Program Overview

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MSci Resource and Exploration Geology - 2026 entry

Overview

An advanced course designed to prepare you to tackle important global challenges, especially the supply of critical raw materials and resources. MSci Resource and Exploration Geology focusses on our understanding of the Earth, its processes, systems and natural resources. Study in Cornwall and benefit from spectacular, world-class geology, and major mineral and geothermal exploration programmes on your doorstep. Gain technical experience through over 60 days of fieldwork as well as laboratory classes, opportunities for an industry placement, and an independent research project. Taught at Exeter’s Penryn campus by Camborne School of Mines. This combined geoscience and mining department has an international reputation for research-inspired teaching and excellent graduate prospects.

Entry requirements (typical offer)

• Qualification | Typical offer | Required subjects
  • A-Level | ABB | GCE A-Level in two science subjects* (see below) at grade B or A-Level Geology at grade B.
  • IB | 32/655 | Two science subjects at HL5 or Geology at HL5
  • BTEC | DDM | Applicants studying one of the following subjects in the BTEC Extended Diploma, BTEC Diploma or BTEC Extended Certificate will be considered without the specific GCE A-Level subject requirements: Applied Science, Engineering.
  • GCSE | C or 4 | English Language and Mathematics
  • Access to HE | 24 L3 credits at Distinction Grade and 21 L3 credits at Merit Grade | 12 L3 credits at Distinction Grade in an acceptable Geology subject area or 24 L3 credits at Distinction Grade in two other acceptable Science subject area
  • T-Level | Distinction | T-level Design, surveying and planning for construction only
  • Contextual Offer | A-Level: BBC | IB: 28/554 | BTEC: DMM | Specific subject requirements must still be achieved where stated above. Find out more about contextual offers.

Course content

Year 1

• Compulsory modules:
  • CSM1042 | Dynamic Planet | 15
  • CSM1031 | Earth and Environmental Chemistry | 15
  • CSM1043 | Crystallography, Mineralogy and Gemstones | 15
  • CSM1044 | Earth History and Palaeontology | 15
  • CSM1036 | Field Geology and Geological Maps | 30
  • CSM1041 | Quantitative Methods for Geoscientists | 15
  • GEO1405B | Earth System Science | 15
  • CSM1904 | CSM Professionalism Year 1 | 0

Year 2

• Compulsory modules:
  • CSM2182 | Structural Geology and Tectonics | 30
  • CSM2183 | Sedimentology and Stratigraphy | 30
  • CSM2184 | Geological Mapping Techniques | 15
  • CSM2327 | Igneous and Metamorphic Geology | 15
  • CSM2328 | Igneous and Metamorphic Processes | 15
  • CSM2904 | CSM Professionalism Year 2 | 0
• Optional modules:
  • Select 15 credits:
    • CSM2185 | Geotechnics | 15
    • CSM2190 | Geophysics | 15

Year 3

• Compulsory modules:
  • CSM3046 | Mineral Deposit Geology | 15
  • CSM3047 | GIS for Geologists | 15
  • CSM3416 | International Field Class | 15
  • CSM3151 | Exploration Techniques | 15
  • CSM3417 | Dissertation Project | 30
  • CSM3904 | CSM Professionalism Year 3 | 0
• Optional modules:
  • In addition, students will select 30 credits from:
    • CSM3038 | Surface Excavation Design | 15
    • CSM3049 | Contaminated Land Management and Remediation | 15
    • CSM3061 | Energy Resource Geology | 15
    • CSM3152 | Hydrogeology | 15
    • CSM3409 | Politics, Mining and Sustainable Development | 15
    • CSM3415 | Surveying and Digital Mapping | 15

Final year

• Compulsory modules:
  • CSMM439 | Research Project | 75
  • CSMM423 | Fourth Year Fieldclass | 15
  • CSMM440 | Research Frontiers in Earth Science | 30
  • CSMM904 | CSM Professionalism MSc | 0

Accreditations

Our programmes are accredited by The Geological Society, which is the first step on the ladder to Chartered Geologist status after graduation.

Fees

Please note: The fees for students starting in 2026 have yet to be set. The fees provided below are the fees for students starting in 2025 and are for guidance only. We will post the fees for 2026 entry shortly.

• 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, such as our Exeter Excellence Scholarships.

Financial support is also available for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, lower income households and other under-represented groups to help them access, succeed and progress through higher education.

Fieldwork

All our Geology degree programmes provide a wealth of practical experience of working in the field at amazing locations across the UK and abroad.

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.

Fieldwork is assessed through field notebooks, technical reports, and practical field-based assignments.

Learning and teaching

Learning and teaching are delivered through a combination of lectures, ‘hands on’ practical classes, seminars, tutorials, field-based teaching, and independent study. Laboratory practical classes will develop your understanding of a range of geological topics and help put theory into practice.

On average you will have 18 teaching hours per week and will need to undertake additional independent study (e.g., directed reading, assignments, and project work). You can expect your total workload to average about 40 hours per week during term time.

Our geology degrees are also flexible; you can transfer between any of our BSc and MGeol degrees during your first year.

Assessment

Assessment methods vary between modules and may include individual or group reports, presentations, practical write-ups and exams. More innovative assessment techniques are also used, and may include the use of websites, posters, social media, videos, science communication, and dragons-den style presentations. You must pass the first year in order to progress to the second year, but your first-year marks do not count towards your final degree classification.

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

Optional modules outside of this course

Each year, if you have optional modules available, you can take up to 30 credits in a subject outside of your course. This can increase your employability and widen your intellectual horizons.

Proficiency in a second subject

If you complete 60 credits of modules in specified subjects, you may have the words 'with proficiency in’ added to your degree title when you graduate.

Your future

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.

Geology and geoscience degrees not only prepare you to tackle the world’s biggest environmental challenges, but they also lead to high employment rates and decent salaries, with graduate opportunities in the UK and around the world. The Camborne School of Mines Association and the award-winning University of Exeter Careers Service have the skills and a strong network of alumni to help you find employment.

Employer Visits

We provide regular ‘Pint and Pasty’ employer events throughout term that allow our students to network and meet with potential employers, and learn more about possible career paths.

Career Paths

Our graduates enjoy excellent career opportunities in a range of subjects, including mineral exploration, hydrogeology, geophysics, geotechnics, and environment-related industries. Graduates also go on to roles outside of geology, utilising the array of transferable skills they have developed. Recent graduates work in fields as diverse as the UK civil service, Arup Geotechnics, the National Trust, the Ministry of Defence and Geomarine Ltd.

The broad-based skills acquired during your degree will give you an excellent grounding for a wide variety of careers, not only those related to Resource and Exploration Geology but also in wider fields. Examples of roles recent graduates are now working as include:

• Chartered Surveyor
• Engineering Project Manager
• Project Engineer
• Engineering Professional
• Estimator, Valuer or Assessor
• Environment Professional
• Financial Accounts
• IT Operations Technician
• Laboratory Technician
• Physical Scientist

Employer-valued skills this course develops

Career opportunities for geologists are limitless. Our programmes provide 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.

In particular, the MGeol course provides extra skills development in independent work, research, and oral presentation, which can be applied to both industry and academia.

Geologists from the University of Exeter are recognised as being articulate, resourceful and diligent, and claim great job satisfaction and excellent salaries.