Entry requirements
A level
Required subjects: A Levels: Mathematics at A and Physics at B. GCSEs: English at C or 4.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
34 points with 555 at HL - 32 points with 555 at HL. Required subjects: HL: Mathematics (from 2021, Mathematics: Analysis and approaches only) and Physics at 5. SL: English at 5.
Scottish Higher
AABB-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. National 5s: English at C.
UCAS Tariff
We've calculated how many Ucas points you'll need for this course.
About this course
Imagine exploring our magnificent planet – from its hot core through to its crust and oceans, atmosphere and beyond.
If you have a curiosity about how our planet works, a love of the outdoors, and an aptitude for physics and maths, then Geophysics may be the career for you.
Geophysics is the study of physical processes through the use of physics and mathematics and applying them to the Earth.
You can explore the microscopic properties of minerals through to large scale forces such as gravity and magnetism that act on planetary or even inter-planetary scales.
Through this programme, you will discover about the inner workings of the Earth to understand it and safeguard its future. You will be equipped with the fundamental physical principles and mathematical techniques of geophysics, and their application to diverse fields including:
- Examining the Earth's changing environment and climate through monitoring changes in sea level, surface temperatures, and polar ice sheets
- Mapping environmental pollution above and below ground
- Measuring rock and soil properties prior to civil engineering work
- Carbon capture, energy storage and management of water resources
- Mineral exploration
- Examining the behaviour of the Earth's deep interior and understanding how the Earth and other planets were formed and changed over their lifetime
Geophysics has a significant impact on the welfare of society and our world.
Exploration geophysics has helped us to find the energy sources that have driven many of the social and economic advances over the last century. Now, these techniques are increasingly being used to safeguard our natural environment.
For example, gravity surveys can tell us about mass losses from the ice sheets of Greenland and Antarctica, as well as changes in the water table in regions reliant on groundwater. Large scale global seismology has helped us to identify areas at risk from earthquakes and tsunami to save lives.
The use of the Earth's natural resources is also evolving. You will learn how the applications for natural resource exploration are shifting into new and innovative technologies to ensure the Earth's resources are used and disposed of more sustainably. You will benefit from the research and expertise of our academics, many of whom are at the forefront of this change.
If you choose to study geophysics at the University of Edinburgh, you will become part of an academic community in one of the leading geoscience departments in the UK and one of the top-ranked universities in the world. As a result, you will experience teaching and learning at the forefront of this knowledge and learn from one of the largest groupings of geophysicists in Europe who are undertaking world-leading research in a wide range of areas.
We hope that by studying this degree, you can play an important role in our transition into a more sustainable society.
**Flexible options**
Our degree programs are flexible, allowing you to switch between Geophysics programmes at the start of your second year. Depending on your future plans, you can choose from Geophysics, Geophysics and Geology, or Geophysics and Meteorology. The course structure also makes it possible to transfer to Physics at the end of your first year.
You have the option to stay an extra year and do an MEarthPhys integrated Masters. You can also choose the 'Professional Placement' option, and spend a year at an external organisation between years three and four, to similarly graduate with an integrated masters degree.
Tuition fees
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The Uni
Central area campus
School of GeoSciences
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.
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
Assessment and feedback
Resources and organisation
Student voice
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
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.
Top job areas of graduates
What about your long term prospects?
Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Geography, earth and environmental studies
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
£28k
£29k
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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Post-six month graduation stats:
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Graduate field commentary:
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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?
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