Earth Sciences (Geology)
About this course
BA Geology or MEarthSci in Earth Sciences (Geology), an earth and environmental sciences degree focused on the scientific study of the planet. Core topics include Mathematical Modelling, Research Methods, and Fieldwork. The curriculum includes regular field courses in various locations and an independent mapping project. The first year covers foundational principles through Planet Earth, Fundamentals of geology I, Fundamentals of geology II, and Mathematics. The second year progresses to Earth deformation and materials, Sedimentary environments and palaeobiology, Petrology, and Geochemistry, climate and carbon cycle. The third year features modules such as Natural resources and the energy transition, Plate tectonics, Analytical methods, and an independent project. The fourth year includes advanced study in Planetary science, Topics in climate science, Environmental geophysics, and a substantial research project spanning two terms.
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: A*AA to include Mathematics plus Chemistry or Physics or AAAA to include Mathematics plus Chemistry or Physics. IB: 39 (including core points) with 766 at HL to include HL Maths plus HL Chemistry or HL Physics.
See the highest paying Geography & Environmental Science degrees in the UK →
What students say
Based on about 13 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 93%
- Learning opportunities: 83%
- Assessment and feedback: 55%
- Academic support: 95%
- Organisation and management: 78%
- Learning resources: 100%
- Student voice: 78%
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 12 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 50%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 40%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Natural and social science professionals: 40%
- Sales occupations: 10%
- Engineering professionals: 10%
- Conservation and environment professionals: 10%
- Teaching Professionals: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 95%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 80%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 55%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 35 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 5%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 10%
- East Midlands: 10%
- West Midlands: 5%
- East of England: 5%
- London: 30%
- South East: 25%
- South West: 10%
- Wales: 5%
Who gets in
Based on about 35 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- 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): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Planet Earth
- Fundamentals of geology I
- Fundamentals of geology II
- Physics, chemistry and biology for Earth Sciences
- Mathematics
- Pembroke field course
- Arran field course
- Local field courses
- Earth deformation and materials
- Sedimentary environments and palaeobiology
- Petrology
- Geochemistry, climate and carbon cycle
- Mathematical and geophysical tools
- Dorset field course
- Somerset field course
- Assynt field course
- Natural resources and the energy transition
- Biological and physical oceanography
- Vector calculus and continuum mechanics
- Volcanology, igneous processes and petrogenesis
- Quantitative palaeobiology
- Plate tectonics
- Analytical methods
- Chemistry of Earth’s interior
- Geophysics of the deep Earth
- Biogeochemistry of Earth's surface
- One field course, which has previously taken place in Spain and Cornwall
- Independent project (conducted over summer break between Years 2 and 3)
- Extended essay on a topic of your choosing
- Planetary science
- Structure and dynamics of the Earth’s mantle
- Coevolution of Earth and life
- Palaeobiology
- Rock and palaeomagnetism
- Topics in climate science
- Topics in volcanology
- Environmental geophysics
- Field courses: optional field courses as announced each year. Previous destinations include Greece and Bermuda
- Independent work: research project over 2 terms
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of Earth Sciences (Geology) at University of Oxford earn?
The median salary is £35,000 after 15 months, £35,000 after 3 years, £41,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £33,000 and £60,000. The £41,500 median after five years is £9,500 more than the UK median for Earth sciences.
What do graduates of Earth Sciences (Geology) at University of Oxford do next?
95% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on Earth Sciences (Geology) at University of Oxford?
93% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for Earth Sciences (Geology) at University of Oxford?
The typical offer is A*AA at A level. The average entrant had 178 UCAS points.
Is Earth Sciences (Geology) at University of Oxford accredited?
Yes. Accredited by the Geological Society for the purpose of partially meeting the experience requirement for Chartered Geologist.
How many students continue on Earth Sciences (Geology) at University of Oxford?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.