BSc Geology
About this course
BSc in Geology, an earth and environmental sciences degree focused on the physical and historical evolution of the planet. Core topics include Statistics, Mathematical Modelling, and Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning. Students complete three academic years of study. The first year covers foundational concepts through Earth Materials, History of Life, Dynamic Earth, and Surface Processes. The second year progresses to Sedimentology and Stratigraphy, Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology, Global Geophysics, and Structural Geology and Tectonics. The final year examines advanced concepts through Crustal Dynamics, Mountain Building and Basin Evolution, Geological and Environmental Mapping, Geodynamics and Global Tectonics, and Applied Geoscience for Mineral Resources and the Environment. Optional modules allow specialisation in areas such as Artificial Intelligence for Earth Observations (AI4EO), Groundwater Science, and Volcanoes, Society and the Environment.
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 (Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Geography, Mathematics, Further Mathematics or Physics preferred.) IB: 36 points (A total of 17 points in three higher level subjects to preferably include two sciences, with no higher level score below 5. Biology, Chemistry, Geology/Geography, Mathematics, Further Mathematics or Physics preferred)
See the highest paying Geography & Environmental Science degrees in the UK →
What students say
Based on about 45 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 94%
- Learning opportunities: 90%
- Assessment and feedback: 84%
- Academic support: 91%
- Organisation and management: 86%
- Learning resources: 88%
- Student voice: 82%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 10%
What graduates do next
Based on about 13 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: 15%
Most common jobs
- Natural and social science professionals: 30%
- Conservation and environment professionals: 15%
- Sales occupations: 5%
- Process, plant and machine operatives: 5%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 55%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 45%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 45%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 180 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 6%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 2%
- East Midlands: 2%
- West Midlands: 4%
- East of England: 8%
- London: 53%
- South East: 16%
- South West: 6%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 1%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- 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): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Earth Materials
- History of Life
- Dynamic Earth
- Surface Processes
- The Earth
- Geochemistry
- Maps, Images and Structures
- Foundations of Physical Geoscience
- Mathematical Methods for Geoscience
- Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
- Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
- Global Geophysics
- Structural Geology and Tectonics
- Isotope Geology
- Geographical Information Systems and Remote Sensing
- Introduction to Mineral Resources
- Vertebrate Palaeontology and Evolution
- Principles of Climate
- Numerical Methods for Earth Sciences
- Introduction to Environmental Geoscience
- Crustal Dynamics, Mountain Building and Basin Evolution
- Geological and Environmental Mapping
- Geodynamics and Global Tectonics
- Statistics for Geoscientists
- Applied Geoscience for Mineral Resources and the Environment
- Biodiversity and Macroevolutionary Patterns A
- Ocean Physics and Climate Change
- Earth and Planetary Materials
- Groundwater Science
- Environmental Geochemistry
- Tectonic Geomorphology
- Paleoclimate and Paleoenvironmental Change
- Artificial Intelligence for Earth Observations (AI4EO)
- Volcanoes, Society and the Environment
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Geology at University College London earn?
The median salary is £35,000 after 15 months, £30,000 after 3 years, £41,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £32,500 and £57,500. The £41,000 median after five years is £9,000 more than the UK median for Earth sciences.
What do graduates of BSc Geology at University College London do next?
85% 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 College London?
94% 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 College London?
The typical offer is AAB at A level, or 36 points in the IB. The average entrant had 139 UCAS points.
Is BSc Geology at University College London accredited?
Yes. Accredited by the Geological Society for the purpose of partially meeting the experience requirement for Chartered Geologist.
How many students continue on BSc Geology at University College London?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.