Exploration Geophysics MSc

Course overview

Earth’s resources are essential for our energy future. Exploration geophysicists play a crucial role in identifying where resources are located – whether these are water, mineral deposits, hydrocarbon reserves or geothermal heat. They also conduct long-term monitoring of underground storage facilities, to ensure that hazardous material (e.g., CO2 or radioactive waste) remains contained. Geophysicists also perform the site investigations that ensure safe construction and development operations, minimising the risk from environmentally hazardous or archaeologically sensitive material in the ground.

The global demand for geophysicists will always be high, as organisations worldwide seek to develop the sustainable solutions to resource management that exploration geophysicists can provide.

Our Exploration Geophysics MSc degree provides training with a broad spectrum of techniques that are used to understand the Earth’s interior. In studying with us, you will experience authentic industrial applications of seismic, gravity, magnetic and geo-electrical methods, and how they are integrated with field geology and modern computational approaches. Our taught-course modules culminate in an independent research project, in which you will be able to make your own contribution to a genuine research challenge.

Established for over 60 years, our Exploration Geophysics MSc course has strong links with diverse industrial partners, global research institutes, and the Leeds Geosolutions Centre, each combining to develop the next generation of expert geophysicists and tackle emerging resource priorities.

We have an excellent track record in providing skilled geophysics graduates into a range of industrial and research sectors.

Applying

Entry requirements

A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in geosciences (e.g. geology or geophysics) or in a relevant numerate subject, such as physics, mathematics, or some engineering or computing disciplines. Relevant and extensive industry experience can also be taken into account.

You must have mathematics to a good A-level grade (or equivalent) as a minimum. Your mathematical competence will be assessed prior to joining and additional training may be required. The course is computer-intensive and we assume you have basic computer literacy, including Windows and MS Office. EDCL/ICDL qualifications are not formally required, but represent the level expected. Familiarity with Linux would also be advantageous, as it forms the platform for much of the workstation-based training.

Applicants with any of the following will be considered on a case-by-case basis:

• A bachelor degree with a 2:2 (hons), or equivalent, where applicants can demonstrate relevant work experience or aptitude in a relevant specialist field.
• Professional qualifications and relevant experience.

International

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For more information, please contact the Admissions Team.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Science (6 weeks) and Language for Science: General Science (10 weeks).

We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional and our 10 week online pre-sessional.

You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.

Career opportunities

There is a growing demand for geophysicists. A Masters qualification is generally regarded as an essential entry-level requirement in the geoscience sector, whether in resource applications or in the environmental/engineering industry. The extensive set of practical and computational skills that you’ll learn on our Exploration Geophysics MSc will be highly sought after in many industries.

Graduates from the course have an exceptionally good track record at securing employment on completion. They can be found throughout all career stages in the resource industries, taking leading roles in the processing and interpretation of geophysical data or with the development of relevant software. The area of net-zero technologies is undergoing significant growth, and many of our graduates are in demand in this sector. Plus, University of Leeds students are among the top 5 most targeted by top employers according to The Graduate Market 2024, High Fliers Research, meaning our graduates are highly sought after by some of the most reputable companies in the field.

Here’s a snapshot into some of the job positions and organisations previous graduates from this course have secured:

• Remote sensing and data scientist, Climate X
• Project leader, CGG
• Seismology PhD researcher, University of Edinburgh
• Geophysicist, data management and GIS, The Government of Tanzania
• Geotechnical engineer, WSP
• Software engineer, Alan Turing Institute
• Chief consultant geophysicist, Wood Thilsted
• Geophysicist, General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration, Turkey
• Engineering geophysicist, British Geological Survey
• Geophysicist, Fugro Geoservices Ltd.
• Marine acquisition geophysicist, Gardline Ltd.
• Reflection seismologist, Shearwater GeoServices
• Consultant geophysicist, OWC