years · €37,022
GrowthEnvironmental Scientist2-5 years · €47,500
SeniorClimate Risk Lead5-10 years · €57,978
LeadershipSustainability Research Leadership10+ years · €69,154
Curriculum Preview · 4-year track for Environmental Science.
Honours Bachelor · Ireland180-240 ECTS
YEAR 160 ECTS/year
COREIntro to Environmental Science5 ECTS
COREEcology5 ECTS
FOUNDATIONQuantitative Methods5 ECTS
FOUNDATIONCommunication & Ethics5 ECTS
FocusFOUNDATIONS
YEAR 260 ECTS/year
COREClimate systems5 ECTS
COREGIS5 ECTS
LABArcGIS Studio5-10 ECTS / practice
METHODSData / Research Methods5 ECTS
FocusCORE SYSTEMS
YEAR 360 ECTS/year
ADVANCEDSampling methods5 ECTS
ADVANCEDEnvironmental policy5 ECTS
PRACTICEInternship / Field Project5-10 ECTS / practice
ELECTIVEDomain Elective5 ECTS
FocusSPECIALIZE · INTERN
YEAR 460 ECTS/year
ADVANCEDStatistics5 ECTS
CAPSTONECapstone Project5-10 ECTS / practice
SEMINARPortfolio / Research Seminar5 ECTS
ELECTIVEElectives5 ECTS
FocusCAPSTONE · APPLY
Use official Irish institution, QQI, professional-regulator and Apprenticeship Ireland pages for final award and programme requirements.
Learn by doing — labs, studios, supervised practice and real briefs.
Hands-onSkills for Environmental Science.
EcologyCORE
95%
Climate systemsCORE
90%
GISCORE
85%
Sampling methodsCORE
82%
Environmental policyADVANCED
78%
StatisticsADVANCED
74%
Build proof, not just progress — projects, labs, supervised practice, portfolios, and outcomes that can be reviewed.
Portfolio-readyCareer outcomes for Environmental Science.
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Most common starting pointEnvironmental Technician€32K-€43K-1.2% (2024-2025)Unavailable
Connects Environmental Science evidence to employer-facing outcomes: lab notebooks, protocols, reproducible analyses, posters, data visualizations, literature reviews, and research outputs.
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Fast-growing next stepEnvironmental Scientist€42K-€57K-1.2% (2024-2025)Unavailable
Connects Environmental Science evidence to employer-facing outcomes: lab notebooks, protocols, reproducible analyses, posters, data visualizations, literature reviews, and research outputs.
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Long-horizon leadership pathClimate Risk Lead€52K-€71K-1.2% (2024-2025)Unavailable
Connects Environmental Science evidence to employer-facing outcomes: lab notebooks, protocols, reproducible analyses, posters, data visualizations, literature reviews, and research outputs.
Roles are connected to the broad Professional, scientific and technical activities benchmark. Salary ranges are modeled in EUR; CSO publishes sector averages rather than these role-stage percentiles.
Earning potential for Environmental Science.
Earning Potential · curve over career
Modeled EUR career stages around the closest CSO Q1 2026 sector average; geography, employer, occupation and seniority vary widely.
Growth outlook for Environmental Science.
Ireland sector benchmark · 2024 to 2025
Official CSO 2025 figures for the closest economic sector. They are not occupation-specific salaries, vacancy counts, or forecasts.
SOFTENING0 / 100
Professional, scientific and technical activities · 2024-2025
Median weekly earnings€913
Employment change 2024-2025-1.2%
The current source supports sector median earnings and observed 2024-2025 employment change. Absolute employment and annual openings are not presented as current occupation evidence.
Where this leads — the roles, teams and industries this path opens.
Career outcomesFree or free-audit resources for Environmental Science.
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Ireland skills-demand evidenceSOLAS · Free
Free📊Ireland skills and labour-market evidenceSOLAS / CSO · Free
Free🧪Environmental Science projects and practiceGitHub / portfolio · Free
Free🔬MIT OCW Science CoursesMIT OCW · Free
Free📚Khan Academy ScienceKhan Academy · Free
Free🎓OpenLearn Science, Maths & TechnologyOpen University · Free
Free🧪Science projects and portfolio promptsGitHub / open resources · Free
FreeIrish cost benchmarks and eligibility notes for Environmental Science.
Ireland study-cost benchmarksLowest: Eligibility-dependent
IRIreland non-EU
EUR 14,500-28,500 / yearEUR
IREligible Irish/EU undergraduate support
Up to EUR 2,000 for eligible students in 2026/27EUR
IRSUSI
Eligibility-dependentEUR
IRNon-EEA immigration finance
EUR 10,000EUR
Do not compare tuition alone. Include grant eligibility, living costs, duration, work rights, accreditation and graduate outcomes.
Application requirements for Environmental Science.
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VerifyApplication route
CAO is the main route for many undergraduate applications; institutions set final admission decisions and some applicants apply directly.
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VerifyAcademic entry
Leaving Certificate points and subject requirements vary by programme and year. International qualifications are assessed by the institution.
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VerifyEnglish language
English-language evidence may be required; accepted tests and scores are provider-specific.
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VerifyEvidence
Projects, portfolio, interview, audition, placement checks or additional forms may apply to selective or practice-heavy programmes.
12-9 months before
Shortlist Irish programmes and check NFQ level, accreditation, application route, fees, scholarships and immigration timing.
8-6 months before
Prepare transcripts, English-language evidence, portfolio/research materials and references where required.
5-3 months before
Submit through CAO or the provider's direct route, depending on programme and applicant type.
After offer
Confirm fees, funding, immigration, housing, registration and any placement or regulatory checks.
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Final rules are set by the Irish institution, CAO where applicable, QQI/professional regulators, immigration authorities and the specific programme.