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Geology

Entry requirements


A level

A,A,B-A,B,B

AAB including two acceptable/preferred science subjects. (minimum of grade B) OR ABB including two preferred sciences (minimum of grade B) Preferred Science Subjects are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Geology. Acceptable science subjects are Geography, Environmental Studies, Computer Science and Electronics. Where this offer is satisfied by including grades achieved in either Biology, Chemistry or Physics, a Pass in the practical. Science practical components must be passed. General Studies, Critical Thinking and Use of Mathematics are excluded for entry. We are committed to ensuring that all applicants 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 an applicant'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, as follows:

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal

D3,D3,M2-D3,M2,M2

D3, D3, M2 to include two acceptable/preferred science subjects OR D3, M2, M2 to include two preferred science subjects. Preferred Science Subjects are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Geology. Acceptable science subjects are Geography, Environmental Studies, Computer Science and Electronics. 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

A

ABB from three A-levels including two accepted science subjects, and grade A in the EPQ. Science practical components must be passed where applicable.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

32-34

Pass, with 34 points overall with 17 points at Higher Level, including 6 and 5 in two Higher Level acceptable/preferred science subjects. OR Pass, with 32 points overall with 16 points at Higher Level, including 5 in two Higher Level preferred science subjects. Preferred science subjects are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths (Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretation) and Geology. Acceptable science subjects are Environmental Studies and Geography 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-H1,H2,H2,H2,H3,H3


H1, H2, H2, H2, H2, H2 to include two accepted/preferred science subjects. OR H1, H2, H2, H2, H3, H3 to include two preferred science subjects. Preferred Science Subjects are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Geology. Acceptable science subjects are Geography, Environmental Studies, Computer Science and Electronics. 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

We do not accept the BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma without two A-levels to include two accepted science subjects. If you are studying this qualification a typical offer would be DD + AA at A-Level, to include two accepted science subjects. Science practical components must be passed where applicable.

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

D

D + AA at A-Level, to include two accepted science subject. Science practical components must be passed where applicable. OR D + AB at A-Level, to include two preferred science subject. Science practical components must be passed where applicable. Preferred Science Subjects are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Geology. Acceptable science subjects are Geography, Environmental Studies, Computer Science and Electronics. Preferred Science Subjects are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Geology.

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

DDD

We do not accept the BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma without two A-levels to include two accepted science subjects. If you are studying this qualification a typical offer would be DDD + AA at A-Level, to include two science subjects. Science practical components must be passed where applicable.

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

D

D + AA at A-Level, to include two acceptable/preferred science subjects.. Science practical components must be passed where applicable. OR D + AB at A-Level, to include two preferred science subject. Science practical components must be passed where applicable. Preferred Science Subjects are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Geology. Acceptable science subjects are Geography, Environmental Studies, Computer Science and Electronics. Preferred Science Subjects are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Geology.

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)

B

AA from two acceptable/preferred science A levels and B from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate OR AB from two preferred science A levels and B from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate. Science practical components must be passed where applicable. 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.

UCAS Tariff

128-136

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About this course


Course option

4years

Full-time | 2024

Subject

Geology

Investigate all aspects of Earth sciences from rocks, fossils, and volcanoes through to the ocean and our atmoshphere.

On your four-year integrated masters you will 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.

You will study at the National Oceanography Centre Southampton (NOCS), one of the world’s largest centres devoted to research, teaching and technology development in ocean and Earth science.

Many students from this course go on to very successful research careers (often PhD level and beyond), and higher-level employment in multinational companies 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 is ranked 6th in the UK in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023.

Subject to revalidation.

Modules

We have a varied range of modules for all years. Examples of core modules for year one will include:

Data Literacy and Analysis
Dynamic Earth
Dynamic Landscapes
Earth Materials
Earth and Ocean System
Introduction to Ocean Biogeochemistry
Key Skills and Fieldwork for Geologists
The Living Earth

For full list of all modules available, please visit the course page: https://www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/geology-degree-msci#modules

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:

Channel Islands
£9,250
per year
England
£9,250
per year
EU
£27,400
per year
International
£27,400
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

The Uni


Course location:

Main Site - Highfield Campus

Department:

Ocean and Earth Science

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.

76%
Geology

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

86%
Staff make the subject interesting
94%
Staff are good at explaining things
81%
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

90%
Library resources
91%
IT resources
86%
Course specific equipment and facilities
51%
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?

94%
UK students
6%
International students
64%
Male students
36%
Female students
93%
2:1 or above
7%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

A
A
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.

£22,000
high
Average annual salary
96%
med
Employed or in further education
73%
med
Employed in a role where degree was essential or beneficial

Top job areas of graduates

20%
Natural and social science professionals
11%
Business, research and administrative professionals
8%
Sales, marketing and related associate professionals

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.

£22k

£22k

£28k

£28k

£31k

£31k

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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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