Climate Resilience and Artificial Intelligence BSc (Hons)
Subject and course type
- Environmental science and geography
- Undergraduate
This innovative course is the first of its kind in the UK. It is designed to meet the growing demand for graduates with an understanding of both climate science and AI, together with the business insight to tackle climate-related challenges and risks.
You are reading:
Build climate resilience with technology and insight
Use technology to help find sustainable solutions to huge environmental challenges
The course has been extensively informed through conversations with, and support from, national and local government, policy makers, industry, and insight into higher education providers.
Artificial intelligence is advancing rapidly, revolutionising the way we gather and use data. It holds great promise for addressing and gaining insights into complex global issues, such as the climate crisis.
This programme is distinguished by its strong focus on harnessing expertise in spatial data analysis and leveraging emerging AI opportunities to design and implement resilient, real-world solutions.
Why choose this course
This innovative programme will equip you with the essential knowledge, skills and behaviours to address the urgent challenges of climate change through. The application of Artificial Intelligence supports comprehensive understanding of climate science, coupled with advanced training in data science and AI, preparing you to become leaders in building a sustainable and resilient future.
Top 10 in the UK for Geography, The Guardian University Guide 2026.
Course content
The programme will foster interdisciplinary critical thinking and will integrate core principles of climate resilience (physical, human and environmental) with data and AI analytics. You will learn to analyse complex climate datasets, develop predictive models, and design AI-driven solutions for climate risk assessment, disaster management, and sustainable development. You will develop skills in environmental communication – an essential graduate attribute employers will expect.
Key elements you will study
Climate science
- Principles of climate change, including causes, impacts, and mitigation strategies
- GIS, climate modelling and data analysis.
Artificial intelligence and data science
- Fundamentals of AI, machine learning, and deep learning
- Data acquisition, processing, and visualisation/GIS
- Programming languages (e.g. Python, R) and statistical software.
Climate resilience applications
- Climate risk assessment and management
- AI early warning systems and disaster response
- AI-driven solutions for sustainable agriculture, urban planning, and clean energy systems.
Policy and ethical considerations
- Climate policy and governance
- Data and AI ethics and inclusion
- Social and economic aspects of climate change.
Practical and project management skills
- Hands-on experience with AI tools and climate datasets
- Real-world projects and case studies.
Year 1
Core modules
30 credits
This module equips you with essential spatial data literacy, focusing on the use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS), cartography, and emerging technologies in climate resilience. You will explore the principles of map design and production using GIS software, learning about data modelling, quality, and basic spatial analysis. The cartographic design process is examined through the ‘map communication model’ (MCM), alongside graphic and cartographic principles. The MCM is critically assessed in the context of modern mapping trends, including interactive web maps, open-source tools, crowdsourcing, personalisation, big data, and AI.
30 credits
This module dives into the exciting world of creativity, Generative AI, and the ethics and inherent biases inherent in such tools. Whilst the hype says the tools enable anyone to create stunning images, write compelling stories, and produce music, when instructing an AI-based tool with your ideas you are writing instructions in a language that will be interpreted by a tool that is constructed, trained and presented through an interface that was ultimately biased in many ways.
With great creative power comes great responsibility and as we learn to generate new content, we'll ask big questions. Who owns AI-generated code, art, music etc.? How do we identify and work to prevent bias in the stories AI tells? What are the ethical principles to follow with deepfakes and AI-powered bots commonplace? This module equips you to be a thoughtful and responsible creator. You will explore the emerging laws and ethical guidelines that shape this new landscape, ensuring that the technology you use is designed with human values and societal impact in mind.
30 credits
This module explores the foundations for academic and professional success, introducing you to the higher education learning environment and supports your development as an effective, independent learners.
The module equips you with essential academic and research skills to thrive in professional environments. It encourages you to take ownership of your learning journey by developing competencies aligned with Kingston University Graduate Attributes and discipline-specific professional standards. Through weekly sessions, you will explore effective learning strategies, assessment for learning, and the role of feedback and critical self-reflection. You are introduced to key research methods including research design, qualitative and quantitative data collection, analysis, and interpretation. Fieldwork is a central component, offering hands-on experience in geographical and environmental investigation.
30 credits
Developing sustainability literacy is an essential skill for professional practice. This module introduces you to the foundations of sustainability, environmental technologies, and nature-based solutions. Through lectures, seminars, and workshops, you will engage with systems thinking, ecological science, and applied green solutions, including renewable energy, waste management, water management and ecosystem resilience. Learners will explore how environmental technologies are helping to build climate resilience, investigate the contribution of AI in this field, and develop the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to understand sustainability in theory and practice, while also critically applying creative problem-solving and future-thinking approaches to real-world sustainability challenges. This includes a live brief assessment linked to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Year 2
Core modules
30 credits
This module establishes the skills required to effectively use databases for storage and retrieval of information. Students will learn how to design, build and query databases using logical data models and Structured Query Language (SQL), and use datasets to perform data analysis and natural language processing (NLP) using appropriate AI-powered tools such as large language models (LLMs) for NLP.
You will tackle one of the biggest challenges in the modern world: making sense of messy, unstructured data. Most of the data we generate contains information in written form. You'll learn how to manage this data and model it effectively using the power of modern AI platforms, particularly Large Language Models (LLMs) and their natural language processing capabilities. The focus is not on the deep theory of how these models are built, but on the practical skills of applying them to extract meaningful insights from data. You'll emerge with the ability to obtain structured, valuable insights from unstructured data, while considering the critical ethical implications of working with human and AI-generated content.
30 credits
This module explores how we manage the environment and promote climate resilience through the study of environmental policy and practice. It develops the Level 5 Future Skills Explore Learning Outcomes and encourages you to reflect on the Kingston University Graduate Attributes through project-based learning. The first part focuses on environmental policy, examining global challenges and the legal, political, and economic systems that shape our relationship with the environment. It highlights the importance of interdisciplinary approaches to informed decision-making. In the second part, you apply your teamwork skills to an industry live brief, pitching solutions to a Dragon’s Den-style panel of professionals and academics. Through assignment-led learning, you connect environmental policy with practical action and reflect on your growing professional competence via a shared and personal blog. The module also supports preparation for Level 6 and your future professional pathway, helping you make informed decisions about industrial placements or Apply projects. Integrated Personal Tutorial System (PTS) sessions provide small-group discussions that reinforce key ideas, develop reflective practice, and deepen understanding of environmental management and sustainability challenges.
30 credits
This module will explore environmental and community resilience and seek to find adaptive solutions to the many impacts of climate change. The module will provide a broad overview of principles and processes in environmental and biological systems and explore the impact of climate change on these systems. The vulnerability of natural systems, landforms, ecosystems and water resources to climate change will be assessed. Challenges to be addressed include vulnerability within coastal and riverine environments, global and local challenges in sustainable water resource management, and biodiversity loss in ecosystems. A range of sustainable management strategies and policies that aim to reduce vulnerability and increase environmental and community resilience will be evaluated, including natural flood management and nature-based solutions, water conservation options, and biodiversity conservation strategies. Climate-related disasters represent one of the major global challenges. Key theories and concepts in social science approaches to understanding disasters are introduced. Approaches to Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and community resilience strategies are evaluated across a range of spatial scales. This module will provide you with the knowledge and skills to find solutions to the impacts of climate change on the natural and built environment, improving future environmental and community resilience.
30 credits
This module provides essential quantitative, qualitative, analytical, and spatial skills to support professional practice in climate science. The module develops competencies in statistical analysis, qualitative data analysis, artificial intelligence, as well as geographic information systems (GIS). You will build a strong foundation in data analysis theory and practice, learning how to manage, analyse, and visualise environmental and social datasets. The module will emphasise exploratory data analysis, hypothesis testing, statistical modelling and the interpretation of outputs in a climate resilience context. Complementing these quantitative approaches, the module will also address the analysis of stakeholder perspectives, community experiences and societal drivers relevant to climate resilience. Additionally, you will gain hands-on experience with ArcGIS to manage and analyse spatial data. You will explore geospatial modelling techniques, data integration, and the application of AI tools within GIS to model environmental change and support decision-making for climate adaptation. The module will allow you to integrate statistical and geospatial approaches to address challenges in climate resilience.
Optional professional placement year
The optional professional placement year between Years 2 and 3 includes a work placement or international exchange. The work placement gives an opportunity for paid work and valuable experience in a relevant professional environment.
The international exchange gives you an opportunity to travel, meet new people, build links in another academic environment and develop your geographical skills and knowledge.
We will keep in touch with you throughout your placement or year abroad, ensuring the skills and training you receive translate effectively into your studies and career aspirations.
Year 3/4
Core modules
15 credits
This module is designed to (1) introduce the concepts of advanced geospatial analytics, including spatial regression and spatial interpolation; and (2) apply them through the GIS platform as well as further refine these methods using machine learning (ML) and deep learning techniques.
The module enables you to harness the power of geospatial analytics for tackling some of the major climate challenges to deliver insights on the extent and intensity of any climate changes, what impact a mitigation solution might yield, and how to refine the accuracy of your analytical and predictive outcomes through AI/ML. You will learn these methods through hands-on application of spatial analytical methods on a GIS platform with AI/ML components to refine the outcomes. The module will enable you to think critically and solve climate-related challenges through the framework of data science.
30 credits
This module will investigate disaster management strategies and solutions that can increase resilience to climate hazards now and in the future. The module starts with a critical examination of disaster management, with a primary focus on the UK's emergency management framework. It explores how historical, social, economic, and political factors influence the development and implementation of emergency management. This includes consideration of the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in this field, weighing its potential benefits, risks, and ethical implications. The complex web of stakeholder responsibilities and the challenges of effective communication and coordination these poses are examined. The module will examine processes, impacts and risks associated with various climate hazards, including coastal and riverine flooding/erosion due to increased storm frequency and intensity, landslides, wildfires, heatwaves and droughts. The impacts on society, infrastructure and the environment will be examined and management strategies that increase community and environmental resilience will be assessed, including the role of AI in disaster risk reduction. Fieldwork will enable you to directly examine risks and management strategies in an international setting. The module aims to prepare you for careers in environmental hazards and disaster management by developing employability skills and fostering interaction with practitioners.
15 credits
This module gives you a dedicated opportunity to develop your Future Skills Graduate Attributes.
At the start of the module, you will be supported to self-assess your current skills profile. You will determine which attributes and skills you need to develop to support your career ambitions. In this process, you will be supported by a dedicated career coach, helping you explore a range of options that includes self-employment/freelancing, starting your own business, higher level study, and other professional graduate-level opportunities. Throughout the module, you will be given opportunities to engage with external mentors, to support reflection and to develop a professional network.
You will undertake a tailored series of activities and projects, aligned to your goals, from a menu of development options. This could include short courses, enrichment activities and experiential learning options such as micro-placements. You will also be able to reflect on activities outside the University that develop your graduate attributes, such as work or volunteering.
30 credits
This module is a capstone. It provides experience in the design, execution and preparation of an independent but approved programme of research. The module provides a structured mechanism for you to employ reflective learning techniques to develop your research project and reflect on your developing employability skills by engaging with your research project as an academic research assignment with commercial, policy or political value.
Recognition and development of your employability skills are integral to this module. The project chosen enables you to target specific knowledge and skills you wish to develop (you will be guided to this point in Explore in Level 5 with your personal tutor). You will cross-reference your developing knowledge and skills with the KU graduate attributes on CANVAS which feeds into the final viva at the conclusion of the research project.
30 credits
The module examines key issues relating to climate change in the areas of science, policy and society.
The science of climate change will be explored through an investigation of the climate system and an examination of indicators such as sea-level change and ocean acidification.
The influence of human activities such as greenhouse gas emissions will be explored, and future climate scenarios evaluated.
Applications of AI in climate modelling will also be assessed. You will learn to critically discuss models of future climate change and produce your own climate projections for the UK based on real data.
The module will examine local and national strategies to adapt to and mitigate against impacts of climate change. This will include investigations into adaptations in agriculture and the food industry, and an exploration of environmental and socio-economic challenges faced in urban areas. The module will investigate the current and future impact on coastal communities and habitats, with assessment of risks associated with sea level rise, coastal flooding and erosion. This will include a field trip to investigate coastal challenges in southeast England and explore mitigation and adaptation strategies that enhance resilience. Assessments will develop real-world skills and reflect upon KU Graduate Attributes.
International students: direct application
Are you an international student? Have you decided Kingston is the place for you? If so, you can apply for this course directly, rather than having to go through UCAS.
What career opportunities does this course offer?
This course has excellent links with industry, business and environmental organisations.
The faculty has a specialist employability team. It provides friendly and high-quality careers and recruitment guidance, including advice and sessions on job-seeking skills. For example, CV preparation, application forms and interview techniques. Specific advice is also available for international students about the UK job market and employers' expectations and requirements.
The team runs employer events throughout the year, including job fairs, key speakers from industry and interviews on campus. These events give you the chance to hear from, and network with, employers in an informal setting.
Future Skills
Our Future Skills programme is embedded within all our undergraduate courses and throughout the whole Kingston experience. These skills will help you to become a future-proof graduate by equipping you with the skills most valued by employers, such as problem-solving, digital competency and adaptability.
As you progress through your degree, you'll learn to navigate, explore and apply these graduate skills. You’ll also understand how to demonstrate and articulate to employers how these future skills give you the edge.
Teaching and assessment
Scheduled learning and teaching on this course includes timetabled activities including lectures, seminars and small group tutorials. It may also include placements, project work, workshops, workshops in computer labs, and laboratory workshops.
Outside the scheduled learning and teaching hours, you will learn independently through self-study which will involve reading articles and books, working on projects, undertaking research, preparing for and completing your work for assessments. Some independent study work may need to be completed on-campus, as you may need to access campus-based facilities such as studios and labs.
Our academic support team here at Kingston University provides help in a range of areas.
When you arrive, we'll introduce you to your personal tutor. This is the member of academic staff who will provide academic guidance, be a support throughout your time at Kingston and show you how to make the best use of all the help and resources that we offer at Kingston University.
A course is made up of modules, and each module is worth a number of credits. You must pass a given number of credits in order to achieve the award you registered on, for example 360 credits for a typical undergraduate course or 180 credits for a typical postgraduate course. The number of credits you need for your award is detailed in the programme specification which you can access from the link at the bottom of this page.
One credit equates to 10 hours of study. Therefore 120 credits across a year (typical for an undergraduate course) would equate to 1,200 notional hours. These hours are split into scheduled and guided. On this course, the percentage of that time that will be scheduled learning and teaching activities is shown below for each year of study. The remainder is made up of guided independent study.
- Year 1: 22% scheduled learning and teaching
- Year 2: 24% scheduled learning and teaching
- Year 3: 22% scheduled learning and teaching
The exact balance between scheduled learning and teaching and guided independent study will be informed by the modules you take.
Your course will primarily be delivered in person. It may include delivery of some activities online, either in real time or recorded.
Types of assessment
- Year 1: Coursework 100%
- Year 2: Coursework 100%
- Year 3: Coursework 100%
Please note: the above breakdowns are a guide calculated on core modules only. If your course includes optional modules, this breakdown may change to reflect the modules chosen.
We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 20 working days.
Your individualised timetable is normally available to students within 48 hours of enrolment. Whilst we make every effort to ensure timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled learning and teaching can take place on any day of the week between 9am and 6pm. For undergraduate students, Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities, but there may be occasions when this is not possible. Timetables for part-time students will depend on the modules selected.
Fees and funding
| Fee category | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Home (UK students) | |
| £10,050* | |
| Foundation Year: | £10,050 |
| International | |
| Year 1 (2027/28): | £To be confirmed |
| Year 2 (2028/29): | £To be confirmed |
| Year 3 (2029/30): | £To be confirmed |
| Year 4 (2030/31): | £To be confirmed |
The tuition fee you pay depends on whether you are assessed as a 'Home' (UK), 'Islands' or 'International' student.
For courses with Professional Placement, the fee for the placement year can be viewed in our Fees and Funding section. The placement fee published is for the relevant academic year stated in the table. This fee is subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body.
*For full-time programmes lasting more than one academic year, a tuition fee is payable for each academic year of the course.
Your annual tuition fee covers your first attempt at all modules required for that academic year. Any re-study or repeat of modules will incur additional charges, calculated according to the number of credits taken.
Home students (UK): Tuition fees are subject to inflation-linked increases in line with government policy. Updated fees will be confirmed in line with the maximum fee cap set by the Government or the Office for Students (OfS) for each academic year. This means your fee may increase for each academic year of study, but only up to the maximum amount permitted for that year.
Eligible UK students can apply to the Government for a tuition loan, which is paid direct to the University. This has a low interest-rate which is charged from the time the first part of the loan is paid to the University until you have repaid it.
International students: Full-time taught international student fees are subject to an annual increase, which is published in advance for the full duration of your programme.
| Fee category | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Home (UK students) | |
| £9,790* | |
| Foundation Year: | £9,790 |
| International | |
| Year 1 (2026/27): | £19,200 |
| Year 2 (2027/28): | £19,900 |
| Year 3 (2028/29): | £20,700 |
| Year 4 (2029/30): | £21,500 |
The tuition fee you pay depends on whether you are assessed as a 'Home' (UK), 'Islands' or 'International' student.
For courses with Professional Placement, the fee for the placement year can be viewed in our Fees and Funding section. The placement fee published is for the relevant academic year stated in the table. This fee is subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body.
*For full-time programmes lasting more than one academic year, a tuition fee is payable for each academic year of the course.
Your annual tuition fee covers your first attempt at all modules required for that academic year. Any re-study or repeat of modules will incur additional charges, calculated according to the number of credits taken.
Home students (UK): Tuition fees are subject to inflation-linked increases in line with government policy. Updated fees will be confirmed in line with the maximum fee cap set by the Government or the Office for Students (OfS) for each academic year. This means your fee may increase for each academic year of study, but only up to the maximum amount permitted for that year.
Eligible UK students can apply to the Government for a tuition loan, which is paid direct to the University. This has a low interest-rate which is charged from the time the first part of the loan is paid to the University until you have repaid it.
International students: Full-time taught international student fees are subject to an annual increase, which is published in advance for the full duration of your programme.
| Fee category | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Home (UK students) | |
| £9,535* | |
| Foundation Year: | £9,535 |
| International | |
| Year 1 (2025/26): | £18,500 |
| Year 2 (2026/27): | £19,200 |
| Year 3 (2027/28): | £19,900 |
| Year 4 (2028/29): | £20,700 |
The tuition fee you pay depends on whether you are assessed as a 'Home' (UK), 'Islands' or 'International' student. In 2025/26 the fees for this course are above.
For courses with Professional Placement, the fee for the placement year can be viewed in our Fees and Funding section. The placement fee published is for the relevant academic year stated in the table. This fee is subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body.
* For full-time programmes of a duration of more than one academic year, the published fee is an annual fee, payable each year, for the duration of the programme. Your annual tuition fees cover your first attempt at all of the modules necessary to complete that academic year. A re-study of any modules will incur additional charges calculated by the number of credits. Home tuition fees may be subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body. Full-time taught International fees are subject to an annual increase and are published in advance for the full duration of the programme.
Eligible UK students can apply to the Government for a tuition loan, which is paid direct to the University. This has a low interest-rate which is charged from the time the first part of the loan is paid to the University until you have repaid it.
Additional course costs
Some courses may require additional costs beyond tuition fees. When planning your studies, you’ll want to consider tuition fees, living costs, and any extra costs that might relate to your area of study.
Your tuition fees include costs for teaching, assessment and university facilities. So your access to libraries, shared IT resources and various student support services are all covered. Accommodation and general living expenses are not covered by these fees.
Where applicable, additional expenses for your course may include:
Our libraries have an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as open-access computers and laptops available to rent. However, you may want to buy your own computer or personal copies of key textbooks. Textbooks may range from £50 to £250 per year. And a personal computer can range from £100 to £3,000 depending on your course requirements.
While most coursework is submitted online, some modules may require printed copies. You may want to allocate up to £100 per year for hard-copies of your coursework. It’s worth noting that 3D printing is never compulsory. So if you choose to use our 3D printers, you’ll need to pay for the material. This ranges from 3p per gram to 40p per gram.
Kingston University will pay for all compulsory field trips. Fees for optional trips typically range from £20 to £40 per trip.
Your tuition fees don’t cover travel costs. To save on travel costs, you can use our intersite bus service. This route links the campuses and halls of residence with local train stations - Surbiton, Kingston upon Thames and Norbiton.
Specific courses may require uniforms, specialty clothing, or specific equipment like lab coats and safety shoes. Kingston University will supply you with a lab coat and safety goggles at the start of the year.
If you choose to do a placement year, travel costs will vary depending on your location. These costs could be up to £2,000.
Scholarships and bursaries
For students interested in studying this course at Kingston, there are several opportunities to seek funding support.
Course changes and regulations
The information on this page reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. To improve your student experience and the quality of your degree, we may review and change the material information of this course. Find out more about course changes
Programme Specifications for the course are published ahead of each academic year.
Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.
Key information
The scrolling banner below displays some key factual data about this course (including different course combinations or delivery modes of this course where relevant).
