University of Plymouth
UCAS Code: F600 | Master of Geology - MGeol
Entry requirements
Range 120 to 128 UCAS points to include a minimum of 2 A Levels with a Grade B in a relevant science subject: Biology, Human Biology, Maths/Use of Maths, Further Maths, Statistics, Physics, Electronics, Chemistry, Environmental Science/Studies, Applied Science, Geography, Geology, Design Technology, Psychology, Computer Science, Information Technology.
Considered in combination
Pass a Science based Access to HE Diploma with 45 credits, including 30 Level 3 credits at Distinction and 15 credits Level 3 credits at Merit from science units
Considered in combination
Considered in combination
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
To include 5 at Higher Level in two Science subjects: Biology, Human Biology, Maths/Use of Maths, Further Maths, Statistics, Physics, Electronics, Chemistry, Environmental Science/Studies, Applied Science, Geography, Geology, Design Technology, Psychology, Computer Science, Information Technology. Maths and English accepted within as GCSE equivalent.
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
120 to 128 points to include relevant science subjects: Biology, Human Biology, Maths/Use of Maths, Further Maths, Statistics, Physics, Electronics, Chemistry, Environmental Science/Studies, Applied Science, Geography, Geology, Design Technology, Psychology, Computer Science, Information Technology. Maths and English accepted within as GCSE equivalent.
Considered in combination
Considered in combination
Considered in combination
Considered in combination
Considered in combination
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Science/Technology related subject required
Considered in combination
Considered in combination
Range from 120 to 128 UCAS points to include a minimum of 2 Advanced Highers to include a Grade B in a relevant science subject: Biology, Human Biology, Maths/Use of Maths, Further Maths, Statistics, Physics, Electronics, Chemistry, Environmental Science/Studies, Applied Science, Geography, Geology, Design Technology, Psychology, Computer Science, Information Technology.
Considered in combination with Advanced Highers. Maths and English accepted within as GCSE equivalent.
T Level
from any of the 3 Science pathways
UCAS Tariff
Range of UCAS points to include a minimum of 2 A Levels with a Grade B in a relevant science subject: Biology, Human Biology, Maths/Use of Maths, Further Maths, Statistics, Physics, Electronics, Chemistry, Environmental Science/Studies, Applied Science, Geography, Geology, Design Technology, Psychology, Computer Science, Information Technology.
Considered in combination
Considered in combination
About this course
This course has alternative study modes. Contact the university to find out how the information below might vary.
The Earth sciences are critical to shaping the future of our planet. Geologists use their knowledge of the earth’s evolution and the physical, chemical and biological process that shape our planet, to pioneer sustainable futures. Our four-year degree will develop your knowledge and skills through advanced fieldwork, research training and opportunities to establish links with industry professionals, priming you for success in a range of geological careers in academia, government or industry.
- Four year integrated masters programme.
- Sharpen your research skills working alongside staff on a research or industry-related project, with the potential to be published in a peer-reviewed journal.
- 100 per cent of the final year is taught at masters-level.
- Our approachable staff share their cutting-edge research and expertise through varied teaching practices in lectures, tutorials, practical classes and field courses.
- Learn to apply the latest techniques in the field and laboratory. Our substantial fieldwork programme uses the unrivalled local range of geological and geographical locations. Residential overseas fieldwork visits regions of active tectonics such as Death Valley, Italy and Sicily.
- All students have the opportunity to spend your second year studying abroad in Europe, Canada, Australia, USA or elsewhere through our bilateral and ISEP exchange programmes.
- Students can undertake a placement year, between the second and final year, working full time for a geological employer.
- Improve your skills in our open access laboratory, LABplus.
- Develop your confidence with your personal tutor, providing you with regular guidance throughout your degree.
- Get support from students in the year ahead via our PALS mentoring scheme.
- Live and study close to the sea, Dartmoor and two geological UNESCO World Heritage sites.
- Receive free essential field safety equipment as part of your welcome package.
- Work towards becoming a Chartered Geologist, our accreditation by the Geological Society, the world’s oldest and most prestigious national learned society for geology, helps you to gain the required experience.
- A diverse and respectful place in which to work and study is fundamental to everything we do.
Modules
Laying the foundations of geological knowledge, your first year provides you with an introduction to laboratory and field skills. You'll learn about key Earth processes including plate tectonics, and take a practical approach to the study of minerals, rocks, fossils and geological structures. Our tutorials will help you develop effective study techniques and computing skills and you'll undertake fieldwork, including residential classes, across the South West.
Year 2 consolidates the knowledge and skills developed in Year 1, with an emphasis on the practical side of geology. You'll develop observational, analytical and interpretive skills and the ability to use these skills to answer fundamental geological questions. You'll also learn to make geological maps and develop new field skills which will be used in fieldwork you undertake in both the UK and in Spain. You’ll also have the opportunity to spend your second year studying abroad in Canada, Australia, USA or Europe.
Take advantage of our optional placement year, giving you the opportunity to develop your geological skills in the workplace and gain valuable experience. Find your perfect placement with the help of our employability service and benefit from specialist workshops and tutorials in your second year, helping you prepare for your year in industry.
In your third year, you will develop specialised geological knowledge and skills through an exciting choice of sustainability-focused option modules, including advanced fieldwork. New option modules from September 2021 include geohazards and risk, energy transition geoscience, and paleoenvironmental analysis. Students can also take engineering geology, advanced tectonics, igneous and volcanic processes, Geological Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing. Those students taking advanced fieldwork will develop additional professional field-skills in locations such as Sicilian volcanoes, Italy, or the Death Valley, USA.
The overall emphasis in your final year is to deepen and refine your field, research and professional skills. You'll build on your existing field skills by exposure to advanced field techniques and take part in modules aimed to develop research, analytical and science communication skills. Finally, you will carry out an advanced masters-level independent research project, developed by academic staff and with the potential to lead to publication in academic journals. 100 per cent of this year will be undertaken at master's level.
The modules shown for this course or programme are those being studied by current students, or expected new modules. Modules are subject to change depending on year of entry and up to date information can be found on our website
Assessment methods
24% of assessment is by exam, 50% by coursework and 26% practical assessment
For up to date details, please refer to our website or contact the institution directly
The Uni
University of Plymouth
School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences
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
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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
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.
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.
£19k
£25k
£26k
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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