The world is undergoing grave changes because of global warming. Melting ice caps, bushfires, and rising sea levels indicate that climate change is putting Earth and its inhabitants at risk. It is the tear-inducing pictures of koalas and other wild animals who lost their homes that urge many to become environmentally conscious.
Taking up environmental science can help us understand how humanity and nature can co-exist without destruction. If you are up for the challenge to create and innovate in the name of sustainability, this article is for you! We list down some of the best countries to study environmental science.
Best Countries to Study Environmental Science Abroad
1. Denmark
- Reasons: environmentally conscious, land of the happiest people on Earth
Denmark ranks as the number 1 country in environmental performance. Not only is Denmark environmentally aware and innovative, but they also provide its students with an academic background that attracts amazing career opportunities; thus, Denmark is the best country to study environmental science. The promise of a peaceful living environment and amazing health benefits are more than enough to push foreign students to live the Danish life.
Denmark Technical University (DTU) is the country’s leading university in natural and technical sciences. DTU is internationally recognized as a top-ranking university in research, innovation, collaboration, and business enterprise. The university is situated in Copenhagen, the city that to be the world’s first carbon-neutral city by the year 2025. DTU’s environment departments are among the largest in Europe. Students can take up environmental engineering at both bachelor’s and master’s levels. DTU focuses on immersing students in industry collaborations to further their skills in sustainable engineering. It boasts a diverse multicultural student population. Non-EU students can expect tuition fees to cost around $8,700 per semester.
See Also: The Best Environmental Science Schools in Europe
2. Sweden
- Reasons: easy travel, peaceful college towns, lively cities, see the Northern Lights up-close
Sweden offers compelling opportunities that foreign students cannot say no to. A chance to see the Northern Lights in real life? That’s more than enough reason to pack up and study abroad in Sweden. Kidding aside, pursuing higher education in Sweden, especially in environmental science, is a smart decision since Sweden is among the best countries for environmental science. Apart from the beautiful outdoors and easy travel, Sweden is dedicated to living sustainably. Swedes strive to innovate, which will encourage foreign students to formulate long-term solutions.
Stockholm University is among Sweden’s top-performing schools. It specializes in bringing research to real life through industry collaborations. Stockholm University’s Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry is recognized internationally as producing the best graduates in environmental management. Aspiring students can expect to spend most of their time working in teams and borrowing knowledge from social sciences, law, and medicine. Tuition fees start at $27,000 per year.
3. South Africa
- Reasons: multicultural, encourage learning languages, friendly and welcoming people
South Africa entices foreign students to visit and study in their prestigious universities with their stellar academic rankings worldwide. South Africa provides education of high quality and certainties of landing a professional career. It also boasts rich natural surroundings that put stressed students at ease, and a community so diverse you will want to learn at least one of the 11 languages South Africa has.
The University of Cape Town (UCT) is South Africa’s top university with a drive for inclusive research. UCT is the oldest university in South Africa and is home to one of the world’s reputable educational departments for environmental science. UCT’s Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment aims for progress and development while addressing various socioeconomic issues at hand, particularly sustainability, and conservation. They offer a variety of courses for both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, like architecture, geomatics, and civil engineering.
Check Also: The Cost of Studying and Living in South Africa for International Students
4. Norway
- Reasons: strong connections with industry giants, experience living in the world’s best place to live
Norway is the leading country in various industries like fossil fuels, renewable energy, and telecommunications. Enthusiasts of environmental science will enjoy Norway and the breathtaking sights of nature right outside the window. Norway ranks among the best places to live in the world, and boasts material wealth, unlike any other country.
The Norweigan University of Science and Technology is geared towards international success and specializes in research on health, oceans, energy, and sustainability. They offer a wide range of courses involving environmental science like geomatics, sustainable energy, and sustainable architecture.
5. Spain
- Reasons: multilingual, free tuition costs, cheap cost of living
Spain is a melting pot of cultures and is famous for the amount of sunshine you can soak in. International students can benefit from the cheaper costs of living and study under the educational system of the world’s third-best country in delivering international studies. There are also Spanish delicacies to indulge in. Yum!
The University of Barcelona is among Spain’s premier public universities, with a broad range of degree programs to offer. The university’s Faculty of Earth Sciences will particularly love to take in applicants with a passion for environmental sciences. Bachelor’s degree offerings include geology and geological and environmental engineering, while master’s degree offerings are more specialized like science and integrated management of water. The University of Barcelona consistently gains world recognition for its work on research impact. International students can enjoy studying here with tuition fees starting at less than $1,000.
6. Singapore
- Reasons: sought after by companies, center for career opportunities, access to high-end technology
Nicknamed the Cleanest City in the world, Singapore is every environmentally conscious person’s dream. Aside from cleanliness, Singapore is a top country to study environmental science since it boasts a high standard of living and an educational system that fares exceptionally on a global scale.
Singapore is a fast-paced and technologically advanced city. The Nanyang Technological University (NTU) boasts intensive research and citations in the fields of science and technology. Their partnerships with industry giants like Alibaba allowed them to further their research in robotics and clean energy. Students will appreciate NTU’s Asian School of the Environment, wherein environmental challenges particularly in Asia are the focus. The school offers degrees in environmental earth science and environmental earth science and public policy and global affairs (ESPP). Aspiring environmental science students shall harness knowledge from ecology, engineering, humanities, and social sciences to address sustainability and environmental problems.
Learn About: How to Study in Singapore for Free
7. Brazil
- Reasons: free tuition costs, rich biodiversity, international students are favored to come and study
Last on our list but not with the least of good things to offer, we have Brazil. International students will love the sandy beaches and festivals that take over Brazilian streets. Brazil is also actively seeking international students to build up its academic reputation; with their affordable yet world-class education, who are we to say no to such a grand offer?
What makes Brazil even better is the diversity of its geography, which makes Brazil a good country for studying environmental science. Home to around a quarter of the world’s rain forests and some 60 local tribes, Brazil is rich in natural resources and indigenous roots.
The University of São Paulo (USP) is a public university in Brazil. The oldest and one of the most prestigious universities in the country, it does not charge its students for tuition fees. USP offers 247 undergraduate programs and 239 graduate programs, of which environmental management is one of them, and undergraduate international students can select for their environmental science studies. 12 Brazilian presidents had graduated from USP, a testament to the quality of education and learning environment the university has to offer.
We hope this article on the best countries to study environmental science was informative and insightful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs for International Students for different information on programs that are currently open!
