Environment and sustainability are no longer just buzzwords, but a global necessity. Climate change, pollution, ecological depletion, water scarcity, and the gradual decline of other resources have led to a dire need for specialists to lead and create a positive impact.

A course in environmental science and sustainability is paving a path for students to transform into global citizens. The programs focus on enhancing awareness of ecosystems, the influence of humans on ecological imbalance, and strategies to mitigate the ecological degradation through scientific methods.

a.The green sector in India, which comprises environment and sustainability roles, is expected to employ about 40% of the workforce by 2030.

b.Enrollment into sustainability programs in higher education went up from 30 million in 2012 to 43 million in 2023.

c.It is seen that women hold about 11-12% of the green jobs, which is expected to rise between 12-15% in the next 5 to 6 years through skill development programs.

About the course

The course is available as undergraduate, postgraduate, and integrated programs.

Undergraduate programs -

BSc or BA in Environmental Science/Studies – A 3-4-year undergraduate program that can be taken up after completing 12^th standard with PCB as the core subjects. While BSc focuses on ecology, biology, environmental chemistry, pollution, biodiversity and conservation, and other technical topics of environmental learning, BA focuses on the social and legal aspects of the domain.

Fees range generally between Rs. 30,000 and Rs. 2,80,000 depending on the institution, and admissions are based on merit. However, some institutions may require their own entrance exams.

Graduates can work in both government and private sectors as well as in research domains.

BSc Honours or BA Honours in Environment and Sustainable Development – BSc (Hon) focuses on sustainability principles, environmental science, ecological processes, waste management, circular economy, ecology and biology, and other subject-focused themes. The BA (Hons) focuses on ways to address environmental issues, environment and sustainable policy and ethics, social science principles, and related topics.

The admissions process is similar to BSc or BA in environmental studies, and the important entrance exams for admissions include CUET and SAT India. The fees in private institutions start from Rs. 20,000 and can go up to Rs. 18 lakhs (in top universities). 

Graduates can work as sustainability managers, environmental scientists, waste management officers, conservationists, urban planners, climate analysts, and CSR managers.

B.Tech in Environmental Engineering – This is a 4-year undergraduate program that focuses on designing and developing technological solutions to combat environmental challenges.

Students after class 12 with PCM and a minimum aggregate of 60% (generally) are eligible to apply. Entrance exams, as in other engineering courses, include JEE Main, JEE Advanced, KCET, COMEDK UGET, and WBJEE.

The fee range is between Rs. 3 lakhs and Rs. 12 lakhs, depending on the institution and the type of seat (general, merit, or quota).

Graduates after B.Tech are in great demand; they can work as environmental engineers, waste management engineers, air quality specialists, water treatment engineers, etc., in government and private firms, and sectors focused on sustainability.

Postgraduate programs –

MSc in Environmental Science and Sustainability – This is a 2-year post-graduation course that takes a multi-disciplinary approach to ecology, pollution and ways to combat it, sustainable practices to tackle environmental issues, climate change, disaster management, and environmental policies and laws.  

Students with a bachelor’s degree, including BSc, BE, or B.Tech in environmental science, biotechnology, life sciences, agriculture, or related fields, and a minimum aggregate of 50-55% are eligible to apply.

Government institutions offer the course with a maximum limit of Rs. 50,000 for the complete course. Private universities charge between Rs. 1.75 lakhs and Rs. 5 lakhs or more (as the total course fees).

Graduates can work as environmental policy analysts, environmental consultants, sustainability managers, conservationists, in NGOs, and government agencies.

MA/MSc in Environment, Climate Change and Sustainability Studies – An interdisciplinary 2-year program for students from a science or arts background, but with a passion for sustainable practices. The core focus here is on understanding the intersection of environmental science and human intervention. Students, apart from learning the core themes of environment and climate change, impact, and adaptation, learn the technical skills, including geospatial analytics, data analysis for sustainability, lifecycle assessments, sustainability metrics, corporate sustainability reporting, etc.  

Programs from institutes such as Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), IIHS – Master’s in Climate Change and Sustainable Practice, and Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) offer specialised programs that focus deeply on climate change, conservation, and sustainable science. Institutions offering such specialised programs charge around 1.25 lakhs as the course fees. Private universities’ fees can go up to Rs. 13 lakhs in certain cases. Distance education is offered by institutions such as IGNOU between Rs. 15,000 and Rs. 25,000.

Graduates can work in government agencies, research organisations, NGOs, and corporate sustainability departments.

M.Tech in Environmental Sciences – A 2-year master’s degree course after B.E or B.Tech in environmental, civil, chemical, or biotechnology engineering with 50-60% aggregate marks.  

The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is the primary entrance exam conducted by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). Other institute-level and state-level exams include SRMJEEE, TANCET, VITMEE, etc.

The fee range is between Rs. 70,000 and Rs. 4 lakhs for the complete course (depending on the institution).

Graduates after M.Tech can take up roles in hydraulic modeling, designing treatment systems, power plants, as ESH officers, in central/state pollution control boards, and research and academic sectors.

MBA in Environmental Sustainability/Management – A 2-year postgraduate program that combines management principles with ecological fundamentals. Students learn environmental impact assessment, sustainable supply chain management, waste management, CSR principles and implementation norms, green finance, ESG reporting, and environmental and sustainability economics.

Students with a bachelor’s degree from any discipline and a minimum of 50% marks can apply.

Fees in government institutions – Rs. 10 lakhs to Rs. 15 lakhs (for the complete course)

In private institutions – Rs. 3 lakhs to Rs. 12 lakhs or more (per year)

For online or distance education, between Rs. 1.5 lakhs and Rs. 4 lakhs (total course fees).

Graduates are in demand in private corporations, government bodies, and NGOs, and can work as EHS managers, sustainability consultants, ESG analysts, renewable energy project managers, etc.

BSc – MSc Integrated Program in Environmental Engineering – This is a 5-year (10 semesters) integrated academic program that combines foundational science with advanced study in ecology, pollution management, environmental law and policies, and sustainability, directly leading to a master’s degree.

Students after 10+2 with a PCM/PCB background, and a minimum aggregate of 55-60% are eligible to apply. Admission is based on entrance exams such as CUET, CU-CET, and other university-specific tests.

Fees in private colleges - between Rs. 2 lakhs and Rs. 8 lakhs, whereas government institutions are more affordable. Graduates can work in public, private, and academic sectors, along with roles in NGOs.

Conclusion

A degree in environmental science and sustainability studies prepares students to address real-world environmental challenges. This is a stream that builds skilled professionals while developing responsible global citizens working together to build a greener future. 

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Disclaimer

The blog is curated by referring to various credible sources and does not necessarily reflect the opinions or positions of QS I-GAUGE. The information provided is for general informational purposes only, readers are advised to conduct their own research and seek professional advice before making any decisions.