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

Want to know what it's like to study this course at uni? We've got all the key info, from entry requirements to the modules on offer. If that all sounds good, why not check out reviews from real students or even book onto an upcoming open days?

Different course options
academic-cap
Qualification

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

location-pin
Location

Durham City

beaker
Study mode

Full Time

calendar
Start date

SEP-25

time
Duration

3 Years

Course info

Select a course option


Qualification

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

Location

Durham City

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

SEP-25

Duration

3 Years

SELECTED

Subjects

Select a subject


Exam type

Select a an exam type


A level
SELECTED

Scottish Higher
SELECT

Scottish Advanced Higher
SELECT

Access to HE Diploma
SELECT

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
SELECT

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
SELECT

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

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma
SELECT

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

T Level
SELECT

Location

Select student location


England
SELECTED

Scotland
SELECT

Wales
SELECT

Northern Ireland
SELECT

Channel Islands
SELECT

EU
SELECT

Rest of World
SELECT

Course info

Understanding the processes involved in shaping the Earth’s surface, our natural resources, natural hazards, water supplies and renewable energy can inform us about the impact of past and present changes in environmental conditions. This knowledge will allow us to predict behaviour and develop solutions to protect society and the planet’s future from today’s global challenges.Our flexible Geoscience degree, puts you in control, giving you both the fundamentals and increased specialisation as ...Read more

Understanding the processes involved in shaping the Earth’s surface, our natural resources, natural hazards, water supplies and renewable energy can inform us about the impact of past and present changes in environmental conditions. This knowledge will allow us to predict behaviour and develop solutions to protect society and the planet’s future from today’s global challenges.Our flexible Geoscience degree, puts you in control, giving you both the fundamentals and increased specialisation as you progress, allowing you to choose a pathway of most interest to you.Combining academic excellence and cutting-edge research, the course will equip you with the tools needed for employment in a range of sectors, including mineral exploration and petroleum geology, engineering geology, environmental and hydrogeology consultancies, GIS, geological surveys, or for further study or research. Numeracy, critical thinking and problem-solving skills developed on the course are highly valued in a wide range of non-geology careers, including teaching, business management, insurance and accounting, banking and finance.In the first year, you will develop a fundamental understanding of Earth Sciences. Year 2 specialises more in the geological aspects, during which you will develop your knowledge of core geological disciplines associated with igneous, metamorphic, sedimentary and tectonic processes. In Year 3, you will undertake a geological research dissertation and increase your understanding of specialist geological topics of your choice with optional residential fieldwork opportunities.You may be able to transfer to the four-year MSci degree in Earth Sciences at the end of your second year.

Key stats

CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
7th
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 - 91 = 9% Drop-out rate Source: UNISTATS, 2019
9%
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
£19,000
UK Earth Sciences graduate salary
£20,000
What students say
A
abigail
01 Apr 22

n/a..Read more

M
martha
01 Apr 22

n/a..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 Higher:

AAABB 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,M2 Grades / Points required

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme:

36 Grades / Points required

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

H2,H2,H2,H2,H3 Grades / Points required

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma:

DDD Grades / Points required

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

DDD Grades / Points required

T Level:

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

Specific subjects/grades required for entry:Two Science subjects from Biology, Chemistry, Economics, Further Maths, Geography, Geology, Maths, Physics, Psychology or Environmental Science.Specific subjects excluded for entry:Critical Thinking and General Studies.Information:Applicants taking Science A-levels that include a practical component will be required to take and pass this as a condition of entry. This refers only to English A Levels.

Departments will normally make offers based on Advanced Highers. In the absence of 3 Advanced Highers, where these are not offered by the applicant’s school, offers comprising of Advanced Highers and Highers or a number of Highers may be made on a case by case basis.

Two Science subjects required.

We require 60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at level 3 (or equivalent). Applicants may be required to meet additional subject-specific requirements for particular courses at Durham.

General information on subjects/grades required for entry:To include two Science subjects.

General information on subjects/grades required for entry:Seventeen points (6, 6, 5) at Higher Level including two Science subjects.

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

Including two Sciences

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

At Durham we welcome applications from students of outstanding achievement and potential from all educational backgrounds.  We will consider applicants studying T level qualifications for entry to many of our courses.Where a course requires subject specific knowledge and this is not covered within the T level being studied, you may need to supplement your T level studies with a suitable qualification to meet this requirement, for example at A level.  Where this is needed this will be clearly stated in our entry requirements.Detailed entry requirements can be found on individual course entries on our courses database. https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/courses/f643/#entry-requirements-1237506

Popular A-level subjects

Earth Sciences

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

Geography
62%
Mathematics
61%
Chemistry
53%
Biology
40%
Physics
37%
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.

£33,250 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 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.

£33,250 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 International

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

£33250 Per year

UCAS/IDP Connect

Latest reviews

Latest Earth Sciences reviews

Earth Sciences
Earth Sciences
A
abigail
01 Apr 22
Geography BSc (Hons)
n/a...
Read more
M
martha
01 Apr 22
Geography BSc (Hons)
n/a...
Read more
Review breakdown
University rating
University rating
Students' union
Societies and Sports
University halls
Facilities
Lecturers and teaching quality
Local life
Career prospects
Student support
Location
Campus look and feel
Student life
Course rating
Course content
Work placements and internships
Tutor contact time
Subject facilities
University location
Cost of living
Safety
Public transport
Part-time work opportunities
Graduate employment opportunities
Diversity
Location
Safety
Room allocation
Internet/wifi
Value for money
Property management

How Earth Sciences students rated:

Student rating
( 4.1) 47 reviews
5 star
35%
4 stars
53%
3 stars
6%
2 stars
2%
1 star
4%

How all students rated:

Student rating
( 4.1) 528 reviews
5 star
33%
4 stars
54%
3 stars
10%
2 stars
2%
1 star
1%
Search reviews that mention

Uni info

Durham University
Palatine Centre Durham DH1 3HP United Kingdom
Nearest train station: Durham  0.3 miles away
Thinking of studying in Newcastle?

Check out our

Newcastle city guide

Find a course

  • Undergraduate
  • HND / HNC
  • Foundation degree
  • Access & foundation
  • Postgraduate