Geology
University of Southampton
UCAS Code: F601 | Master of Science - MSci
Entry requirements
A level
AAB to include two science subject. A level science subjects considered include Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Further Maths, Environmental Studies, Geography, Geology, Computer Science and Electronics. Science practical components must be passed. General Studies, Critical Thinking and Use of Mathematics are excluded for entry. Contextual offer: ABB to include two science subject
The University of Southampton recognises the educational value of taking AS Levels alongside three A Levels and the breadth of studying additional subjects. However, all of our programmes express their entry criteria in terms of three subjects offered at A Level with selection decisions being informed, in part, by actual or predicted grades in those subjects (excluding General Studies, Use of Maths and Critical Thinking). We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
D3, D3, M2 to include one science subject. Science subjects considered include Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Physics and Geography. Cambridge Pre-U's can be used in combination with other qualifications such as A Levels to achieve the equivalent of the typical offer, where D3 can be used in lieu of A Level grade A or grade M2 can be used in lieu of grade B. We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants?who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
Extended Project
ABB from three A-levels including two sciences subjects, and grade A in the EPQ
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Pass with overall score of 34 points, with 17 points required at higher level: including 5 and 6 points from two science subject. Science subjects considered include Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Environmental Studies, Geography, Geology and Computer Science. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programmes (IBCP): The University of Southampton accepts the IBCP for entry to their degree programmes, recognising the value of combining academic skills with practical skills, providing a solid preparation for university level work. Offers will be made on the individual components of the IBCP. Applicants not taking the full IBCP but presenting with a combination of a Level 3 vocational qualification and IB Certificates may still be considered. Applicants are advised to contact the Faculty of Natural and Environmental Sciences Admissions Office at [email protected] for more information. We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants?who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
H1, H2, H2, H2, H2, H2 to include one science subject. Science subjects considered include Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Physics, Environmental Studies, Geography and Geology. We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants?who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DD + AA at A-Level (or equivalent), to include two science subject.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
D + AA at A-Level (or equivalent), to include two science subject.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DDD + AA at A-Level (or equivalent), to include two science subject.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
D + AA at A-Level (or equivalent), to include two science subject.
Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual's academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of the pre-university education. Please see the University of Southampton's Curriculum for Excellence Scotland statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact the Faculty of Natural and Environmental Sciences Admissions Office at [email protected] for more information. Applicants are also required to have achieved a pass in Maths and English at Standard Grade Grade 3 or National 5 Grade C, the equivalent of GCSE Grade C/Grade 4. We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants?who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
We normally consider applicants who offer at least 1 Advanced Higher. Applicants presenting with only Highers will be considered on a case by case basis. Where Highers are taken over two years it might be expected that higher grades are achieved, particularly in any specific subjects required. For example, S5 – S6 (2 years): AABBB (A in specific subject) or S6 (1 year): ABBBB (A in specific subject). Unless a more advanced level (Higher or Advanced Higher) is specified in the stated entry requirements, all applicants will be required to have achieved a pass in Mathematics and English at Standard Grade, Grade 3 or National 5, Grade C, the equivalent of GCSE Grade C/ Grade 4" We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)
AA from two science A-levels and grade B from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate and two A-Levels. We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants?who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
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About this course
You will be based at the world-leading National Oceanography Centre Southampton (NOCS), close to the UNESCO World Heritage Jurassic coast of Dorset, the perfect environment to carry out your studies.
On this four-year MSci Geology course you will explore all aspects of the Earth sciences integrating rocks, fossils and volcanoes through to the ocean and atmosphere. You will have take part in comprehensive field-based training with fieldwork opportunities across the UK and Europe, which may include a week-long residential course in Tenerife studying volcanic processes, and a 5-week Independent Mapping Project.
Many students from this course go on to very successful research careers (often PhD level and beyond), and higher-level employment in multinationals such as Shell, BP, Anglo American and Barrick Gold.
Accredited by the Geological Society of London, this means that our teaching is of the highest quality and approved by an independent body of academics and experts.
Geology at the University of Southampton is ranked in the top 50 globally and 8th among UK universities (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021).
Subject to revalidation.
Modules
We have a varied range of modules for all years. Examples of core modules for year one will include:
Dynamic Earth,
Dynamic Landscapes,
Earth Materials,
Earth and Ocean System,
Introduction to Ocean Biogeochemistry,
Key Skills for Geoscientists,
The Living Earth,
Mathematical Methods for Scientists 1a,
Quantitative Earth and Ocean Sciences.
For full list of all modules available, please visit the course page.
Assessment methods
The learning activities for this course include the following:
lectures
classes and tutorials
coursework
individual and group projects
independent learning (studying on your own)
We’ll assess you using:
coursework, laboratory reports and essays
individual and group projects
written and practical exams
oral presentations
.
Tuition fees
Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:
The Uni
Main Site - Highfield Campus
Ocean and Earth Science
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.
Geology
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.
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.
£22k
£27k
£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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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?
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