Earth Science BSc (Hons), sandwich with work placement

Earth science is critical for understanding how our planet works, and how we can use its resources responsibly to ensure a sustainable future. It underpins current efforts to move to greener energy, understand and tackle the impacts of climate change, predict and plan against natural hazards, and to build safe, sustainable and resilient cities.

On this Earth science degree course, you'll follow one of three pathways at the end of your first year:

• Geology
• Engineering geology
• Environmental geology

These pathways will provide you with the skills for a career across the diverse Earth science space, either by direct entry to the workplace or by taking one of our applied Earth science Master's degrees.

The UK government has pledged to train the next generation of miners, geologists and engineers in the UK’s new Critical Minerals Strategy (Gov.uk), and lists a number of Earth science related roles in its Tier 2 Shortage Occupation List in this field (DavidsonMorris). Roles in this sector are expected to increase given that Earth scientists will be at the forefront of the energy transition and ensuring human interaction with the natural environment and its resources is sustainable.

Careers in geology, engineering geology and environmental geology are particularly buoyant at present with demand being driven by large infrastructure projects (HS2), offshore wind projects, and nuclear power station construction. This means geologists are in high demand – in 2020, the role of geologist was added to the UK shortage occupation list.

Graduates from this course will be equipped with the skills and understanding to tackle some of the biggest issues facing the planet, such as finding and extracting natural resources, planning safe and responsible building projects, understanding past and future climate change, predicting natural hazards, and helping develop resilient cities and infrastructure.

Graduates would be equipped to seek employment in the following sectors: energy and resource exploration, geothermal, environmental monitoring and management, geotechnical engineering, engineering geology, natural hazard mitigation, teaching, or further academic research.

Graduates could progress onto Master’s level study, postgraduate teaching qualification, work towards Chartered Geologist status, or enter graduate-level employment in the sectors noted above. Our graduates would enter the job market as graduate geologists, engineering geologists, environmental geologists, mining geologists, and geotechnical engineers.

What jobs can you do with an Earth science degree?

Roles our graduates have taken on include:

• mining geologist
• well-site geologist
• geotechnical engineer
• geographical information system (GIS) mapper 
• offshore geophysicist
• engineering geologist
• mineral exploration geologist
• geo-environmental engineer
• contaminated land technician
• teacher

Graduate destinations

Organisations our graduates have gone on to work in include:

• GEA
• Gardline
• SOCOTEC
• Global Map Aid
• National Physical Laboratory (NPL)
• Land Referencing Services (LRS)
• Hydrock
• Ordnance Survey
• Aggregate Industries UK
• Leap Environmental
• Hummingbird Resources

Ongoing career support – up to 5 years after you graduate

Get experience while you study, with support to find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities, and work experience.

Towards the end of your degree and for up to five years after graduation, you’ll receive one-to-one support from our Careers and Employability Service to help you find your perfect role.

Placement year

After your second or third year, you can do an optional work placement year to get valuable longer-term work experience in the industry. Placements give you the opportunity to apply what you've learnt so far in a real workplace, boosting your employability and making you attractive to employers after graduation.

You can work for a company or organisation here in the UK or overseas, or you could go independent by setting up and running your own business with other students.

Students have completed work placements at top organisations, including Shell and Structural Soils.

Whichever route you choose, you'll receive support and guidance. Our specialist team of science and health careers advisors can help you with finding a work placement and improving your employability skills. They'll provide you with a database of placement vacancies, support with your job search – including help with applications and interviews – and support throughout your placement year.

Study abroad

You'll also have the opportunity to study abroad at one of our partner universities. Studying overseas is a fantastic opportunity to enhance your CV and experience a different culture as an international student.

Many of our students describe their time spent studying abroad as truly life-changing, as well as an excellent way to stand out to future employers.