With our Geology MSci you will study the science of our planet’s evolution – understanding how it has been shaped over billions of years and what it will be like in the future. It truly is a global science.

From monitoring volcanic eruptions and investigating climate change, through to unravelling the disappearance of the dinosaurs or finding acceptable ways to dispose of nuclear waste, a Geology degree at Newcastle will give you a broad-based knowledge of Earth sciences.

Our extensive fieldwork programme and flexible range of options allows you to specialise in the topics that interest you. You may go on to work in the mining or oil industry, hydrogeology, pollution control or environmental protection; or you could opt to become a geophysicist, geotechnical engineer, work for the British Geological Survey, carry out research or go into teaching. A Geology degree from Newcastle sets you up for a wide range of exciting careers.

This Geology MSci course gives you a broad and comprehensive training in geology and allows you to develop your own specialist interests.

A varied fieldwork programme builds on a variety of lecture and laboratory based teaching, providing you with a range of practical scientific skills.

The first year of the course provides you with a strong foundation in geology through a range of exciting core modules. You will build on this in the second year, before undertaking your dissertation fieldwork. In the third year you can choose from a wide range of modules, and also have the option of specialising further if you stay for the four-year Geology MSci programme (dependant upon performance).

 

Fieldwork

Fieldwork is an essential element of our degree programmes, and Earth Sciences at Newcastle has an outstanding reputation for providing its students with high quality field training. 

The field courses help you to develop as an observational Earth scientist. Each field course is part of a compulsory assessed module. Current residential field course destinations include South West Wales, the Scottish Highlands, Dorset and Cornwall, southern Spain and Tenerife (for four-year programmes). 

The first two years of field training culminate in your dissertation (mapping) project, which involves up to six weeks fieldwork in an area of your choice, in the summer between Year 2 and 3. Many students stay in the UK for this, but students have also recently undertaken projects in Ireland, France, Spain, Italy, Romania, New Zealand and the USA. You will also have the option to undertake your fieldwork with an industrial partner, leading to an industry-linked project. Your project may focus on an aspect of resource or applied geology. Recent partners include Tarmac, Hope Cement, Hanson and the British Geological Survey. 

The travel and accommodation costs of field courses are included within your fees, and we also offer support to all Geology students (currently £500) towards their mapping project. We will make the necessary arrangements to accommodate students with disabilities for field courses throughout their time at Newcastle. 

    

Basic fieldwork kit for all new starters

When you start in Newcastle, we will provide you with the basic field supplies (worth ~£85) that you will need for your degree program. Please note that you are responsible for providing suitable outdoor clothing for fieldwork.

Why Study this Course?

There are many reasons to study Geology MSci at Newcastle:

  • Employability – Our Earth and Environmental Science graduates are highly employable with 100% in jobs or further study within six months of graduation 
  • 4th for Earth and Marine Sciences in The Guardian University Guide 2019
  • Fieldwork – Fieldwork is an essential element of our degree programmes, and we have an outstanding reputation for providing students with high quality field training. The costs of travel and accommodation on all compulsory field courses will be covered by the University.
  • Research-led teaching – Our world-leading research feeds directly into our programmes, meaning you will learn from academics who are experts in their field.
  • The Lapworth Museum of Geology – one of the oldest and finest specialist geological museums in the UK, housing more than 250,000 specimens. Reopen following a £2.7m redevelopment project, it is an invaluable study resource.
  • Accreditation – Our Earth Sciences degree programmes are accredited by the Geological Society of London, highlighting that they offer sound training for a professional career in the geosciences, and satisfy the academic requirements of Fellowship and Chartered Geologist status.

Institutional Accreditation 

University of Newcastle is accredited by the DETC Higher Learning Commission (DETC), www.detc.org.uk Since , University of Newcastle has been continually accredited by the DETC Higher Learning Commission and its predecessor.

Geology BSc (Hons)

Course Level:

Undergraduate, Single Honours

Credits 

120

Course

CODE U489

How long it takes:

Undergraduate (4 years)

Study Mode:

Distance learning/ Campus

Course cost

Price: US$20,220

Entry requirements

Find out more about

Department:

Newcastle Law School

Year 1

Compulsory modules

The first year provides you with a broad training in topics across the subject, through several compulsory modules. We don’t assume any prior knowledge; the chemistry, physics and maths that you require is taught in the context of individual modules, and applied to the problems that you’re investigating.  Residential trips to Northern Ireland and South West Wales will train you in key skills in geological observation, data recording and interpretation.

  • Earth Systems
  • Structural Geology
  • Earth History and Life
  • Minerals and Magmatism
  • Geoscience Project
  • Introductory Field and Research Skills
  • SW Wales Field Course

   

Year 2

Compulsory modules

The Year 2 content builds on the first year, covering a range of specialised geological topics. This content is compulsory, and ensures that your degree meets the accreditation requirements. The Year 2 field courses take you to North West Scotland, where you will focus on geological mapping skills, and to Dorset and Cornwall, where you will cover a wide range of exercises, from palaeontology to structural geology.

  • Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
  • Sedimentology
  • Resources & Exploration
  • Field Skills and Project Planning for Geological Field Research
  • Assynt Geological Mapping Course

Optional modules:

  • Continental Deformation
  • Micropalaeontology and Palaeoenvironments
  • Geological Natural Hazards
  • Hydrogeology
  • Oceans Through Time

   

Year 3

Compulsory modules

Compulsory modules in Year 3 include your dissertation – a mapping project in an area of your choice, where you will undertake fieldwork the previous summer – and an additional field-based module that will introduce a variety of new geological environments and rock types.

  • Geological Field Research Project

Select one of the following field based modules:

  • Sustainable Resource Geology
  • Sedimentary Basin Analysis
  • Volcanology

Optional modules

You can specialise by choosing three modules from a wide variety of options, ranging from more applied and resource-based topics through to environmental and palaeontological modules. Example optional modules may include:

  • Tectonic and Magmatic Processes
  • Palaeoclimates
  • Remote Sensing of the Cryosphere
  • Evolution of Vertebrates
  • Petroleum Geoscience
  • Evolutionary Palaeobiology
  • Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology
  • Climate Change in the Earth System

   

Year 4

Compulsory modules

The compulsory Year 4 modules include your major research project – in a topic that you will have devised with an academic – and a skills-based field module.

  • Advanced Project

Select one of the following field based modules:

  • Sustainable Resource Geology
  • Sedimentary Basin Analysis
  • Volcanology

 

Optional modules

You also take two optional modules (except those taken in Year 3). Example optional modules may include:

  • Tectonic and Magmatic Processes
  • Palaeoclimates
  • Evolution of Vertebrates
  • Petroleum Geoscience
  • Evolutionary Palaeobiology
  • Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology
  • Inorganic Chemistry and Groundwater Borehole Design, Construction and Maintenance
  • Groundwater Organic Contaminant Pollution and Remediation
  • Professional Placements for Earth Scientists

Entry requirements

 

Applicants should normally have one of the following:

  • A non-law bachelor’s degree (from a UK university or recognised by the BSB if you wish to study the BPTC), or
  • A ‘stale’ law degree, where five or more years have elapsed since graduation, or
  • An academic or professional qualification at degree equivalent level

If English is not your first language, you will also need to demonstrate your English Language proficiency. For example, you should have IELTS 7.5 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in all components.

If you intend to become a Solicitor

The Solicitors Regulation Authority has reduced its requirements for pre-authorisation this year. For details of the current arrangements, see the SRA website. You should pay special attention to the Character and Suitability section. If you think you may have a character or suitability issue, you may wish to clarify with the SRA before proceeding with the GDL.

See further details of our English Language requirement

USA,UK & EU students, 2019/20 (per year)

£8,500

International students starting 2019/20 (per year)

£13,100

 

Assessment

You’ll show your progress through a combination of written essays, problem-solving assignments and presentations.

All students take our core modules, but please note that the availability of optional modules is subject to demand.