BSc Earth Science and Physical Geography
About this course
BSc (Hons) in Earth Science and Physical Geography, an Earth and Environmental Sciences degree centred on the study of the Earth, its physical processes, and surface environments. Core topics include Programming, Research Methods, and Fieldwork. Students complete a dissertation research project in the final year. The first year focuses on establishing fieldwork, computing and quantitative skills, covering processes which shape the Earth, fundamental concepts and current ideas in physical geography, and recognising evidence in rocks through compulsory modules such as begin to establish fieldwork, computing and quantitative skills, gain an understanding of the processes which shape the Earth, learn fundamental concepts and current ideas in physical geography, and develop the skills to recognise the evidence for these processes in rocks. The second year builds upon field skills, geological and geomorphological measurement and mapping, and computational, programming and communication skills through compulsory modules such as further develop computational, programming and communication skills, learn what the Earth is composed of, its minerals, and the processes that form rocks, build upon field skills, including geological and geomorphological measurement and mapping, and learn about geomorphology and the physical processes that shape the Earth's surface at a range of scales. The third year involves research training and designing a dissertation research project alongside compulsory modules such as tectonics, palaeontology, water resources, rocks, resources and hazards, and climate change and sustainability. The fourth year offers optional modules such as ice sheet change, our geological and geomorphological heritage, geological solutions to carbon capture and storage, landslides, volcanoes, earthquakes, sea-level rise, coastal erosion, and ocean acidification.
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: from ABB to BBB in one set of exams (required: Biology at B, Chemistry at B, Geography at B, Geology at B, Mathematics at B, Physics at B) IB: from 32 points with 655 at HL to 30 points with 555 at HL
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What students say
Based on about 25 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 91%
- Learning opportunities: 89%
- Assessment and feedback: 72%
- Academic support: 90%
- Organisation and management: 72%
- Learning resources: 79%
- Student voice: 71%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 30 students who started
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 15 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 55%
- Working and studying: 15%
- Further study: 15%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Natural and social science professionals: 30%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Conservation and environment professionals: 10%
- Teaching Professionals: 10%
- Sales occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 85%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 65%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 70%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 50 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 10%
- London: 15%
- South East: 5%
- South West: 5%
- Scotland: 55%
Who gets in
Based on about 35 students who started
- A levels: 95%
- Other qualifications: 5%
Modules
- begin to establish fieldwork, computing and quantitative skills
- gain an understanding of the processes which shape the Earth
- learn fundamental concepts and current ideas in physical geography
- develop the skills to recognise the evidence for these processes in rocks
- further develop computational, programming and communication skills
- learn what the Earth is composed of, its minerals, and the processes that form rocks
- build upon field skills, including geological and geomorphological measurement and mapping
- learn about geomorphology and the physical processes that shape the Earth's surface at a range of scales
- tectonics
- palaeontology
- water resources
- rocks, resources and hazards
- climate change and sustainability
- develop the foundation of your study direction for Year 4
- begin research training by designing your dissertation research project
- water resources
- ice sheet change
- our geological and geomorphological heritage
- geological solutions to carbon capture and storage
- landslides
- volcanoes
- earthquakes
- sea-level rise
- coastal erosion
- ocean acidification
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Earth Science and Physical Geography at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £26,500 after 3 years, £32,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £26,500 and £38,000. The £32,500 median after five years is £500 more than the UK median for Earth sciences.
What do graduates of BSc Earth Science and Physical Geography at University of Edinburgh do next?
85% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Earth Science and Physical Geography at University of Edinburgh?
91% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Earth Science and Physical Geography at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is BBB at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 180 UCAS points.
Does BSc Earth Science and Physical Geography at University of Edinburgh include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has a compulsory year abroad.
How many students continue on BSc Earth Science and Physical Geography at University of Edinburgh?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.