Archaeology/Environmental Geoscience

Archaeology is the study of how people in the past interacted with their world, through a detailed study of their objects, sites, monuments and landscapes. Environmental Geoscience is the study of the interaction between natural geological and anthropogenic processes and environments. It focuses on working towards a sustainable future by understanding how humans affect, and are affected by, a range of geological and environmental issues including climate change, water resources, pollution, landscape change, and geological and environmental hazards. You will use your understanding of the Earth system to solve real world socio-environmental problems.

Environmental Geoscience prepares you to pursue a variety of careers including geo-environmental consultancy, engineering & water management, geological hazards, and renewable energy development & implementation.

Why study this course at the University of Glasgow?

You will have the opportunity to gain practical fieldwork skills in the UK and abroad. Recent students have worked on excavation projects across Europe and the Near East, including the Baltic states, Cyprus, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Portugal, and Spain, and on high-profile projects within Scotland. Throughout the programme we emphasise that you should gain practical heritage work experience including archaeological fieldwork techniques and developing the social benefits of archaeology. We provide day and residential fieldtrips for our students to archaeological sites, landscapes, museums and other heritage venues. You will also be able to take part in current staff research projects including survey and excavation, as well as working in archaeological archives and collection-based projects. You can gain work experience in various heritage and museum organisations through our network of placement providers. We can also help students get onto excavation teams across Europe. The flexibility of our programmes will enable you to choose your specialist subject after an integrated first and second year which will prepare you for both degrees in Environmental Geoscience and Geology. We deliver a series of specialised courses that will prepare you for a career in many geo-environmental sectors, including geo-environmental engineering, management and monitoring. You will take part in an exciting fieldwork programme at various UK locations.

Career Prospects?

Employers, from banking and law to business and tourism, value the transferable skills that an archaeology degree offers such as teamworking, practical problem-solving, working with the public and critical analysis.

Many graduates are employed in vocational archaeological and heritage roles working for government agencies, the charitable sector and other heritage organisations in Scotland and beyond. These include the National Trust for Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland, Archaeology Scotland, the British Museum, National Museums of Scotland and Glasgow Life, as well as various companies offering commercial archaeological services in the UK and abroad. Our recent graduates are employed by a range of organisations and private companies in the geo-environmental sector such as:

Atkins Realis

BAM Nuttall Ltd

Equinor Hywind

Mason Evans

Scottish Environment Protection Agency

Scottish Water.