15Jan
PostgraduateCourse summary
The Department of Earth Sciences is one of the leading centres of research and teaching in the UK. 88% of our research is rated world-leading or internationally excellent in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021). Our research is based in three centres: Centre for Energy and Resources (CEREs), Centre of Climate, Ocean and Atmosphere (COCOA), and Centre of Dynamic Earth and Solar System (CEDESS). This framework encourages and promotes multidisciplinary activity and supports researchers. We maintain vital links with industrial and commercial partners providing research support, industry experience and employment for our graduates. Department research activity spans diverse topics designed to investigate the past, present and future of planet earth and its resources. Our research work ranges from groundbreaking blue-sky research, to very applied projects with high societal impact deliverables for industrial and government sponsors. Prospective students are invited to contact individual members of staff in the department in the first instance to discuss potential research projects. Find out more about our staff areas of research and expertise and our postgraduate research opportunities (MSc by Research, MPhil and PhD): https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/research-and-teaching/departments-and-schools/earth-sciences/studying-here/postgraduate-research/ If you are interested in a full-time MSc by Research, MPhil or PhD research project, or prefer to study part-time, please contact a potential lead supervisor and submit a CV. We also encourage you to put forward and discuss potential projects of your own design. From time to time, we make changes to our courses to improve the student and learning experience. If we make a significant change to your chosen course, we’ll let you know as soon as possible. Our research activities falls in to three main themes which are: Geodynamics and Sedimentary Systems, Physical and Chemical Earth Processes, and Global Environmental Change. They represent a framework to encourage and promote multidisciplinary activity. Find out more about our research areas: https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/research-and-teaching/departments-and-schools/earth-sciences/research/our-research-areas/ Our extensive facilities, include world-class laboratories for geochemical analysis, sedimentology and palaeontology, and specialist analogue modelling laboratories for recreating earth structures. PhD research studies are supported by Research Council, industrial and College studentships.
Assessment method
The MSc by Research has as its main focus an independent research project, chosen by the student, developed into a project proposal through discussion with a chosen supervisor at Royal Holloway. It may be possible to arrange co-supervisors from other Universities, Research Institutes or Industry, to benefit from their specialist expertise. The main outcome of the degree is a piece of independent research presented in the form of a dissertation.
How to apply
International applicants
https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/studying-here/international-students/find-your-country/
Entry requirements
A good first degree or masters in a cognate discipline to Earth Science, and relevant to the proposed research project. We are also prepared to consider candidates with extensive practical or industrial experience that would be relevant to the project. Before applying we recommend securing a supervisor in order to apply for your research project. We advise getting in touch with the Director of Postgraduate Education making an informal enquiry for your chosen research degree to inquire whether there is any other additional material they require you to submit in your application. English language requirements All teaching at Royal Holloway is in English. You will therefore need to have good enough written and spoken English to cope with your studies right from the start. The scores we require IELTS: 6.5 overall. Writing 7.0. No other subscore lower than 5.5. Pearson Test of English: 61 overall. Writing 69. No other subscore lower than 51. Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III. Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C. TOEFL ib: 88 overall, with Reading 18 Listening 17 Speaking 20 Writing 26.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| EU | £28700 | Year 1 |
| International | £28700 | Year 1 |
| England | £4786 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £4786 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £4786 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £4786 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £4786 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £4786 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Please note that for research courses, we adopt the minimum fee level recommended by the UK Research Councils for the Home tuition fee. Each year, the fee level is adjusted in line with inflation (currently, the measure used is the Treasury GDP deflator). Fees displayed here are therefore subject to change and are usually confirmed in the spring of the year of entry. For more information on the Research Council Indicative Fee please see the UKRI website.
This figure is the fee for EU and international students starting a degree in the academic year 2025/26.
Royal Holloway reserves the right to increase fees for overseas fee-paying students annually. Be aware that tuition fees can rise during your degree (if longer than one year’s duration), and that this also means that the overall cost of studying the course part-time will be slightly higher than studying it full-time in one year. The annual increase for continuing students who start their degree in 2025/26 will be 5%. For further information see fees and funding and the terms and conditions: https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/studying-here/applying/admissions-policy-and-procedures/
These estimated costs relate to studying this particular degree at Royal Holloway during the 2025/26 academic year and are included as a guide. Costs, such as accommodation, food, books and other learning materials and printing, have not been included.
Provider information
Royal Holloway, University of London
Egham
TW20 0EX