Geophysics is the application of physical principles to study the structure of the Earth and other planets, and the physical processes that shape their surfaces and environments. Geophysicists are involved with assessing and mitigating natural hazards such as earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis. Geophysics is also essential to the discovery and recovery of natural resources, including critical minerals and hydrocarbons, and the evaluation of groundwater and carbon storage reservoirs.
The first year of the Geophysics degree introduces core concepts that underpin an understan...
Geophysics is the application of physical principles to study the structure of the Earth and other planets, and the physical processes that shape their surfaces and environments. Geophysicists are involved with assessing and mitigating natural hazards such as earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis. Geophysics is also essential to the discovery and recovery of natural resources, including critical minerals and hydrocarbons, and the evaluation of groundwater and carbon storage reservoirs.<br/><br/>The first year of the Geophysics degree introduces core concepts that underpin an understanding of the Earth as a physical system, including its composition and geological history, through compulsory modules shared with our other degree courses. Compulsory first-year modules also develop the quantitative mathematics, physics and computing skills that underpin modules later in the Geophysics degree.<br/><br/>In the second and third years, you will deal with material that is specialist, numerically based and at the cutting edge of geophysical research. Modules cover topics including the use of research equipment to collect geophysical data in the field; the analysis and visualization of data to understand processes at and beneath Earth’s surface; and the behaviour of hazardous geological flows. You will also be free to choose one module each year offered by any department in the University, subject to timetable constraints.<br/><br/>Graduates from our courses have secured employment across the geoscience sector, within the environmental and hydro-geological industries, in petroleum exploration, and in mineral exploration and extraction companies. The advanced quantitative skills developed during this course can provide a strong base for securing employment outside geoscience, for example, in finance, insurance and data science.<br/><br/>For more information on this course, including a list of all optional modules, please see our website.
Some courses vary and have tailored teaching options, select a course option below.
Course Details
Information
Study Mode
Full-time
Duration
3 Years
Start Date
29/09/2025
Campus
Durham City
Application deadline
Provider Details
Codes/info
Course Code
F665
Institution Code
D86
Points of Entry
Year 1
UCAS TariffNot Accepted Scottish HigherA,A,A,B,B Departments will normally make offers based on Advanced Highers. In the absence of 3 Advanced Highers, where these are not offered by the applicant’s school, offers comprising of Advanced Highers and Highers or a number of Highers may be made on a case by case basis. Two science subjects required including Mathematics. Access to HE DiplomaD:30,M:15 We require 60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at level 3 (or equivalent). Applicants may be required to meet additional subject-specific requirements for particular courses at Durham. Applicants may be required to meet additional subject-specific requirements for particular courses at Durham. This course requires science and mathematics content. International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme36 General information on subjects/grades required for entry: Seventeen points (6, 6, 5) at Higher Level including two Science subjects. Including one of HL Maths Analysis and Approaches or HL Maths Applications and Interpretation. Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)DDD Applicants may be required to meet additional subject-specific requirements for particular courses at Durham. This course requires science and mathematics content. Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)H2,H2,H2,H2,H3 Two science subjects required including Mathematics. OCR Cambridge Technical Extended DiplomaDDD Applicants may be required to meet additional subject-specific requirements for particular courses at Durham. This course requires science and mathematics content. Scottish Advanced HigherA,A,B Two science subjects required including Mathematics. Extended ProjectNot Accepted Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)Not Accepted A levelA,A,B Specific subjects/grades required for entry: Two Science subjects from Biology, Chemistry, Economics, Further Maths, Geography, Geology, Maths, Physics, Psychology or Environmental Science. Must include Mathematics or Further Mathematics. Specific subjects excluded for entry: Critical Thinking and General Studies. Information: Applicants taking Science A-levels that include a practical component will be required to take and pass this as a condition of entry. This refers only to English A Levels. T LevelAt Durham we welcome applications from students of outstanding achievement and potential from all educational backgrounds. We will consider applicants studying T level qualifications for entry to many of our courses. Where a course requires subject specific knowledge and this is not covered within the T level being studied, you may need to supplement your T level studies with a suitable qualification to meet this requirement, for example at A level. Where this is needed this will be clearly stated in our entry requirements. |
Find more courses from Durham University with our undergraduate course search.
Region | Costs | Academic Year | Year |
---|---|---|---|
England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Channel Islands, Republic of Ireland | £9,250 | 2024/25 | Year 1 |
EU, International | £31,250 | 2024/25 | Year 1 |