In the first part of the module, you’ll choose five options depending on where you need to develop skills and your interests.
Climate change
This topic explores the wicked problem of anthropogenic climate change, focusing on the ambitions of the 2015 Paris Agreement. It will guide you through analysis of Earth system modelling outputs, development of climate policy scenarios to achieve net zero, and evaluating climate change impacts, including impacts on energy demands, ecosystem tipping points and food crop yields. Using an interactive tool that generates regional climate change projections from IPCC model outputs, you can perform an impact case study on a region and crop you choose. Climate change policy has long been regarded as a prisoner’s dilemma, where it is in nobody’s interest to act first. The final section introduces some of the latest ideas challenging those beliefs and providing some grounds for optimism.
Conservation
As biodiversity continues to decline globally, the conservation of nature, both for its intrinsic value and the services it provides humanity, has become critical. This topic addresses conservation by exploring how the past fossil record can inform current and future conservation efforts. It examines the current biodiversity crisis and conservation efforts to address it and investigates the coming threats to biodiversity and possible pathways to their protection. You’ll identify emerging biodiversity threats through critical reading, evaluate their importance, and offer potential solutions.
External opportunities and self-directed
Independent and external opportunities allow you to tailor your learning experience to professional development requirements, your interests or gain valuable vocational practice. Choices include setting up a small field or database project, attending a recognised course given by an external provider (a separate fee will apply), participating in a citizen science project, or completing work experience. We’ll provide guidance on possible choices and how to make the time available. Depending on your chosen activity, the topic will allow demonstration and development of technical competencies and a range of personal skills, including initiative, creativity and curiosity.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) permeate society at all levels, from sophisticated exploration of planetary surfaces to mundane chores like finding a hotel. Setting satellite imagery and other data into their spatial context, GIS includes many key tools for defining, exploring and resolving environmental issues. In this topic, you’ll learn the basic anatomy and essential functions of GIS. Additionally, you’ll gain experience of how GIS software works by completing hands-on activities via a web browser – creating maps, adding data and posing environmental questions. Finally, you can practice your new skills using GIS analysis to solve real-world environmental problems.
Impact of volcanoes
Volcanoes are the most spectacular manifestation of the dynamic nature of planet Earth. They impact every aspect of life on Earth, bringing the elements that comprise the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and lithosphere to the surface. This topic investigates how the chemistry of erupted rocks depends on internal Earth processes, how they influence the nature of eruptions and the hazards to life and the environment locally and even globally. It investigates how rock composition is measured in a digital lab and considers how public education can reduce volcanic hazard through effective leadership and communication. You’ll measure volcanic rock composition through a digital laboratory and better understand Earth processes. You’ll also consider the peer-review process experts use for research papers and technical reporting before publication.
Pollution
Anthropogenic pollution of the air we breathe poses a significant risk to human health and ecosystem function. This topic introduces a range of pollutants from various sources and the techniques used to monitor them. Using real data, we’ll prepare a technical report on pollution events that utilises appropriate quantitative techniques and evaluate the results regarding potential health and environmental impacts. Critical evaluation of real reports on pollution incidences is also covered.
The circular economy
As the problems of dealing with waste and using resources sustainably become increasingly concerning, we need new ways of thinking beyond the traditional linear model of make, use and dispose. This topic considers the circular economy based on designing out waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use, and regenerating natural systems. Through critical reading and case studies, it explores how we can build a circular economy that is restorative or regenerative by intention and design.
In addition to your five options, in the later part of the module, you will participate in a collaborative project and refine your independent work. In the collaborative project, working in a team with fellow students, you’ll use your skills to suggest a solution to an environmental problem. You’ll learn to collaborate effectively, supported by a tutor. There’s also the opportunity to refine parts of your earlier assessment based on tutor feedback before submitting the revised work for the end-of-module assessment. Improving your work gives you a more authentic experience of preparing technical reports and proposals.
This module focuses on developing personal, professional, and employability skills: particularly effective communication to a range of audiences, problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration. You’ll learn to apply knowledge and understanding to evaluate and address environmental challenges. This involves furthering your skills in finding and utilising different lines of evidence and appreciating the limits of current knowledge. The team project allows you to develop collaborative skills in a supportive environment. Notably, the module enables you to plan and organise your learning and develop independence and self-awareness.
This module focuses on employability and self-development skills, enabling you to work more effectively both independently and as part of a team.
You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.
They’ll help by:
Online tutorials run throughout the module. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available.
Course work includes:
You’ll have access to a module website, which includes:
We’ll also provide the materials in Microsoft Word and PDF format where possible. However, some materials and activities will be unsuitable for these formats.
You’ll draw diagrams or annotate printed diagrams; you’ll scan or photograph these for inclusion in forum or wiki posts or your assessment.
You can study this module on its own or use the credits you gain towards an Open University qualification.
S831 is a compulsory module in our:
S831 is an option module in our:
Environmental science challenges (S831) starts once a year – in October.
It will next start in October 2026.
We expect it to start for the last time in October 2030.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations, which are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
S831 is a masters-level module; therefore, you need good knowledge and well-developed skills in environmental science or environmental management obtained through OU levels 1–3 study or another higher education institution. We may ask for evidence of this.
You should also be prepared to develop your independent learning and collaboration skills.
Are you ready for S831?
Once registered, you’ll have access to the S831 preparation website. You’ll find important information on external courses and experiences that you may wish to take advantage of over the summer, when many environmental courses, surveys, and fieldwork happen (in the northern hemisphere).
Written transcripts of any audio components and Word accessible and Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of printed material are available. Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader (and where applicable, mathematical and scientific notation may be particularly difficult to read in this way). Other alternative formats of the module materials may be available in the future.
To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our disability support pages.
| Start | End | Register by | England fee |
|---|
| 03 Oct 2026 | 30 Jun 2027 | 17 Sep 2026 | Not yet available* |
| *This start date is open for pre-booking, which means you can reserve your place ahead of the fees being confirmed. We’ll publish updated 2026/27 fees and funding information on the 25th of March. |
There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.
If your income is not more than £25,000 or you receive a qualifying benefit, you might be eligible for help with some of these costs after your module has started.
There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.
If you study this module as part of an eligible qualification, you can apply for a postgraduate loan to support your study costs. To find out more, see Postgraduate loans in England.
If you study this module as part of an eligible qualification, you can apply for a postgraduate loan to help with your tuition fees. To find out more, see Postgraduate tuition fee loans in Northern Ireland.
If you study this module as part of an eligible qualification, you can apply for a postgraduate loan to help with your tuition fees. To find out more, see Postgraduate loans in Scotland.
If you study this module as part of an eligible qualification, you can apply for a postgraduate loan to support your study costs. To find out more, see Postgraduate loans in Wales.
The Open University Student Budget Accounts Ltd (OUSBA) offers a convenient 'pay as you go' option to pay your OU fees, which is a secure, quick and easy way to pay. Please note that The Open University works exclusively with OUSBA and is not able to offer you credit facilities from any other provider. All credit is subject to status and proof that you can afford the repayments.
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Joint loan applications
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As additional affordability checks are required when processing joint loan applications, unfortunately, an instant decision cannot be given. On average, the processing time for a joint loan application is five working days from receipt of the required documentation.
Read more about Open University Student Budget Accounts (OUSBA).
Studying with The Open University can boost your employability. OU courses are recognised and respected by employers for their excellence and the commitment they take to complete. They also value the skills that students learn and can apply in the workplace.
Over 30,000 employers have used the OU to develop staff so far. If the module you’ve chosen is geared towards your job or developing your career, you could approach your employer to see if they will sponsor you by paying some or all of the fees.
You can pay part or all of your tuition fees upfront with a debit or credit card when you register for each module.
We accept American Express, Mastercard, Visa and Visa Electron.
We know that sometimes you may want to combine payment options. For example, you may wish to pay part of your tuition fee with a debit card and pay the remainder in instalments through an Open University Student Budget Account (OUSBA).
We know that sometimes you may want to combine payment options. For example, you may get support from your employer to pay part of your tuition fee and pay the remainder by credit or debit card.
For more information about combining payment options, contact an adviser.
Please note: your permanent address/domicile will affect your fee status and, therefore, the fees you are charged and any financial support available to you. The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2026. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our Fee Rules.
