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Earth and Planetary Sciences

Entry requirements


A level

A,A,A

AAA, including at least one science subject. If you miss the MEarthSci/MEnvSci grades, but meet the BSc grades (ABB), you will automatically be considered for the BSc option. If you do not have the required grades or subjects you may want to consider our integrated foundation year. Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore there will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A-level taken. Where applicants are applying for science and related degrees, this is likely to be made explicit in the offers you will receive. Typical Contextual Offer: AAB, including at least one science subject. If you miss the MEarthSci/MEnvSci grades, but meet the BSc grades (BBB), you will automatically be considered for the BSc option. Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore there will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A-level taken. Where applicants are applying for science and related degrees, this is likely to be made explicit in the offers you will receive.

AS level results are not considered as part of the standard admissions process at The University of Manchester.

Access to HE Diploma

D:39,M:6

We require a QAA-recognised Access to HE Diploma (a minimum of 60 credits overall with at least 45 at Level 3), with distinction in a subject area relevant to the chosen course. The specific course requirements are 45 graded credits at Level 3 with a minimum of 39 credits at Distinction, 15 of which must be in a science, and remaining 6 credits at Merit. We may request a copy of your modules.

D3, D3, D3 in Principal subjects, including at least one science subject. We also consider applicants offering a mix of Pre-U Principal Subjects and A-level subjects, provided a minimum of three distinct subjects overall are taken. The University welcomes and recognises the value of the Cambridge Pre-U Global Perspectives and Research (GPR) and the opportunities it provides for applicants to develop independent study and research skills. However, the qualification will not form part of your offer conditions. If you do not have the required grades or subjects you may want to consider our integrated foundation year.

The University recognises the benefits of the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and the opportunities it provides for applicants to develop independent study and research skills. Although the Extended Project will not be included in the conditions of your offer, we strongly encourage you to provide information about the EPQ in your personal statement and at interview. A number of our academic Schools may also choose to take your performance in the EPQ into account should places be available in August for applicants who narrowly miss the entry grades for their chosen course.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

Applicants must demonstrate a broad general education, typically a minimum of five GCSEs/iGCSEs, including acceptable levels of literacy and numeracy, equivalent to at least grade 4/C in GCSE/iGCSE English Language and grade 6/B in GCSE/iGCSE Mathematics. GCSE/iGCSE English Literature will not be accepted in lieu of GCSE/iGCSE English Language.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

36

36 points overall with 6,6,6 at Higher Level, including at least one science subject. We will accept Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches or Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation.

OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma

DD

Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Diploma with grades DD, plus one science A-level at grade A.

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate

D

Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Extended Certificate with grade D, plus two A-levels with grades AA, including at least one science subject.

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma

DDD

Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Extended Diploma with grades DDD, plus one science A-level with grade A.

Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Foundation Diploma with grade D, plus two A-levels with grades AA, including at least one science subject.

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

DD

We consider the National Diploma with grades DD when taken with one science A-level with grade A.

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

D

We consider the National Extended Certificate with grade D when taken with two A-levels with grades AA, including at least one science subject.

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

DDD

We consider the National Extended Diploma for entry provided it is in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Applied Science National Extended Diploma with grades DDD which must include distinctions in all mandatory science units.

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

D

We consider the National Foundation Diploma with grade D when taken with two A-levels with grades AA, including at least one science subject.

Scottish Advanced Highers are normally required in one of the following combinations: Three Advanced Highers with grades AAB, including at least one science subject. Or Two Advanced Highers with grades AB, including at least one science subject, and two Highers with grades AA in additional subjects. English Language and Mathematics not taken at Higher/Advanced Higher must have been achieved at SCQF level 5 (minimum National 5 grade C / Intermediate 2 grade C / Standard Grade Credit level grade 3). If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the Department Admissions Team.

Scottish Advanced Highers are normally required in one of the following combinations: Three Advanced Highers with grades AAB, including at least one science subject. Or Two Advanced Highers with grades AB, including at least one science subject, and two Highers with grades AA in additional subjects. English Language and Mathematics not taken at Higher/Advanced Higher must have been achieved at SCQF level 5 (minimum National 5 grade C / Intermediate 2 grade C / Standard Grade Credit level grade 3). If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the Department Admissions Team.

The University welcomes and recognises the value of the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma/Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate and would consider this qualification at grade A when taken with two A-levels at grades AA, including at least one science subject.

UCAS Tariff

144

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About this course


Course option

4years

Full-time | 2024

Subject

Earth sciences

Our 4 year integrated master's degree in Earth and Planetary Sciences will give you significant research experience, a highly desirable skillset for future employers in both academia and industry; and invaluable if you wish to go on and study for a PhD.

Focussed on a holistic understanding of Earth systems in order to learn from the past, comprehend the present and influence the future. As Earth Science is at the crossroads of the natural sciences, it provides an enriching alternative to a single honours degree in subjects such as maths, physics, chemistry, geography or biology, and can open the door to an exciting range of career options.

On our course you will learn to read the 4.5 billion-year record of the Earth, including the formation of our solar system, the evolution of living systems and changing environmental conditions, while also studying the sustainable development of Earth's energy and resources. And on your doorstep will be some of the UK's wildest settings, ideal for outdoor learning.

During your time with us you will be a part of a dynamic community trying to answer some of the most pressing global issues that we all face. Your work could make a contribution to solving some of the world's greatest challenges.

**Course structure**
The course offers you the flexibility to tailor your interest in Earth and Planetary Science in one of six pathways:
- Geology;

- Geochemistry;

- Planetary Science;

- Energy and Resources;

- Geology with Physical Geography;

- Palaeobiology.

The degree includes extensive field and practical training, with UK and overseas field courses in every year of study. There is also the option to transfer to a related degree during your second year to incorporate industrial experience , a research placement or international study .

**The department**
We are a Department of environmental scientists, geologists, chemists, mathematicians, biologists, physicists and computer scientists, who work together to study the Earth and planets. Our degrees cover the full breadth of earth and environmental sciences, reflecting the main research themes that are fundamental to the work we do in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences.

The reputation of Earth and Planetary Science at The University of Manchester's Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences rests on our world-leading interdisciplinary research into processes operating on, within and beyond the Earth. This research incorporates biological, chemical, physical and environmental aspects of the world and solar system we live in. The close alignment between our teaching and research ensures that units are delivered by scholars who are at the forefront of their disciplines.

**Skills**
Our course will equip you with an armoury of skills to take into the world of work, including the ability to analyse problems, to work collaboratively as part of a team, and to develop field, laboratory, numeracy and communication skills.

Tuition fees

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

Channel Islands
£9,250
per year
England
£9,250
per year
Northern Ireland
£9,250
per year
Republic of Ireland
£9,250
per year
Scotland
£9,250
per year
Wales
£9,250
per year

Extra funding

Visit our dedicated Scholarships page for information on scholarships and sponsorships available to you, including the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences own William Boyd Dawkins Scholarship.

The Uni


Course location:

University of Manchester

Department:

Department of Earth and 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.

81%
Earth sciences

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

89%
Staff make the subject interesting
88%
Staff are good at explaining things
75%
Ideas and concepts are explored in-depth
75%
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

68%
Library resources
81%
IT resources
72%
Course specific equipment and facilities
44%
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?

82%
UK students
18%
International students
49%
Male students
51%
Female students
85%
2:1 or above
12%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

A
B
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.

£18,000
low
Average annual salary
90%
low
Employed or in further education
54%
med
Employed in a role where degree was essential or beneficial

Top job areas of graduates

16%
Sales assistants and retail cashiers
14%
Public services and other associate professionals
10%
Business, finance and related associate professionals

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.

£21k

£21k

£27k

£27k

£32k

£32k

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 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:

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Teaching Excellence Framework (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.

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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

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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?

Have a question about this info? Learn more here