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University of East Anglia UEA

UCAS Code: F647 | Master of Science (with Honours) - Msci (Hon)

Entry requirements

A level

A,A,B

including one from Geography, Geology, Maths, Economics, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science or Physics. Where applicable Science A Levels awarded by an English Exam board require a pass in the practical element. Critical Thinking and General Studies are not accepted. Contextual offer: BBB including one from Geography, Geology, Maths, Economics, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science or Physics. Where applicable Science A Levels awarded by an English Exam board require a pass in the practical element. Critical Thinking and General Studies are not accepted.

Access to HE Diploma

D:36,M:9

including 12 credits in either Geography, Geology, Maths, Economics, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science or Physics.

Principal subjects and A-level combinations are considered - please contact us.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

33

including HL5 in either Geography, Mathematics (Applications and Interpretation or Analysis and Approaches), Economics, Biology, Chemistry or Physics.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

DDD

in Applied Science, Applied Science (Medical Science), Environmental Sustainability, Forensic & Criminal Investigation, Countryside Management or Animal Management. NOTE: For Animal Management we accept Extended Diploma only. Please see UEA website for further information on accepted combinations. Excludes BTEC Public Services, BTEC Uniformed Services and BTEC Business Administration. Contextual offer: DDM in Applied Science, Applied Science (Medical Science), Environmental Sustainability, Forensic & Criminal Investigation, Countryside Management or Animal Management. NOTE: For Animal Management we accept Extended Diploma only. Excludes BTEC Public Services, BTEC Uniformed Services and BTEC Business Administration.

Scottish Advanced Higher

B,B,C

including either Geography, Geology, Mathematics, Economics, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science or Physics.

Scottish Higher

A,A,A,A,A

including grade A in Geography, Geology, Mathematics, Economics, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science or Physics.

Obtain an overall Pass including an A in the core of the T Level and a Distinction in the Occupational Specialism. Acceptable subjects are: Design, surveying and planning for construction, and Science

UCAS Tariff

136-165

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

About this course

Course option

4years

Full-time | 2025

Subjects

Physical geography

Geology

**Overview**
Explore the classical areas of earth sciences in this modern degree that will equip you with the skills and knowledge required to tackle today’s challenges.

Our MSci Geology with Geography degree explores questions such as: What happens during an earthquake? What’s going on inside an erupting volcano? How does a meteorite impact affect the Earth? Why do flash floods happen and can we stop them?  Why do some landslides carry on for years, but others develop very quickly? 

You’ll follow an advanced four-year Master’s programme that takes a very modern approach to Earth science – one that links geology with physical geography, human society and a multitude of surface and environmental processes. You’ll get out in the field or into the lab to use the principles of geology and physical geography to explore topics including plate tectonics, natural resources, geochemistry, earthquakes, volcanoes, soil health and water quality. You’ll also explore the important relationships between these topics and other disciplines in geography and across the environmental sciences – an opportunity not usually available in traditional geology departments. 

Studying Geology with Geography will help you understand the solid Earth and the societal consequences of its processes – such as volcanoes, earthquakes and floods. You’ll explore the interaction of human society and the Earth using geology, geography, social science and the core sciences, with the opportunity to focus on areas that most interest you. As well as an introduction to geology and the earth system, in your first year you’ll gain an important foundation in research skills, and exposure to a range of environmental problems in relation to the climate, natural hazards, land use, biodiversity and sustainability.  As you progress through the course, you’re able to specialise, choosing from a wide range of modules covering topics such as plate tectonics, sediments, volcanoes, earthquakes, earth resources and ancient climates. You'll also study advanced, Master’s-level modules in your final year and complete an in-depth research project.

Our vast research expertise means that we provide world-class teaching, and our international reputation ensures you’ll have a wealth of career opportunity after you graduate. Our graduates are held in high esteem in the wider geosciences' community for the high levels of laboratory, field and transferable skills you’ll acquire during the course. You’ll also benefit from a flexible and adaptable degree programme, where conventional subject boundaries are dissolved to give you an integrated learning experience. Check out this solar water pump start-up project, founded by UEA graduates.

**Disclaimer**

Course details are subject to change. You should always confirm the details on the provider's website: **www.uea.ac.uk**

Modules

Our Environmental Earth Sciences degree covers a wide range of topics from fossil fuels to volcanos. In Year 1, you will be introduced to a range of compulsory topics which will provide the foundation to your studies. Examples of these modules include Understanding the Dynamic Planet, Global Environmental Challenges and Research and Field Skills. As your studies progress, you will study environmental relationships with other science disciplines - an opportunity which is not usually available in traditional Earth science departments. In Years 2 and 3, you will have a combination of compulsory and optional modules examples including, Earth Science Skills, Soil Process and Environmental Issues, Earth and Life and Fossil Fuels. In your final year, you will complete an independent research project which matches your interests. You will also get the chance to study your choice of advanced level modules such as Geophysical Hazards and Managing Natural Hazards.

Tuition fees

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

Channel Islands
£9,250
per year
England
£9,250
per year
International
£26,100
per year
Northern Ireland
£9,250
per year
Scotland
£9,250
per year
Wales
£9,250
per year

The Uni

Course location:

University of East Anglia UEA

Department:

School of Environmental Sciences

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.

80%
Physical geography
76%
Geology

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.

Physical geographical sciences

Teaching and learning

78%
Staff make the subject interesting
88%
Staff are good at explaining things
79%
Ideas and concepts are explored in-depth
64%
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

88%
Library resources
95%
IT resources
83%
Course specific equipment and facilities
68%
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?

97%
UK students
3%
International students
56%
Male students
44%
Female students
79%
2:1 or above
9%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

B
C
C

Earth sciences

Teaching and learning

74%
Staff make the subject interesting
90%
Staff are good at explaining things
68%
Ideas and concepts are explored in-depth
62%
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

79%
Library resources
94%
IT resources
79%
Course specific equipment and facilities
64%
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?

91%
UK students
9%
International students
62%
Male students
38%
Female students
84%
2:1 or above
6%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

B
B
B

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.

Physical geographical 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.

£21,000
med
Average annual salary
95%
med
Employed or in further education

Top job areas of graduates

12%
Science, engineering and production technicians
11%
Customer service occupations
8%
Sales, marketing and related associate professionals

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.

£20,000
med
Average annual salary
96%
med
Employed or in further education

Top job areas of graduates

15%
Conservation and environment professionals
10%
Other elementary services occupations
8%
Sales assistants and retail cashiers

The market for geologists is has been quite linked to the oil industry for some time now, and the drop in the price of oil has meant the industry has stopped recruiting as many people for the time being. Geologists are still in demand, though, so the main effect has been to reduce the opportunities - and salaries - for geologists working abroad. At home, the oil industry remains a big employer, and so are the mining, civil engineering, construction and consultancy industries, with geology graduates working as geologists, geophysicists, civil engineers and environmental professionals.

What about your long term prospects?

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

Physical geographical 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.

£20k

£20k

£26k

£26k

£27k

£27k

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.

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.

£20k

£20k

£26k

£26k

£27k

£27k

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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Lower entry requirements
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UCAS Points: 112-128
Nearby University
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UCAS Points: 80

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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This is the percentage of applicants to this course who received an offer last year, through Ucas.

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This is what the university has told Ucas about the course. Use it to get a quick idea about what makes it unique compared to similar courses, elsewhere.

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Course location and department:

This is what the university has told Ucas about the course. Use it to get a quick idea about what makes it unique compared to similar courses, elsewhere.

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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.

Have a question about this info? Learn more here

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