Undergraduate students using survey equipment

Curious about the origins of the Earth, dinosaurs, human evolution and volcanoes?

Study Earth Sciences to learn everything about these topics and more.

Our degree courses

Field classes, practicals, laboratory work and tutorials are part of an innovative and stimulating learning experience. Our courses are the ideal training for jobs including research, industry, the media and education.

Geology (BSc and MSci)

Geology is the study of the Earth, its history, materials and processes. It ranges from the search for underground sources of water, oil and gas, to investigating the beginnings of life on the Earth and the origin of the planet 4,600 million years ago.

BSc MSci

Environmental Geoscience (BSc and MSci)

There is a growing awareness and interest in the science behind many environmental issues. Environmental Geoscience investigates the interactions between the atmosphere, the hydrosphere and the oceans, and the solid Earth.

BSc MSci

Courses with Study Abroad (MSci)

On these programmes you can spend your third year in North America, Europe, Australia or New Zealand studying units that are comparable to those offered to third year MSci students in Bristol. You return to Bristol for your final research-centred year.

Geology Geoscience

Joint Honours (BSc and MSci)

Geology and Biology (BSc)

This three-year programme studies the evolution of life through the combined study of geology and biology. In the first year you study one unit in geology and two units in biology. In the two subsequent years you take some core units in both disciplines which are particularly relevant to your area of study, and have a wide choice of additional options both biological and palaeontological, from how the biosphere evolved to insect biology, micropalaeontology and on the large scale, biomechanics and vertebrate evolution.

BSc

Palaeontology and Evolution (MSci)

Palaentology is the study of the life of the past, and this four-year degree programme always attracts great enthusiasts for the subject area. The programme covers all the basic earth sciences and biology you need, as well as advanced courses on lab techniques, dinosaurs, human evolution and research. In the first year you study one unit in geology and two units in biology. In the second and third years you take some core units in both disciplines which are particularly relevant to your area of study, and have a wide choice of additional options both biological and palaeontological. The final year is taught entirely in the School of Earth Sciences and involves a major research project.

MSci

Applying to Bristol

Detail shot of the HH Wills Physics Building

Careers

Earth Sciences graduates are highly sought after by the mining, mineral exploration, geotechnical, environmental consultancy and petroleum industries.

Did you know?

Over 30 members of the Science faculty, including two Earth Science academics, are Fellows of the Royal Society, the world’s oldest and most distinguished science academy.