Program Overview

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Environmental Geoscience MSci

The Environmental Geoscience MSci program is concerned with the interaction between Earth sciences and human activity. This program explores the evolution of the Earth and its internal workings, the development of its biosphere and atmosphere, and its surface processes, emphasizing natural and human-induced development.

Program Overview

The program offers an integrated study of the Earth, encompassing the evolution of the planet and its internal workings, the development of its biosphere and atmosphere, and its surface processes, emphasizing natural and human-induced development of the terrestrial environment. Students will gain a scientific training that allows an examination of environmental issues related to the Earth sciences, such as those concerned with natural resources, their use to society, the disposal of wastes, and the understanding and minimization of geohazards.

Study Mode and Duration

• Study mode: Full-time
• Duration: 4 academic years

Tuition Fees

• UK tuition fees (2025/26): £9,535
• Overseas tuition fees (2025/26): £39,800

Program Starts and Application Deadline

• Program starts: September 2025
• Application deadline: 29 January 2025

UCAS Course Code

• UCAS course code: F645

Entry Requirements

A Levels

• Grades: AAB
• Subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Geology/Geography, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, or Physics preferred
• GCSEs: English Language and Mathematics at grade C or 4

IB Diploma

• Points: 36
• Subjects: A total of 17 points in three higher-level subjects to preferably include two sciences, with no higher-level score below 5. Biology, Chemistry, Geology/Geography, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, or Physics preferred

Contextual Offer

• Grades: BBB
• Subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Geology/Geography, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, or Physics preferred
• GCSEs: English Language and Mathematics at grade C or 4
• Points: 32
• Subjects: A total of 15 points in three higher-level subjects to preferably include two sciences, with no higher-level score below 5. Biology, Chemistry, Geology/Geography, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, or Physics preferred

Equivalent Qualifications

• Access to HE Diploma: Pass with a minimum of 30 credits at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit, all from Level 3 units. Science subject units preferred.
• BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (RQF - teaching from 2016): Distinction, Distinction, Distinction. Science subject units preferred.
• Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects: D3, D3, M1 in three Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects. Two sciences preferred.
• Scottish Advanced Highers: AAB at Advanced Highers (or AA at Advanced Higher and BBB at Higher). Two sciences preferred at Advanced Higher.

Course Overview

The program assumes no previous knowledge of the Earth sciences but builds on a firm foundation of basic science acquired during the first two years. The third year of teaching is research-led, based around the department's research strengths and research grouping, and can include a field-based independent mapping project.

What This Course Will Give You

• Benefit from up to three months of field classes in the UK and continental Europe, and an independent field mapping project, with financial support from the department.
• The department delivers world-leading research embracing the origins and history of life, Earth's composition and structure, earthquake and volcanic hazards, and past and present climate change, and these are fully integrated within our taught program.
• You will be taught by lecturers who are active researchers within their fields, ensuring everything you learn is up to date and providing you with opportunities to take part in cutting-edge research activities.

Teaching and Learning

Modules

The MSci Environmental Geoscience program provides a complete education and training that will qualify students for a wide range of high-level professional employment or postgraduate education and research within and outside the subject area.

Year 1

• Compulsory modules:
  • Surface Processes
  • Earth Materials
  • History of Life
  • Dynamic Earth
  • The Earth
  • Geochemistry
  • Maps, Images and Structures
  • Earth Sciences Matlab

Year 2

• Compulsory modules:
  • Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
  • Isotope Geology
  • Geographical Information Systems and Remote Sensing
  • Introduction to Environmental Geoscience
  • Introduction to Mineral Resources
• Optional modules:
  • Vertebrate Palaeontology and Evolution
  • Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
  • Principles of Climate
  • Structural Geology and Tectonics
  • Numerical Methods for Earth Sciences
  • Geomorphology

Year 3

• Compulsory modules:
  • Groundwater Science
  • Environmental Geochemistry
  • Applied Geoscience for Mineral Resources and the Environment
• Optional modules:
  • Geosciences Report
  • Field Geophysics
  • Biodiversity and Macroevolutionary Patterns A
  • Ocean Physics and Climate Change
  • Crustal Dynamics, Mountain Building and Basin Evolution
  • Geological and Environmental Mapping
  • Earth and Planetary Materials
  • Tectonic Geomorphology
  • Paleoclimate and Paleoenvironmental Change
  • Geodynamics and Global Tectonics
  • Statistics for Geoscientists
  • Artificial Intelligence for Earth Observations (AI4EO)
  • Volcanoes, Society and the Environment

Year 4

• Compulsory modules:
  • Earth and Planetary System Science
  • Independent MSci Project
• Optional modules:
  • Origin of Life and Exobiology
  • Palaeoceanography
  • Geological, Geotechnical & Hydro-meteorological Hazards

Your Learning

We use a mixture of lectures, practical classes, field courses, directed reading, problem-orientated learning, private study, and tutorials to enable you to gain the theoretical knowledge and practical skills demanded by the program, as well as to develop key transferable skills such as critical analysis, report writing, team working, and organizational skills.

Assessment

You will be assessed by a combination of written examinations, practical examinations, coursework, independent project reports, and sometimes an oral examination.

Fees and Funding

Fees for This Course

• UK students: £9,535
• International students: £39,800

Additional Costs

The department makes a substantial contribution towards fieldwork costs (ranging between £150-800 per student per trip), covering all accommodation and in-field transportation for all fieldwork which is organized by the department.

Funding Your Studies

Various funding options are available, including student loans, scholarships, and bursaries. UK students whose household income falls below a certain level may also be eligible for a non-repayable bursary or for certain scholarships.

Employability

Our students are encouraged and helped towards making informed career choices. We have excellent relationships with many employers in diverse aspects of the Earth and planetary sciences, and students are actively guided towards achieving their potential at UCL in preparation for their future careers.

Accreditation

This program is accredited by the Geological Society. Undergraduate students may join the Geological Society as a Candidate Fellow and can become a Fellow of the Society upon graduation. A graduate taking an accredited undergraduate program will be gaining experience and insights directly relevant to a later award of Chartered Geologist or Scientist (CGeol/CSci) status.