Program Overview

BSc Geology - 2026 entry

Overview

The BSc 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: ABB at A-Level, 32/655 at IB, or DDM at BTEC
• Required subjects: Two science subjects at A-Level, including Geology, or HL 5 in Geology or two other Science subjects at IB
• GCSE: C or 4 in English Language and Mathematics
• Contextual offers: A-Level: BBC, IB: 28/554, BTEC: DMM

Course Content

Year 1

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

Year 2

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

Final Year

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

Fees

• Tuition fees for 2025 entry: UK students: £9,535 per year, International students: £30,900 per year
• Scholarships: The University of Exeter offers various scholarships, including the Exeter Excellence Scholarships.

Fieldwork

• Fieldwork locations: Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Isle of Skye, Cyprus, Italy, or southern Spain
• Fieldwork duration: 60 days in the first year, 34 days in the second year, and a geological field course in the third year

Learning and Teaching

• Teaching methods: Lectures, practical classes, seminars, tutorials, field-based teaching, and independent study
• Assessment methods: Individual or group reports, presentations, practical write-ups, and exams

Your Future

• Career paths: Mineral exploration, hydrogeology, geophysics, geotechnics, environment-related industries, and more
• Employer-valued skills: Discipline-specific skills, problem-solving, communication, teamwork, leadership, and quantitative data analysis

Related Courses

• Engineering Geology and Geotechnics MSci
• Engineering Geology and Geotechnics BSc
• Geology MSci
• Environmental Geoscience BSc
• Resource and Exploration Geology BSc
• Resource and Exploration Geology MSci
• Environmental Engineering BEng
• Mining Engineering BEng