2023 entry (View 2022 entry)
MSci Palaeontology and Evolution (CF16)
Course overview
Typical offer
A-level standard offer: AAB
A-level contextual offer: ABC
See entry requirements for full details and eligibility.
Course duration
4 year(s) full-time
Part-time study is not available for this course
Application method
Full-time: UCAS
Fees
£9,250 per year, home students
£25,900 per year, international students
Fees quoted are for 2022 entry only. Fees for 2023 will be confirmed, subject to government approval, later in 2022.
More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.
Location
Develop an understanding of the evolution of life on this planet through the study of geology and biology. Our degrees are interdisciplinary and provide you with a broad background in palaeobiological science, including state-of-the-art methods and technological advances.
Learn from experts with interests ranging from dinosaurs to plants to the origin of life and be fully immersed in hands-on palaeontology from the start.
One third of the first year is dedicated to biology and two thirds to earth science. After the first year you will take core units from both disciplines. In the third year you will carry out a research project, take a range of specialist palaeontology units and select from a range of optional units to pursue your own interests.
Current units include: Marine Micropalaeontology, where you will use microfossils to reconstruct past climates; Macroevolution, where you will learn techniques for analysing the large-scale patterns in evolution; and Vertebrate Palaeobiology and Biomechanics.
Our MSci course allows you to study more advanced material in greater depth during the additional year, giving you a career boost by investing in your skills development or preparing you for further research.
Our emphasis on quantitative research allows you to develop valuable mathematical and statistical skills. There are also opportunities for volunteer work and internships in our state-of-the-art palaeobiology laboratories.
The course involves fieldwork, including dedicated palaeontology field courses, the cost of which is included in your tuition fee.
Course structure
Full details about the course structure and units for this course can be viewed in the programme catalogue.
Go to programme catalogueEntry requirements
We accept a wide variety of qualifications and welcome applications from students of all backgrounds. Below is a guide to the typical offers for this course.
A-level standard offer
AAB including a core science/mathematics subject and another science-related subject, or ABB in three core science/mathematics subjects
Core science/mathematics subjects include: Biology, Chemistry, Further Mathematics, Mathematics, Physics and Geology.
Science-related subjects also include: Computer Science, Environmental Science, Geography and Marine Science.
A-level contextual offer
ABC including AB (in any order) in a core science/mathematics subject and another science-related subject, or BBC in three core science/mathematics subjects
Core science/mathematics subjects include: Biology, Chemistry, Further Mathematics, Mathematics, Physics and Geology.
Science-related subjects also include: Computer Science, Environmental Science, Geography and Marine Science.
BTEC
DDD in Applied Science BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma.
Find out more about our BTEC entry requirementsCore science/mathematics subjects include: Biology, Chemistry, Further Mathematics, Mathematics, Physics and Geology.
Science-related subjects also include: Computer Science, Environmental Science, Geography and Marine Science.
International Baccalaureate Diploma
34 points overall with 17 at Higher Level, including 6, 5 (in any order) at Higher Level in a core science/mathematics subject and another science-related subject, or 32 points overall with 16 at Higher Level, including 6, 5, 5 in three core science/mathematics subjects
Core science/mathematics subjects include: Biology, Chemistry, Further Mathematics, Mathematics, Physics and Geology.
Science-related subjects also include: Computer Science, Environmental Science, Geography and Marine Science.
International Baccalaureate Diploma contextual offer
31 points overall with 15 at Higher Level, including 6, 5 (in any order) at Higher Level in a core science or mathematics subject and another science-related subject or 29 points overall with 14 at Higher Level, including 5,5,4 at Higher Level in three core science/mathematics subjects
Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offerCore science/mathematics subjects include: Biology, Chemistry, Further Mathematics, Mathematics, Physics and Geology.
Science-related subjects also include: Computer Science, Environmental Science, Geography and Marine Science.
European Baccalaureate
80% overall, with 8.5, 8.0 in a core science/mathematics subject and another science-related subject (in any order)
Core science/mathematics subjects include: Biology, Chemistry, Further Mathematics, Mathematics, Physics and Geology.
Science-related subjects also include: Computer Science, Environmental Science, Geography and Marine Science.
Scottish Qualifications Authority
Advanced Higher: AB in two science/mathematics subjects, and Standard Higher: AAABB
Core science/mathematics subjects include: Biology, Chemistry, Further Mathematics, Mathematics, Physics and Geology.
Science-related subjects also include: Computer Science, Environmental Science, Geography and Marine Science.
Access to HE Diploma
Access to HE Diploma in Science, Biomedical/ Medical/ Health Science or Psychology (or similar titles). The 45 graded Level 3 credits must include:
Mature students can contact mature-students@bristol.ac.uk to check the suitability of their Access course.
Core science/mathematics subjects include: Biology, Chemistry, Further Mathematics, Mathematics, Physics and Geology.
Science-related subjects also include: Computer Science, Environmental Science, Geography and Marine Science.
Welsh Baccalaureate
Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate at that grade.
Core science/mathematics subjects include: Biology, Chemistry, Further Mathematics, Mathematics, Physics and Geology.
Science-related subjects also include: Computer Science, Environmental Science, Geography and Marine Science.
Cambridge Pre-U
Requirements for principal subjects are as for A-level, where D1/ D2 is A*, D3 is A, M1/ M2 is B, and M3 is C.
Core science/mathematics subjects include: Biology, Chemistry, Further Mathematics, Mathematics, Physics and Geology.
Science-related subjects also include: Computer Science, Environmental Science, Geography and Marine Science.
International qualifications
The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students, and we accept a wide range of qualifications for undergraduate and postgraduate study.
Search international qualificationsApplicants must also meet these requirements
GCSE profile requirements
Higher numeracy requirement (6 or B in GCSE Mathematics or equivalent)
Further information about GCSE requirements and profile levels.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you need to have one of the following:
- IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.5 in all skills
- GCSE English Language grade C or 4
- An alternative English Language Profile C qualification
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels
More about UK qualifications.
Selection process
- For most candidates, we will only use your information in UCAS to assess your application. We may interview and test mature applicants and applicants with non-standard qualifications.
- Full information about our selection processes for this course:
- Regulations and codes of conduct we abide by to create a positive environment for learning and achievement:
The admissions statement above relates to 2022 entry. The statement for 2023 entry will be available in summer 2022.
