Program Overview

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Geology (BSc)

Overview

The Geology (BSc) program is a three-year full-time degree that explores the Earth's history, processes, and minerals. Students will develop skills in fieldwork, data capture, analysis, and confident decision-making.

Subject Areas

• Earth and environmental sciences
• Geology and geoscience

Program Details

UCAS Code

F603

Next Intake

September 2026

Duration

3 years

Mode

Full time

Why Study This Course

The program is based in the same building as the Welsh office of the British Geological Survey and next door to the National Museum of Wales. It offers fieldwork opportunities in the UK and overseas, a flexible course structure, and no prior knowledge of geology is required. The course is professionally accredited by the Geological Society.

Course Structure

The program consists of three years of study, with core and optional modules. In the first year, students will study core modules that provide a solid foundation in geology. In the second and third years, students can choose from optional modules that allow them to specialize in areas such as environmental or mineral resource geology.

Year One

• Core modules:
  • World of Dynamic Environments (EA1300, 20 credits)
  • Exploring Planet Earth (EA1301, 20 credits)
  • Earth Science Fieldwork (EA1304, 20 credits)
  • Earth Materials (EA1306, 20 credits)
  • Life and Earth History (EA1307, 20 credits)
  • GIS and Geological Maps (Geoscience) (EA1333, 20 credits)

Year Two

• Core modules:
  • Geological Fieldwork, Data Analysis and Professional Skills (EA2301, 40 credits)
  • Sedimentary facies and environments (EA2303, 20 credits)
  • Petrology and Volcanology (EA2304, 20 credits)
  • Structural Geology and Geophysical Investigation (EA2305, 20 credits)
• Optional modules:
  • Applied Environmental and Resource Geology (EA2306, 20 credits)
  • Process Geomorphology & Hydrology (EA2312, 20 credits)

Year Three

• Core modules:
  • Geology Dissertation (EA3301, 40 credits)
  • Geodynamics (EA3309, 20 credits)
• Optional modules:
  • Advanced Geoscience Fieldwork (EA3305, 20 credits)
  • Advanced Environmental Geology (EA3306, 20 credits)
  • Petroleum, Geoenergy and Basin Analysis (EA3308, 20 credits)
  • Hazards, Risk and Resilience (EA3317, 20 credits)
  • Advanced petrology and geochemistry (EA3325, 20 credits)

Learning and Assessment

The program uses a mix of teaching approaches, including lectures, laboratory work, fieldwork, tutorials, workshops, and seminars. Students will be assessed through a combination of assignments, presentations, fieldwork, examinations, and a dissertation.

Careers and Placements

Geologists play a central role in society, and graduates can work in various roles, including engineering geologist, hydrogeologist, mineralogist, and environmental consultant. The program offers a professional placement year, and students can graduate with a BSc with a Professional Placement Year.

Fieldwork

The program includes fieldwork opportunities in the UK and overseas, where students will learn to record observations, analyze and interpret rocks and structures, and become trained in making a geological map.

Tuition Fees

• Home status:
  • Year one: Ł9,535
  • Year two: Ł9,535
  • Year three: Ł9,535
• Overseas status:
  • Year one: Ł30,700
  • Year two: Ł30,700
  • Year three: Ł30,700

Additional Costs

Fieldwork costs are included, but students may need to contribute towards food during trips. Students will need suitable clothing, including all-over waterproofs and ankle-supporting walking boots, for field activities.

Entry Requirements

• A-levels: ABB-BBC (with 1 science subject) or BBB-BCC (with 2 science subjects)
• International Baccalaureate: 32-30 overall or 665-655 in 3 HL subjects (with 1 HL science subject) or 31-29 overall or 665-655 in 3 HL subjects (with 2 HL science subjects)
• BTEC: DDM-DMM in a BTEC Extended Diploma in Animal Science, Applied Science, Engineering, Health Science, ICT, or Sports and Exercise Science
• GCSE: English language or Welsh language at GCSE grade C/4 or an equivalent
• English language requirements: IELTS (academic) at least 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each subskill, TOEFL iBT at least 90 overall with a minimum of 17 for writing, 17 for listening, 18 for reading, and 20 for speaking, PTE Academic at least 69 overall with a minimum of 59 in all communicative skills, Trinity ISE II/III at least two Distinctions and two Merits or at least a Pass in all components.