Geology

Program Overview

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Geology

Gain the knowledge you need to understand the materials, features and processes that shape the Earth’s surface. With this BSc in Geology you will learn there is more to geology than studying rocks.

Start Dates

• September 2026
• September 2025

Degree Type

BSc

Course Length

3 years full-time

Location

Durham City

UCAS Code

F600

Typical Offers

• A Level: AAB
• BTEC: DDD
• International Baccalaureate: 36

Course Details

Understanding the processes involved in shaping the Earth’s surface through the study of minerals and rocks can inform us about the impact of past and present changes in environmental conditions. This knowledge will allow us to develop solutions to protect society and the planet from today’s challenges, from climate change and natural disasters to resource shortages and sustainability.

Our flexible degree puts you in control, giving you both the fundamentals and increased specialisation as you progress through the degree, allowing you to choose a pathway of most interest to you. The BSc Geology is accredited by the Geological Society of London.

Combining academic excellence and cutting-edge research, the course will equip you with the tools needed for employment in a range of sectors, including mineral exploration and petroleum geology, engineering geology, environmental and hydrogeology consultancies, GIS, geological surveys, or for further study or research. Numeracy, critical thinking and problem-solving skills developed on the course are highly valued in a wide range of non-geology careers, including teaching, business management, insurance and accounting, banking and finance.

You may be able to transfer to the four-year MSci degree in Earth Sciences at the end of your second year.

Year 1 Modules

Core Modules:

• Earth Materials: introduces you to Earth minerals and rocks and teaches you techniques for identifying them.
• Field Studies: identifies techniques for description and interpretation of natural geological features. This module also covers mapping skills, and the observation, recording and processing techniques needed for fieldwork and imagery.
• Understanding Earth Sciences: covers an introduction to the areas of petrology, sedimentology, structural geology and palaeontology and relates the processes to the plate tectonic cycle.
• Sustainability: introduces the fundamental understanding of sustainability. To introduce global issues and concepts around sustainability, with an emphasis on aspects most relevant to Earth Sciences such as water, climate, energy and mineral resources, food resources, and natural hazards.
• Introductory Data Science: introduces the fundamentals of data acquisition and analysis in a geoscientific context. You will learn how to apply computational tools to manipulate and visualise a range of scientific and geospatial data.

Optional Modules:

• Mathematical Methods in Geosciences
• Further Mathematics for Geoscientists

Year 2 Modules

Core Modules:

• Structural Geology and Tectonics: describes and analyses deformation structures, processes and systems in the Earth, providing you with an understanding of the relationship between tectonics and surface processes.
• Sedimentary Environments: covers the processes involved in the formation of sedimentary rocks and application of the techniques used to analyse these processes and a variety of environments.
• Fieldwork (Geological): introduces the principles of laboratory and and independent fieldwork to prepare you for further research in your final-year dissertation.
• Igneous and Metamorphic Processes: explores geochemical and petrological methods to understand how igneous and metamorphic rocks form. You will also learn about identifying and interpreting the geological significance of a range of these rocks in the context of geological evolution.

Optional Modules:

• Geophysical Methods for Geoscientists
• Isotopes and Climate
• Ancient Life and its Environment
• Frontiers in Palaeontology
• Earth System and Climate: The Quaternary I
• Earth System and Climate: Long Term Processes

Year 3 Modules

Core Modules:

• Dissertation: Worth one-third of your final year credits, you will produce an independent research Dissertation that can be based on a geological mapping exercise chosen to suit your interests.

Optional Modules:

• Environmental Geochemistry
• Volcanology and Magmatism
• Environmental Management
• Earth Sciences into Schools
• Western Alps Fieldtrip (Anatomy of a Subduction Zone)
• Earthquake Sources and Waves
• Atmospheric Circulation and Dynamics
• Tectonic Processes and Renewable Geo-resources
• Groundwater Hydrology
• Monitoring the Oceans: Geohazards and Climate Change
• Polar Quaternary Environmental Processes
• Geochemistry of the Earth
• Habitable Environments (Astrobiology)

Additional Pathways

Students can apply to be transferred onto either the with Year Abroad or with Placement pathway. Places on these pathways are in high demand and if you are chosen your studies will extend from three years to four or four to five depending on course.

Accreditation

The BSc Geology is accredited by the Geological Society of London.

Learning

The course is mainly delivered through a mixture of lectures, practical classes, tutorials and fieldwork. The balance of these activities changes over the degree, as you develop your knowledge and your ability as an independent learner in preparation for professional life or postgraduate study.

In Year 1, lectures and practicals dominate the timetable. You are also expected to undertake your own independent study to prepare for your classes and broaden your subject knowledge.

The balance starts to shift in the second year, with a move towards self-directed learning and an opportunity to practice research methods during field courses.

In the final year, you can carry out a six-week mapping dissertation - a significant piece of independent research.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a combination of coursework, class tests and end-of-year examinations. One-third of your final-year marks will be through your geological mapping dissertation in the final year.

The range of assessment methods is designed to assess your knowledge and understanding of geology-specific knowledge, alongside transferable skills in mathematics, scientific writing, informatics, policy, critical analysis and project management.

Entry Requirements

• A level offer: AAB including two sciences from Biology, Chemistry, Computer and Marine Science, Economics, Further Mathematics, Geography, Geology, Environmental Sciences, Engineering, Life and Health Sciences, Mathematics, Physics, Psychology or Statistics.
• Contextual offer: BBB/ABC including two sciences from Biology, Chemistry, Computer and Marine Science, Economics, Further Mathematics, Geography, Geology, Environmental Sciences, Engineering, Life and Health Sciences, Mathematics, Physics, Psychology or Statistics.

Fees and Funding

The fees for this academic year have not been confirmed yet.

The tuition fees shown for home students are for one complete academic year of full-time study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees for subsequent years of your course may rise in line with an inflationary uplift as determined by the government.

The tuition fees shown for overseas and EU students are for one complete academic year of full-time study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and will be subject to an annual inflationary increase expected to rise throughout the programme of study.

Career Opportunities

Our flexible courses have been developed to meet the needs of industry and provide you with the skills you need to succeed. You will graduate with the scientific foundations and transferable skills to move directly into the workplace or to progress to a more specialised postgraduate qualification.

Career prospects for Durham graduates are excellent. Geology and Earth Sciences graduates are highly valued by employers and go on to a wide range of highly successful careers in the sector and beyond, working in industry and research, including environmental management, water management, energy and engineering geology. Some of the high-profile employers our graduates have gone on to work for include ATKINS, ARUP, Centrica and the Environment Agency.

Department Information

Our lives on Earth are at a turning point. Studying Earth Sciences provides knowledge and insight into the implications of this and explores society’s options to secure a sustainable future for the Earth, its environment and its inhabitants.

Earth Sciences is the holistic study of the planet from the core to the surface, its water and the surrounding atmosphere.

Durham is one of the UK’s leading providers of Earth Sciences education. We offer six undergraduate courses, four of which are accredited by The Geological Society of London. Our courses explore the full geological spectrum including climate change, oceans, mass extinctions, rocks and minerals, volcanoes, and the structure and chemistry of the Earth. Our multidisciplinary approach applies physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology and physical geography to real world scenarios to make sense of today's major geoscience concerns.

Course structures are flexible with a balance of formal teaching, fieldwork and active learning to put your theoretical knowledge into practice. You can tailor your degree to your interests through the wide range of optional modules and you may also be able to spend a year studying abroad, extending your degree by a year. All our degree courses are informed by the latest pure and applied research, and you can be sure your education is in sync with the latest thinking and will help you on your journey to a profession in the Earth Sciences sector and beyond.

Rankings

• 7th in The Complete University Guide 2025 and in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
• 6th in The Guardian University Guide 2025
• Top 100 The QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025

Facilities

Our teaching takes place in the modern, purpose-built Arthur Holmes Building, located on the main University Mountjoy campus, close to other departments, colleges, the Bill Bryson library and the Teaching and Learning Centre.

Program Outline

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Outline:

• The program focuses on the study of minerals, rocks, and geological processes to understand the Earth's surface.
• Emphasis on applying this knowledge to address contemporary environmental challenges like climate change, sustainable resource management, and natural disasters.
• Flexible structure allows students to choose a specialization pathway aligning with their interests.
• Accredited by the Geological Society of London, ensuring high academic standards and industry recognition.
• Equips graduates with skills for diverse career opportunities in geology-related fields and beyond.

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Assessment:

• Combination of coursework, class tests, and end-of-year examinations.
• One-third of final-year marks come from a geological mapping dissertation.
• Assessment methods evaluate both specific geological knowledge and transferable skills like mathematics, scientific writing, critical analysis, and project management.

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Teaching:

• Blend of lectures, practical classes, tutorials, and fieldwork.
• Increasing focus on independent learning and research-oriented activities as students progress.
• Final year features a six-week independent research project in the form of a mapping dissertation.
• Faculty comprises experts in various geological disciplines, ensuring diverse perspectives and cutting-edge knowledge.

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Careers:

• Graduates possess strong scientific foundations and transferable skills, making them highly employable in various sectors.
• Career opportunities include mineral exploration, petroleum geology, engineering geology, environmental and hydrogeology consultancies, GIS, geological surveys, and other non-geology fields.
• Alumni work in prominent organizations like ATKINS, ARUP, Centrica, and the Environment Agency.
• High employment rate with graduates securing well-paying positions in skilled jobs.

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Other:

• Potential to transfer to the four-year MSci in Earth Sciences program upon successful completion of the second year.
• Opportunities for work placements and study abroad experiences to enhance employability and broaden perspectives.
• Access to modern facilities, including the Arthur Holmes Building with advanced optical microscopes and comprehensive geological collections.
• Field trips to various locations provide real-world experience in observing and interpreting geological features.
• The program offers a holistic and application-oriented approach to studying Earth Sciences, equipping students with the knowledge and skills to address global challenges and contribute to a sustainable future.

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The tuition fees for 2025/26 academic year have not yet been finalised, they will be displayed here once approved. The tuition fees shown for home students are for one complete academic year of full time study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees for subsequent years of your course may rise in line with an inflationary uplift as determined by the government. The tuition fees shown for overseas and EU students are for one complete academic year of full time study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and remain the same throughout the duration of the programme for that cohort (unless otherwise stated).