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
- GEA
- Gardline
- Global Map Aid
- National Physical Laboratory (NPL)
- Land Referencing Services (LRS)
- Hydrock
- Ordnance Survey
- Aggregate Industries UK
- Leap Environmental
- Hummingbird Resources
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)
- 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)
- Hydrogeology and Fluid Flow (20 credits)
- Volcanoes (20 credits)
- Earth Science in the Workplace (20 credits)
- Mineral Resources & Exploration (20 credits)
- Research Project (40 credits)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- Environmental Fieldwork and Professional Skills (20 credits)
- Hydrogeology and Fluid Flow (20 credits)
- Terrain Evaluation (20 credits)
- Earth Science in the Workplace (20 credits)
- Environmental Assessment and Management (20 credits)
- Research Project (40 credits)
- 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)
Assessment method
You’ll be assessed through:
- laboratory reports
- oral and poster presentations
- reports on field-based projects
- computer-based assessment
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- The Geological Society
How to apply
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:
- 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
UCAS Tariff - 112 - 120 points
A level - BBB - BBC
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDM - DMM
Access to HE Diploma
Scottish Higher
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
Scottish Advanced Higher
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 25 points
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H3, H3, H3, H3, H4 - H3, H3, H3, H3, H3
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
GCSE/National 4/National 5
T Level - M
English language requirements
Test | Grade | Additional details |
---|---|---|
IELTS (Academic) | 6 | English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5. |
PTE Academic | 54 | An overall score of 54 with a minimum of 51 in each skill. |
TOEFL (iBT) | 79 | 79 with a minimum of 18 in Reading, 17 in Listening, 20 in Speaking and 17 in Writing. |
Cambridge English Advanced | Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) taken after January 2015. An overall score of 169 with no component score less than 162. | |
Cambridge English Proficiency | Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) taken after January 2015. An overall score of 169 with no component score less than 162. | |
Trinity ISE | Pass | Trinity College Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III with a Pass in all 4 components |
Student Outcomes
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 | £9250 | Year 1 |
England | £9250 | Year 1 |
Northern Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
Scotland | £9250 | Year 1 |
Wales | £9250 | Year 1 |
Channel Islands | £9250 | Year 1 |
Republic of Ireland | £9250 | 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
Provider information
University of Portsmouth
University House
Winston Churchill Avenue
Portsmouth
PO1 2UP