MGeol Geology with Palaeontology
About this course
MGeol in Geology with Palaeontology, an Earth sciences degree centred on the evolutionary history of life and its geological context. Core topics include Data Analysis, Research Methods, and Fieldwork. The course includes an optional placement year. The first year covers foundations through Evolution of the Earth System, Palaeobiology and the Stratigraphic Record, Natural Resources and Energy for the 21st Century, and Geological Maps and Structures. The second year focuses on mapping techniques, magmatic processes, major historical life events, and Climate Change: Impacts, Vulnerability and Adaptation through modules such as Geological Fieldwork: Methods and Applications, Mapping Earth’s History: structural and stratigraphic field techniques, Magmatic and Metamorphic Processes, and Major Events in the History of Life. The third year incorporates an Independent Field-Based Project and a dissertation alongside Diversity and Evolution of Vertebrates and The Forensic, Archaeological and Geological Application of Microfossils. Optional modules span areas such as Environmental Geoscience, Igneous Petrogenesis, Mineral Exploration, Economics and Sustainability, and Volcanology.
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 preferably including at least two from: Geology, Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Use of Maths, Computer Science, Environmental Science, or Geography
See the highest paying Geography & Environmental Science degrees in the UK →
What students say
Based on about 19 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 97%
- Learning opportunities: 93%
- Assessment and feedback: 79%
- Academic support: 96%
- Organisation and management: 90%
- Learning resources: 87%
- Student voice: 88%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 35 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 11 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 75%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Natural and social science professionals: 25%
- Engineering professionals: 15%
- Leisure, travel and related personal service occupations: 10%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Conservation and environment professionals: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 75%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 85%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 60%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 250 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 3%
- North West: 6%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 7%
- East Midlands: 16%
- West Midlands: 12%
- East of England: 14%
- London: 18%
- South East: 16%
- South West: 3%
- Wales: 3%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 40 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 95%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
- Other qualifications: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Accredited by the Geological Society for the purpose of partially meeting the experience requirement for Chartered Geologist.
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Hot Topics
- Research Project (Palaeobiology)
- Evolutionary Palaeobiology
- Advanced Field Course
- Anthropogenic Impact on the Urban Environment
- Igneous Petrogenesis
- Fundamentals of GIS
- R for Data Science
- Living the Anthropocene
- Tutorials
- Evolution of the Earth System
- Palaeobiology and the Stratigraphic Record
- Natural Resources and Energy for the 21st Century
- Geological Maps and Structures
- Introductory Field Course
- From Core to Crust
- Our Dynamic Planet
- Geological Fieldwork: Methods and Applications
- Mapping Earth’s History: structural and stratigraphic field techniques
- Magmatic and Metamorphic Processes
- Major Events in the History of Life
- Climate Change: Impacts, Vulnerability and Adaptation
- Data Analysis
- Structure and Tectonics
- Depositional Processes and Environments
- Independent Field-Based Project
- Diversity and Evolution of Vertebrates
- The Forensic, Archaeological and Geological Application of Microfossils
- Dissertation
- Environmental Geoscience
- Igneous Petrogenesis
- Sustainability Enterprise Partnership Project
- Mineral Exploration, Economics and Sustainability
- Key Events in the Evolution of Planet Earth Viewed Through the Geological Lens of Wales - a field course
- Volcanology (Tenerife)
- Natural Hazards
- Stable Isotopes in the Environment
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MGeol Geology with Palaeontology at University of Leicester earn?
The median salary is £28,000 after 15 months, £26,000 after 3 years, £32,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £27,000 and £38,500. The £32,000 median after five years is the same as the UK median for Earth sciences.
What do graduates of MGeol Geology with Palaeontology at University of Leicester do next?
85% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on MGeol Geology with Palaeontology at University of Leicester?
97% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for MGeol Geology with Palaeontology at University of Leicester?
The typical offer is AAB at A level. The average entrant had 116 UCAS points.
Is MGeol Geology with Palaeontology at University of Leicester accredited?
Yes. Accredited by the Geological Society for the purpose of partially meeting the experience requirement for Chartered Geologist.
Does MGeol Geology with Palaeontology at University of Leicester include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year.
How many students continue on MGeol Geology with Palaeontology at University of Leicester?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.