Course details
Earth Sciences is the holistic study of the planet from the core to the surface, its water and the surrounding atmosphere.
This four-year Master’s degree has been designed to provide a comprehensive and rigorous education in all aspects of Earth Sciences along with the opportunity to interact with staff at the cutting-edge of scientific research.
It provides you with the opportunity to follow the Geology, Environmental Geosciences, Geophysics with Geology or Geoscience pathway for the first three years and undertake a detailed independent research project ...
Course details<br/>Earth Sciences is the holistic study of the planet from the core to the surface, its water and the surrounding atmosphere.<br/>This four-year Master’s degree has been designed to provide a comprehensive and rigorous education in all aspects of Earth Sciences along with the opportunity to interact with staff at the cutting-edge of scientific research.<br/>It provides you with the opportunity to follow the Geology, Environmental Geosciences, Geophysics with Geology or Geoscience pathway for the first three years and undertake a detailed independent research project in the area of your choice in the fourth year.<br/>Ideally suited to students with a strong interest in research, the course incorporates a substantial amount of independent (and group) project work which will involve you in high-level quantitative investigations, in addition to advanced key skills training.<br/><br/>Why Durham University?<br/>Durham is one of the UK’s leading providers of Earth Sciences education. We offer six undergraduate courses, four of which are accredited by The Geological Society of London.<br/>Our courses explore the full geological spectrum including climate change, oceans, mass extinctions, rocks and minerals, volcanoes, and the structure and chemistry of the Earth. <br/>Our multidisciplinary approach applies physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology and physical geography to real world scenarios to make sense of todays major geoscience concerns.<br/><br/>**Rankings**<br/>**World Top 50** in QS World University Subject Rankings 2023<br/>**7th** in The Guardian University Guide 2024<br/>**5th** in The Complete University Guide 2024<br/>**7th** in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024<br/><br/>**Career Opportunities**<br/>You will graduate with the scientific foundations and transferable skills to move directly into the workplace or to progress to a more specialised postgraduate qualification.<br/>Career prospects for Durham graduates are excellent. Geology and Earth Sciences graduates are highly valued by employers and go on to a wide range of highly successful careers in the sector and beyond, working in industry and research, including environmental management, water management, energy and engineering geology.<br/>Some of the high-profile employers our graduates have gone on to work for include ATKINS, ARUP, Centrica and the Environment Agency.
1 option available
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Course Details
Information
Study Mode
Full-time
Duration
4 Years
Start Date
29/09/2025
Campus
Durham City
29 January
Application deadline
Provider Details
Codes/info
Course Code
F644
Institution Code
D86
Points of Entry
Year 1
Not Accepted
A,A,A,A,B
We will normally make offers based on Advanced Highers. If an applicant has not been able to take 3 Advanced Highers, offers may be made with a combination of Advanced Highers and Highers, or on a number of Highers.
D: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.
37
Eighteen points (6, 6, 6) at Higher Level including two Science subjects required.
DDD
H2,H2,H2,H2,H2
Must include 2 Science subjects
DDD
Including two Sciences
A,A,A
General information on subjects/grades required for entry: Two Science subjects required.
D3,D3,D3
Must include 2 Science subjects
Not Accepted
A,A,A
Specific subjects/grades required for entry: Two science subjects from Biology, Chemistry, Economics, Further Maths, Geography, Geology, Maths, Physics, Psychology or Environmental Science. For the Geophysics route, Mathematics or Further Mathematics at A-level at grade B or above, or a comparable qualification in Mathematics is required. 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.
At 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. Detailed entry requirements can be found on individual course entries on our courses database. https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/courses/f644/#entry-requirements-1237507
Not Accepted
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Region | Costs | Academic Year | Year |
---|---|---|---|
England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Channel Islands, Republic of Ireland | £9,535 | 2025/26 | Year 1 |
EU, International | £33,250 | 2025/26 | Year 1 |