14Jun
UndergraduateDurham University has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework.These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
Open days
Course summary
This four-year Master’s degree has been designed to provide a comprehensive and rigorous education in all aspects of Earth Sciences along with the opportunity to interact with staff at the cutting-edge of scientific research. It provides you with the opportunity to follow the Geology, Environmental Geosciences, Geophysics with Geology or Geoscience pathway for the first three years and undertake a detailed independent research project in the area of your choice in the fourth year. Ideally suited to students with a strong interest in research, the course incorporates a substantial amount of independent (and group) project work which will involve you in high-level quantitative investigations, in addition to advanced key skills training. If you have been accepted onto Geology, Geoscience, Environmental Geosciences, or Geophysics you may be able to transfer to the four-year MSci degree in Earth Sciences at the end of your second year. The fourth year combines a bespoke research project in your specialism, with advanced modules designed to integrate your Earth Science knowledge for vocational and/or research applications. This course prepares you for employment or PhD research. Graduates have secured positions with high-profile employers and PhD research positions at prestigious universities worldwide.
Modules
Years 1 to 3 You are required to choose modules from one of the following BSc routes: Geology Environmental Geosciences Geophysics Geoscience
Assessment method
You will be assessed through a combination of coursework, class tests and end-of-year examinations. A significant proportion of your final assessment will be through your dissertation in Year 3 and your research project in Year 4.
How to apply
29Jan
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- F644
- Institution code:
- D86
- Campus name:
- Durham City
- Campus code:
- O
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
Durham has a long and proud history of welcoming students from countries across the globe.https://www.dur.ac.uk/study/international/
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - AAA
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDD
Access to HE Diploma - D: 30 credits M: 15 credits
Scottish Higher - AAAAB
Scottish Advanced Higher - AAA
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 37 points
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015) - Not accepted
Extended Project - Not accepted
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H2, H2, H2, H2, H2
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal - D3, D3, D3
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - DDD
T Level
Our contextual offer for this programme is A level BBB (or equivalent) including 2 science subjects from Biology, Chemistry, Economics, Further Maths, Geography, Geology, Maths, Physics, Psychology or Environmental Science. To find out if you’re eligible, please visit: https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/how-to-apply/what-happens-to-your-application/contextual-offers/
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
English language requirements
Durham University welcomes applications from all students irrespective of background. We encourage the recruitment of academically well-qualified and highly motivated students, who are non-native speakers of English, whose full potential can be realised with a limited amount of English Language training either prior to entry or through pre-sessional and/or in-sessional courses. It is the normal expectation that candidates for admission should be able to demonstrate satisfactory English proficiency before the start of a programme of study, whether via the submission of an appropriate English language qualification or by attendance on an appropriate pre-sessional course. Acceptable evidence and levels required can be viewed by following the link provided.
English language requirements
https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/international/entry-requirements/english-language-requirements/
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
Go onto work and study
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Republic of Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9250 | Year 1 |
| EU | £31250* | Year 1 |
| England | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9250 | Year 1 |
| International | £31250* | Year 1 |
*This is a provisional fee and subject to change.
Additional fee information
The tuition fees for 2025/26 academic year have not yet been finalised, they will be displayed here once approved.
The tuition fees shown for home students are for one complete academic year of full-time study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees for subsequent years of your course may rise in line with an inflationary uplift as determined by the government.
The tuition fees shown for overseas and EU students are for one complete academic year of full-time study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and remain the same throughout the duration of the programme for that cohort (unless otherwise stated).
There may also be additional course costs for things like books (if you want to purchase them), field trips etc.
Sponsorship information
We're committed to supporting the best students irrespective of financial circumstances. https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/scholarships/
Provider information
Durham University
The Palatine Centre
Stockton Road
Durham
DH1 3LE