Applicants should have an honours degree in a scientific discipline appropriate to the project area and final postgraduate award, although consideration will be given to related programmes. The minimum degree category for entry is 2:2 (or international equivalent). Students who can evidence alternative professional qualifications and/or relevant experience/training will also be considered. Research project and project supervisor details are agreed before a place on the course is confirmed. Places with external partners and at individual host institutions overseas are limited and subject to availability. A placement at a specific host institution (or external partner) is not guaranteed and is allocated on a competitive basis after discussion with the potential host supervisor. A decision on a particular student placement is made at the time of application to the course. In the case that an agreement to host a student cannot be reached with the host institution (or external partner), students may be accepted on the MSc in Geoscience Research programme to carry out a research project in the chosen field at Keele University. Anyone applying from a country where English is not the first language is required to show evidence of English language competence, obtaining at least an IELTS score of 6.5 (with no subtest lower than 5.5) or hold a previous degree which has been taught and examined in English, unless the specific entry for the course indicates otherwise.