Palaeontology and Evolution BSc (Hons)
University of Bristol
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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Geology
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Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
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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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Course info

Join a University ranked #2 in the UK for Earth systems and environmental sciences research (THE analysis of REF 2021).Develop an understanding of the evolution of life on this planet through the study of geology and biology.Learn from experts, with interests ranging from dinosaurs to plants to the origin of life, and become fully immersed in hands-on palaeontology from the start.One third of the first year is dedicated to biology and two thirds to earth science. After the first year, you will ...Read more

Join a University ranked #2 in the UK for 'Earth systems and environmental sciences' research (THE analysis of REF 2021).Develop an understanding of the evolution of life on this planet through the study of geology and biology.Learn from experts, with interests ranging from dinosaurs to plants to the origin of life, and become fully immersed in hands-on palaeontology from the start.One third of the first year is dedicated to biology and two thirds to earth science. After the first year, you will take core units from both disciplines.In the third year, you will carry out a research project and take a range of specialist palaeontology units. Examples of current units include:Dynamics of Macroevolution, where you will learn cutting-edge techniques for analysing the large-scale patterns in the evolution of life, including the use of microfossils to reconstruct past climates and ecosystems;Fossils and Phylogenies, where you will learn how to construct evolutionary genealogies from the comparative anatomy of fossil organisms and the genomes of their living relatives, focussing especially on the origin and diversification of animals;Vertebrate Palaeobiology and Biomechanics, where you will study the evolution of vertebrates from fish-like creatures to humans, discovering methods for investigating how their bodies work.You will also select from a range of optional units to pursue your own interests.The course involves fieldwork, including dedicated palaeontology field courses, the cost of which is included in your tuition fee.Our emphasis on quantitative research allows you to develop valuable mathematical and statistical skills. There are opportunities for volunteer work and internships in our state-of-the-art palaeobiology laboratories.

Key stats

WUSCA ranking:
WUSCA student ranking
These are the 2024 rankings, based on ratings given by past and current students.
86/101
CUG Subject Ranking
CUG Subject Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
9th
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
16th
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
79%
Average salary
Average salary
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
Earth Sciences graduate salary at this uni
£22,000
UK Earth Sciences graduate salary
£20,000
What students say
SR
Student Reviewer
04 Apr 14

my advice to students thinking of choosing Bristol university would be to stay in clifton halls I would change to have more approachable lectures and less private school entrants..Read more

SR
Student Reviewer
04 Apr 14

the advice i would give to future students is that there is a good sports scene and a great night life i the city of bristol itself. you can pretty much go out eveyr night if you..Read more

Modules

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

Entry requirements

Exam type

A level

A level:

BBC - ABB Grades / Points required

Scottish Higher:

AABBB Grades / Points required

Scottish Advanced Higher:

AB Grades / Points required

Access to HE Diploma:

D:21,M:24 Grades / Points required

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal:

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

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme:

29 - 32 Grades / Points required

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

DDM Grades / Points required

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

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

Standard offer: ABB including two science-related subjects.Contextual offer: BBC including BB in two science-related subjects.Please visit: bristol.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/entry-requirements-qualifications/contextual-offers/ for more information about contextual offers.

Advanced Higher: AB in two science-related subjects, and Standard Higher: AABBB.

Advanced Higher: AB in two science-related subjects, and Standard Higher: AABBB.

Access to HE Diploma in Science, Biomedical/Medical/Health Science or Psychology (or similar titles). The 45 graded Level 3 credits must include: at least 21 credits at Distinction and 24 at Merit or above; and at least 9 credits at Distinction and 3 credits at Merit from units in two science-related subjects.Mature students can contact mature-students@bristol.ac.uk to check the suitability of their Access course.

Requirements for principal subjects are as for A-level, where D1/ D2 is A*, D3 is A, M1/ M2 is B, and M3 is C.

Standard offer: 32 points overall with 16 at Higher Level, including 5, 5 at Higher level in two science-related subjects.Contextual offer: 29 points overall with 14 at Higher Level, including 5,5 at Higher level in two science-related subjects.Please visit: bristol.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/entry-requirements-qualifications/contextual-offers/ for more information about contextual offers.

DDM in Applied Science BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma.

Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate at that grade.

Popular A-level subjects

Earth Sciences

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

Mathematics
58%
Chemistry
57%
Geography
52%
Biology
51%
Physics
35%
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.

£30,400 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.

£30,400 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.

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

UCAS/IDP Connect

Latest reviews

Latest Paleontology reviews

Paleontology
Paleontology
SR
Student Reviewer
04 Apr 14
MSc Palaeobiology
my advice to students thinking of choosing Bristol university would be to stay in clifton halls I would change to have more approachable lectures and less private school entrants...
Read more
SR
Student Reviewer
04 Apr 14
MSc Palaeobiology
the advice i would give to future students is that there is a good sports scene and a great night life i the city of bristol itself. you can pretty much go out eveyr night if you...
Read more
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How Paleontology students rated:

Student rating
( 4.3) 4 reviews
5 star
25%
4 stars
75%
3 stars
0%
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How all students rated:

Student rating
( 4.1) 1,357 reviews
5 star
31%
4 stars
56%
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12%
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Uni info

University of Bristol
Beacon House Queens Road Bristol BS8 1QU United Kingdom
Nearest train station: Clifton Down  0.2 miles away
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