Program Overview

MSci Geology - 2026 entry

Overview

The MSci Geology program is designed to prepare students to tackle important global challenges, including climate change, natural hazards, and the supply of critical raw materials and resources. The program provides a detailed understanding of the Earth, its evolution, processes, systems, and resources.

Entry Requirements

• Typical offer: A-Level: ABB, IB: 32/655, BTEC: DDM
• Contextual offers: A-Level: BBC, IB: 28/554, BTEC: DMM
• Required subjects: GCE A-level in two science subjects (see below) at grade B or A-level Geology at grade B
• GCSE: C or 4 in English Language and Mathematics
• Access to HE: 24 L3 credits at Distinction Grade and 21 L3 credits at Merit Grade
• T-Level: Distinction in T-level Design, surveying and planning for construction only

Course Content

Year 1

• Compulsory modules:
  • CSM1042: Dynamic Planet
  • CSM1031: Earth and Environmental Chemistry
  • CSM1043: Crystallography, Mineralogy and Gemstones
  • CSM1044: Earth History and Palaeontology
  • CSM1036: Field Geology and Geological Maps
  • CSM1041: Quantitative Methods for GeoScientists
  • GEO1405B: Earth System Science
  • CSM1904: CSM Professionalism Year 1

Year 2

• Compulsory modules:
  • CSM2182: Structural Geology and Tectonics
  • CSM2183: Sedimentology and Stratigraphy
  • CSM2184: Geological Mapping Techniques
  • CSM2190: Geophysics
  • CSM2327: Igneous and Metamorphic Geology
  • CSM2328: Igneous and Metamorphic Processes
  • CSM2904: CSM Professionalism Year 2

Year 3

• Compulsory modules:
  • CSM3417: Dissertation Project
  • CSM3047: GIS for Geologists
  • CSM3416: International Field Class
  • CSM3072: Climate change: Past and Future
  • CSM3070: Volcanology
  • CSM3904: CSM Professionalism Year 3
• Optional modules:
  • CSM3059: Evolution of Earth and Planetary Systems
  • CSM3061: Energy Resource Geology
  • CSM3152: Hydrogeology
  • CSM3071: Geological History of Life on Earth
  • CSM3046: Mineral Deposit Geology
  • CSM3415: Surveying and Digital Mapping
  • CSM3409: Politics, Mining and Sustainable Development

Final Year

• Compulsory modules:
  • CSMM439: Research Project
  • CSMM423: Overseas Fieldclass
  • CSMM440: Research Frontiers in Earth Science
  • CSMM904: CSM Professionalism MSc

Fees

• Tuition fees for 2025 entry: UK students: £9,535 per year, International students: £30,900 per year
• Scholarships: The University of Exeter has many different scholarships available to support your education, including £5 million in scholarships for international students applying to study with us in the 2025/26 academic year.

Fieldwork

• Fieldwork opportunities: All our Geology degree programmes provide a wealth of practical experience of working in the field at amazing locations across the UK and abroad.
• Fieldwork locations: The first year includes a six-day residential field course in Pembrokeshire along with nine one-day field-classes in Cornwall. The second year includes 34 days of fieldwork, in locations that include Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and the Isle of Skye in Scotland. The third year includes a geological field course in Cyprus, Italy or southern Spain.

Learning and Teaching

• Learning on campus: Learning and teaching are delivered through a combination of lectures, ‘hands on’ practical classes, seminars, tutorials, field-based teaching, and independent study.
• Research-led culture: You will benefit from being taught by experts active in internationally-recognised scientific research across a wide range of topics.
• Assessment: Assessment methods vary between modules and may include individual or group reports, presentations, practical write-ups and exams.

Support

• Personal Tutor: You will have a Personal Tutor available for advice and support throughout your studies.
• Study skills: Help with essay writing, research skills, time management, presentations and more.
• Modern language courses
• Health, wellbeing and general support

Your Future

• Career opportunities: Geologists are required to help the global community deal with a range of environmental problems related to climate, energy, water, air pollution, natural hazards, supply of raw materials, and more.
• Employer-valued skills: Career opportunities for geologists are limitless. Our programmes provide the essential skills for employment in a modern workplace, including discipline specific skills like Geographical Information Systems (GIS), geological mapping and fieldwork, mineral deposit identification and exploration, scientific programming, and use of technical software, in addition to transferable skills such as problem solving, communication, teamwork, leadership, and quantitative data analysis.