Geology

About this course
Investigate all aspects of Earth sciences from rocks, fossils, and volcanoes through to the ocean and our atmosphere.

On your four-year integrated Geology master's you'll take part in comprehensive field-based training with fieldwork opportunities across the UK and Europe, which may include a week-long residential course in Tenerife studying volcanic processes and a five week Independent Mapping Project.

Based at the National Oceanography Centre Southampton (NOCS), one of the leading research centres globally for ocean science, you'll graduate able to join the many students from this course who have gone on to very successful research careers (often PhD level and beyond), and higher-level employment in multinational companies such as Shell, BP, Anglo American, and Barrick Gold.

Key features of the course:

• Complete an applied and multidisciplinary degree with a high level of fieldwork

• Study at the National Oceanography Centre Southampton (NOCS), one of the leading research centres globally for ocean science

• Benefit from the flexibility to select modules aligned to your interests

• Learn through a mixture of lectures, laboratory work, and field work, graduating with real-life skills suited to industry to enhance your employment prospects

• Become part of a department ranked 8th in the UK and top 40 globally, QS World Rankings by Subject (Earth and Marine Science) 2026

• Join a University where 99% of Ocean and Earth Science graduates were in employment or further study 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes 2022/2023, published 2025).

Student support
Our supervisors will mentor you throughout your studies as you gain the expertise needed to take the next steps in your career. They will help you decide on optional modules, and discuss your future career plans to ensure you are on the right path for you.

Further information
This course is open to UK and international applicants and, depending on the modules you choose, is predominantly based at our Waterfront Campus.

We have a varied range of modules for all years, which gives you the opportunity to tailor your studies to your passions and to equip you with the skills and experiences needed for success as a graduate. Here's what you might expect, from each year of study:

Year 1: An introduction to fundamental topics for understanding the earth system, alongside developing key analytical and field skills.
Year 2: Develops depth of knowledge in a broad range of earth science topics alongside developing advanced field skills.
Year 3: Choose specialist modules and put into practice independent analytical and field skills by undertaking an Independent Mapping Project.
Year 4: Conduct a novel piece of independent research alongside choosing specialist modules from a range of advanced topics.

For full list of all modules available, please visit the course page.

Your learning is delivered, and assessed, through a wide range of methods to ensure you develop a broad variety of skills that will set you up for success after graduation.

The learning activities for this course include lectures, classes and tutorials, coursework, individual and group, projects, and independent learning.

We’ll assess you using coursework, laboratory reports and essays, individual and group projects, and written and practical exams.

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

• The Geological Society