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Students
Tuition Fee
GBP 26,250
Per course
Start Date
2025-09-01
Medium of studying
On campus
Duration
12 months
Program Facts
Program Details
Degree
Masters
Major
Geotechnical Engineering | Geophysics | Geoscience
Area of study
Engineering | Natural Science
Education type
On campus
Timing
Full time
Course Language
English
Tuition Fee
Average International Tuition Fee
GBP 26,250
Intakes
Program start dateApplication deadline
2025-09-01-
About Program

Program Overview


Geophysics (with Pathways), MSc

Introduction

Providing professional-level geophysics training and education to open up career opportunities across a number of industries and for future academic research.


Study Information

At a Glance

  • Learning Mode: On Campus Learning
  • Degree Qualification: MSc
  • Duration: 12 months
  • Study Mode: Full Time
  • Start Month: September
  • Location of Study: Aberdeen

Qualified geophysicists are in demand globally. This programme equips you with the skills for careers in energy transition, hydrocarbon and minerals exploration, renewable energy, environmental sciences, Earth data science and machine learning, and geophysics research/PhDs.


This unique programme is designed to expose students to the theory and practice of modern geophysics, with an emphasis on cutting edge techniques for understanding and visualising the structure, dynamics and composition of the Earth from the near surface to the deep interior.


The content is broad-based and integrative with a strong focus on the quantitative aspects of geophysical data analysis and interpretation, with a foundation in Earth science and geophysics methods, conventional approaches such as inversion and signal processing, and advanced applications of data science and machine learning.


Choose from 3 study pathways:


  • Geophysics – for careers in a broad range of industries with advanced geophysics activities (primarily energy sector, environmental and construction sectors, marine exploration) or geophysics research (PhDs)
  • Energy Resources Geophysics – for careers in the hydrocarbons and/or renewables energy industry, consultancy, government, or policy
  • Environmental Sustainability Geophysics – for careers which address environmental challenges associated with the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals

You will learn from experienced geophysics staff and industry experts, in world-class facilities with dedicated teaching and study space. You will explore the theory of geophysics and its application to a multitude of research and industry problems across a variety of scales. You will also gain hands-on experience in using industry-standard software and acquiring geophysical data with our vast range of geophysics equipment.


What You'll Study

Semester 1

  • Compulsory Courses
    • Students on the Geophysics Pathway will take:
      • GL5011 Geophysics & Petrophysics* (Petrophysics part only)
      • GL5036 Earth Physics Structure and Processes
      • GL5059 Near Surface and Environmental Geophysics
      • GL5060 Timeseries Analysis and Inverse Theory
    • Students on the Energy Resources Geophysics Pathway will take:
      • GL5011 Geophysics & Petrophysics
      • GL5059 Near Surface and Environmental Geophysics
      • GL5060 Timeseries Analysis and Inverse Theory
    • Students on the Environmental Sustainability Geophysics Pathway will take:
      • GL5011 Geophysics & Petrophysics* (Petrophysics part only)
      • GL5036 Earth Physics Structure and Processes
      • GL5059 Near Surface and Environmental Geophysics
      • GG5065 Introduction to GIS Tools, Techniques, Cartography and Geovisualisation

Semester 2

  • Compulsory Courses
    • Students on the Geophysics Pathway will take:
      • GL5575 Seismology and Earth Imaging
      • GL5545 Seismic Acquisition and Processing
      • GL5709 Machine Learning in Geophysics
      • GL5573 Field Geophysical Data Acquisition and Digital Subsurface Mapping
    • Students on the Energy Resources Geophysics Pathway will take:
      • GL5571 Geothermal Flow
      • GL5545 Seismic Acquisition and Processing
      • GL5572 Subsurface Storage and Sequestration
      • GL5573 Field Geophysical Data Acquisition and Digital Subsurface Mapping
    • Students on the Environmental Sustainability Geophysics Pathway will take:
      • SS5508 Land Remediation
      • GG5559 UAV Remote Sensing, Monitoring, and Mapping
      • GL5709 Machine Learning in Geophysics
      • GL5573 Field Geophysical Data Acquisition and Digital Subsurface Mapping

Semester 3

  • Compulsory Courses
    • Students on both the Geophysics Pathway and the Energy Resources Geophysics Pathway will take GL5910 MSc Project in Geophysics in their third semester.

Funding Opportunities

  • The Aberdeen Global Scholarship provides scholarships for eligible self-funded international Masters students.
  • The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship provides funding for international students from selected countries; more information is available on their website.

Scholarships

All eligible self-funded international Postgraduate Taught (PGT) students will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship. Eligibility details and further information are available on our dedicated page.


Related Programmes

You may also be interested in the following related postgraduate degree programmes.


  • Geographical Information Systems
  • Global Energy Transition Enterprise Management
  • Integrated Petroleum Geoscience
  • Petroleum Engineering
  • Planetary Sciences
  • Sustainable Energy Geoscience

Entry Requirements

  • Qualifications: The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
  • Our minimum entry requirement for this programme is a 2:2 UK Honours degree, or an Honours degree from a non-UK institution which is judged by the University to be of equivalent worth, in Geophysics, Mathematics or Physics.
  • Those with a 2:2 in Geology, Engineering Geology, Environmental Science or similar degree will also be considered where the applicant can demonstrate a proven ability in Geophysics, Mathematics and/or Physics.
  • Your degree should have included at least one university-level Mathematics and/or Physics and/or Geophysics module.

English Language Requirements

To study for a Postgraduate Taught degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:


  • IELTS Academic: OVERALL - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 5.5; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
  • TOEFL iBT: OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
  • PTE Academic: OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
  • Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency: OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169

Document Requirements

You will be required to supply the following documentation with your application as proof you meet the entry requirements of this degree programme. If you have not yet completed your current programme of study, then you can still apply and you can provide your Degree Certificate at a later date.


  • CV: an up-to-date CV/Resumé
  • Degree Certificate: a degree certificate showing your qualifications
  • Degree Transcript: a full transcript showing all the subjects you studied and the marks you have achieved in your degree(s) (original & official English translation)
  • Personal Statement: a detailed personal statement explaining your motivation for this particular programme

Careers

Successful completion of this programme will open up opportunities for students with oil and gas operators and mineral exploration companies, as well as dedicated geophysics service companies related to renewable energy, and civil and environmental engineering.


Two-thirds of our graduates now enjoy a geophysics industry career, with a quarter undertaking geophysics research towards a PhD or University lecturing, and the remainder are employed in the digital technology or other sectors.


Career Opportunities

  • Data Analyst
  • Data Consultant
  • Environmental Consultant
  • Exploration Geoscientist
  • Geophysicist
  • Marine Geophysicist
  • Production Scientist
  • Seismologist

Our Experts

  • Programme Coordinator: Dr David Cornwell
  • Other Experts:
    • Dr Jean-Christophe Comte
    • Dr Iraklis Giannakis
    • Dr Amy Gilligan
    • Dr Rachel Brackenridge

Features

  • Geophysics Field Trips
  • Aberdeen University Geological Society
  • Aberdeen University Geophysical Equipment Repository (AUGER)
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