Cardiff University
Geology BSc (Hons)
Cardiff University

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews for 15 graduates of Geology BSc (Hons) at Cardiff University for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Earth Sciences.

Overall student satisfaction
80 /100
15 total respondents
The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of Graduates in Earth Sciences

Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of Earth Sciences at the university. Due to data collection methodology, salary data is mainly based on data related to undergraduate students.

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £24000 £23500 £29000
25-75 percentile range £20500 - £28000 £20000 - £28000 £24500 - £34500


Salary of all UK Graduates of Earth Sciences

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £24981 £24496 £28785
25-75 percentile range £21491 - £29019 £19181 - £30313 £22339 - £36076

Course Description

Overview and aims of the Programme

To find solutions to some of the biggest problems facing our planet today we need to understand the Earth’s history and processes. Geologists use their knowledge of past climates and hazards to understand and address the challenges we face from issues like climate change and natural disasters.

On our Geology course you will explore how rocks and minerals are formed, how animals evolve over geological time, what causes earthquakes and volcanoes and how the science of Geology impacts on our lives today. You will develop skills in fieldwork, data capture, analysis and confident decision making.

We make the most of our location and take regular field trips in South Wales to explore how geology impacts on the landscapes and the industry of the region. There will also be opportunities to do overseas trips, in the past we’ve been to Spain and Cyprus.

We’ve worked with industry to design our degree so you graduate with the specialist skills needed to be a professional geologist.

You don’t need to have studied Geology already as we’ll be starting year one with the basic principles to bring everyone to the same level.

Distinctive Features of the Programme

  • Professional accreditation - our Geology degree is accredited by the Geological Society, the professional body for geosciences in the UK. This accreditation keeps us connected to industry and allows our graduates to become chartered Geologists.
  • Student satisfaction - Belong to a small and friendly community voted close to the top among all Russell Group Universities in the main category of Overall Satisfaction in the National Student Survey 2019.
  • Flexible degree schemes - all of the School’s degrees have a common first semester that introduce you to geosciences and geography. You can then decide whether to stay with your chosen degree or switch to another in the same School. BSc Geology students also have the most flexibility in years two and three with a range of optional modules to choose from.
  • Hands-on fieldwork - you will get plenty of opportunity to develop your fieldwork skills with regular day trips and residential trips in Wales and overseas. South Wales has a diverse geological history and there are lots of outstanding natural landscapes for us to explore. A mapping trip to Spain is also included in your course fees.
  • World leading experts and facilities – you will be taught by world-leading earth scientists and have access to the latest technologies and training for surveying and mapping geological features.
  • Access to the British Geological Survey and National Museum of Wales - our school is in the same building as the Welsh office of the British Geological Survey and next door to the National Museum of Wales. We use the exhibition galleries of the National Museum and material from its collections to enhance our teaching. The British Geological Survey Wales also provide ideas for student projects and advice on professional skills and careers.

Accredited by the Geological Society for the purpose of partially meeting the experience requirement for Chartered Geologist.

Jobs & Career Perspectives

15 months after graduation, graduates of this course were asked about what they do and, if they are working, about their current job and their perspectives.

Current jobs

Required skill level of job after 15 months

Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)

Example below based on all graduates of Geology BSc (Hons) at Cardiff University

30% Administrative occupations
15% Business and public service associate professionals
15% Sales occupations
10% Elementary occupations
5% Business, Research and Administrative Professionals
5% Process, plant and machine operatives
5% Information Technology Professionals
5% Managers, directors and senior officials
5% Science, engineering and technology associate professionals
5% Administrative occupations

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for this course

Qualification requirements

We do not accept Critical Thinking, General Studies, Citizenship Studies, or other similar equivalent subjects. We will accept a combination of BTEC subjects, A-levels, and other qualifications, subject to the course specific grade and subject requirements.

Requirements for international students / English requirements

IELTS academic test score (similar tests may be accepted as well)

    • 6.5
    • MBA

Further information for International applicants can be found at http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/international

Cardiff University has many scholarships on offer to our prospective students. Please see our website at http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/funding/scholarships for further information.
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Geology, BSc (Hons), if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Costs

Tuition Fees Geology BSc (Hons)

England UK £9000 year 1
Northern Ireland £9000 year 1
Scotland £9000 year 1
Wales £9000 year 1
Channel Islands £9000 year 1
Ireland £9000 year 1
EU £25450 year 1
International £25450 year 1
EU £28200 year 1
International £28200 year 1

Additional fee information

Students from the UK and Islands:

Fees stated are for the 2024/25 academic year. The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees in the second and subsequent years of a course as permitted by law or Welsh Government policy. Where applicable we will notify you of any change in tuition fee by the end of June in the academic year before the one in which the fee will increase.

Fees for entry in subsequent years are subject to increase and will be confirmed by the end of October in the year preceding your start date of your programme.

Tuition fees cover all reasonable costs required for you to complete to the degree programme stated. Please note that you may choose to participate in study trips, associated placements or purchase equipment while studying on your degree programme which will be at your own cost. Tuition fees do not include living costs such as accommodation, subsistence or travel.

Students from the EU, EEA, and Switzerland:

Students from the rest of the world (international):

Fees for entry in subsequent years are subject to increase and will be confirmed by the end of October in the year preceding your start date of your programme.

Tuition fees cover all reasonable costs required for you to complete the degree programme stated. Please note that you may choose to participate in study trips, associated placements or purchase equipment while studying on your degree programme which will be at your own cost. Tuition fees do not include living costs such as accommodation, subsistence or travel.

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

How to apply

Application deadline:

January 1, 2025

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.

Possible Entry Points:

  • year 1 (Default entry point)

University Rankings

Positions of Cardiff University in top UK and global rankings.

Rankings of Cardiff University in related subject specific rankings.

Natural Sciences

    • #1 
    • #17 
    Geology
    CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
    [Published 08 June, 2023]
    • #1 
    • #101 
    Geology
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #1 
    • #156 
    Geology
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]

Social Studies & Humanities

    • #1 
    • #21 
    Geography
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 19 July, 2022]
    • #1 
    • #51 
    Geography
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #1 
    • #126 
    Social Sciences
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 26 October, 2022]

See all 33 university rankings of Cardiff University

About Cardiff University

Established in 1883, Cardiff University is located in the urban setting of the city of Cardiff, Wales. Some of the university’s most obvious advantages include world-leading research, a knowledgeable and proactive career services office, and the central location. Cardiff is a vibrant, modern city with a young and diverse population known for accepting people from all walks of life.

List of 334 Bachelor and Master Courses from Cardiff University - Course Catalogue

  • Student life at Cardiff University
  • Student Megan tells you all about Chemistry at Cardiff
  • Cardiff University - Adult Nursing (BN)
  • International students at Cardiff University School of Biosciences

Where is this programme taught

Main Site - Cardiff
map marker Show on map

Similar courses

Program University Student satis­faction Unem­ployed Drop­out Tuition (UK) Tuition (Inter­national) UCAS Tariff City
Geology with Foundation Year BSc (Hons) University of Southampton 76% 0% 15% £9250 £23620 124 Southampton On campus Full-time
Geology BSc (Hons) Cardiff University 80% 5% 0% £9000 £25450 £28200 130 Cardiff On campus Full-time
Environmental Geology BSc (Hons) Royal Holloway, University of London 78% 5% 0% £9250 £25200 144 Egham On campus Full-time
Geology with a Year in Industry BSc (Hons) Royal Holloway, University of London 78% 5% 0% £9250 £25200 144 Egham On campus Full-time
Physics with Geology BSc (Hons) University of Aberdeen 87% 10% 10% £9250 £26100 £24800 185 Aberdeen On campus Full-time
Geology BSc (Hons) Durham University 85% 0% 5% £9250 £29500 174 Durham On campus Full-time
Geology BSc (Hons) University of St Andrews 88% 0% 0% £9250 £30160 166 St Andrews On campus Full-time
Resource and Exploration Geology BSc (Hons) University of Exeter - - - £9250 £29700 - Exeter On campus Full-time
Geology BSc (Hons) University of Exeter 82% 0% 0% £9250 £29700 163 Exeter On campus Full-time
Geology BSc (Hons) University of Aberdeen 92% 10% 0% £9250 £26100 £24800 188 Aberdeen On campus Full-time