Earth Sciences BSc (Hons)
University College London
Student rating
This is the overall rating calculated by averaging all live reviews for this uni on Whatuni.
( 4.1) View reviews

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Different course options
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Qualification

Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)

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Location

Main Site

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Study mode

Full Time

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Start date

SEP-25

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Duration

3 Years

Course info

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Qualification

Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)

Location

Main Site

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

SEP-25

Duration

3 Years

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Subjects

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A level
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Scottish Advanced Higher
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Access to HE Diploma
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Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
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International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
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Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
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Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)
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England
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Scotland
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Wales
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Northern Ireland
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EU
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Course info

Earth Sciences is the study of our home planet. Our flexible programme combines ideas and principles of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geology and Geophysics. We explore how our planet works at depth and at the surface, the biological processes that build diversity and cause extinction, the ocean and atmospheric processes shaping climate, and issues relating to resources, geohazards and climate change.Degree benefitsThis programme emphasises the holistic nature of the Earth Sciences. It offers ...Read more

Earth Sciences is the study of our home planet. Our flexible programme combines ideas and principles of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geology and Geophysics. We explore how our planet works at depth and at the surface, the biological processes that build diversity and cause extinction, the ocean and atmospheric processes shaping climate, and issues relating to resources, geohazards and climate change.

Degree benefits

  • This programme emphasises the holistic nature of the Earth Sciences. It offers the opportunity to specialise within Earth Sciences and, by the appropriate choice of modules, graduate with a degree in Earth Sciences (Palaeobiology) or Earth Sciences (Environment and Policy).

  • Teaching is delivered by all of our research-active staff guaranteeing up-to-the-minute understanding and providing opportunities to take part in cutting-edge research activities.

  • We have recently moved into the renovated Kathleen Lonsdale Building with new, world-class facilities include bespoke teaching laboratories, new microscope facilities and student study areas, all in the heart of the department, next to staff offices and research laboratories.

Your learning

We use a mixture of lectures, practical classes, field courses, directed reading, problem-orientated learning, private study and tutorials to enable you to gain the theoretical knowledge and practical skills demanded by the programme, as well as to develop key transferable skills such as critical analysis, report writing, team working and organisational skills.

Assessment

You will be assessed by a combination of written examinations, practical examinations, coursework, independent project reports and sometimes an oral examination.

Careers

You will develop both discipline-based and highly sought-after analytical skills, together with practical skills such as planning, conducting and reporting on investigations, collecting, recording and analysing data and the ability to undertake field and laboratory research.

All our students are encouraged and helped towards making informed career choices. We have excellent relationships with many employers in diverse aspects of the Earth sciences, and students are actively guided towards achieving their potential at UCL in preparation for their future careers.

In addition to further study, main employment destinations include: exploration and production for mining, oil and engineering companies; groundwater resources management; investigating ground conditions associated with land use, such as planning, construction and waste disposal; geological surveying, and collecting geological information for maps and databases.

Key stats

CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
9th
Earth Sciences
Drop-out rate
Drop-out rate
The percentage of students who didn't finish the course.
Calculated by 100% - (% of students continuing course + % of students completed course)
100 - 95 = 5% Drop-out rate Source: UNISTATS, 2019
5%
Employment rate
Employment rate
The percentage of students in full-time work 6 months after finishing their course.
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
90%
Average salary
Average salary
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
Earth Sciences graduate salary at this uni
£25,000
UK Earth Sciences graduate salary
£22,000
What students say
G
Georgie
16 Mar 22

The study facilities are amazing - there’s loads of different options to suit anyone. Access to great resources, nice places to relax & good cheap places to buy food on/near..Read more

P
Pragya
16 Mar 22

The best aspect is the social life & department...Read more

Modules

Modules (Year 1)
Modules (Year 2)
Modules (Year 3)
IDP Connect

Entry requirements

Exam type

A level

A level:

AAB Grades / Points required

Scottish Advanced Higher:

AAB Grades / Points required

Access to HE Diploma:

D:30,M:15 Grades / Points required

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal:

D3,D3,M1 Grades / Points required

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme:

36 Grades / Points required

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016):

DDD Grades / Points required

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015):

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

Biology, Chemistry, Geology/Geography, Mathematics, Further Mathematics or Physics preferred.Contextual Offers: please visit the course webpage for further details about our Access UCL scheme.

AAB at Advanced Highers (or AA at Advanced Higher and BBB at Higher). Biology, Chemistry, Geology/Geography, Mathematics, Further Mathematics or Physics preferred at Advanced Higher.

Pass in Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 30 credits at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit, all from Level 3 units. Biology, Chemistry, Geology/Geography, Mathematics, Further Mathematics or Physics preferred.

Biology, Chemistry, Geology/Geography, Mathematics, Further Mathematics or Physics preferred.

A score of 17 points in three higher level subjects to preferably include two sciences, with no score lower than 5. Biology, Chemistry, Geology/Geography, Mathematics, Further Mathematics or Physics preferred.Contextual Offers: please visit the course webpage for further details about our Access UCL scheme.

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (RQF - teaching from 2016) with Distinction, Distinction, Distinction. Biology, Chemistry, Geology/Geography, Mathematics, Further Mathematics or Physics preferred.

Successful completion of the WBQ Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate plus 2 GCE A-Levels at grades AAB. Biology, Chemistry, Geology/Geography, Mathematics, Further Mathematics or Physics preferred.

Popular A-level subjects

Earth Sciences

Top 5 A-levels taken by students who study this subject at uni.

Mathematics
69%
Chemistry
55%
Physics
54%
Geography
48%
Biology
36%
HESA

Tuition fees

Students living in

England

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from England

This is the fee you pay if you live within England. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within England. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Scotland

This is the fee you pay if you live within Scotland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Scotland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Wales

This is the fee you pay if you live within Wales. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Wales. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Northern Ireland

This is the fee you pay if you live within Northern Ireland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Northern Ireland. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£9,250 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from Channel Islands

This is the fee you pay if you live within Channel Islands. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within Channel Islands. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£37,500 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from EU

This is the fee you pay if you live within the European Union. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

This is the fee you pay if you live within the European Union. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£37,500 per year

This information comes from UCAS, or in some cases the institution directly.
Please note: fees do vary so please make sure you contact the institution for up to date information.

Students from International

This is the fee you pay if you are an International student. Please note, this fee has been confirmed.

£37500 Per year

UCAS/IDP Connect

Latest reviews

Latest Earth Sciences reviews

Earth Sciences
Earth Sciences
G
Georgie
16 Mar 22
Geography BA (Hons)
The study facilities are amazing - there’s loads of different options to suit anyone. Access to great resources, nice places to relax & good cheap places to buy food on/near...
Read more
P
Pragya
16 Mar 22
Geography BA (Hons)
The best aspect is the social life & department....
Read more
Review breakdown
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How Earth Sciences students rated:

Student rating
( 4.0) 28 reviews
5 star
26%
4 stars
57%
3 stars
14%
2 stars
0%
1 star
3%

How all students rated:

Student rating
( 4.1) 704 reviews
5 star
28%
4 stars
58%
3 stars
13%
2 stars
1%
1 star
0%
Search reviews that mention

Uni info

University College London
Admissions Gower Street London Camden WC1E 6BT United Kingdom
Nearest tube station: Euston  0.1 miles away Nearest train station: Euston   0.2 miles away
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