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Environmental 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

Population growth, global industrialisation and other related issues are putting our planet under unprecedented strain. As an Environmental Geoscientist you'll be in a position to apply both acute problem-solving skills and the profound understanding of humanity’s relationship with the planet required to help overcome some of our most significant threats.

This four-year programme gives you a thorough understanding of environmental geoscience, and is an ideal preparation to progress into postgraduate study or a scientific or technical career.

The Department of Earth Sciences is consistently ranked among the country’s top 10 (The Complete University Guide and The Times Good University Guide 2018) and you'll work alongside our expert academics in a friendly, community-focussed department.

Participating in exciting fieldwork opportunities in the UK and overseas will develop your scientific understanding and hands-on experience of environmental, ecological and health issues. Choose from a range of optional modules in years two, three and four, tailoring your learning experience to fit your interests and career ambitions.

You’ll graduate with an integrated Masters (MSci) degree from one of the UK’s most highly-regarded departments, with the practical and research skills you need to pursue a rewarding career in your chosen field.

This programme has been developed to lead students to posgraduate study and and is also recommended for those who wish to undertake a broader and deeper study of the subject. It will prepare you for careers in petroleum geology, environmental engineering, geographic analysis and other exciting sectors.

Develop a deep understanding of humanity’s relationship with the planet.

Participate in exciting fieldwork opportunities.

Choose from a range of optional modules to tailor your learning to fit your interests.

Recommended for those who wish to undertake a broader and deeper study of the subject.

Prepares you for careers in environmental engineering, geographic analysis and other sectors.

Graduate with a degree accredited by the Geological Society.

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

  • Geohazards

  • Geochemistry

  • Geological field skills for Environmental students

  • Earth Scientists Practical Toolkit

  • Earth Scientists Digital Toolkit

Year 3

  • GIS and Remote Sensing

  • Environmental Geology Independent Project

  • Advanced Geohazards

  • Techniques in Earth Sciences

  • Earth Scientists Independent Project

Year 4

  • Independent Geoscience Project

  • Water Quality, Diagnosis and Management

  • Air Pollution, Monitoring Impacts and Management

  • Environmental Inorganic Analysis

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

  • Igneous and Metamorphic Geology

  • Applied Geophysics

  • Structural Analysis and Remote Sensing

  • Topics in Palaeobiology

Year 3

  • Extended Essay (Dissertation)

  • Advanced Topics in Sedimentology

  • Hydrogeology

  • Volcanology

  • Modern Climate Change

  • Mineral Resources

Year 4

  • Water Quality, Diagnosis and Management

  • Air Pollution, Monitoring Impacts and Management

  • Environmental Inorganic Analysis

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

Assessment method

The course has a modular structure, with students taking sixteen course units at the rate of four per year. Some course units are compulsory while others are elective, thereby providing 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, whereas the second year, year abroad 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:
F631
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:
F631
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 a B in 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

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 related 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 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

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Typical qualification requirements

Scottish Advanced Higher BBC

including an acceptable Mathematics or Science subject.

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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