MSci Geology
About this course
MSci in Geology, an Earth and Environmental Sciences degree focused on the composition, history and evolution of the planet. Core topics include Statistics, Mathematical Modelling, and Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning. Students complete an independent MSci project in the final year. The first year covers foundational concepts through Earth Materials, History of Life, and Dynamic Earth. The second year introduces core subjects such as Sedimentology and Stratigraphy, Global Geophysics, and Structural Geology and Tectonics. The third year advances into Crustal Dynamics, Mountain Building and Basin Evolution alongside Geological and Environmental Mapping. The final year centres on Earth and Planetary System Science and the Independent MSci Project. Optional modules across the course allow students to study topics such as Foundations of Physical Geoscience, Numerical Methods for Earth Sciences, Groundwater Science, and Mining and Mineral Processing.
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 100 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 93%
- Left higher education: 6%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 1%
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 95 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 86%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
- A degree: 8%
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
- Earth and Planetary System Science
- Independent MSci Project
- Seismic Risk Assessment
- Mining and Mineral Processing
- Advanced Biodiversity and Macroevolutionary Studies
- Physical Volcanology and Volcanic Hazard
- Palaeoceanography
- Geological, Geotechnical and Hydro-meteorological Hazards
- Meteorological and Hydrogeological Hazards
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of MSci 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 MSci 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 MSci 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 MSci Geology at University College London?
The typical offer is AAB at A level, or 36 points in the IB. The average entrant had 138 UCAS points.
Is MSci 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 MSci Geology at University College London?
93% of students continued into their second year, and 6% left higher education.