A three-year BSc, C180
Delivered by the Department of Life Sciences; Imperial describes a specialist course on organisms and their environment.
Undergraduate · Imperial Ecology
Imperial Ecology and Environmental Biology: organisms and their environment
Imperial's Ecology and Environmental Biology BSc is taught by the Department of Life Sciences and is described as a specialist course on the interaction between living organisms and their environment. The entry rules match its neighbouring life-science degrees, with Biology, a second science and the three-module ESAT, so the decision is about the focus: ecosystems, field skills and biodiversity rather than cells and molecules. This guide sets out what Imperial says and where it ends.
Official information · last verified for 2027 entry
What Imperial asks for in Ecology and Environmental Biology
Taken from Imperial's Ecology and Environmental Biology BSc course page and read on 1 November 2026. For a normal 2028-entry application, made in 2027, every requirement below is last verified for the previous cycle and may change; Imperial's 2028-entry requirements and dates are awaiting publication.
AAA with Biology, or IB 38
The A-level standard is AAA including A in Biology and A in Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics. The IB standard is 38 points with 6 in Biology at Higher Level.
The ESAT is compulsory
Imperial says applicants must sit three ESAT modules: Mathematics 1, Chemistry and Biology.
Laboratory, computational and field work
Imperial says students learn to design, carry out and analyse biological experiments, with field-based options.
Generally no interview
Imperial says that, generally, the department does not hold interviews.
Official sources
Read on 1 November 2026 on Imperial's Ecology and Environmental Biology BSc course page, which describes 2027 entry. Imperial's Department of Life Sciences pages, the module descriptions beyond the course page, fees and the 2028-entry values were not read, and no other Imperial degree's page was read for this guide and are not stated.
The degree
Ecosystems, diversity and field skills
Imperial says the course focuses on the interaction between living organisms and species and their environment, and teaches students to assess the impact plants, animals and microbes have on their ecosystem. It covers how biological diversity is organised into ecosystems, communities and populations. The first year includes Ecology and Evolution, and later options include Biodiversity and Conservation Biology and Global Change Biology. Students can tailor modules, including field-based work. This guide does not list every module.
Is it the right degree?
Ecology or a broader or more molecular biology degree
Imperial teaches several life-science degrees from the same department, and the entry rules look alike, so the question is the focus. Avandy's comparison is general.
Choose Ecology and Environmental Biology if
you want organisms, ecosystems and biodiversity at the centre, with field work.
Look at Imperial Biological Sciences if
you want a broader degree across the living world. Avandy's Imperial Biological Sciences guide covers it.
Look at Imperial Microbiology if
your interest is microorganisms. Avandy's Imperial Microbiology guide covers it.
Entry rules
Biology plus a second science, and the ESAT
A-level applicants need AAA including A in Biology and A in Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics, plus a third subject; IB applicants need 38 points with 6 in Biology and 6 in Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics at Higher Level. The ESAT is compulsory, with Mathematics 1, Chemistry and Biology modules. Imperial generally does not hold interviews for the department. This page states no test scores.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not Imperial's.
Do you want to work outdoors as well as in the laboratory?
Imperial describes laboratory, computational and field work.
Are Biology and a second science secure for you?
Both are stated conditions of the minimum entry standard.
Can you prepare for a three-module ESAT?
It is part of the application, not an optional extra.
Planning for 2028 entry
Planning for 2028 entry: what carries over and what is awaiting publication
Applying for 2028 entry means applying in 2027, under rules Imperial has not yet published for that cycle. Each item below carries one of two labels. Last verified for 2027 entry means Imperial published it for the previous cycle and it may change. Awaiting publication for 2028 entry means Imperial has not yet published it.
Grades, subject requirements, the test position and the interview arrangements: last verified for 2027 entry
These are the best guide to what to prepare. Imperial has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
The UCAS deadline, test windows and interview dates: awaiting publication for 2028 entry
Check Imperial's course page for the 2028-entry values when they appear.
What to do now
Confirm your Biology and second-science subjects, and plan ESAT preparation across all three modules.
Support
Independent support with course choice and preparation
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with Imperial College London or any of its colleges or departments. Preparation sits within the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant, a PhD-level Academic Mentor and a Subject-specific Tutor, working to the actual requirements of each course. Support here means course-fit advice, subject mentoring and ethical preparation; Avandy gives no scores or probabilities and does not supply interview or test questions. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
What does Imperial Ecology and Environmental Biology require?
AAA at A level including A in Biology and A in Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics, or 38 IB points with 6 in Biology and 6 in a second science at Higher Level, in Imperial's wording for 2027 entry.
Is the ESAT required?
Yes. Imperial says applicants must sit three modules: Mathematics 1, Chemistry and Biology.
Is there an interview?
Imperial says that, generally, the department does not hold interviews.
Does the course include field work?
Imperial says students learn through laboratory, computational and field work and can choose field-based modules.
Which department teaches it?
The Department of Life Sciences.
Are these the rules for 2028 entry?
No. They are Imperial's wording for the 2027 application cycle. Check the course page again when Imperial publishes its 2028-entry requirements.
Students and families
Talk to us about Imperial Ecology and Environmental Biology
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their biology and chemistry, how they weigh field ecology against laboratory biology and the ESAT, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.