Imperial College London
South Kensington Campus
Kensington and Chelsea
SW7 2AZ
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Course contact details
Faculty of Engineering
Email:engineering.admissions@imperial.ac.uk
Phone:020 7594 8601
Fax: 020 7594 8609
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Earth and Planetary Science with a Year Abroad
- MSci
- 4 Years
- Full-time with time abroad
- 26/09/2026
- Undergraduate
- Main Site
- Awarded by:
- Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine (also known as Imperial College London)
Course summary
Find out how solid planetary bodies are explored using geological and geophysical principles.
This degree focuses on planets, moons, asteroids, and comets, along with geological and geophysical processes in the Solar System. You will also learn about geosciences, physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, and computing as part of an interdisciplinary degree.
During the first two years, you'll take core subjects alongside students from other Earth Science degrees.
In your third year, you can choose from optional geology or physics modules, such as astrobiology, earth systems, planetary physics, ore deposits and collisions.
As part of our courses, you'll engage in fieldwork, which allows you to put knowledge into practice and develop valuable skills.
Some students have the option to work in the field mapping the geology of areas such as the Greek Cyclades, French Massif Central, Pyrenees, French Alps, and North West Scotland.
In your fourth year, you study modules of your choice as you complete your Master's. You'll also undertake a major research project.
The planetary sciences are extremely popular due to the abundance of active and upcoming missions, requiring students to know the fundamentals of geosciences but also to be familiar with current knowledge and research problems.
Professional accreditation
This degree is professionally accredited by the Geological Society of London.
With a professionally accredited degree, you’ll be able to demonstrate to employers that you have achieved an industry-recognised standard of competency. Professional accreditation also provides international recognition of your qualifications, which you can use to launch a career abroad.
Our BSc courses in Earth Science also reduce the number of years of post-graduation experience you need in order to register as a Chartered Geologist (CGeol). This is a highly respected qualification earned by professionals working in the geosciences industries, and can help you to enhance your career prospects and earning potential.
Modules
We recommend reviewing our course page for the latest information regarding the curriculum (including core and optional modules) and course structure, as this information may be subject to periodic change.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- The Geological Society
- Royal Astronomical Society
This course is not accepting applications at this time. Please contact the provider to find out more.
Ways to study this course
Campuses
- Main Site
Study options
- MSci • Full-time with time abroad • 4 Years
Start dates
- 26/09/2026
Apply by
14 January
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:
- F520
- Institution code:
- I50
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
- Points of Entry:
- Year 1
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
Imperial College 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
This course is not accepting applications at this time. Please contact the provider to find out more.
Apply by
14 January
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:
- F520
- Institution code:
- I50
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus Code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
A level - AAA
Our minimum entry standard is AAA overall, to include:
A in Mathematics
A in Biology, Chemistry, Geography, Geology or Physics
Additionally: GCSE grade B/6 in an appropriate modern foreign language
General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted..
Students taking English exam board science A-levels will be required to pass the practical endorsement.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - Not accepted
Access to HE Diploma - Not accepted
Scottish Higher - Not accepted
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 38 points
Our minimum entry standard is 38 points overall, to include:
6 in Mathematics* at higher level
6 in Biology, Chemistry, Geography, Geology or Physics at higher level
Additionally: an appropriate modern foreign language grade 2 higher level, or grade 3 standard level
*Mathematics Analysis and Approaches or the Applications and Interpretation syllabi will be accepted at higher level with no preference.
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal - D3, D3, D3
Our minimum entry standard is:
D3 in Mathematics
D3 Physics, Chemistry, Geology, Biology or Geography
D3 other
If you do not present a Pre-U maths grade, the Department will prefer applicants with Grade 7/A‚ in GCSE Mathematics.
Additionally: an appropriate modern foreign language GCSE grade B/6
T Level - Not accepted
Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.
Additional entry requirements
- Interview
- If your UCAS application indicates that you are likely to satisfy our requirements you will be invited to participate in an interview, which may be online. You will be introduced to the Department, the staff, our courses, teaching facilities and methods and life at College by staff and our current students. You will have an interview online with a member of the academic staff.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| Cambridge English Advanced | B | For pre-2015 test, the College requires grade B overall. If your test result is 2016 onwards, the College requires 185 overall with 176 in all elements/bands |
| IELTS (Academic) | 7 | Score above refers to overall score. Additionally, a score of 6.5 is required in all bands. Results must be within 2 years of course start date in order to be valid. |
| PTE Academic | 69 | Score above refers to overall score. Additionally, a score of 62 is required in all bands. Results must be within 2 years of course start date in order to be valid. |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 100 | Score above refers to overall score. Additionally, a score of 22 is required in all bands. Results must be within 2 years of course start date in order to be valid. |
For further information on the College English entry requirements and a full list of accepted tests and grade requirements, please visit the College website URL detailed below.
College English Language Entry Requirements https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/apply/english-language/
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.
We adopt holistic approach to admissions at Imperial College London, with all applicants individually assessed, using their application, and the outcomes of interviews & test result where relevant. Our contextual admissions approach means that our selectors consider any additional barriers you are facing, which may affect your ability to show us your potential through your grades. When we make an offer for a place to study at Imperial, we set conditions that you have to meet.
Historical entry grades data BETA
This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted 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.
- Data from:
- This course and 8 other earth sciences courses
- Date range:
- 2022-2024
Grades held by accepted students
- A*A*A*
- Highest grades
- AAB
- Lowest grades
Offer rate for UK school & college leavers
Students aged 17/18 who applied to this course were offered a place.
How do you compare?
See how students with your grades have been accepted onto this course in the past.
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
Go onto work and study
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
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
Tuition fees at the home and overseas chargeable rate for 2026/27 entry are still to be confirmed.
Tuition fee rates at the home and overseas chargeable rate for 2025/26 entry are published at www.imperial.ac.uk on our course listings, which provide an indicative cost, noting that fees are likely to be subject to increases in line with inflation as per the Retail Price Index (RPIX) value.
This information will be updated in due course when the home and overseas tuition fee rates for 2026/27 are confirmed.
For further information on fees, funding, loans and grants, see: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/fees-and-funding/tuition-fees/fee-status/
For further information on fee status eligibility see: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/fees-and-funding/tuition-fees/fee-status/
Sponsorship information
We’re offering up to £5,000 each year through our Imperial Bursary scheme for eligible Home undergraduates.
If your household income remains under £70,000 a year, you’ll automatically qualify for every year of your course.
Find out more about the Imperial Bursary Scheme on our website.
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