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Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Palaeontology and Evolution
University of Bristol
Entry requirements
Here's what you will need to get a place on the Palaeontology and Evolution course at University of Bristol.
Select a qualification to see required grades
A level
A,B,B
Standard offer: ABB including two science-related subjects. Contextual offer: BBC including BB in two science-related subjects. Please visit: bristol.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/entry-requirements-qualifications/contextual-offers/ for more information about contextual offers.
Most popular A-levels studied
See who's studying at University of Bristol. These students are taking Palaeontology and Evolution or another course from the same subject area.
| Subject | Grade |
|---|---|
| Biology | B |
| Geography | B |
| Chemistry | B |
| Mathematics | B |
| Geology | B |
Course summary
What this course is about
UCAS code: CF17
Here's what University of Bristol says about its Palaeontology and Evolution course.
Join a University ranked second in the UK for 'Earth systems and environmental sciences' research (THE analysis of REF 2021).
Develop an understanding of the evolution of life on this planet through the study of geology and biology.
Learn from experts with interests ranging from dinosaurs to plants to the origin of life, and become fully immersed in hands-on palaeontology from the start.
One-third of the first year is dedicated to biology and two-thirds to earth science. After the first year, you will take core units from both disciplines.
In the third year, you will carry out a research project and take a range of specialist palaeontology units. Examples of current units include:
-
Dynamics of Macroevolution, where you will learn cutting-edge techniques for analysing the large-scale patterns in the evolution of life, including the use of microfossils to reconstruct past climates and ecosystems;
-
Fossils and Phylogenies, where you will learn how to construct evolutionary genealogies from the comparative anatomy of fossil organisms and the genomes of their living relatives, focussing especially on the origin and diversification of animals;
-
Vertebrate Palaeobiology and Biomechanics, where you will study the evolution of vertebrates from fish-like creatures to humans, discovering methods for investigating how their bodies work.
You will also select from a range of optional units to pursue your own interests.
The course involves fieldwork, including dedicated palaeontology field courses, the cost of which is included in your tuition fee.
Our emphasis on quantitative research allows you to develop valuable mathematical and statistical skills. There are opportunities for volunteer work and internships in our state-of-the-art palaeobiology laboratories.
Source: University of Bristol
Course details
Qualification
Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Department
Faculty of Science and Engineering
Location
Main Site | Bristol
Duration
3 Years
Study mode
Full-time
Subjects
• Palaeontology
Start date
September 2026
Application deadline
14 January 2026
Tuition fees
| Location | Fees |
|---|---|
| England | £9,535 per year |
| Scotland | £9,535 per year |
| Wales | £9,535 per year |
| Northern Ireland | £9,535 per year |
| Channel Islands | £9,535 per year |
| Republic of Ireland | £9,535 per year |
| EU | £31,300 per year |
| International | £31,300 per year |
University of Bristol student reviews
Showing 213 reviews
2nd year
Mathematics
6 months ago
Variety of different societies offered. Lots of polls etc. sent out so seemed to have an interest in student voices. Subsidised food :)
2nd year
Mathematics
6 months ago
Excellent night life + gay scene. Also lots of excellent art events (markets, little arthouse cinemas, museums) if you're so inclined. Not crazy-busy, for a city.
2nd year
Mathematics
6 months ago
Low-income, and so was offered a lot of additional assistance. Still, Bristol is quite an expensive place to live, so do be wary.
2nd year
Mathematics
6 months ago
Welfare services were fantastic with me, fast-tracked my transfer to Student Health Services and got me a same-day appointment. Tutors and lecturers have also, as mentioned, been very supportive and down-to-earth, even in their criticisms.
2nd year
Mathematics
6 months ago
Facilities are beautiful, usually very clean. Physics and philosophy buildings have lovely little gardens. Will's Memorial library is gorgeous and makes a very, very cosy study space. Incredibly easy to reserve, borrow, & auto-renew books through the library system. Some 24-hour libraries too, which...
2nd year
Mathematics
6 months ago
Decently-structured timetable: not too overwhelming, but enough things on each day to justify commuting. Had enough time to get to each location. Feedback was generally very good---better on the maths side I would say, however my first philosophy essay received some incredibly thorough feedback. Lec...
National Student Survey (NSS) scores at University of Bristol
The NSS is an annual survey where final-year students are asked to rate different aspects of their course and university experience.
Here you can see ratings from University of Bristol students who took the Palaeontology and Evolution course - or another course in the same subject area.
Select an option to see a detailed breakdown
Teaching on my course
91%
med
Teaching on my course
91%
med
How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?
93%
med
How good are teaching staff at explaining things?
93%
med
How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?
82%
med
How often is the course intellectually stimulating?
95%
med
Learning opportunities
89%
med
Learning opportunities
89%
med
To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?
86%
med
How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?
86%
low
How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?
95%
high
To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?
91%
med
To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?
86%
med
Assessment and feedback
80%
med
Assessment and feedback
80%
med
How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?
89%
med
How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?
86%
med
How often does feedback help you to improve your work?
68%
med
How often have you received assessment feedback on time?
91%
high
How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?
68%
med
Academic support
93%
med
Academic support
93%
med
How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?
93%
med
How well have teaching staff supported your learning?
93%
med
Organisation and management
74%
low
Organisation and management
74%
low
How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?
82%
med
How well organised is your course?
66%
low
Learning resources
92%
med
Learning resources
92%
med
How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?
91%
med
How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?
88%
med
How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?
95%
high
Student voice
85%
high
Student voice
85%
high
How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?
79%
high
To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?
93%
med
To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?
82%
med
How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?
76%
med
Other NSS questions
Other NSS questions
During your studies, how free did you feel to express your ideas, opinions, and beliefs?
95%
high
How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?
79%
med
Student information
See who's studying at University of Bristol. These students are taking Palaeontology and Evolution or another course from the same subject area.
Graduate prospects
What graduates do next
We have no information about graduates who took Palaeontology and Evolution at University of Bristol.
Earnings after graduation
Earnings from University of Bristol graduates who took Palaeontology and Evolution - or another course in the same subject area.
Earnings
£25.2k
First year after graduation
£31.8k
Third year after graduation
£38.3k
Fifth year after graduation
Shown here are the median earnings of graduates at one, three and five years after they completed a course related to Palaeontology and Evolution.
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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Students are talking about University of Bristol on The Student Room.
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