Are you fascinated by science and keen to understand how our planet works? How did the Earth form? How does our planet function and support life? What can we do to protect its future? Discover the answers, develop your own solutions, and explore Earth’s amazing journey with our innovative Geology BSc. Gain the practical, hands-on skills you’ll need as a highly sought-after geologist through fieldwork, laboratory projects, and industry work placement options, enabling you to thrive in a career such as geological engineer, geochemist, or geotechnician.

Course overview

Your journey towards making a global impact starts here. Earth, our complex and fascinating planet, is facing serious environmental challenges, creating high demand for geologists who understand issues like carbon neutral energy sources and sustainable methods of resource extraction. Our programme will develop your geology knowledge and skills, empowering you to address these matters, and secure a promising future with excellent career prospects.

Never studied Geology before? We've designed this programme to provide you with a solid grounding in the subject during year one, laying the foundation for advanced study in years two and three.

Geology explores Earth’s origins, the evolution of life, and the exploration, extraction, and management of its natural resources. As an interdisciplinary subject, it draws on geography, environmental science, chemistry, biology, and physics. You will develop an understanding of Earth’s and other planets' structures and identify the physical, chemical, and biological processes occurring deep beneath our feet.

We place a strong emphasis on developing practical skills, equipping you with the methods and techniques needed for future employment. You will gain hands-on experience using equipment, samples, and digital resources in our state-of-the-art Central Science Labs while gathering, analysing, and interpreting your own research data through residential and one-day field courses. There are study abroad and work placement options, and Keele’s campus serves as a ‘living laboratory’ with 600 acres of natural environment for fieldwork.

Our Foundation Year provides an excellent alternative route to Keele, providing a unique opportunity to better prepare for your chosen degree, and with guaranteed entry onto your undergraduate course once you successfully complete your Foundation Year.

This extra year of study can improve your academic skills, expand your subject knowledge, give you a better understanding of higher education and, perhaps most importantly of all, build your confidence.

Your future career

Geoscientists play a crucial role in tackling global challenges and supporting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) and the Paris Agreement. Geology graduates are in high demand for their sub-surface knowledge and geoscientific skills, essential for addressing these goals and climate agreements.

Upon graduating, you will possess a strong set of transferable skills applicable to various sectors, including energy, environmental, engineering, education, and consultancy. To become a professional geologist, you will need to gain professional experience after earning your degree and then apply for Chartered Geologist (CGeol) status.

Studying geology at degree level can lead to a job as a:

Geologist

Geophysicist

Geochemist

Exploration Geologist

Geological Engineer

Geophysicist

Volcanologist

Seismologist

Geochemist

Teacher

Geological Surveyor

Geotechnical Engineer

Basin Analyst

Quarry Manager

Duration of study: 3 years / 4 years with international or placement year