Geology with Palaeontology with a Year in Industry ,BSc

University of Leicester

United Kingdom, Leicester

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288

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Home/United Kingdom/Leicester /University of Leicester/Geology with Palaeontology with a Year in Industry ,BSc

University of Leicester

United Kingdom , Leicester

Key Facts

Program Level

Bachelor

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Course Code

F641

Campuses

MainSite

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake DeadlinesSeptember-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 4 year(s)

Tuition Fee

GBP 25,100 / year

Next Intake September-2026

Geology with Palaeontology with a Year in Industry ,BSc

About

Palaeontology addresses how the origin and evolution of life is intricately linked with the geological history of the Earth. Through the fossil record you will explore topics such as evolutionary diversity, exceptional preservation and palaeoclimates. We will cover key groups of invertebrate fossils, vertebrate fossils and microfossils, investigating major concepts such as the origin of life, patterns of evolution and extinction, the importance of exceptional fossil assemblages, and the relationship between ecology and evolution.

You will also learn about the geological context in which fossils occur. This includes the environments where fossils became preserved, the age of the rocks that contain them, and biases resulting from geological processes. Furthermore, fossils provide crucial information for understanding current changes in ecosystems and the climate.

The first-year modules will lay the foundations in palaeontology and across the breadth of the geosciences, and include a field-trip to the beautiful Isle of Arran in Scotland. Also, by choosing the Geology with Palaeontology degree when you apply, you will be assigned to a personal tutor who is a specialist in the field.

In the second year, you will develop your skills and understanding across the geosciences, and start to specialise through a bespoke palaeontology module on major events in the history of life, and by choosing a palaeontological focus for your independent fieldwork.

In the third year, you will develop specialist expertise through modules on vertebrates and microfossils, plus a dissertation on a palaeontological topic of your choice, and a specialist field trip. Your knowledge of palaeontology will also complement other modules including second-year climate change and the third-year optional module on stable isotopes.

Each year of the degree includes different field work opportunities including trips to Scotland, Spain and Wales where you will be able to apply all that you have learned here on campus. You will also carry out an independent field-based project which may range from geological mapping in a fossiliferous area, to field and laboratory analysis of fossils.

BSc or MGeol: what's the difference?

Whether you study for the Geology with Palaeontology BSc or the MGeol, your degree will combine the knowledge and skills base of a degree in geology with the development of expertise in the scientific study of fossils.

Apply for a BSc degree if you want an ideal three-year route to becoming a professional geologist or you’re looking to pursue further geological studies through a specialist MSc course.

Apply for a four-year MGeol degree if you are looking to fast-track your professional geological employment or to continue on to PhD research after graduation. MGeol courses include a major cutting-edge independent research project on a topic chosen by you, giving you the opportunity to work with specialist analytical facilities, learn the skills required to succeed in a research environment and potentially see your work published in a peer-reviewed journal.

It is possible to transfer between the BSc and the MGeol up to the end of Year

Requirements

Entry Requirements

A-levels: ABB-BBB preferably including at least two from: Geology, Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Use of Maths, Computer Science, Environmental Science, or Geography. We also consider one-science profiles with Geology, Maths, Biology, Chemistry or Physics.
EPQ with A-levels: BBB + EPQ at grade B. A-level subjects preferably including at least two from: Geology, Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Use of Maths, Computer Science, Environmental Science, or Geography. We also consider one-science profiles with Geology, Maths, Biology, Chemistry or Physics.
GCSE: Grade C/4 in English Language and Maths.
Access to HE Diploma: Pass science diploma with a minimum of 45 credits at level 3, 30 of which must be at Distinction. To include Physics, Chemistry and Maths Level 3 credits.
International Baccalaureate: Pass Diploma with 30 points, including grade 5 in two science subjects at HL. Minimum of 3 in HL Maths or 4 in SL Maths required if grade 4/C not held at GCSE. Must include a minimum of grade 4 in English A or 5 in English B if minimum of grade 4/C not held in English Language at GCSE.
BTEC Nationals: Pass Diploma with DDD (Science Related). Please contact School regarding eligibility.
T Levels: Distinction in Science (with an Occupational Specialism in Laboratory technician)

Other official national and international qualifications considered from across the world. You can review some of the qualifications we accept on our countries page and English Language equivalencies.

If your qualification or country is not listed, please contact us for more information, including the name and result of the qualification you have studied.

If you do not meet the entry requirements for this course, you can apply for Geology with Foundation Year BSc.

Contextual offers

The University of Leicester is committed to providing equitable opportunities for all applicants from all backgrounds. We make contextual offers to support students who may be impacted by the area they live in, their personal circumstances or who have completed one of our progression programmes. These offers are usually one or two grades lower than the standard entry requirements. To qualify for a contextual offer, you must apply for an eligible course and meet specific criteria – check if you’re eligible.

Selection Process

When considering your application, we will look for evidence that you will be able to fulfil the objectives of the course and achieve the standards required. We will take into account a range of factors including previous exam results.

If you receive an offer you will be invited to visit the School.

English Language Requirements

IELTS 6.0 or equivalent. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability.

If you do not yet meet our requirements, our English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) offers a range of courses to help you to improve your English to the necessary standard.

International Qualifications

Find your country in this list to check equivalent qualifications, scholarships and additional requirements.

Countries list

English Program Requirements

IELTS 6.0 or equivalent. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability.

If you do not yet meet our requirements, our English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) offers a range of courses to help you to improve your English to the necessary standard.

Career

Careers and employability

Our Geology graduates are highly competitive in the job market as their degrees provide them with a strong set of subject-specific and transferable skills, suited to a range of different sectors. Career directions particularly include renewable energy, sustainable resource extraction and environmental geology. As well as studying topics that consider the major global challenges of the 21st century, our graduates are able to demonstrate key skills in teamwork, communication, resilience, planning, and problem solving.

Key statistics

95% of graduates in work or further study after 15 months.
More than 50 companies are actively involved with Geology at Leicester, from funding major research projects to work experience opportunities.
Geology graduate employers include: Environment Agency, Network Rail, The British Museum, BP, Rio Tinto, British Gypsum, RSK, Jacobs, Hydrock, Zeiss, The Civil Service, Capita, The Government of South Australia, Isle of Man Government.

Supported by the University’s Careers and Employability Service, employability is embedded in all of our curricula from year one:

The Leicester Award for Employability personal development programme is embedded in core year one and year two modules, providing students with opportunities to reflect on their motivations, personality traits, transferable skills, and future career goals.
All students have lifetime access to and support from our award-winning Careers and Employability Service.
We have a dedicated Geology Careers Tutor who works with the Careers and Employability Service to support careers fairs, disseminate job opportunities and career development courses, and to provide practical information.
We run a School-wide annual careers day; recent speakers have included the Civil Service, Hatch Regeneris, Hydrock, RSK, the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust, the Environment Agency, Ordnance Survey and the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology.
All of our degrees include an additional ‘Year in Industry’ option, where the third year of the degree is spent on a work placement.
Our School has links with many businesses and Government departments, including Natural England, the European Space Agency, the Home Office and the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission.

Case studies

Zach Banks (MGeol, Geology) Senior Policy advisor for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero “My role is supported by the range of modules I selected in my degree, particularly the third year Environmental Geoscience module and my fourth year ‘Hot topics’ module. These gave me confidence in presenting and developing new ideas, skills in evaluating arguments and ideas, and opened my eyes to the interactions between geology, human activity and legislation.”

Kiera McMahon (BSc Applied and Environmental Geology) Geological Engineer in the ground investigations industry “I work with drillers, excavators and engineers to plan construction and to monitor and mitigate the environmental impact of building works. This variously includes asbestos sampling, water quality monitoring and assessing foundations. My second and third year Mineral Resources for Net-Zero Carbon modules, and the Mineral Exploration, Economics and Sustainability module have really supported my career.”

Alfie Bower (BSc Geology) Offshore Geotechnical Engineer “My role involves the collection and interpretation of drilling vessel geotechnical data. Much of our work is focused on seabed surveys for future offshore wind farm construction. I use the practical skills from my degree most days, particularly through my role in describing and logging the variety of sediments and rock types in our drill cores, and in the interpretation of geophysical data.”

Alex Talbot-Wilson (BSc Geology) Graduate geologist at Glencore “I provide geological support for mining operations, including mapping and monitoring of mining pits using drones and GIS software, collection of near-pit data and development of our exploration programmes. The third year module Mineral Exploration, Economics and Sustainability influenced my career, and inspired being involved in the sustainable production of key resources for the future."

Maduo Makwati (BSc Geology) Hydrogeology Official for the Debswana Diamond Company, Botswana “My role is focused on understanding the role of hydrogeology in our mining operations. I collect mine borehole data, monitor rock porewater contents and sample groundwater for geochemical analysis. These data feed into our mine water balance modelling. I use a range of skills from my degree, including geological mapping and logging, as well as industry-standard software such as ArcGIS.”

Careers and Employability Service

Get career-ready at Leicester with guidance from our award-winning Careers and Employability Service. We're here to give you a lifetime offer of support, even after graduation. Our team of specialist careers advisers and mentors will help you every step of the way. From supporting you with CVs and interviews, to volunteering opportunities and placements, we're here to help you reach your professional goals.