University of Plymouth
UCAS Code: FF86 | Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Entry requirements
112 - 120 UCAS points to include a minimum of 2 A Levels with a relevant science subject: Biology, Maths/Use of Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Environmental Science/Studies, Applied Science, Geography, Geology or Technology.
Considered in combination
Pass a Science based Access to HE Diploma with at least 33 credits at merit to include 18 credits in science units
Considered in combination
Considered in combination
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
To include 4 at Higher Level in two Science subjects
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
112 to 120 UCAS points. To include relevant science subjects: Biology, Maths/Use of Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Environmental Science/Studies, Applied Science, Geography, Geology or Technology. English and Maths considered within
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 112 to 120 UCAS points to include a minimum of 2 Advanced Highers to include a Grade C in a relevant science subject: Biology, Human Biology, Maths, Use of Maths, Further Maths, Statistics, Electronics, Physics, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Psychology, Computer Science, Computer Programming, Information Technology, Applied Science, Geography, Geology.
Considered in combination with Advanced Highers
T Level
Must be a Science Pathway
UCAS Tariff
112 - 120 UCAS points to include a minimum of 2 A Levels with a relevant science subject: Biology, Human Biology, Maths, Use of Maths, Further Maths, Statistics, Electronics, Physics, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Psychology, Computer Science, Computer Programming, Information Technology, Applied Science, Geography, Geology, BTEC Applied Science, BTEC Engineering.
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.
Physical geography and geology examines how the Earth’s surface is shaped by natural and human processes. This knowledge is key to addressing many of the complex sustainability challenges facing the planet. Core modules explore seismic, landscape and volcanic geohazards, clean energy transitions, and long term environmental change. Students also study geographical modules which provide a deep understanding of climate, environments, and the biosphere.
- Our modules address critical sustainability challenges: reducing risk from natural hazards, harnessing cleaner energy sources and how to combat climate and environmental change.
- Gain specialist academic, international fieldwork and laboratory skills providing a springboard to an exciting and diverse range of careers.
- 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.
- Study modules addressing the connection between physical geography and geology, such as ‘long-term landscape development’.
- 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 essential field safety equipment free 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.
- We are proud of our 2022 NSS results for our Earth science degrees: 90% of students thought that staff were good at explaining things and 86% of students felt that staff made the subject interesting.
- A diverse and respectful place in which to work and study is fundamental to everything we do.
Modules
* In your first year, you'll build a foundation in physical geography and geology to understand mineral- and rock-forming processes. Core modules include Earth history and structure, the fossil record, biogeography, geomorphology, and surface processes. Laboratory classes will help you develop a range of key analytical skills and you’ll acquire essential field skills in the diverse landscapes of south-west England.
* In your second year, you’ll study Earth surface systems and a range of techniques and methods in physical geography and geology - developing your field skills in the dramatic environments of the Spanish Pyrenees. Core geological modules and the specialist long term landscape evolution module build on knowledge developed in your first year, while a range of physical geography options allow you to develop your physical geography knowledge in areas that interest you. You can choose to develop your skills further by applying to spend this 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 final year, you will undertake an independent field- or laboratory-based project for your honours dissertation, which is supported by a programme of professional skills development. You’ll also develop specialist knowledge and skills through a wide range of final year option modules spanning the spectrum of geology and physical geology. Develop advanced field skills during a field course in the Pacific Northwest of the USA, Sicily or Death Valley (USA).
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
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)
Physical geographical sciences
Sorry, no information to show
This is usually because there were too few respondents in the data we receive to be able to provide results about the subject at this university.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
£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.
Explore these similar courses...
This is what the university has told Ucas about the criteria they expect applicants to satisfy; some may be compulsory, others may be preferable.
Have a question about this info? Learn more here
This is the percentage of applicants to this course who received an offer last year, through Ucas.
Have a question about this info? Learn more here
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.
Have a question about this info? Learn more here
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.
Have a question about this info? Learn more here
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.
Have a question about this info? Learn more here
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.
Have a question about this info? Learn more here
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