BSc Earth, Climate and Environmental Change
Royal Holloway, University of London
About this course
BSc in Earth, Climate and Environmental Change, an earth sciences degree centred on geological history, climate systems, and environmental processes. Core topics include Programming, Data Analysis, Statistics, Laboratory Techniques, Research Methods, Environmental Analysis, Communication & Writing, and Critical & Analytical Thinking. Students can choose to undertake an optional placement year or spend a year abroad. The first year covers foundations through Evolving Earth, Human Interaction with the Earth, Climate, Ocean and Atmosphere, Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, and Earth Scientists Toolkit. The second year builds competence through Research in Earth, Climate and Environmental Change, Geohazards, Geochemistry, Earth Scientists Environmental Toolkit, and Earth Scientists Digital Toolkit, while offering optional modules such as Stratigraphy and the History of Life, Applied Geophysics, Geothermal Energy, and Topics in Palaeobiology. The final year focuses on advanced study including Earth, Climate and Environmental Change research project, Advanced Practical Meteorology, Modern Climate Change, Advanced Palaeoclimate, Advanced Geohazards, and Earth Scientists Independent Project, with further optional modules available in Hydrogeology, Applied Geochemistry, Planetary Geology and Geophysics, and Subsurface storage of CO2 and Energy.
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: ABB-BBC (Required subjects: A-level including B in a science subject We require English Language and Mathematics GCSE at grade 4 (C)) IB: 6,5,5 at Higher level or 32 points overall. Including a 5 HL in an acceptable Science subject
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What students say
Based on about 17 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 92%
- Learning opportunities: 91%
- Assessment and feedback: 94%
- Academic support: 98%
- Organisation and management: 88%
- Learning resources: 94%
- Student voice: 92%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 25 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 100%
What graduates do next
Based on about 8 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 55%
- Further study: 20%
- Unemployed: 15%
Most common jobs
- Natural and social science professionals: 15%
- Sales occupations: 15%
- Engineering professionals: 10%
- Administrative occupations: 5%
- Information Technology Professionals: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 75%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 60%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 40%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 65 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 5%
- North West: 3%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 2%
- East Midlands: 5%
- West Midlands: 8%
- East of England: 12%
- London: 19%
- South East: 32%
- South West: 11%
- Wales: 3%
Who gets in
Based on about 25 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 95%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Evolving Earth
- Human Interaction with the Earth
- Climate, Ocean and Atmosphere
- Physics and Chemistry of the Earth
- Earth Scientists Toolkit
- Research in Earth, Climate and Environmental Change
- Geohazards
- Geochemistry
- Earth Scientists Environmental Toolkit
- Earth Scientists Digital Toolkit
- Stratigraphy and the History of Life
- Applied Geophysics
- Geothermal Energy
- Topics in Palaeobiology
- Earth, Climate and Environmental Change research project
- Advanced Practical Meteorology
- Modern Climate Change
- Advanced Palaeoclimate
- Advanced Geohazards
- Earth Scientists Independent Project
- Hydrogeology
- Applied Geochemistry
- Planetary Geology and Geophysics
- Subsurface storage of CO2 and Energy
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Earth, Climate and Environmental Change at Royal Holloway, University of London earn?
The median salary is £28,000 after 15 months, £25,000 after 3 years, £31,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £26,500 and £42,500. The £31,500 median after five years is £500 less than the UK median for Earth sciences.
What do graduates of BSc Earth, Climate and Environmental Change at Royal Holloway, University of London do next?
80% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Earth, Climate and Environmental Change at Royal Holloway, University of London?
92% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BSc Earth, Climate and Environmental Change at Royal Holloway, University of London?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 116 UCAS points.
Does BSc Earth, Climate and Environmental Change at Royal Holloway, University of London 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 Earth, Climate and Environmental Change at Royal Holloway, University of London?
100% of students continued into their second year, and 0% left higher education.