Geology (BSc)
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    Geology (BSc)

    University of Southampton
    University of Southampton
    United Kingdom
    United Kingdom, Southampton
    University Rank:#81
    Go to Official Website
    Duration3 year(s)
    Tuition Fee
    GBP 40,263 / Year
    Next IntakeSeptember 1, 2026

    Geology (BSc)

    About

    On this BSc Geology course, you'll understand the nature, dynamics and evolution of the processes that shaped the Earth over the past 4 billion years. You can visit world-famous sites of geological interest, and access facilities, including the largest Earth and marine sciences library in Europe. You'll graduate with the skills and knowledge to tackle global challenges, or continue your studies.

    Geology holds the key to many issues we face today, including the balance between using natural resources and protecting the environment.

    You'll graduate as a bachelor of geology, and your expertise will be in high demand in the geological industry. Whether you choose to focus on the need for raw materials, the environmental sector or engineering geology.

    With a geology degree you can:

    • gain a thorough grounding in all aspects of the subject
    • examine past climate events to help predict climate change
    • develop ways to discover new natural resources and exploit known ones responsibly
    • understand natural hazards and help avoid them
    • study volcanoes and the behaviour of magma

    As part of this course you can:

    • study in a world-leading research institution, National Oceanography Centre Southampton (NOCS)
    • access superb, industry-standard facilities, including the National Oceanographic Library and 150 laboratories
    • go on field trips and residential field courses, both in the UK and abroad
    • gain career benefits through our many links to geological companies
    • develop transferable skills such as teamwork, written and oral communication, planning, presentation, data collection and analysis

    Our Geology courses are accredited by The Geological Society of London, meaning our teaching is of the highest quality and approved by an independent body of academics and industrialists.

    Foundation year

    If you have not studied the required Science subjects for this course, you may be eligible to apply for and enter through our Science Foundation Year.

    We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.

    Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).

    Requirements

    Entry Requirements

    For Academic year 202526

    A-levels

    ABB including two acceptable/preferred science subjects. (minimum of grade B)

    OR

    BBB including two preferred sciences (minimum of grade B)

    A-levels additional information

    Preferred Science Subjects are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Geology.

    Acceptable science subjects are Geography, Environmental Science, Computer Science and Electronics.

    Where this offer is satisfied by including grades achieved in either Biology, Chemistry or Physics, a Pass in the practical is required.

    A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

    If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer: BBB including two accepted science subject (minimum of grade B) and grade A in the EPQ.

    A-levels contextual offer

    We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

    or

    International Baccalaureate Diploma

    Pass, with 32 points overall with 16 points at Higher Level, including 5 in two Higher Level acceptable/preferred science subjects.

    OR

    Pass, with 30 points overall with 15 points at Higher Level, including 5 in two Higher Level preferred science subjects.

    International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information

    Preferred science subjects are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths (Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretation) and Geology.

    Acceptable science subjects are Environmental Science and Geography

    International Baccalaureate contextual offer

    We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

    International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

    Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

    or

    BTEC

    D in the BTEC Extended Certificate + AB at A-Level, to include two acceptable/preferred science subjects.

    OR

    D in the BTEC Extended Certificate + BB at A-Level, to include two preferred science subjects.

    RQF BTEC

    We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience.

    Additional information

    Acceptable A Level science subjects are Geography, Environmental Science, Computer Science and Electronics.
    Preferred A level Science Subjects are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Geology.

    Where this offer is satisfied by including grades achieved in either Biology, Chemistry or Physics, a Pass in the practical. Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking

    QCF BTEC

    D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma + AB at A-Level, to include two acceptable/preferred science subjects.

    OR

    D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma + BB at A-Level, to include two preferred science subjects.

    We do not accept the BTEC Diploma/BTEC Extended Diploma without two AB grades in accepted science A Levels.

    We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience.

    or
    Show more entry requirements
    Access to HE Diploma
    Irish Leaving Certificate
    Scottish Qualification offers
    Cambridge Pre-U
    Welsh Baccalaureate
    T Level

    Access to HE Diploma

    60 credits with 45 credits at Level 3, of which 30 credits must be at Distinction and 15 at Merit

    Access to HE additional information

    A core science Access to HE Diploma must be studied.

    Irish Leaving Certificate

    Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)

    H1, H2, H2, H2, H3, H3 to include two acceptable/preferred science subject.

    OR

    H2, H2, H3, H3, H3, H3 to include two preferred science subjects.

    Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2016)

    AAABBB to include two acceptable/preferred science subjects.

    OR

    AABBBB to include two preferred science subjects.

    Irish certificate additional information

    Preferred Science Subjects are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Geology.

    Acceptable science subjects are Geography, Environmental Studies, Computer Science and Electronics.

    Scottish Qualification

    Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education.

    Please see the University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement (PDF) for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

    Cambridge Pre-U

    D3, M2, M2 to include two acceptable/preferred science subjects.

    OR

    M2, M2, M2 to include two preferred science subjects

    Cambridge Pre-U additional information

    Preferred Science Subjects are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Geology.

    Acceptable science subjects are Geography, Environmental Science, Computer Science and Electronics.

    Cambridge Pre-U's can be used in combination with other qualifications such as A Levels to achieve the equivalent of the typical offer, where D3 can be used in lieu of A Level grade A or grade M2 can be used in lieu of grade B.

    Welsh Baccalaureate

    AB from two acceptable/preferred science A levels and B from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate

    OR

    BB from two preferred science A levels and B from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate.

    Welsh Baccalaureate additional information

    Preferred Science Subjects are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Geology.

    Acceptable science subjects are Geography, Environmental Science, Computer Science and Electronics.

    Where this offer is satisfied by including grades achieved in either Biology, Chemistry or Physics, a Pass in the practical is required.

    Welsh Baccalaureate contextual offer

    We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

    T-Level

    Not accepted for this course. Applicants with a T Level in a relevant subject should apply for the Science Foundation Year

    English Requirements

    • IELTSMin 6.5

    English Program Requirements

    Find the equivalent international qualifications for our entry requirements.

    English language requirements

    If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

    IELTS score requirements
    overall score
    6.5
    reading
    6.0
    writing
    6.0
    speaking
    6.0
    listening
    6.0

    We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.

    Career

    Careers

    Geoscientists are in high demand, and many of our graduates are now working in rewarding geology careers as environmental geologists, engineering geologists and geochemists.

    A wide range of geology graduate jobs are open to you in areas such as:

    • environmental and geological consultancy
    • renewable energy development
    • mineral exploration to underpin the energy transition
    • geological monitoring and surveying
    • geotechnical engineering and remote sensing

    This degree is also a good basis for further study at postgraduate level.

    We host an annual careers fair at the National Oceanography Centre. It is attended by over 25 key employers all looking for Southampton graduates.

    Careers services at Southampton

    We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:

    • work experience schemes
    • CV and interview skills and workshops
    • networking events
    • careers fairs attended by top employers
    • a wealth of volunteering opportunities
    • study abroad and summer school opportunities

    We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

    Fee Information

    Tuition Fee
    40,263 / year

    Geology (BSc)

    University of Southampton

    University of Southampton

    United Kingdom

    United Kingdom, Southampton

    Go to Official Website