School of Built and Natural Environment

The urban and rural landscapes we live in have a profound impact on us. They supply us with the essentials - food, water, shelter, clean air - and influence our access to work and education, our safety, and our physical and mental health. Safeguarding our natural environment while building better places to live and work is essential if we want this planet to survive and thrive into the next century.

The world needs changemakers

The 2020s will be a pivotal moment in the world's history, as we attempt to tackle several global environmental crises: climate change, the reduction of biological diversity and habitat destruction. How we act now will determine our future beyond 2050. The Covid-19 public health emergency and the UK's housing crisis makes the challenge of living safely and sustainably look even more daunting.

However, the expertise and technology exist to overcome these challenges, and we can help you develop the skills and knowledge to play your part. What are you most passionate about? Perhaps it's drastically reducing carbon emissions, building and living more sustainably, or improving the quality of our natural and urban landscapes.

Whichever aspect of the natural or built environment interests you, join us. By studying or collaborating with our School, you can be one of the changemakers. To find out more about our courses, explore the following undergraduate and postgraduate sections. Or if your interest is research, find out how you can help to reshape our world.

Reshaping our world with research

Researchers from across our School are working on a range of studies that advance our understanding of the natural and built environment, the connection between the two, and the impact they have on us and our world.

Whether you are a student, academic, government agency, industry body or business, you can work with our Environmental Sustainability Research Centre (ESRC) on studies that address urgent global challenges in climate change and sustainable development.

Our research aligns with major global and national blueprints related to the environment and development. These include the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the EU's Biodiversity Strategy, the UK's Industrial Strategy, and the UK Government’s 25-year environmental plan.

Recently, we have been investigating:

Find out more about research

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Centre for Mineral Products

This specialist centre delivers industry standard and globally recognised qualifications to the mineral products sector, from certificates and diplomas to higher apprenticeships and degrees.

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Our Services

Here at the University of Derby, we're committed to using our research and knowledge, expertise and resources to inspire and develop the businesses of today and tomorrow.

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Our staff

Learn more about our talented staff members teaching and researching in the School of Environmental Sciences.

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New Institute of Technology will lead the UK's Digital and Green Revolution

The University of Derby, Loughborough College, Loughborough University and the Derby College Group (DCG) will work together on the new Institute, which will create the highly advanced workforce needed to lead the digital revolution – otherwise known as Industry 4.0.

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