Exploration Geology (BSc)

Why study this course

Professionally accredited

Accredited by the Geological Society, the professional body for geosciences in the UK.

Summer placement opportunities

Many students have the opportunity to complete a summer placement, working as a junior geologist and experiencing real exploration work. In the past, our students have travelled to locations like Finland, Canada, Africa, Australia and Kazakhstan.

Alumni mentorship scheme

Through our digital support scheme via LinkedIn you can be assigned to an exploration geology graduate, who will act as a mentor to you during your studies. Our mentorship scheme helps our students to gain confidence, receive support, and learn more about navigating the world of careers.

Student support tutorials

You will be in close contact with an assigned tutor with expertise in exploration geology. They will be there to help you through regular formal sessions, as well as to offer guidance on anything relating to your course or the subject matter.

Flexible course

In most cases, you may request a transfer to programmes with a professional placement year, with a year of study abroad, or to the MSci. You may also request a switch to another course in the school at the end of the first semester.

People have been using Earth’s natural resources like metals, minerals, oil and gas for centuries to build our towns and cities, power our homes, and make the vehicles, devices and tools that we depend on. New resources are increasingly hard to find, and specialist skills and technology are required to locate and use them responsibly.

On our Exploration Geology course, you will discover how Earth’s processes have created natural resources and how to explore for them to meet future demand. You will develop skills in data analysis, confident decision making and fieldwork, both above and underground. Through specialist exploration modules and practical classes, you will learn to characterise minerals and experience modern software and datasets used by professionals in the sector. All students will gain an introduction to the environmental, social and governance factors affecting the exploration industry and can choose sustainability-focused modules on topics such as hazard resilience and environmental geology as options.

Cardiff University has been training mining engineers and geologists for over 100 years, and our Exploration Geology degree is the only undergraduate degree in the UK that focuses on specialist training in resource exploration. We have a strong and established network of industry connections that allows us to offer our students summer placement opportunities, working in exploration organisations around the world.

As a student on this course you will gain access our Alumni Mentorship Scheme, a digital support resource run via LinkedIn, where you can get career advice, support and inspiration from our graduates.

Accreditations

• Geological Society

Careers and placements

Career prospects

Our constant demand for metals, construction materials and other natural resources means the knowledge and skills of an exploration geologist are in high demand. With a degree in Exploration Geology, you have a range of career options open to you and can apply for roles like an exploration geologist, a hydrogeologist, a mineralogist or an environmental consultant. The practical and business-focused aspects of the degree will give you essential employable skills that sectors like insurance, finance, education also look for.

Some of our past students have gone on to work for Anglo American Plc, North American Nickel, Mineco, Karelian Gold Ltd, 6 Alpha Associates, Gemfields Ltd, Terravision Exploration Ltd, Bibby Hydromap and the engineering and mining consultancies Golder Associates and Royal HaskoningDHV.

Many of our students that spent time in industry as part of their dissertation project went on to work for the same organisation after graduation.

Placements

Any student who can secure a suitable placement with a company or organisation may transfer to our four-year programme and graduate with a BSc with a Professional Placement Year. We cannot guarantee placements as the recruitment and selection process depends on the company you are applying to.  However, we will support you in finding and applying for a placement and the University’s careers service can help you with your applications, CV and interview skills.   We have found that students who complete a professional placement year return to their studies with invaluable employability skills and industry experience.