Course summary
Do you want to:
- learn more about how our planet works?
- help protect the planet?
- tackle the greatest challenges facing society and the natural world?
- find out how we can live sustainably on it?
- help us address the climate crisis
- adapt to environmental changes
- secure the energy and materials society needs
- live more safely and sustainably on our dynamic Earth
- study our Earth's past to forecast and safeguard its future
- learn about the structure and composition of the Earth
- develop a deep understanding of the many processes that shape the Earth and life on it
- learn how these processes interact and depend on each other
- How can we mitigate the effects of global change?
- What tools can we use to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere?
- Why is our planet able to sustain life?
- How does the Earth's interior work, and how do these processes affect the surface?
- How can we sustainably manage the Earth's resources to meet our energy, mineral, and water needs?
- How can we improve our understanding of natural hazards such as earthquakes and volcanoes to reduce their risk and save lives?
- acquiring, analysing, assessing and presenting a wide range of data
- computing skills including programming and use of specialist software
- computer modelling and mapping
- Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
- We have pioneered research proving human-caused greenhouse gasses are warming our planet, which helped underpin the 2015 Paris Agreement.
- We are working with major space agencies to monitor the environment using satellite data.
- We are 15th in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2023.
How to apply
This course has limited vacancies, and is no longer accepting applications from some students. See the list below for where you normally live, to check if you’re eligible to apply.
EU
Wales
England
International
Scotland
Northern Ireland
Republic of Ireland
31Jan
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:
- F640
- Institution code:
- E56
- Campus name:
- Central area campus
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
- Year 2
Entry requirements
Standard Qualification Requirements
A level - ABB - BBB
Scottish Higher - BBBB
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 30 - 32 points
Direct entry to second year is available; see our website for entry requirements. Detailed entry requirements, including typical offer levels, and information about other qualifications we accept, are available on the University of Edinburgh’s website. You’ll also find important information on how to apply. You must submit a fully completed UCAS application that includes details of the qualifications you are taking, including full predicted grades for qualifications not yet completed, your personal statement and your reference.
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
Minimum Qualification Requirements
A level - BBB
Scottish Higher - BBBB
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 30 points
Please click the following link to find out more about minimum qualification requirements for this course
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 | Total 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component. |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 92 | Total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements. |
| Cambridge English Advanced | Total 176 with at least 162 in each component. | |
| Cambridge English Proficiency | Total 176 with at least 162 in each component. | |
| Trinity ISE | ISE II with distinctions in all four components. | |
| PTE Academic | 62 | Total 62 with at least 54 in each component. |
Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies. For SQA, GCSE and IB students, unless a higher level is specified in the stated entry requirements, a pass is required in English at the following grades or higher: SQA National 5 at C; SQA Standard Grade at 3; SQA Intermediate 1 at A; SQA Intermediate 2 at C; GCSE/IGSCE at C or 4; Level 2 Certificate Grade C or IB Standard Level at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry). We also accept a wider range of international qualifications and tests. English language qualifications must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the degree you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, or Trinity ISE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.
Full details of our English language requirements can be found on our website:
https://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/undergraduate/entry-requirements/english-language
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
| Channel Islands | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £1820 | Year 1 |
| England | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9250 | Year 1 |
| EU | £34800 | Year 1 |
| International | £34800 | Year 1 |
Additional fee information
Scottish students must apply to the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) for payment of their tuition fees.
EU On 9th July 2020 the decision was made by the Scottish Government to end free university tuition for European Union (EU) students starting in 2021-22. Funding policy for EU nationals and associated groups starting a course of study in academic year 2022-23 or later will be in line with international fees.
Full time international and EU students will pay a fixed annual fee rate for the duration of their programme.
Provider information
The University of Edinburgh
Student Recruitment and Admissions
33 Buccleuch Place
Edinburgh
EH8 9JS