Undergraduate
Bachelor of Environmental Science & Studies
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- Bachelor of Environmental Science/Studies (B.E.S.S.)
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- Peterborough
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- Paid Co-op Available
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- Fall & Winter & Summer
- Environment & Sustainability
At a glance:
- Degree Bachelor of Environmental Science/Studies (B.E.S.S.)
- Campus Peterborough
- Work Experience Paid Co-op Available
- Program is Offered Fall & Winter & Summer
- Study Options Part time/Full time
- OUAC Codes RES - Peterborough
- Apply Now Stay in Touch
The Trent Advantage
Earn a unique arts-science environmental degree in one of Canada's first ECO Canada-accredited environmental programs, combining scientific knowledge with policy, planning, and social perspectives to solve today's environmental challenges.
To solve the most pressing environmental challenges, you need to examine them from multiple perspectives and angles. In the B.E.S.S. at Trent, you'll study the environment through both scientific and social perspectives, exploring the connections between ecosystems, climate change, natural resources, policy, planning, and communities while developing practical solutions to real-world environmental issues.
- One of Canada's first ECO Canada-accredited environmental programs, combining environmental science with policy, planning, and social perspectives.
- 140 environmental course options spanning climate change, conservation, environmental justice, pollution, sustainable resource management, agriculture, and environmental policy.
- Living laboratories across campus, including 11 nature areas, the Trent Farm Research Centre, and specialized environmental teaching and research labs.
- Leading environmental researchers and Canada Research Chairs with expertise in climate change, carbon sequestration, urban agriculture, geoscience, ecology, evolution, and environmental communication.
Accelerated Masters
Fast-track your education, by earning your M.Sc. in Environmental & Life Sciences in only 12-20 months of graduating from your Honours B.Sc.
Program Possibilites
Add an Option to your Bachelor of Environmental Science & Studies degree to explore an additional area of interest
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Climate Communication
Leveraging Trent’s academic and research strengths in arts-based and environmental education, the Option in Climate Communication blends courses across disciplines to teach you a new storytelling approach that examines how to better understand media's effect on audiences’ morals, values, and behaviours. Equipped with this knowledge, this new offering at Trent University aims to use more effective climate change communications and environmental storytelling to foster a more sustainable and equitable world where our collective well-being is at the heart.
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Planning
Ideal for future urban planners, this career-focused option will challenge you to develop and design healthy, sustainable and efficient urban communities. With plenty of hands-on intensive field work, you’ll acquire advanced knowledge about urban planning and position yourself as an excellent candidate for grad school.
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Circumpolar Studies
One of only a few programs of its kind in the world, the Circumpolar Studies option offers you a unique opportunity to broaden your knowledge and understanding of the lands, peoples, and critical issues of the Arctic. The Circumpolar Studies Option is open to all undergraduate students at Trent.
Career experience while you learn
Every Bachelor of Environmental Science & Studies student has a guaranteed route to paid, credited experience before they graduate.
Paid Co-op Available
- Put your skills and knowledge to work in a paid co-op stream, launching fall 2027. You’ll graduate with a distinct career advantage – building valuable connections, gaining hands-on work experience all as part of your Trent degree.
Research Opportunities
- Explore a real-world issue on behalf of a local organization and earn academic credit and on-the-job experience through a community-based research project.
- Complete an Honours thesis, designing and implementing an independent environmental research project under the supervision of a Trent School of the Environment faculty member (a great opportunity for students considering graduate studies).
- Work alongside Canada Research Chairs researching climate change, carbon sequestration, urban agriculture, geoscience, ecology and evolution, and carbon communications.
Field Schools and Hands-On Courses
- Getting hands-on in the field and combining environmental learning with laboratory work is a cornerstone of all programs within the Trent School of the Environment programs.
Study Abroad
- Take your Trent education global. Spend a semester or year studying at one of Trent’s 50+ international partner universities, participate in a summer field course, or gain international experience through a placement or internship.
- With opportunities in more than 35 countries, you can broaden your academic perspective, experience new cultures, and build skills that prepare you for a global career.
Internships
- Work with an environmental business or organization through a paid internship, building career-ready skills, making industry connections, and exploring potential career paths.
Career Paths
- Environmental Consultant
- Environmental Manager
- Urban and Regional Planner
- Environment Protection Officer
- Sustainability Coordinator
Admissions
Whether you're graduating from an Ontario high school, looking to study in Canada, or training for a second career, Trent has clear pathways for students to apply and be admitted to study at either of our campuses.
Requirements
If you are coming straight from high school in Ontario or are a recent grad, the general admission requirements are:
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
- A minimum of six Grade 12 4U or 4M courses, including program-specific prerequisites
- ENG4U with a minimum of 60%
| Admission Requirements | Recommended Admission Requirements | Estimated Admission Average | Co-op Admission Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENG4U | SBI4U, SCH4U and 4U math | 75-80% | 80-85% |
Requirements
Students from across Canada can use their grades from their home province to apply to Trent.
Requirements
International students from outside Canada can apply based on the curriculum of their home country.
Requirements
Mature students can apply to Trent based on previous education and professional or volunteer experience.
Requirements
With many transfer agreements and flexible pathway options, Trent University makes it easy for students to make the most of the credits you have already earned.
Tuition Estimate
Estimate your tuition, ancillary fees, and potential entrance scholarships based on your program, residency status, and academic average.
Tuition
Base Tuition Fee
$6,240.85
Ancillary Fees
Ancillary Fees (non-tuition costs supporting student services, such as athletics, campus safety, college fees, etc.)
$2,122.22
Total:
$ 8,363.07
* The tuition details and scholarships listed are for domestic students only. International applicants should contact the financial aid office directly for equivalent guidance.
Scholarships
If you’re a top scholar with an average of 80% or higher, you qualify to automatically receive an entrance scholarship to Trent. Scholars with 95% or higher? You earn free first-year tuition – no application required.
| Entrance Average | Maximum Scholarship Potential | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 95%+ | $18,241 | $6,241 first year Full Tuition + $4,000 x 3 years |
| 90-94.9% | $12,000 | $3,000 x 4 years |
| 85-89.9% | $8,000 | $2,000 x 4 years |
| 80-84.9% | $6,000 | $1,500 x 4 years |
* Available to Domestic students only. Based on 2026/27 tuition for a general arts and science program
Explore additional funding for domestic and international students
- Cyril and Jenny Carter Scholarships in Environmental Studies
- Howard Darling Scholarship
- TD Green Undergraduate Scholarships
- Environmental & Resource Studies Program Prize
- Heather J. Glendinning McMurter Memorial Prize
- Mathew Russell Ferguson Memorial Award in Environmental & Resource Science/Studies
- TD Green Undergraduate Awards