Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The BA (Hons.) in Environmental and Sustainability Studies at UPES, Dehradun, is a four-year full-time on-campus undergraduate programme offered through the School of Liberal Studies and Media. The programme provides strong conceptual foundations and applied skills grounded in environmental humanities, social sciences, public policy, development studies, and sustainability practice. It is designed to address real-world environmental challenges by connecting environmental change with everyday life, communities, and governance. The total programme fee (tuition + academic service fee) is approximately Rs. 6.72 lakhs over four years, with an annual tuition fee of Rs. 1,48,000. Admission is through a Personal Interview or CUET score, and the programme is increasingly popular among students aspiring for careers in sustainability, climate policy, ESG, environmental consulting, and development organisations.

Admissions for AY 2026-27 are currently ongoing. Applications can be submitted online at admission.upes.ac.in. Based on previous year patterns, the batch typically commences in July/August 2026.

Key Points

The programme follows a 3+1 model: three years of core coursework followed by a fourth year comprising an Environmental Field Project with Internship (Semester 7) and a Dissertation (Semester 8).
The curriculum has a strong focus on Himalayan ecosystems, livelihoods, migration, and climate vulnerability, making it uniquely relevant for students interested in mountain ecology and Uttarakhand-specific environmental issues.
Students gain applied skills in environmental audits, sustainability reporting, ESG governance, community engagement, and policy analysis through hands-on field-based projects.
The programme is aligned with global sustainability trends including SDGs, climate action, just transitions, nature-based solutions, and evolving ESG standards for Indian and global organisations.
Multidisciplinary exposure spans social sciences, law, management, design, and health sciences, preparing graduates for diverse roles across sectors.
Faculty bring expertise from environmental studies, sociology, development studies, public policy, economics, and law, with active research on Himalayan development and climate adaptation.

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

UPES Latest Updates and News

18 Feb, 2026 UPES BA {Hons.} Environmental Studies Fee Structure 2026 has been released. The total academic fee is ₹ 17.69 Lakhs. Read more.

UPES BA (Hons.) Environmental Studies Fees

The BA (Hons.) Environmental and Sustainability Studies programme at UPES involves two primary fee components: Tuition Fee and Academic Service Fee, charged on a per-semester basis. The total academic fee for the four-year programme amounts to approximately Rs. 6.72 lakhs. In addition to the academic fee, students are required to pay one-time charges such as a refundable security deposit, alumni fee, and personality development course (PDC) fee. Hostel accommodation is optional and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount
Tuition Fee (per year)	Rs. 1,48,000
Academic Service Fee (per year)	Rs. 20,000 (approx.)
Total Academic Fee (4 years)	Rs. 6,72,000
Personality Development Course (PDC) Fee (one-time, UG)	Rs. 23,300
Training and Certification Fee (one-time, 2nd semester)	Rs. 31,300
Refundable Security Deposit (one-time)	Rs. 20,000
Alumni Fee (one-time)	Rs. 2,100
Technology Fee (per semester, Year 1)	Rs. 3,800
Medical Insurance Fee (per year)	Rs. 500
I-Card Fee (one-time)	Rs. 500
Convocation Fee (penultimate semester)	Rs. 3,300
Application Fee (one-time)	Rs. 1,750
Hostel Fee - Triple Sharing, Common Washroom (per year, optional)	Rs. 1,83,000
Hostel Fee - Double Sharing, Attached Washroom - Girls only (per year, optional)	Rs. 2,32,000
Total Fees (excluding hostel)	Rs. 7,57,550 (approx.)
Total Fees (including hostel - triple sharing)	Rs. 15,09,550 (approx.)

The refundable security deposit of Rs. 20,000 is interest-free and returned upon programme completion.
Hostel fee is optional and not mandatory. Hostel security deposit of Rs. 10,000 (refundable) is additional.
PDC fee is payable in two instalments: half at admission and half in the penultimate semester.
Fee payment schedule: Semester 1 at the time of admission; Semester 2 by 2nd January 2027; Semester 3 by 10th July 2027; Semester 4 by 2nd January 2028; and so on.
Transportation facility available at Rs. 31,000 per academic year (optional).

UPES BA (Hons.) Environmental Studies Admission 2026-27

Admissions to the BA (Hons.) Environmental and Sustainability Studies programme at UPES for AY 2026-27 are currently open. The selection is based on a Personal Interview or CUET-UG score. Candidates must apply online at admission.upes.ac.in by paying an application fee of Rs. 1,750. The process is rolling, and seats are filled on a merit-cum-first-come-first-served basis.

UPES Admission Dates

Event	Date
Application Portal Opens	January 2026 (Open)
Last Date to Apply	TBA (Rolling admissions)
Personal Interview / CUET Score Submission	Ongoing (Rolling)
Offer Letter Issuance	Within days of interview
Acceptance Fee Payment Deadline	As per offer letter
Batch Commencement	July/August 2026 (tentative)
Semester 2 Fee Payment Deadline	2nd January 2027

CUET-UG Exam Dates

Event	Date
CUET-UG Registration Start	3rd January 2026
CUET-UG Registration End	26th February 2026
CUET-UG Admit Card Release	5th May 2026 (tentative)
CUET-UG Exam	11th May - 31st May 2026
CUET-UG Answer Key Release	17th June 2026 (tentative)
CUET-UG Result Declaration	4th July 2026 (tentative)

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Minimum 50% marks in Class X and Class XII (any stream).
Students from any stream (Science, Commerce, or Arts) are eligible to apply.
No specific subject requirement at Class XII level for this programme.

Admission Process

Visit admission.upes.ac.in and fill in the online application form.
Pay the application fee of Rs. 1,750.
Submit academic details and required documents (10th and 12th marksheets, Aadhaar card, PAN card of student and parents).
Appear for a Personal Interview (venue can be selected from a list) or submit CUET-UG score.
Receive a provisional offer letter upon selection.
Pay the acceptance fee within the deadline mentioned in the offer letter to confirm the seat.
Complete registration formalities and pay Semester 1 fee at the time of admission.

UPES BA (Hons.) Environmental Studies Scholarships 2026-27

UPES offers a wide range of scholarships for BA (Hons.) Environmental and Sustainability Studies students, covering merit-based, need-based, sports, domicile, and special category scholarships. In AY 2023-24, UPES awarded Rs. 46 crore in scholarships benefiting 6,844 students, reflecting the university's strong commitment to financial accessibility. The entry-level scholarship is particularly significant as it is applicable on the first-year tuition fee and can go up to 100% for top CUET scorers.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship Name	Eligibility	Benefit
Entry Level - Board Merit (Girls and Others)	12th marks: 95.01% and above	30% on 1st year tuition fee
Entry Level - Board Merit (Girls and Others)	12th marks: 90.01% - 95%	25% on 1st year tuition fee
Entry Level - Board Merit (Girls and Others)	12th marks: 85.01% - 90%	20% on 1st year tuition fee
Entry Level - Board Merit (Girls and Others)	12th marks: 75% - 85%	15% on 1st year tuition fee
Entry Level - Board Merit (Girls and Others)	12th marks: 60% - 74.99%	10% on 1st year tuition fee
Entry Level - Board Merit (Boys)	12th marks: 95.01% and above	30% on 1st year tuition fee
Entry Level - Board Merit (Boys)	12th marks: 90.01% - 95%	25% on 1st year tuition fee
Entry Level - Board Merit (Boys)	12th marks: 85.01% - 90%	20% on 1st year tuition fee
Entry Level - Board Merit (Boys)	12th marks: 75% - 85%	15% on 1st year tuition fee
National Level Exam - CUET Score	CUET percentile 95.01 and above	100% on 1st year tuition fee
National Level Exam - CUET Score	CUET percentile 90.01 - 95%	40% on 1st year tuition fee
National Level Exam - CUET Score	CUET percentile 85.01 - 90%	25% on 1st year tuition fee
Domicile Scholarship (Uttarakhand)	Uttarakhand domicile certificate	25% on tuition fee per semester
Jyoti Scholarship (Freeship)	Min. 80% in 10th and 12th; family income up to Rs. 8 LPA	100% on semester fees (all components except security)
Vijay Scholarship (Sports)	International medal holder	100% on tuition fee
Vijay Scholarship (Sports)	International participation	75% on tuition fee
Vijay Scholarship (Sports)	National medal holder	50% on tuition fee
Vijay Scholarship (Sports)	National participation	35% on tuition fee
Academic Performance Scholarship (from 2nd year)	CGPA 8.5+, top 10% of batch, 1st rank	20% on tuition fee
Academic Performance Scholarship (from 2nd year)	CGPA 8.5+, top 10% of batch, 2nd rank	15% on tuition fee
Academic Performance Scholarship (from 2nd year)	CGPA 8.5+, top 10% of batch, rest eligible	10% on tuition fee
Student Financial Support	Loss of earning parent after admission	Rs. 50,000 relaxation per semester
Scholarship for Wards of Defence Personnel	Serving/retired/martyr defence parent	35% on 1st year tuition fee
Scholarship for Wards of Teachers	Ward of full-time school teacher	35% on 1st year tuition fee

A student is eligible for only one scholarship at the time of admission; the highest applicable scholarship is awarded.
Academic Performance Scholarship can be clubbed with Domicile/Sports/Employee Ward scholarships from the 2nd year onwards.
Board Merit and National Level Exam scholarships are applicable for the 1st year tuition fee only and must be claimed before registration.
Jyoti Scholarship is limited to 51 seats and is renewed annually based on academic performance (minimum 6.0 SGPA/CGPA).
Domicile scholarship covers 25% of seats reserved for Uttarakhand domicile students.

UPES BA (Hons.) Environmental Studies FAQs

Ques. What is the difference between BA (Hons.) Environmental Studies and a B.Sc. in Environmental Science? Which is better for a career in sustainability?

Ans. The BA (Hons.) Environmental and Sustainability Studies at UPES is a social sciences and humanities-oriented programme, focusing on environmental policy, governance, community dynamics, ESG, and sustainability practice. It is distinct from a B.Sc. Environmental Science, which is more lab and natural science-oriented. For careers in sustainability consulting, ESG reporting, climate policy, NGOs, development agencies, and community engagement, the BA programme is highly relevant. For careers in environmental testing, ecology research, or technical environmental management, a B.Sc. would be more appropriate.

Ques. Does this programme cover ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) and sustainability reporting, which are in high demand in the corporate sector?

Ans. Yes, ESG governance and sustainability reporting are explicitly part of the curriculum. Students study how sustainability reports are structured, assess campus sustainability indicators, and examine how businesses integrate environmental and social responsibility into operations. Elective courses include Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), Corporate Environmental Responsibility, and Climate Finance and Green Transitions, making graduates well-prepared for growing ESG roles in the corporate sector.

Ques. Is the BA (Hons.) Environmental and Sustainability Studies programme at UPES suitable for students from a Science background who want to work in climate policy?

Ans. Yes, the programme is open to students from any stream (Science, Commerce, or Arts) with minimum 50% in Class X and XII. Students from a Science background will find the programme complementary, as it adds policy, governance, social science, and communication dimensions to their technical understanding. The curriculum covers Climate Change and Policy, Environmental Impact Assessment, Environmental Economics, and SDGs, which are directly relevant to climate policy careers.

Ques. What kind of internship and field project opportunities does the programme offer in the 4th year?

Ans. In Semester 7, students undertake an Environmental Field Project combined with an Internship, working on real-world environmental and sustainability challenges. In Semester 8, students complete a Dissertation. Internship placements are facilitated with organisations working in sustainability, development, NGOs, government agencies, and research institutions. The Himalayan location of UPES also provides unique access to mountain ecology, community-based resource management, and climate adaptation fieldwork.

Ques. What are the career prospects after BA (Hons.) Environmental and Sustainability Studies from UPES?

Ans. Graduates can pursue roles such as Environmental Consultant (social and policy side), Climate and Disaster Risk Associate, Environmental Communication Specialist, Community Sustainability Associate (water, forests, livelihoods, waste), Policy Analyst (environment, migration, governance), Social Impact and Sustainability Reporting Associate, and Research Associate in sustainability and development. Growing demand for ESG professionals in the corporate sector, and expanding roles in sustainable tourism, environmental education, and rural development, make this a future-ready programme.

Ques. Does UPES offer any postgraduate programmes in Environmental Studies for students who wish to continue after this BA?

Ans. UPES currently offers the BA (Hons.) Environmental and Sustainability Studies at the undergraduate level. Graduates can pursue MA or MSc programmes in Environmental Studies, Sustainability, Development Studies, or Public Policy at other universities in India or abroad. The 4-year research honours degree with a dissertation is internationally recognised and strengthens postgraduate applications. Faculty also provide mentoring for students applying to top global universities for postgraduate studies.