MSci Geology and Physical Geography
About this course
Master in Science in Geology and Physical Geography, a geography and earth and environmental sciences degree focused on geological processes, environmental systems, and earth history. Core topics include Data Analysis and Research Methods. The course includes compulsory fieldwork. The first year covers the foundations through LC Building the Earth: from Minerals to Mountains, LC Connected Earth: Environmental Systems and Change, and LC Earth History and Life. The second year addresses earth resources and structures with LI Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology, LI Sedimentology, and LI Structural Geology and Geophysics. The final years involve advanced study and research, including the LH Earth Sciences Research Project, alongside optional topics such as climate change, engineering geology, and conservation.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A Level: AAB Including 1 Required Science. IB: 6,6,5 32 points overall.. BTEC: We welcome students studying BTEC qualifications as an alternative to A levels, and accept BTEC Extended Diploma, Diploma and Extended Certificate. Please contact us for further guidance.
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What students say
Based on about 18 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 93%
- Learning opportunities: 91%
- Assessment and feedback: 86%
- Academic support: 97%
- Organisation and management: 89%
- Learning resources: 93%
- Student voice: 81%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 10%
What graduates do next
Based on about 5 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 80%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 10%
Most common jobs
- Engineering professionals: 30%
- Conservation and environment professionals: 20%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Teaching Professionals: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 85%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 75%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 60%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 90 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 8%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 4%
- East Midlands: 5%
- West Midlands: 36%
- East of England: 9%
- London: 7%
- South East: 16%
- South West: 8%
- Wales: 3%
- Scotland: 2%
Who gets in
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 100%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Accredited by the Geological Society for the purpose of partially meeting the experience requirement for Chartered Geologist.
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Bronze for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- LC Applied GIS and Data Science
- LC Building the Earth: from Minerals to Mountains
- LC Connected Earth: Environmental Systems and Change
- LC Discover Geography Earth and Environmental Sciences (GEES): Academic and Professional Futures
- LC Earth History and Life
- LC Earth Science Field and Research Skills
- LI Earth Resources, Environmental Impacts and Sustainability
- LI Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
- LI Sedimentology
- LI Digital data capture and analysis
- LI Geological Natural Hazards
- LI Palaeoecology
- LI Structural Geology and Geophysics
- LH Earth Sciences Research Project
- LH Sedimentary Basin Archives of Environmental Crises
- LH Catchment Processes, Environmental Change and Restoration
- LH Climate change in the Earth System
- LH Conservation: theory into practice
- LH Engineering Geology and Geomorphology
- LH Environmental Research in High Latitudes
- LH Evolution of Vertebrates
- LH Evolutionary Palaeobiology
- LH Exploring the Energy Transition
- LH Palaeoclimates
- LH Professional Placement
- LH Solving Groundwater Problems
- LH Tectonics and Volcanology
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MSci Geology and Physical Geography at University of Birmingham earn?
The median salary is £26,500 after 15 months, £26,500 after 3 years, £31,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £27,000 and £41,000. The £31,500 median after five years is £500 less than the UK median for Physical geographical sciences.
What do graduates of MSci Geology and Physical Geography at University of Birmingham do next?
100% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MSci Geology and Physical Geography at University of Birmingham?
93% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MSci Geology and Physical Geography at University of Birmingham?
The typical offer is AAB at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 146 UCAS points.
Is MSci Geology and Physical Geography at University of Birmingham accredited?
Yes. Accredited by the Geological Society for the purpose of partially meeting the experience requirement for Chartered Geologist.
Does MSci Geology and Physical Geography at University of Birmingham include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year.
How many students continue on MSci Geology and Physical Geography at University of Birmingham?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.