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The essentials at a glance
You can study environmental science in Canada from Nepal by starting a bachelor's degree after +2 science, or a college program in environmental technology. This page explains how UBC, McGill, Waterloo and Fanshawe handle entry, what you study, what it costs, and when a professional licence such as geoscientist is needed. Maths and science marks matter most.
Key takeaways
Main points from this page
- UBC, McGill and Waterloo teach environmental science as a science degree, and Fanshawe offers a three-year college route.
- UBC lists chemistry, physics and a maths course among its science entry courses.
- McGill's Macdonald campus does not take high-school applicants from outside Quebec straight into its environment major, and sends them to a foundation year.
- A general environmental science degree is not a licence, but some jobs, such as professional geoscientist, need registration.
- A bachelor's degree can lead to a post-graduation work permit, but it does not give permanent residence automatically.
Can You Study Environmental Science in Canada from Nepal After +2?
Yes, you can start a bachelor’s degree in environmental science in Canada after +2, and science subjects help most.
Environmental science looks at air, water, land and living things, and how people change them. You use biology, chemistry, maths and field work. Many programs also teach data and mapping skills.
This guide is part of our study in Canada from Nepal series. For other levels, read our bachelors in Canada guide. Our urban planning in Canada guide covers a related field on the policy side.
Programs differ a lot. Some are science degrees with labs and maths. Others are college programs for field and lab technicians. Choose by the job you want.
- Length: four years for the UBC degree, and a five-year co-op option.
- Streams: land, air and water, ecology, energy, health and data.
- College route: Fanshawe’s environmental technology program takes three years with co-op.
- Licence: not needed for a general degree, but needed for some roles.
Which Canadian Schools Can You Look At for Environmental Science?
UBC, McGill, Waterloo, Alberta and Fanshawe are good places to start.
University of British Columbia
The Vancouver degree takes four years. You pick one of five streams. Co-op is optional.
See our University of British Columbia profile and the program calendar page.
McGill University
The Macdonald campus has a major in this field. You choose a focus such as water or wildlife. It also has field courses.
See our McGill University profile and the Major in Environment page.
University of Waterloo
The program sits in the Faculty of Science. After first year you pick ecology, geoscience or water science. Co-op is available.
See our University of Waterloo profile and the program page.
University of Alberta
Alberta has a BSc in this field. Its page lists jobs such as ecologist and wildlife biologist.
See our University of Alberta profile and the conservation biology page.
Fanshawe College
This college in London, Ontario, has a three-year advanced diploma. It includes paid co-op. International students can apply.
See our Fanshawe College profile.
What Are the Entry Requirements for Environmental Science in Canada?
Schools ask for maths and science subjects, English, and sometimes a foundation year.
UBC lists a maths course, one of biology, chemistry or physics, and Grade 11 chemistry and physics or their equivalents. It also asks every student to show English ability before admission. See the UBC program page for the full list.
McGill says high-school applicants from outside Quebec’s CEGEP system cannot apply directly to the Environment major. They must apply to the Foundation Year program first. Waterloo sends non-Ontario students to its admission requirements search tool, so check that for your country.
Fanshawe’s college route asks for chemistry and maths, with at least 60 in the maths course. For English, it accepts IELTS Academic with 6.0 overall and no band below 5.5. Its page says the other requirements are the same as for domestic applicants.
Check your +2 grade with our NEB GPA calculator. For language scores at universities, see the minimum IELTS and PTE for Canada page. For papers, read our Canada student visa requirements guide.
What Do You Study in an Environmental Science Degree?
You study biology, chemistry, earth science and maths, and then pick a focus.
At UBC you choose one of five streams. They cover land, air and water; ecology; energy and sustainability; health; and data. At McGill the choices include wildlife, water and farm land.
At Waterloo you pick ecology, geoscience or water science after first year. You also learn statistics and field work. If maths is weak for you, start to practise early.
Should You Choose a Degree or a College Program?
Choose a degree for research and planning jobs, and a college program for field and lab jobs sooner.
A degree takes about four years and builds science and maths skills. It also opens the way to a master’s degree later. A college program is more hands on and shorter in cost.
Fanshawe’s program lasts three years and includes paid co-op. It is a diploma, so it leads to technician roles. Ask the college what credit you would get if you moved to a degree later.
Whatever you pick, check the work permit rules first. A college program must be on the eligible list for a post-graduation permit.
How Much Does Environmental Science Cost in Canada?
Waterloo lists CAD 24,560 as the highest Science tuition for one study term, and Fanshawe lists about CAD 54,335 for its whole three-year program.
These amounts are in Canadian dollars. Use our CAD to Rs forex converter for today’s value. The table shows what each school’s own fee page lists.
| School and program | International fee listed | About in Rs |
|---|---|---|
| Waterloo, Science programs, tuition for one study term (highest listed) | CAD 24,560 | about Rs 27 lakh a term |
| Fanshawe, Environmental Technology (Co-op), whole program | CAD 54,335.04 | about Rs 59 lakh in total |
Waterloo’s amount comes from its international fee schedule, and it adds incidental fees each term. Fanshawe calls its figure approximate on the program page. We could not read UBC, McGill or Alberta fee pages for this subject, so ask each school for its table.
For living costs, read our cost of studying in Canada guide. For the funds you must show, see Canada proof of funds. For help with fees, see scholarships to study in Canada.
What Jobs Can Environmental Science Lead To?
It leads to jobs in consulting, wildlife work, water work, government and research.
Alberta lists ecologist, wildlife biologist and park warden. McGill names assessment, policy and sustainable development. Fanshawe names technologist and coordinator roles.
A college program leads mostly to technician and field jobs. A degree also opens research and planning jobs. Many jobs need field work, so be ready to travel.
Do You Need a Licence to Work in Environmental Science?
A general environmental science degree does not give a licence, but some roles, such as professional geoscientist, are regulated.
Geoscientists Canada explains the steps for a P.Geo. You need a recognised geoscience degree. Its streams include geology, geophysics and environmental geoscience.
Then you apply to the regulator in the province where you work. You gain supervised experience, and you pass a professional practice exam. Read its becoming a P.Geo. page.
Many people join as a geoscientist-in-training first. The degree must meet the regulator’s knowledge rules, so a general environmental science degree may not be enough. Ask the regulator before you choose your stream.
Fanshawe’s page lists no professional regulator for its technology program. Other jobs in this field may need safety or site certificates, which employers explain.
Can You Work and Stay in Canada After Environmental Science?
You can work up to 24 hours a week off campus, and a degree can lead to a post-graduation work permit of up to three years.
UBC says full-time international graduates of a bachelor’s degree may be eligible for a permit of up to three years. Read the off-campus work rules and our post-graduation work permit guide. A college program must be on the eligible list, so check it before you apply.
No course gives permanent residence on its own. Read PR pathways through education in Canada for the plain facts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Schools ask for maths and science subjects such as chemistry, biology or physics. Check each school’s own list and ask how it reads your NEB result.
UBC’s degree takes four years, with a five-year co-op option. Fanshawe’s college program takes three years with co-op. Other schools set their own length.
Not as a general subject. Some roles, such as professional geoscientist, need registration with a provincial regulator.
McGill says high-school applicants from outside Quebec’s CEGEP system cannot apply directly. They apply to the Foundation Year program first.
It suits you if you want field and lab work sooner. Fanshawe’s program includes paid co-op. It is a diploma, so it leads to technician roles, not research roles.
No. A degree can lead to a post-graduation work permit, but permanent residence is a separate application.
How Can Goreto Help You Apply?
Goreto counselors help you pick a school and stream, check your marks and prepare your papers.
You can meet a counselor at our Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Chitwan, Itahari or Pokhara branch. Visit get in touch to find the nearest office.
Sources
Reference links
Disclaimer
Important guidance note
Program rules, entry grades and fees change, so confirm each detail on the official school page before you apply.
