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The University of Edinburgh

UCAS Code: K8T9 | Master of Earth Physics - MEarthPhys

Entry requirements

A level

A,A,A-A,B,B

AAA - ABB in one set of exams. These grades should be achieved in one set of exams. Required subjects: A levels: Mathematics at A and Physics at B. GCSEs: English at C or 4.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

34-32

34 points with 666 at HL - 32 points with 655 at HL. Required subjects: HL: Mathematics (Analysis and approaches only) at 6 and Physics at 5. SL: English at 5.

Scottish Higher

A,B,B,B

ABBB by end of S5 or AAAB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6. Required subjects: Highers: Mathematics at A and Physics at B. Higher Applications of Mathematics is not accepted in place of Higher Mathematics. National 5s: English at C.

UCAS Tariff

114-144

We've calculated how many Ucas points you'll need for this course.

About this course

Course option

5years

Full-time | 2025

Subjects

Geophysics

Earth sciences

Meteorology

If you are curious about how our planet works and want to help solve some of our biggest global challenges, geophysics may be for you.

**What is geophysics?**

Geophysics is about understanding the complex interactions between the Earth's systems using physics. We explore everything from the Earth's core to the atmosphere.

For example

* Studying what causes natural disasters, like earthquakes and volcanoes.

* By using satellites and drones, we can collect data on how the Earth behaves using a process called remote sensing.

* Understanding the physics of environmental change to find ways to reduce the harmful impact of human activity.

* We can also predict human impacts on the rapidly changing climate by understanding how the atmosphere and oceans interact.

It is the interdisciplinarity nature of geophysics that defines much of what we do. It is also why geophysics plays an important role in creating a more sustainable future for everyone.

**What is meteorology?**

Meteorology uses similar methods and techniques as geophysics to study:

* atmospheric dynamics

* climate change

* meteorological phenomena, such as rain, snow, storms and hurricanes

There is a strong connection between geophysics and meteorology.

Many of the Earth's processes can affect our atmosphere, climate and weather - including:

* gravity

* heat transfer

* ocean currents

* volcanic eruptions

**What will I learn?**

We will train you in physical principles and mathematical techniques of geophysics. Your training will be combined with study of atmospheric processes and the techniques used to study them.

As a student in geophysics and meteorology, you will learn to apply your knowledge and skills to different fields.

For example:

* studying the Earth's atmosphere, including its structure, thermodynamic processes, rain formation, radiation and air pollution

* interpreting weather systems and climate processes

* monitoring the Earth's changing environment and climate

* mapping environmental pollution above and below ground

* measuring rock and soil properties before civil engineering work

* carbon capture, energy storage and management of water resources

* understanding the behaviour of the Earth's deep interior

* understanding how the Earth and other planets have formed and changed over their lifetime

By studying this degree, you will learn from our wide range of experienced academics across a range of Earth science disciplines. Our research-led, industry-informed teaching makes your degree relevant to the world and helps make you highly employable

We have a hands on approach to learning, so you can develop valuable practical skills. Many of your activities are similar to what professionals do in the real world.

**An extraordinary reputation**

We are one of the largest and most successful groupings of geographers, Earth and environmental scientists in the UK, many of whom are world experts in their field.

* We have pioneered research proving human-caused greenhouse gases are warming our planet, which helped underpin the 2015 Paris Agreement.

* We are working with major space agencies to monitor the environment using satellite data.

* We are 22nd in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2024.

* We are also in the world's top 50 and the UK's top 10 universities for natural sciences, environmental sciences, geology, geophysics, Earth and marine sciences, (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023).

Our staff will include the latest research in your teaching, and share our discoveries with you.

Tuition fees

Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:

Channel Islands
£9,250
per year
England
£9,250
per year
EU
£36,800
per year
International
£36,800
per year
Northern Ireland
£9,250
per year
Republic of Ireland
£9,250
per year
Scotland
£1,820
per year
Wales
£9,250
per year

The Uni

Course location:

Central area campus

Department:

School of GeoSciences

Read full university profile

What students say

We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.

93%
Geophysics
93%
Earth sciences
93%
Meteorology

How do students rate their degree experience?

The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Earth sciences

Teaching and learning

91%
Staff make the subject interesting
89%
Staff are good at explaining things
91%
Ideas and concepts are explored in-depth
83%
Opportunities to apply what I've learned

Assessment and feedback

Feedback on work has been timely
Feedback on work has been helpful
Staff are contactable when needed
Good advice available when making study choices

Resources and organisation

96%
Library resources
84%
IT resources
94%
Course specific equipment and facilities
49%
Course is well organised and has run smoothly

Student voice

Staff value students' opinions
Feel part of a community on my course

Who studies this subject and how do they get on?

56%
UK students
44%
International students
52%
Male students
48%
Female students
85%
2:1 or above
5%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

A
A
A

After graduation

The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.

Earth sciences

What are graduates doing after six months?

This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.

£19,000
med
Average annual salary
95%
med
Employed or in further education
52%
med
Employed in a role where degree was essential or beneficial

Top job areas of graduates

20%
Natural and social science professionals
9%
Conservation and environment professionals
9%
Other elementary services occupations

What about your long term prospects?

Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.

Earth sciences

The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.

£24k

£24k

£27k

£27k

£33k

£33k

Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.

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This is what the university has told Ucas about the criteria they expect applicants to satisfy; some may be compulsory, others may be preferable.

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Course location and department:

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Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF):

We've received this information from the Department for Education, via Ucas. This is how the university as a whole has been rated for its quality of teaching: gold silver or bronze. Note, not all universities have taken part in the TEF.

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This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).

This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.

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This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.

You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.

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Post-six month graduation stats:

This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.

It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

Graduate field commentary:

The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?

Have a question about this info? Learn more here