Durham University
Geology BSc (Hons)
Durham University

Course modalities offered
  • On campus - h College allocation pending
  • Sep 30, 2024 Full-time - 3 years
  • On campus - h Durham City
  • Sep 30, 2024 Full-time - 3 years

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews of 45 graduates of Geology BSc (Hons) and other courses in Earth Sciences at Durham University for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Earth Sciences.

Overall student satisfaction
85 /100
45 total respondents

Primarily based on data from undergraduate degree students.

chart data
Source: National Student Survey NSS 2023. The Overall student satisfaction data point is from 2022 (latest available year). The Office for Students made the unfortunate decision to discontinue collecting overall student satisfaction data points per course.
All Earth Sciences courses of Durham University
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 £26500 £28500 £32500
25-75 percentile range £23000 - £29500 £22500 - £33000 £25000 - £41500
Source: HESA - Graduate Outcomes Survey Oct 10, 2023
All Earth Sciences courses of Durham University


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
Source: Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) by UK Department for Education Dec 20, 2022
All Earth Sciences courses in the UK

Course Description

Understanding the processes involved in shaping the Earth’s surface through the study of minerals and rocks can inform us about the impact of past and present changes in environmental conditions. This knowledge will allow us to develop solutions to protect society and the planet from today’s challenges, from climate change and natural disasters to resource shortages and sustainability.

Our flexible degree puts you in control, giving you both the fundamentals and increased specialisation as you progress through the degree, allowing you to choose a pathway of most interest to you. The BSc Geology is accredited by the Geological Society of London.

Combining academic excellence and cutting-edge research, the course will equip you with the tools needed for employment in a range of sectors, including mineral exploration and petroleum geology, engineering geology, environmental and hydrogeology consultancies, GIS, geological surveys, or for further study or research. Numeracy, critical thinking and problem-solving skills developed on the course are highly valued in a wide range of non-geology careers, including teaching, business management, insurance and accounting, banking and finance.

In the first year, you will develop a fundamental understanding of Earth Sciences and build on the practical skills required to study rocks and fossils in the field, including a field trip to the Lake District. Year 2 specialises more in geological aspects, during which you will develop your knowledge of core geological disciplines associated with igneous, metamorphic, sedimentary and tectonic processes and includes three one-week field courses, to Assynt, Almeria and Arran. In Year 3, you will undertake a research geological mapping dissertation and develop advanced knowledge in specialist geological topics of your choice with multiple residential field work opportunities, including one week in Cyprus.

You may be able to transfer to the four-year MSci degree in Earth Sciences at the end of your second year.

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.

chart data
Source: HESA - Graduate Outcomes Survey Oct 10, 2023
This particular course

Current jobs

chart data
Source: HESA - Graduate Outcomes Survey Oct 10, 2023
This particular course

Required skill level of job after 15 months

chart data
Source: HESA - Graduate Outcomes Survey Oct 10, 2023
This particular course

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

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

25% Elementary occupations
15% Design occupations
15% Administrative occupations
15% Teaching Professionals
5% Business, Research and Administrative Professionals
5% Welfare and housing associate professionals
5% Sales occupations
5% Business and public service associate professionals
5% Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation
5% Artistic, literary and media occupations
Source: Unistats by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) Oct 10, 2023

Grading & Study Time

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Entry Requirements / Admissions

Source: UCAS Dec 4, 2023

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for this course

chart data
Source: Unistats by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) Oct 10, 2023
This particular course

Qualification requirements

Including a relevant subject/science @ C or above (80 UCAS tariff points)

In a relevant subject/science (112 UCAS tariff points)

M in T Level Health, Healthcare Science, or Science.

Our contextual offer for this programme is A level BBB/ABC (or equivalent, to include 2 science subjects at grade B or above). To find out if you’re eligible, please visit: https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/how-to-apply/what-happens-to-your-application/contextual-offers/

Source: UCAS Dec 4, 2023

Requirements for international students / English requirements

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

    • 6.5
    • All other courses
    • 4.5
    • Foundation
    • 6.5
    • Graduate Degrees
    • 6.5
    • Undergraduate Degrees
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)

Ireland £9250 year 1
Channel Islands £9250 year 1
EU £29500 year 1
England UK £9250 year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 year 1
Scotland £9250 year 1
Wales £9250 year 1
International £29500 year 1

Additional fee information

The tuition fees for 2024/25 academic year have not yet been finalised, they will be displayed here once approved.

Source: UCAS Dec 4, 2023

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.

Source: Own research based on surveys and university data

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 Durham University in top UK and global rankings.

Rankings of Durham University in related subject specific rankings.

Natural Sciences

    • #4 
    • #5 
    Geology
    CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
    [Published 08 June, 2023]
    • #5 
    • #7 
    Geology
    The Times Good University Guide by Subject
    [Published 15 September, 2023]
    • #8 
    • #46 
    Geology
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #9 
    • #60 
    Geology
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]

Social Studies & Humanities

    • #4 
    • #4 
    Geography
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #5 
    • #14 
    Geography
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #11 
    • #81 
    Social Sciences
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 19 October, 2023]

See all 38 university rankings of Durham University

About Durham University

Founded in 1832, Durham University (DU) is located in the cathedral city of Durham, North East England. DU takes pride in having numerous subject fields ranked among the best in the world according to QS, as well as having an exceptionally large course catalogue without compromising the quality that students can expect. Apart from the impressive academic opportunities on offer, students can also participate in numerous sports, music, and art-based extracurricular activities on-site.

List of 211 Bachelor and Master Courses from Durham University - Course Catalogue

Student composition of Durham University

Total number of students enrolled at Durham University by level Academic year 2021/22 - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on February 2022
undergraduates:
17140
postgraduates:
4365
Total:
21505
Number of students enrolled in courses of subject “Geology”: Academic year - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on February 2022
Source: Academic year 2021/22 - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on February 2022
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Where is this programme taught

College allocation pending
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Durham City
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Admission advice for international students