Geology MSci
University of Southampton
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

Master of Science - MSci

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Location

Main Site - Highfield Campus

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Study mode

Full Time

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Start date

SEP-25

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Duration

4 Years

Course info

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Qualification

Master of Science - MSci

Location

Main Site - Highfield Campus

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

SEP-25

Duration

4 Years

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Subjects

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Geology
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Exam type

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A level
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Scottish Higher
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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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Extended Project
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International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
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Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
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Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
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Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
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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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Location

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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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Channel Islands
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EU
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Course info

Investigate all aspects of Earth sciences from rocks, fossils, and volcanoes through to the ocean and our atmosphere.On your four-year integrated Geology masters you will take part in comprehensive field-based training with fieldwork opportunities across the UK and Europe, which may include a week-long residential course in Tenerife studying volcanic processes, and a five week Independent Mapping Project.You will study at the National Oceanography Centre Southampton (NOCS), one of the world’s ...Read more

Investigate all aspects of Earth sciences from rocks, fossils, and volcanoes through to the ocean and our atmosphere.On your four-year integrated Geology masters you will take part in comprehensive field-based training with fieldwork opportunities across the UK and Europe, which may include a week-long residential course in Tenerife studying volcanic processes, and a five week Independent Mapping Project.You will study at the National Oceanography Centre Southampton (NOCS), one of the world’s largest centres devoted to research, teaching, and technology development in ocean and Earth science.Many students from this course go on to very successful research careers (often PhD level and beyond), and higher-level employment in multinational companies such as Shell, BP, Anglo American, and Barrick Gold.*This course is accredited by the Geological Society of London, which means that our teaching is of the highest quality and approved by an independent body of academics and experts, and is ranked ranked 6th in the UK in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023.*98% of Ocean and Earth Science graduates were in employment or further study 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes 2020/2021).

Key stats

WUSCA ranking:
WUSCA student ranking
These are the 2024 rankings, based on ratings given by past and current students.
83/101
CUG Subject Ranking
CUG Subject Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
14th
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
20th
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 - 100 = 0% Drop-out rate Source: UNISTATS, 2019
0%
Employment rate
Employment rate
The percentage of students in full-time work 6 months after finishing their course.
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
95%
Average salary
Average salary
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
Earth Sciences graduate salary at this uni
£22,000
UK Earth Sciences graduate salary
£22,000
What students say
K
Kerry
23 Oct 23

Best: the NOC campus and the variety of societies available Worst: probably the IT..Read more

SR
Student Reviewer
04 Apr 14

Free bus pass is great, but gym is always packed. Residents support are really strict and annoying, they kept telling us off for leaving our door..Read more

Modules

Modules (Year 1)
Modules (Year 2)
Modules (Year 3)
Modules (Year 4)
IDP Connect

Entry requirements

Exam type

A level

A level:

ABB - AAB Grades / Points required

Scottish Higher:

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

Scottish Advanced Higher:

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

Access to HE Diploma:

D:39,M:6 Grades / Points required

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal:

D3,D3,M2 - D3,M2,M2 Grades / Points required

Extended Project:

A Grades / Points required

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme:

32 - 34 Grades / Points required

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017):

H1,H2,H2,H2,H2,H2 - H1,H2,H2,H2,H3,H3 Grades / Points required

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

DD Grades / Points required

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

D 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):

B Grades / Points required

AAB including two acceptable/preferred science subjects. (minimum of grade B) ORABB including two preferred sciences (minimum of grade B)Preferred Science Subjects are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Geology.Acceptable science subjects are Geography, Environmental Science, Computer Science and Electronics.Where this offer is satisfied by including grades achieved in either Biology, Chemistry or Physics, a Pass in the practical.

We normally consider applicants who offer at least 1 Advanced Higher. Applicants presenting with only Highers will be considered on a case by case basis. Where Highers are taken over two years it might be expected that higher grades are achieved, particularly in any specific subjects required. For example, S5 – S6 (2 years): AABBB (A in specific subject) or S6 (1 year): ABBBB (A in specific subject).Unless a more advanced level (Higher or Advanced Higher) is specified in the stated entry requirements, all applicants will be required to have achieved a pass in Mathematics and English at Standard Grade, Grade 3 or National 5, Grade C, the equivalent of GCSE Grade C/ Grade 4.

Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual's academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of the pre-university education. Please see the University of Southampton's Curriculum for Excellence Scotland statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact the Faculty of Natural and Environmental Sciences Admissions Office at ugafnes@soton.ac.uk for more information.Applicants are also required to have achieved a pass in Maths and English at Standard Grade Grade 3 or National 5 Grade C, the equivalent of GCSE Grade C/Grade 4.

60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3 of which 39 credits must be at Distinction and 6 credits at Merit. A core science Access to HE Diploma must be studied.

D3, D3, M2 to include two acceptable/preferred science subjectsORD3, M2, M2 to include two preferred science subjects.Preferred Science Subjects are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Geology.Acceptable science subjects are Geography, Environmental Science, Computer Science and Electronics.Cambridge Pre-U's can be used in combination with other qualifications such as A Levels to achieve the equivalent of the typical offer, where D3 can be used in lieu of A Level grade A or grade M2 can be used in lieu of grade B.

ABB from three A-levels including two acceptable/preferred science subjects, and grade A in the EPQ. Science practical components must be passed where applicable.ORBBB from three A-levels including two preferred sciences subjects, and grade A in the EPQ. Science practical components must be passed where applicable.

Pass, with 34 points overall with 17 points at Higher Level, including 6 and 5 in two Higher Level acceptable/preferred science subjects.ORPass, with 32 points overall with 16 points at Higher Level, including 5 in two Higher Level preferred science subjects.Preferred science subjects are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths (Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretation) and Geology.Acceptable science subjects are Environmental Science and GeographyInternational Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP):The University of Southampton accepts the IBCP for entry to their degree programmes, recognising the value of combining academic skills with practical skills, providing a solid preparation for university level work. Offers will be made on the individual components of the IBCP. Applicants not taking the full IBCP but presenting with a combination of a Level 3 vocational qualification and IB Certificates may still be considered. Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

H1, H2, H2, H2, H2, H2 to include two acceptable/preferred science subjects.ORH1, H2, H2, H2, H3, H3 to include two preferred science subjects.Preferred Science Subjects are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Geology.Acceptable science subjects are Geography, Environmental Science, Computer Science and Electronics.

We do not accept the BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma without two A-levels to include two acceptable science subjects. If you are studying this qualification a typical offer would be:DD + AA at A-Level, to include two acceptable/preferred science subjects. Science practical components must be passed where applicable.ORDD + AB at A-Level, to include two preferred science subjects. Science practical components must be passed where applicable.Preferred Science Subjects are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Geology.Acceptable science subjects are Geography, Environmental Science, Computer Science and Electronics.

D + AA at A-Level, to include two acceptable/preferred science subjects. Science practical components must be passed where applicable.ORD + AB at A-Level, to include two preferred science subjects. Science practical components must be passed where applicable.Preferred Science Subjects are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Geology.Acceptable science subjects are Geography, Environmental Science, Computer Science and Electronics.

We do not accept the BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma without two A-levels to include two acceptable science subjects. If you are studying this qualification a typical offer would be:DDD + AA at A-Level, to include two acceptable/preferred science subjects. Science practical components must be passed where applicable.ORDDD + AB at A-Level, to include two preferred science subjects. Science practical components must be passed where applicable.Preferred Science Subjects are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Geology.Acceptable science subjects are Geography, Environmental Science, Computer Science and Electronics.

AA from two acceptable/preferred science A levels and B from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge CertificateORAB from two preferred science A levels and B from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate.Science practical components must be passed where applicable.

Popular A-level subjects

Earth Sciences

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

Biology
63%
Geography
55%
Mathematics
52%
Chemistry
46%
Physics
26%
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.

£27,400 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.

£27,400 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.

£27400 Per year

UCAS/IDP Connect

Latest reviews

Latest Geology reviews

Geology
Geology
K
Kerry
23 Oct 23
Geology MSci
Best: the NOC campus and the variety of societies available Worst: probably the IT...
Read more
SR
Student Reviewer
04 Apr 14
Free bus pass is great, but gym is always packed. Residents support are really strict and annoying, they kept telling us off for leaving our door...
Read more
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How Geology students rated:

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( 4.2) 6 reviews
5 star
34%
4 stars
50%
3 stars
16%
2 stars
0%
1 star
0%

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Student rating
( 4.1) 1,502 reviews
5 star
31%
4 stars
56%
3 stars
12%
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Uni info

University of Southampton
University of Southampton , Southampton

The University of Southampton is a founding member of the prestigious Russell Group, internationally renowned for its education...

Student rating
( 4.1) View reviews
CUG ranking
20th
University of Southampton
Highfield Southampton Hampshire SO17 1BJ United Kingdom
Nearest train station: St Denys  0.6 miles away

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