Plymouth University
Geology MGeol
Plymouth University

Course modalities offered
  • On campus - h Main Site
  • Sep 16, 2024 Part-time - 5 years
  • On campus - h Main Site
  • Sep 16, 2024 Full-time - 4 years

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews of 105 graduates of Geology MGeol and other courses in Earth Sciences at Plymouth University for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Earth Sciences.

Overall student satisfaction
86 /100
105 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 Plymouth 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 £25000 £23000 £27500
25-75 percentile range £23000 - £30000 £17500 - £27000 £22000 - £33000
Source: HESA - Graduate Outcomes Survey Oct 10, 2023
All Earth Sciences courses of Plymouth 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

The Earth sciences are critical to shaping the future of our planet. Geologists use their knowledge of the earth’s evolution and the physical, chemical and biological process that shape our planet, to pioneer sustainable futures.

Our four-year integrated master degree in geology will develop your knowledge and skills through advanced fieldwork, research training and opportunities to establish links with industry professionals, priming you for success in a range of geological careers in academia, government or industry. Modules explore geohazards and risk, clean energy transitions, and long term environmental change.

  • Four year integrated masters programme.
  • Sharpen your research skills working alongside staff on a research or industry-related project, with the potential to be published in a peer-reviewed journal.
  • 100 per cent of the final year is taught at masters-level.
  • Our approachable staff share their cutting-edge research and expertise through varied teaching practices in lectures, tutorials, practical classes and field courses.

- Learn to apply the latest techniques in the field and laboratory. Our substantial fieldwork programme uses the unrivalled local range of geological and geographical locations. Residential overseas fieldwork visits regions of active tectonics such as Death Valley, Italy and Sicily.

  • All students have the opportunity to spend your second year studying abroad in Europe, Canada, Australia, USA or elsewhere through our bilateral and ISEP exchange programmes.
  • Students can undertake a placement year, between the second and final year, working full time for a geological employer.
  • Improve your skills in our open access laboratory, LABplus.
  • Develop your confidence with your personal tutor, providing you with regular guidance throughout your degree.
  • Get support from students in the year ahead via our PALS mentoring scheme.
  • Live and study close to the sea, Dartmoor and two geological UNESCO World Heritage sites.
  • Receive free essential field safety equipment as part of your welcome package.
  • Work towards becoming a Chartered Geologist, our accreditation by the Geological Society, the world’s oldest and most prestigious national learned society for geology, helps you to gain the required experience.

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
All courses of Plymouth University

Required skill level of job after 15 months

chart data
Source: HESA - Graduate Outcomes Survey Oct 10, 2023
All Earth Sciences courses of Plymouth University

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

Example below based on all graduates of Geology MGeol at Plymouth University

20% Teaching Professionals
13% Sales occupations
10% Administrative occupations
9% Business and public service associate professionals
9% Business, Research and Administrative Professionals
7% Media Professionals
6% Welfare and housing associate professionals
4% Artistic, literary and media occupations
3% Managers, directors and senior officials
3% Business and public service associate professionals
Source: Unistats by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) Oct 10, 2023

Grading & Study Time

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24% of assessment is by exam, 50% by coursework and 26% practical assessment For up to date details, please refer to our website or contact the institution directly

Entry Requirements / Admissions

Minimum Required UCAS Tariff

Range of UCAS points to include a minimum of 2 A Levels with a Grade B in a relevant science subject: Biology, Maths/Use of Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Environmental Science/Studies, Applied Science, Geography, Geology or Technology.

Source: UCAS Dec 4, 2023

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for Earth Sciences

chart data
Source: Unistats by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) Oct 10, 2023
All Earth Sciences courses of Plymouth University

Qualification requirements

The Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate will be accepted in lieu of one A Level at the A Level grades specified, excluding any subject specific requirements.

Access to HE Diploma

Including one in a relevant subject/science (80 UCAS tariff points)

31-30 overall or 665-655 in 3 HL subjects.

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

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

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

Including one in a relevant subject/science (90 UCAS tariff points)

GCSE Maths and English Language at a Grade C/4

Source: UCAS Dec 4, 2023

English language requirements

test Grade Additional Details
IELTS (Academic) 6

With 5.5 in all elements.
Source: UCAS Dec 4, 2023

The University of Plymouth has a dedicated International Student Advice (ISA) service who will support you from the day you accept an offer at the University, right through to graduation. They will offer help and advice so you can get the most out of your studies, and your time in the UK, visit www.plymouth.ac.uk/student-life/services/international-students/international-student-advice for more information. Once you have applied through UCAS, your conditional offer letters will also be sent to you by email, so be sure to enter your current email address on your application and to check this email regularly. You'll need your unconditional letter, and the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) that we'll send you, when applying for your student visa to the UK. A tuition fee deposit will be required before we'll send you the CAS. We're a licenced Sponsor under the Points Based System. To comply with our duties as a Sponsor, we're required to check other aspects of your application in addition to your academic achievements, for example any previous studies, financial status and your immigration history in the UK. For course entry requirements (inc. English requirements) please refer to the specific page for the course you are interested in (www.plymouth.ac.uk/study). A recognised English language qualification (e.g. IELTS) would be required or successful completion of one of the University's pre-sessional English Language courses. Check our country pages to find out more about application from your specific home country www.plymouth.ac.uk/international/study/international-students-country-guides. International fees, please visit our fees and funding pages www.plymouth.ac.uk/study/fees. If you have any questions please contact [email protected]
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Geology, MGeol, if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Costs

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)
  • year 2
  • year 3
  • year 4

University Rankings

Positions of Plymouth University in top UK and global rankings.

Rankings of Plymouth University in related subject specific rankings.

Natural Sciences

    • #17 
    • #22 
    Geology
    The Times Good University Guide by Subject
    [Published 15 September, 2023]
    • #19 
    • #24 
    Geology
    CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
    [Published 08 June, 2023]
    • #14 
    • #101 
    Geology
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #20 
    • #307 
    Geology
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]

Social Studies & Humanities

    • #28 
    • #151 
    Geography
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]

See all 29 university rankings of Plymouth University

About Plymouth University

Founded in 1992, Plymouth University is established in the small city of Plymouth, South West England. The university has a variety of residence halls at distinct price points, and all within walking distance of your classrooms. When wandering off-campus, students will find a blend of both urban and rural surroundings, ensuring that there’s something for everyone here.

List of 221 Bachelor and Master Courses from Plymouth University - Course Catalogue

Student composition of Plymouth University

Total number of students enrolled at Plymouth University by level Academic year 2021/22 - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on February 2022
undergraduates:
13880
postgraduates:
2275
Total:
16155
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

Main Site
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Admission advice for international students