Earth Sciences

If you want to:

• learn more about how our planet works

• help protect the planet

• tackle the greatest challenges facing society and the natural world

• find out how we can live sustainably on our planet

Then this degree is for you.

Why Earth sciences?

The world needs Earth scientists now more than ever before.

For example, we need them to:

• help us address the climate crisis

• adapt to environmental changes

• secure the energy and materials society needs

• live more safely and sustainably on our dynamic Earth

With our (MEarthSci) Earth Sciences, you will:

• study our Earth's past to prepare for its future

• learn about the structure and composition of the Earth

• develop a deep understanding of the processes that shape the Earth and life on it

• learn how these processes interact and depend on each other

Our degree will help you play a valuable role in our transition to a fair and sustainable society.

What will I learn?

Our Earth Sciences programme is a new degree that prepares you for advanced careers in the Earth sciences and beyond.

The degree covers:

• data science, programming, and computing skills

• traditional field and laboratory skills

• knowledge of Earth sciences

We will train you in the skills needed to answer the important questions in the Earth sciences, including:

• How can we reduce the effects of global change?

• What tools can we use to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere?

• Why is our planet able to sustain life?

• How does the Earth's interior work, and how do these processes affect the surface?

• How can we sustainably manage the Earth's resources to meet our energy, mineral, and water needs?

• How can we improve our understanding of natural hazards such as earthquakes and volcanoes to reduce their risk and save lives?

We have a hands-on approach to learning, so you can develop valuable practical skills. Many of your activities are similar to what professionals do in the real world.

You will also learn computational analysis and quantitative skills.

You will learn from leading national and international Earth scientists across a range of fields. We help make sure your degree has real-world relevance and improves your employability.

Our links offer you valuable networking and potential employment opportunities. You can meet and interact with professionals from different sectors during your studies. This will give you the opportunity to gain insight into working environments, where Earth scientists make contributions to our everyday lives.

This degree also offers you flexibility in your studies. You will be able to build your degree around topics you are interested in. Our staff can also help you design an interdisciplinary curriculum by choosing option courses from other subjects.

An extraordinary reputation

We are one of the largest and most successful groupings of geographers, Earth and environmental scientists in the UK, many of whom are world experts in their field.

• We have pioneered research proving human-caused greenhouse gases are warming our planet, which helped underpin the 2015 Paris Agreement.

• We are working with major space agencies to monitor the environment using satellite data.

• We are 22nd in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2024.

• We are also in the world's top 50 and the UK's top 10 universities for natural sciences, environmental sciences, geology, geophysics, Earth and marine sciences, (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023).

Our staff will include the latest research in your teaching, and share our discoveries with you.