Earth Science and Physical Geography MEarthSci
About this course
MEarthSci in Earth Science and Physical Geography, an earth sciences degree exploring the processes that shape the Earth and its surface. Core topics include Programming, Research Methods, and Fieldwork. The course includes a compulsory year abroad and a 5-year duration. The first year focuses on establishing fieldwork, computing and quantitative skills, as well as fundamental concepts and current ideas in physical geography. The second year continues to develop computational, programming and communication skills alongside geological and geomorphological measurement and mapping. The third year covers topics such as tectonics, palaeontology, water resources, rocks, resources and hazards, and climate change and sustainability, alongside research training and dissertation design. The fourth year includes study areas like water resources, ice sheet change, geological solutions to carbon capture and storage, landslides, volcanoes, earthquakes, sea-level rise, coastal erosion, and ocean acidification. The fifth year involves surface processes, honing research methods, designing research projects, and new methods at the forefront of geoscientific research.
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
See the highest paying Geography & Environmental Science degrees in the UK →
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
- surface processes
- honing research methods and transferable skills
- designing research projects and synthesising literature
- new methods and concepts at the forefront of geoscientific research
- the linked interactions around landscape formation and climate change
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of Earth Science and Physical Geography MEarthSci 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 Earth Science and Physical Geography MEarthSci 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 Earth Science and Physical Geography MEarthSci 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 Earth Science and Physical Geography MEarthSci 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 Earth Science and Physical Geography MEarthSci at University of Edinburgh include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has a compulsory year abroad.
How many students continue on Earth Science and Physical Geography MEarthSci at University of Edinburgh?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.