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Geoscience

  • Master of Science (with Honours)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-Time
  • 20 September 2027
  • Undergraduate
Main Site
More about Royal Holloway, University of London

Course options

2026-20272027-2028
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Course summary

As far as we know, planet Earth and the plants and animals on it represent a single oasis of life in an otherwise barren universe. Geoscience at Royal Holloway, University of London helps to develop a holistic understanding of the formation and evolution of Earth and the life on it.

This comprehensive four-year programme brings together elements of physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics to give you a thorough understanding of the complex systems that govern our planet and its neighbours. You’ll graduate with a Masters degree in Earth Sciences, making you a highly employable candidate in a range of scientific and technical fields and putting you in a strong position to progress to further postgraduate study.

You’ll study in a prestigious department consistently ranked among the top 10 in the country (The Complete University Guide and The Times Good University Guide 2018) – and contribute to our renowned research culture with your year 4 Independent Geoscience Project.

Pursue your passion for Geoscience and unlock some of our planet’s most compelling secrets. This exciting programme has seen previous graduates progress to careers in the hydrocarbon and environmental industries, among others, and is ideal for those who wish to pursue research degrees in further postgraduate study.

Modules

Course Modules

Core Modules

Year 1

  • Physics and Chemistry of the Earth

  • Earth Scientists Toolkit

  • Evolving Earth

  • Dynamic Planet

  • Human Interaction with the Earth

  • Academic Integrity

Year 2

  • Stratigraphy and Past Sedimentary Environments

  • Geological Evolution and Deep Time Synthesis

  • Igneous and Metamorphic Geology

  • Geochemistry

  • Earth Scientists Mapping Toolkit

  • Earth Scientists Practical Toolkit

  • Earth Scientists Digital Toolkit

Year 3

  • Independent Geological Field Mapping

  • Techniques in Earth Sciences

  • Earth Scientists Independent Project

Year 4

  • Formation and Evolution of the Continents

  • Evolution of the Modern Earth

  • Field and Research Skills

  • Research Proposal and Critical Review

Optional Modules

Below is a taster of some of the exciting optional modules that students on the course could choose from during this academic year. Please be aware these do change over time, and optional modules may be withdrawn or new ones added.

Year 1
  • All modules are core
Year 2

  • Sedimentary Basin Analysis

  • Geohazards

  • Applied Geophysics

  • Structural Analysis and Remote Sensing

  • Topics in Palaeobiology

Year 3

  • Marine Geology

  • Advanced Topics in Sedimentology

  • Hydrogeology

  • Volcanology

  • Planetary Geology and Geophysics

  • Advanced Techniques in Tectonic and Structural Interpretation

  • Modern Climate Change

  • Mineral Resources

  • Topics in Palaeobiology

Year 4
  • All modules are core

https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/studying-here/undergraduate/earth-sciences/geoscience/

Assessment method

The course has a modular structure, whereby students take sixteen course units at the rate of four per year. Some course units are compulsory while others are elective, thereby offering flexibility and choice.

Assessment is by a mixture of coursework and end-of-year examination in varying proportions, depending on the course units you choose to take.

The first year is foundational and marks do not count towards your final degree. Second year, third year and final year marks do count, with more importance being given to the final year marks in order to reward progress and achievement.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

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

Start dates

  • 20 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:
F601
Institution code:
R72
Campus name:
Main Site
Points of Entry:
Year 1

Royal Holloway, University of London 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:
F601
Institution code:
R72
Campus name:
Main Site

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level
ABB-BBC

including B in a science subject

Where an applicant is taking the EPQ alongside A-levels, the EPQ will be taken into consideration and result in lower A-level grades being required.

Socio-economics factors which may have impacted an applicant's education will be taken into consideration and alternative offers may be made to these applicants.

Acceptable Science subjects: Mathematics, Physics, Geology, Chemistry, Geography, Biology.

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

Scottish Higher
AABBB

including an acceptable Mathematics or Science subject.

Access to HE Diploma
Distinction: 27

remaining level 3 credits at Merit.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

We require English Language and Mathematics GCSE at grade 4 (C)

Scottish Advanced Higher
ABB-BBC

including an acceptable Mathematics or Science subject.

Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF)
Not accepted

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

In a relevant subject, plus one A-level grade B in an acceptable Mathematics or Science subject.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Offer: 32

6,5,5 at Higher level or 32 points overall.

Including a 5 HL in an acceptable Science subject

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

in a Science subject with substantial Mathematics content.

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
H2H2H3H3H3

including H3 in one acceptable Mathematics or Science subject.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
D

Plus two A-levels grades BB including one A-level in an acceptable Mathematics or Science subject.

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)

Requirements are as for A-levels where one non-subject-specified A-level can be replaced by the same grade in the Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal

Applicants with the Cambridge Pre-U are strongly encouraged to apply to Royal Holloway. Offers will be made on the basis of equivalent A-Level grades as can be found on the Royal Holloway website.

Combinations of qualifications will be considered on an individual basis, please contact us on admissions.enquiries@rhul.ac.uk to discuss your situation

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.

At Royal Holloway, we know every student approaches university with different experiences and backgrounds. We look at each application individually, and different factors can affect the exact offer a student receives. For instance, our contextual offer scheme means students from disadvantaged socio-economic background can receive a different offer. For full details please see our website.

Learn more on the Royal Holloway, University of London 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 & International£29900*
England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland & Channel Islands£9790*

* 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

Other essential costs: Students are recommended to purchase a laptop before starting their course, to assist with their studies. The optional residential field courses incur an extra fee.

*The tuition fee for Home (UK) undergraduates is controlled by Government regulations. This figure is the fee for the academic year 2026/27 and is shown as a guide. The fee for the academic year 2027/28 has not yet been confirmed.

*This figure is the fee for EU and international students starting a degree in the academic year 2026/27 and is shown as a guide. The fee for the academic year 2027/28 has not yet been confirmed.

Royal Holloway reserves the right to increase tuition fees annually for all students. For further information see fees and funding: https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/studying-here/fees-and-funding/

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