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Earth Sciences

  • Master of Science (with Honours)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-Time
  • 28 September 2027
  • Undergraduate
Main Campus
More about Durham University

Course options

2026-20272027-2028
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Course summary

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 in the area of your choice in the fourth year.
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.

Why Durham University?
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.
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.
Our multidisciplinary approach applies physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology and physical geography to real world scenarios to make sense of today's major geoscience concerns.

Rankings
3rd in the UK Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026
5th in the Guardian University Guide 2026
5th in the UK Complete University Guide 2026
Top 100 in the QS World University Rankings 2026

Career Opportunities
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.
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.
Some of the high-profile employers our graduates have gone on to work for include ATKINS, ARUP, Centrica and the Environment Agency.

Modules

Course Modules

For current information please scroll to the bottom of the page for Provider Information and select Visit our Course Page under Course Contact Details.

Assessment method

You will be assessed through a combination of coursework, class tests and end-of-year examinations. A significant proportion of your final assessment will be through your dissertation in Year 3 and your research project in Year 4.

In addition to the help provided by your subject lecturers, you can also access extensive support for your assessments through ASC, the Academic Skills Centre. See below for details: https://www.durham.ac.uk/departments/centres/academic-skills-centre/

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Campus

Study options

  • Master of Science (with Honours) • Full-Time • 4 Years

Start dates

  • 28 September 2027

Apply by
13 January 2027

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
F644
Institution code:
D86
Campus name:
Main Campus
Points of Entry:
Year 1, 2

Durham University has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
13 January 2027

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
F644
Institution code:
D86
Campus name:
Main Campus

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2

Open days

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Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level
AAA

Specific subjects/grades required for entry:
including two sciences from Biology, Chemistry, Computer and Marine Science, Economics, Further Mathematics, Geography, Geology, Environmental Sciences, Engineering, Life and Health Sciences, Mathematics, Physics, Psychology or Statistics. For the Geophysics route, Mathematics or Further 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.

T Level

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

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

Scottish Higher
AAAAB

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.

Access to HE Diploma
Distinction: 30 Merit: 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.

Scottish Advanced Higher
AAA

General information on subjects/grades required for entry:
Two Science subjects required.

Extended Project
Not accepted

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Offer: 36

666 at higher level including two science subjects

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DDD

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
H2H2H2H2H2

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)
Not accepted

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
Not accepted

Our contextual offer for this programme is A level BBB (or equivalent) including two sciences from Biology, Chemistry, Computer and Marine Science, Economics, Environmental Sciences, Engineering, Further Mathematics, Geography, Geology, Life and Health Sciences, Mathematics, Physics, Psychology or Statistics. For the Geophysics route, Mathematics or Further Mathematics is required.

To find out if you’re eligible, please visit: https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/how-to-apply/what-happens-to-your-application/contextual-offers/ https://www.dur.ac.uk/study/ug/apply/entry/

English language requirements

Acceptable evidence and levels required can be viewed by visiting the link below under English Language requirements. You should be able to demonstrate satisfactory English proficiency before the start of a programme of study, whether via the submission of an appropriate English language qualification or by attendance on an appropriate pre-sessional course. For more information on pre-sessional courses please visit: https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/international/entry-requirements/english-language-requirements/pre-sessional-english-language-required/https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/international/entry-requirements/english-language-requirements/

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

Whilst many of our applicants exceed our entry requirements, we don’t make offers based only on who has the highest grades. We’ll look at your background, context and personal statement as well as your academic grades when we consider your application. We also make reduced grade contextual offers to many applicants and are sometimes able to accept applicants who narrowly miss their offer conditions.

Learn more on the Durham University website

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
EU & InternationalTBC
England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands & Republic of Ireland£10050*

* This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

The tuition fees shown for home students remain subject to parliamentary approval. They are for one complete academic year of full-time study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Durham University will charge home rate tuition up to the maximum allowed by the UK Government. Fees for subsequent years of your course may rise in line with an inflationary uplift as determined by the government.

The tuition fees shown for international and EU students are for one complete academic year of full-time study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees are subject to an annual inflationary increase. Tuition fees will rise annually by up to the higher of 6% or the latest annual percentage increase in the Consumer Prices Index.

As a student you may also get involved in optional activities which incur additional costs. To find out more visit https://www.dur.ac.uk/colleges-and-student-experience/additional-charges/.

Sponsorship information

Scholarships and bursaries 2

Durham University offers a range of scholarship opportunities to academically well-qualified and highly motivated students. For further details, including deadlines for application, please visit: https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/scholarships/

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