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Earth Science at University of Portsmouth - UCAS

Course options

There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Course summary

This is a Connected Degree Portsmouth is the only University in the UK with the flexibility to choose when to do an optional paid placement or self-employed year. Either take a placement in your third year, or finish your studies first and complete a placement in your fourth year. You can decide if and when to take a placement after you've started your course. Earth science is critical for understanding how our planet works, and how we can use its resources responsibly to ensure a sustainable future. It underpins current efforts to move to greener energy, understand and tackle the impacts of climate change, predict and plan against natural hazards, and to build safe, sustainable and resilient cities. On this Earth science degree course, you'll follow one of three pathways at the end of your first year These pathways will provide you with the skills for a career across the diverse Earth science space, either by direct entry to the workplace or by taking one of our applied Earth science Master's degrees. BSc (Hons) Geology pathway Geology is the study of the earth beneath our feet – 4.5 billion years of rich and fascinating history. On this pathway, you’ll examine the immense natural processes that have shaped our planet's evolution through geological time, including tectonics, climate change and natural hazards. Geologists work to understand, locate and sustainably manage the earth's resources. By learning how the earth's natural resources were formed, you'll develop skills essential to addressing global challenges and transitioning towards a green economy. BEng (Hons) Engineering Geology pathway As the only engineering degree taught in science anywhere in the UK, this course will enable you to apply geoscience to the built environments of the future. On this pathway, you’ll learn the fundamentals of geological science and develop the technical expertise to work on the design and construction of tunnels, roads, dams, and surface and underground mine excavations, at a university where engineering geology and geotechnics have been taught for more than 50 years. BSc (Hons) Environmental Geology pathway Environmental geologists investigate the interface between the solid earth and the environment, understanding the fundamentals of geological sciences and focusing on how Earth’s climate has evolved through geological time. On this pathway you will learn a unique and diverse set of skills critical to many modern day environmental issues, including renewable energies, the shift to a low carbon economy, water resource management and environmental mitigation and remediation of industrial land. Careers and opportunities Careers in geology, engineering geology and environmental geology are particularly buoyant at present with demand being driven by large infrastructure projects (HS2), offshore wind projects, and nuclear power station construction. This means geologists are in high demand – in 2020, the role of geologist was added to the UK shortage occupation list. Graduate roles Roles our graduates have taken on include:

  • mining geologist
  • well-site geologist
  • geotechnical engineer
  • geographical information system (GIS) mapper
  • offshore geophysicist
  • engineering geologist
  • mineral exploration geologist
  • geo-environmental engineer
Graduate destinations They've gone on to work for organisations such as:
  • GEA
  • Gardline
  • Global Map Aid
  • National Physical Laboratory (NPL)
  • Land Referencing Services (LRS)
  • Hydrock
  • Ordnance Survey
  • Aggregate Industries UK
  • Leap Environmental
  • Hummingbird Resources
Placement year After your second year, you can do an optional work placement year to get valuable longer-term work experience in the industry. Placements give you the opportunity to apply what you've learnt so far in a real workplace, boosting your employability and making you attractive to employers after graduation.

Subject options

This course offers the following subject options:

  • Engineering Geology
  • Environmental Geology
  • Geology

Modules

All 3 pathways share a common first year. Core modules:

  • Analysis of the Earth and Environment (20 credits)
  • Earth Materials (20 credits)
  • Engineering Geology and Geohazards (20 credits)
  • Global Environmental Challenges (20 credits)
  • How the Earth Works (20 credits)
  • Sedimentology and Palaeontology (20 credits)
BSc (Hons) Geology pathway (Year 2): Core modules:
  • Dynamic Earth (20 credits)
  • Gis and Remote Sensing (20 credits)
  • Professional Skills and Careers (20 credits)
  • Sedimentary Processes and Facies Analysis (20 credits)
  • Structural Geology (20 credits)
Optional modules:
  • Hydrogeology and Fluid Flow (20 credits)
  • Volcanoes (20 credits)
BSc (Hons) Geology pathway (Year 3) Core modules:
  • Earth Science in the Workplace (20 credits)
  • Mineral Resources & Exploration (20 credits)
  • Research Project (40 credits)
Optional modules:
  • Analytical Methods for Earth and Environmental Sciences (20 credits)
  • Applications of Palaeontology & Sedimentology (20 credits)
  • Earth Evolution & Plate Tectonics (20 credits)
  • Engineering Geology Practice (20 credits)
  • Hazardscapes (20 credits)
  • Introduction to Teaching (20 credits)
  • Quaternary Geology & Geomorphology (20 credits)
BEng (Hons) Engineering Geology pathway (Year 2) Core modules
  • Engineering Geology of Soil and Rock (20 credits)
  • Gis and Remote Sensing (20 credits)
  • Hydrogeology and Fluid Flow (20 credits)
  • Professional Skills and Careers (20 credits)
  • Structural Geology (20 credits)
  • Terrain Evaluation (20 credits)
BEng (Hons) Engineering Geology pathway (Year 3): Core modules:
  • Earth Science in the Workplace (20 credits)
  • Engineering Geology Practice (20 credits)
  • Ground Engineering (20 credits)
  • Quaternary Geology & Geomorphology (20 credits)
  • Research Project (40 credits)
BSc (Hons) Environmental Geology pathway (Year 2) Core modules:
  • Energy Resources and the Science of Zero Carbon (20 credits)
  • Environmental Chemistry and Monitoring (20 credits)
  • Gis and Remote Sensing (20 credits)
  • Professional Skills and Careers (20 credits)
Optional modules:
  • Environmental Fieldwork and Professional Skills (20 credits)
  • Hydrogeology and Fluid Flow (20 credits)
  • Terrain Evaluation (20 credits)
BSc (Hons) Environmental Geology pathway (Year 3): Core modules:
  • Earth Science in the Workplace (20 credits)
  • Environmental Assessment and Management (20 credits)
  • Research Project (40 credits)
Optional modules:
  • Analytical Methods for Earth and Environmental Sciences (20 credits)
  • Climate Change (20 credits)
  • Earth Evolution & Plate Tectonics (20 credits)
  • Engineering Geology Practice (20 credits)
  • Environmental Pollution and Waste Management (20 credits)
  • Introduction to Teaching (20 credits)
Placement year: Boost your employability by taking an industry-based work placement year with a relevant organisation or immerse yourself in another culture by studying for a year at one of our partner universities worldwide. This is an amazing opportunity to either put everything you’ve learned so far into action in a real workplace or expand your horizons and set yourself up for your future career by studying abroad and becoming a student ambassador for our university." Depending on what you choose, we’ll help you find and secure an exciting placement opportunity within an appropriate company or organisation, or you’ll expand your global perspective and develop additional skills to boost your future career during a study abroad year. This is a Connected Degree: We're the only university that gives you the flexibility to choose when to take a work placement. Take it after your 2nd year, before returning to finish your studies. Or after your final year, connecting you into the workplace. If you're not sure if or when to take your placement, don't worry. You'll have plenty of time to settle into your studies and explore your options before making your choice.

Assessment method

You’ll be assessed through:

  • laboratory reports
  • oral and poster presentations
  • reports on field-based projects
  • computer-based assessment
You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark. You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.

Professional bodies

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

  • The Geological Society

How to apply

Application codes

Course code:
F643
Institution code:
P80
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3

Entry requirements for advanced entry (i.e. into Year 2 and beyond)

We welcome applications for advanced entry. If you’d like to apply for advanced entry, you need to select the required year when you complete your UCAS application.

This course may be available at alternative locations, please check if other course options are available

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements


English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.
Cambridge English AdvancedCambridge English: Advanced (CAE) (taken after January 2015). An overall score of 169 with no component score less than 162.
Cambridge English ProficiencyCambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) (taken after January 2015). An overall score of 169 with no component score less than 162.
PTE Academic62An overall score of 62 with a minimum of 59 in each skill.
TOEFL (iBT)7979 with a minimum of 18 in Reading, 17 in Listening, 20 in Speaking and 17 in Writing.
Trinity ISEPassTrinity College Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III with a Pass in all 4 components.

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
70%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
85%
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

EU £9535 Year 1
England £9535 Year 1
Northern Ireland £9535 Year 1
Scotland £9535 Year 1
Wales £9535 Year 1
Channel Islands £9535 Year 1
Republic of Ireland £9535 Year 1
International £19200 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

Students who are resident in EU countries: please note that the net fee is inclusive of the Transition Scholarship Placement Year and Year abroad (at the time of publishing for 2024/25): UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £1,385 EU – £1,385 (including Transition Scholarship) International (Non-EU) – £2,875. Fees are accurate at the time of publishing and are subject to change at any time without notice. All fees are subject to annual increase. For more information about fees, go to port.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/undergraduate-fees-and-student-finance/tuition-fees-living-costs-and-other-study-costs
Earth Science at University of Portsmouth - UCAS