Geosciences & Sustainable Energy

We recognise the importance of sustainable Geosciences and the growing demand for graduates who are leaders of the movement to understand climate change and can support the energy transition. BSc Geosciences and Sustainable Energy is a new degree designed to provide a clear and distinct pathway leading to a career in shaping society’s response to sustainable energy and the booming sustainable energy business.

On this innovative new degree you’ll gain the knowledge and skills needed to take an active part in the energy transition and the movement towards building a cleaner and more sustainable society.

You’ll develop a deep understanding of renewable energy sources like solar, wind, ocean energy, and the emerging technologies to harness the power of natural resources, as well as efficient resource management, and how to minimise waste and reduce pollution. You’ll explore energy storage technologies and acquire experience in subsurface evaluation for sustainable resources and critical elements minerals, developing analytical geoscience skills such as geophysics and geospatial data analysis (GIS).

You’ll study in a department consistently ranked among the top 10 in the country (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020), and home to an inspiring research culture that informs our teaching. You’ll enjoy field work opportunities in the UK and overseas, and become a part of an inclusive, community-focused department with a strong staff-to-student ratio.

Throughout your degree you'll acquire practical skills and analysis abilities and be competent to prepare presentations and reports suitable for professionals of the energy sector as well as being accessible for wider interests.

You’ll graduate with a comprehensive understanding of geoscience processes, their role in shaping the Earth and their relevance for the development of a sustainable society.

• Taught by academics involved in cutting edge research with extensive industry connections

• Develop an in-depth understanding of the complex issues around climate change and energy transition

• Gain practical skills geared towards a career in the energy sector and other related fields

• Graduate with excellent employability prospects in the booming sustainable energy business.

Please refer to our website for information: https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/studying-here/undergraduate/earth-sciences/geosciences-sustainable-energy/

Teaching and learning is conducted primarily by means of practical classes. Lectures are used to introduce material and provide a context for private study, while tutorials supplement and reinforce knowledge and understanding. Field and laboratory project work carried out as individuals or in teams represent valuable opportunities for students to develop in-depth knowledge of specialist areas and help bring the syllabus to life.

Assessment is through a mix of coursework and end-of-year examination in varying proportions, depending on the chosen course units. Coursework can include literature research reports, fieldwork and laboratory exercises and reports, computer-based research projects, oral presentations and independent dissertations.

The first year is foundational, and marks do not count towards your final degree. The second and final-year marks do count, with the final year marks being more heavily weighted in order to reward progress and achievement. In the final year you will carry out an independent research project and write a research report with individual guidance from your tutor.

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

• The Geological Society