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Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Main Site
Full Time
Sep 2026
4 Year
Geologists are at the forefront of tackling modern global challenges across all sectors of the economy and providing the critical expertise required for a low carbon future. For example, in the Net Zero transition, geologists are key to securing the critical metals that underpin technological solutions for projects that will deliver clean energy, water and sustainable food supplies. From resource exploration to civil engineering, natural hazard mitigation, energy security and fundamental scientific research, geologists are in high demand across multiple sectors of the modern economy. The ever-increasing need to de-carbonise our economy and live more sustainably on our planet means that demand for geologists is only going to grow in the future.Our Geology BSc will equip you with a deep understanding of the Earth system, learning how the landscape was sculpted over hundreds of millions of years by the collision of continents, the emergence of life, and the erosive power of ice sheets. By applying that knowledge to Earth resources, or hazards like volcanism, earthquakes and climate change, you’ll learn how to tackle crucial geological problems.At Leeds, fieldwork is an integral part of developing your knowledge and understanding of the Earth and how it functions as a geologically active planet. Throughout your course, you’ll visit a range of classic geological locations on day trips and residential field classes, in the UK and beyond. You'll develop skills in observation, analysis and independent working that will serve you well in any chosen career.You’ll be taught by academics with a wealth of expertise across the broad spectrum of geoscience disciplines. Once you graduate, you’ll be a skilled geologist ready to help solve the key challenges that face humankind and secure the future of our planet.Why study at Leeds: Our globally-renowned research that tackles complex global challenges such as climate change, energy security and natural hazard management feeds directly into your course and shapes what you learn at Leeds with the latest thinking.Experience expert teaching delivered by a programme team made up of leading specialists with extensive experience across the breadth of geological sciences, from industry to public health charities governmentAccess excellent specialist facilities, featuring extensive lab spaces — including our Earth Visualisation Lab — and computer clusters fully equipped with the latest technology to support your learning.Put theory into practice by undertaking fieldwork activities where you’ll advance your research skills and gain hands-on experience highly valued by employers in industry.Enhance your career prospects and give your CV that competitive edge before you graduate with our exciting study abroad programmes and work placement opportunities.Join one of our societies, such as ROCSOC or SusSoc, where you can meet like-minded people at events such as comedy and film nights, trips and through sports. You could even be elected as a member of the committee, which is a great opportunity to develop your management and leadership skills.View this video on Bilibili.AccreditationAccredited by the Geological Society Accreditation is the assurance that a university course meets the quality standards established by the profession for which it prepares its students. This programme is accredited by the Geological Society. This accredited BSc is the first step to becoming a Chartered Geologist, an increasingly important professional qualification – especially in the geotechnical and engineering geology sectors.
This module explores the three dimensional nature of the Earth through time. The students will integrate structural geology with the occurrence and nature of sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks in the framework of plate tectonics. Students will learn how to describe, quantify and interpret geological structures and how Earth history can be interpreted in two- and three-dimensions using geological maps and cross sections.
This module uses the geological history of Britain and Ireland as an integrated example of how plate tectonic, palaeontological and geological processes shaped the Earth. It covers the principles of plate tectonics and stratigraphy, the evolution of life on Earth through the palaeontological record, and the Quaternary archive of glacial-interglacial cycles.
Students will develop an understanding of how Earth scientists acquire, manage, analyse, synthesise, interpret and present typical forms of geological information from a range of sources including through primary fieldwork and use of the literature. They will develop a familiarity with relevant software, research skills, career pathways and professional practice.
Civilisation exists by geological consent, subject to change without notice' Will Durant, 1946.Geology and Society introduces the multifaceted interactions between the Earth Sciences and society, and the diverse roles of the geoscientist. Topical case studies on Natural Resources, Geohazards and Infrastructure consider a wide range of issues from the economics and politics of resource extraction, to how we mitigate the risks from geohazards when constructing civil infrastructure. It will highlight the diverse and wide-ranging set of possible career paths open to geoscientists. Key themes include: energy; climate change; sustainable futures; water; societal challenges; geoethics; communications; and, geoscience careers. The scheduling and delivery of practical activities forming part of this module may be subject to change as teaching delivery evolves in response to the ongoing Covid situation. Every effort will be made to meet the Module Learning outcomes
This module gives students an overview of rocks as materials, and the linkage between the rocks that we find at the Earth's surface and the processes by which different rock types form. Key to this are skills of rock and mineral identification, the use of hand lens and petrological microscopy, and the ability to accurately record and synthesise observations. Overall, geoscience is an observational science and so to be able to make accurate observations is a fundamental skill. We will also explore the interpretations of those observations and start to put the rocks we encounter into context. The concept of the rock cycle will also be an important part of the module, as it shows how minerals and materials crystallise, erode, are transported, laid down, lithified, metamorphosed, and then re-melted through the tectonic cycle. By the end of the module, students will have seen many of the different rock types on Earth and had an opportunity to examine them, classify them, and to record their observations. As part of the final synthesis of this module, students will be presented with suites of samples in order to identify and classify the rock types, and then to propose what those samples tell us about the geological history and geological setting of an area. The scheduling and delivery of practical activities forming part of this module may be subject to change as teaching delivery evolves in response to the ongoing Covid situation. Every effort will be made to meet the Module Learning outcomes.
Geological maps and their supplementary data are a fundamental tool used to illustrate geometric and temporal relationships between different rock units. This module will equip students with the skills needed to analyse and interpret published geological maps and related data at a range of scales and in a variety of formats, in order to develop a deeper understanding of an area and solve practical problems. Students will also learn to make, present and report on their own geological maps through the acquisition and application of advanced field techniques in map-making, data collection and recording, map digitisation using industry-standard Geographical Information System software, and preparation of an illustrated field monograph. They will also embed professional practice by preparing for a programme of independent geological field work through compiling base topographic maps, considering H&S issues, researching existing published literature on the study area, including appropriate remote-sensing resources, and reflecting on specialised training needs. On completion of this module students should be able to plan, execute, and report on an independent field-based mapping project.
The Applied Geoscience module introduces the concept and practice of using surface and subsurface geological and geophysical knowledge to inform on a wide variety of topics and career paths for geoscientists. The taught component of the module will contain a mix of Engineering Geology, Hydrogeology, Environmental Science and Shallow Surface Geophysics covering both theory and practice. Throughout the module a topical case study/studies will link the different aspects of the syllabus and inform on how a geologist can become involved in Energy, Hydrogeology, Environmental Geology and Civil Engineering.
This module explores the origin and characteristics of deformation on Earth and their link to the main geotectonic environments. The student will gain an understanding of the range of geophysical characteristics of these different environments and physical processes and the techniques by which these are quantified and interpreted in the context of global tectonics. The students will integrate details of the deformation behaviour and its associated structure with the occurrence and nature of progressive deformation, metamorphism and resultant geophysical signatures. Students will learn how to record, describe, quantify and interpret deformation structures from small to large scale and to synthesize data in order to develop the geological history of an area.
This module will focus on the use of sedimentological, geochemical and palaeontological principles in the analysis of sedimentary environments, in hand specimen, core and at outcrop, and the evolutionary history of life and environments through time using a broad range of approaches from hand specimen analysis to the statistical analysis of large datasets.
This module will consider the chemical behaviour in and between gases, aqueous solutions, solids and melts, and how chemical processes involving these components have operated on timescales from a human lifetime to the age of the solar system. Students will learn to ?read the rock record? to constrain geological processes. Students will also learn how the 'earth-air-water factory' operates at present and to set this in the context of long-term geochemical evolution over the 4.5 Ga of Earth history. Minerals are a vital consideration for the geologist ? all that Earth is made of, can be considered as part of the remit of mineralogy.
The industrial minerals, exploration and mining sectors are important employment avenues for our graduates, and are set to become increasingly as society pursues a low carbon future. Students will be introduced the scientific and economic drivers of the global industrial framework and provided with both the scientific background and transferable skills ? to enhance employability in both this industry and others relevant to the general discipline. The module will place the processes of aggregate and ore formation in the context of wider geological processes and, where appropriate, current research activities, whilst also addressing subjects generic to the applied geosciences such as chemical and mineralogical characterization of geological materials.
This module will provide students studying Geology (and Geophysics & Geography-Geology) programmes skills and training in (i) the main methods and techniques used to investigate sedimentary basins, (ii) developing an understanding of the tectonic and structural evolution of such basins, (iii) acquiring knowledge of the mechanisms of infilling of basins by sedimentary successions, and (iv) gaining an awareness of how the geological accumulations within such basins serve to provide important geo-energy resources.
This module gives students an overview of rocks as materials, and the linkage between the rocks that we find at the Earth’s surface and the processes by which different rock types form. Key to this are skills of rock and mineral identification, the use of hand lens and petrological microscopy, and the ability to accurately record and synthesise observations. Overall, geoscience is an observational science and so to be able to make accurate observations is a fundamental skill. We will also explore the interpretations of those observations and start to put the rocks we encounter into context.
Students will develop an understanding of how Earth scientists acquire, manage, analyse, synthesise, interpret and present typical forms of geological information from a range of sources including through primary fieldwork and use of the literature. They will develop a familiarity with relevant software, research skills, career pathways and professional practice.
This module explores the three dimensional nature of the Earth through time. The students will integrate structural geology with the occurrence and nature of sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks in the framework of plate tectonics. Students will learn how to describe, quantify and interpret geological structures and how Earth history can be interpreted in two- and three-dimensions using geological maps and cross sections.
Civilisation exists by geological consent, subject to change without notice' Will Durant, 1946.Geology and Society introduces the multifaceted interactions between the Earth Sciences and society, and the diverse roles of the geoscientist. Topical case studies on Natural Resources, Geohazards and Infrastructure consider a wide range of issues from the economics and politics of resource extraction, to how we mitigate the risks from geohazards when constructing civil infrastructure.
This module uses the geological history of Britain and Ireland as an integrated example of how plate tectonic, palaeontological and geological processes shaped the Earth. It covers the principles of plate tectonics and stratigraphy, the evolution of life on Earth through the palaeontological record, and the Quaternary archive of glacial-interglacial cycles.
4.3
