BSc Geology
About this course
BSc (Hons) in Geology, an Earth sciences degree exploring the planet's history, materials, and dynamic surface and interior processes. Core topics include Data Analysis, Research Methods, Fieldwork, and Ethics & Professional Practice. Students can choose to complete an optional placement year, study abroad period, or foundation year. The first year covers sustainable geoscience, earth materials and resources, climate, tectonics and hazards, and ocean evolution through Sustainable Geoscience, Earth Materials and Resources, Climate, Tectonics and Hazards, and The Life and Death of an Ocean. The second year examines surface environments, interior resources, ocean geoscience, and British geological history via modules such as The Earth Surface and Critical Zone, The Earth's Interior and Resources, Ocean Geoscience, and The Building of Britain, alongside placement preparation. The final year focuses on professional analysis, research frontiers, and an independent project through modules including Professional Field and Core Analysis, Frontiers in Geoscience, and Independent Project. Optional final-year modules allow students to study areas such as multidisciplinary fieldwork, environmental and resource geoscience, tectonics and geohazards, and historical environmental change.
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
GCSE: All applicants must have GCSE (or equivalent) English and Mathematics at grade C / 4 or above. A level: 112 points including a minimum of 2 A levels including one science subject (see subject list below) We accept the following A level subjects: Biology/Human Biology, Maths/Use of Maths/Further Maths, Statistics, Physics, Electronics, Chemistry, Environmental Science/Studies, Applied Science, Geography, Geology, Design and Technology, Psychology, Computer Science/Computer Programming, Information Technology/Information and Communication Technology. 18 Unit BTEC National Diploma/QCF Extended Diploma: DMM – science related subject. You are encouraged to contact admissions@plymouth.ac.uk if you do not meet this criteria. BTEC National Diploma modules: If you hold a BTEC qualification it is vital that you provide our Admissions team with details of the exact modules you have studied as part of the BTEC. Without this information we may be unable to process your application quickly and you could experience significant delays in the progress of your application to study with us. Please explicitly state the full list of modules within your qualification at the time of application. All Access courses: Pass an Access to HE Diploma (science based) with at least 33 credits at merit. You are encouraged to contact admissions@plymouth.ac.uk if you do not meet this criteria. T level: Merit overall from any science pathway. International Baccalaureate: 26 points overall to include science related subjects.
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What students say
Based on about 11 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 90%
- Learning opportunities: 88%
- Assessment and feedback: 88%
- Academic support: 94%
- Organisation and management: 91%
- Learning resources: 82%
- Student voice: 84%
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 7 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 50%
- Further study: 10%
- Unemployed: 30%
Most common jobs
- Natural and social science professionals: 25%
- Skilled trades occupations: 10%
- Sales occupations: 10%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 10%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 90%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 65%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 65%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 175 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 3%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 4%
- East Midlands: 4%
- West Midlands: 6%
- East of England: 7%
- London: 8%
- South East: 16%
- South West: 43%
- Wales: 7%
- Scotland: 2%
Who gets in
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 90%
- Other HE qualification: 10%
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
- Placement
- Sustainable Geoscience
- Earth Materials and Resources
- Climate, Tectonics and Hazards
- The Life and Death of an Ocean
- Placement Preparation
- The Earth Surface and Critical Zone
- The Earth's Interior and Resources
- Ocean Geoscience
- The Building of Britain
- Professional Field and Core Analysis
- Frontiers in Geoscience
- Independent Project
- Frontiers in Fieldwork: Unlocking Multidisciplinary Potential
- Environmental and Resource Geoscience
- Tectonics and Geohazards
- Environmental Change Through Earth History
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Geology at University of Plymouth earn?
The median salary is £27,500 after 15 months, £24,500 after 3 years, £30,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £26,500 and £36,500. The £30,500 median after five years is £1,500 less than the UK median for Earth sciences.
What do graduates of BSc Geology at University of Plymouth do next?
60% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Geology at University of Plymouth?
90% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Geology at University of Plymouth?
The typical offer is 26 points in the IB. The average entrant had 105 UCAS points.
Is BSc Geology at University of Plymouth accredited?
Yes. Accredited by the Geological Society for the purpose of partially meeting the experience requirement for Chartered Geologist.
Does BSc Geology at University of Plymouth include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BSc Geology at University of Plymouth?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.