The University of Manchester
Earth and Planetary Sciences BSc (Hons)
The University of Manchester

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews for 25 graduates of Earth and Planetary Sciences BSc (Hons) at The University of Manchester for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Earth Sciences.

Overall student satisfaction
53 /100
25 total respondents
The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of Graduates in Geography, Earth and Environmental Studies

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 £26500 £32000
25-75 percentile range £22500 - £28000 £22500 - £33000 £26000 - £41000


Salary of all UK Graduates of Geography, Earth and Environmental Studies

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £24981 £25160 £29470
25-75 percentile range £21491 - £29019 £20386 - £31251 £23549 - £37770

Course Description

Our 3 year BSc degree in Earth and Planetary Sciences is focussed on a holistic understanding of Earth systems in order to learn from the past, comprehend the present and influence the future. As Earth Science is at the crossroads of the natural sciences, it provides an enriching alternative to a single honours degree in subjects such as maths, physics, chemistry, geography or biology, and can open the door to an exciting range of career options.

On our course you will learn to read the 4.5 billion-year record of the Earth, including the formation of our solar system, the evolution of living systems and changing environmental conditions, while also studying the sustainable development of Earth's energy and resources. And on your doorstep will be some of the UK's wildest settings, ideal for outdoor learning.

During your time with us you will be a part of a dynamic community trying to answer some of the most pressing global issues that we all face. Your work could make a contribution to solving some of the world's greatest challenges.

Course structure

Our BSc in Earth and Planetary Sciences is a three year degree which offers you the flexibility to tailor your interest in Earth and Planetary Science in one of six pathways:

  • Geology;
  • Geochemistry;
  • Planetary science;
  • Energy and resources;
  • Geology with physical geography;
  • Palaeobiology.

The department

We are a Department of environmental scientists, geologists, chemists, mathematicians, biologists, physicists and computer scientists, who work together to study the Earth and planets. Our degrees cover the full breadth of earth and environmental sciences, reflecting the main research themes that are fundamental to the work we do in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences.

The reputation of Earth and Planetary Science at The University of Manchester's Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences rests on our world-leading interdisciplinary research into processes operating on, within and beyond the Earth. This research incorporates biological, chemical, physical and environmental aspects of the world and solar system we live in. The close alignment between our teaching and research ensures that units are delivered by scholars who are at the forefront of their disciplines.

Skills

Our course will equip you with an armoury of skills to take into the world of work, including the ability to analyse problems, to work collaboratively as part of a team, and to develop field, laboratory, numeracy and communication skills.

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 Earth and Planetary Sciences BSc (Hons) at The University of Manchester

15% Media Professionals
15% Protective service occupations
10% Administrative occupations
10% Finance Professionals
10% Managers, directors and senior officials
5% Caring personal services
5% Teaching Professionals
5% Sales occupations
5% Customer service occupations
5% Business, Research and Administrative Professionals

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for this course

Qualification requirements

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

Scottish Higher qualifications are considered on an individual basis

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

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

Combined with other level 3 qualifications to achieve 112 - 128 tariff points.

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.

If Mathematics is not taken beyond GCSE, a grade 7, (or A) in GCSE Mathematics, or Core Mathematics grade B is essential

The University recognises a number of foundation programmes as suitable for entry to this undergraduate programme.

Applicants completing the INTO Manchester in partnership with The University of Manchester International Foundation Programme are required to achieve grades ABB, including least one science subject, and grade B in English for Academic Purposes (EAP).

Applicants completing the NCUK International Foundation Programme are required to achieve ABB, including least one science subject, and grade B in English for Academic Purposes (EAP).

Applicants studying other Foundation programmes should contact the Department Admissions Team to check if their qualification is recognised for entry to this programme and for specific entry requirements.

English language requirements

test Grade
IELTS (Academic) 6.5
TOEFL (iBT) 90
IELTS (Academic) 6.5
TOEFL (iBT) 90

Visit our dedicated Scholarships page for information on scholarships and sponsorships available to you, including the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences own William Boyd Dawkins Scholarship.
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Earth and Planetary Sciences, BSc (Hons), 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.

How to apply

Application deadline:

August 1, 2026

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)

UCAS application code:

F701

University Rankings

#10
University Guru Meta Ranking
of The University of Manchester

among 379 universities in England UK
based on 38 different rankings

Positions of The University of Manchester in top UK and global rankings.

Rankings of The University of Manchester in related subject specific rankings.

Natural Sciences

    • #15 
    • #20 
    Geology
    CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
    [Published 14 May, 2024]
    • #14 
    • #20 
    Geology
    The Times Good University Guide by Subject
    [Published 20 September, 2024]
    • #11 
    • #51 
    Geology
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 10 April, 2024]
    • #10 
    • #76 
    Earth Sciences
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 11 November, 2024]
    • #7 
    • #117 
    Environmental Sciences
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2024]
    • #11 
    • #140 
    Geology
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2024]

Social Studies & Humanities

    • #7 
    • #9 
    Geography
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 11 November, 2024]
    • #6 
    • #19 
    Geography
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 10 April, 2024]
    • #6 
    • #37 
    Social Sciences
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 17 January, 2025]

See all 38 university rankings of The University of Manchester

About The University of Manchester

The University of Manchester is a publicly funded research university with a mission to advance education, knowledge and wisdom for the good of society. University of Manchester’s main site is home to the majority of its faculties and is referred to by its students as ‘the campus’, although in reality Manchester does not have a campus but is instead interspersed throughout the city of Manchester.

List of 622 Bachelor and Master Courses from The University of Manchester - Course Catalogue

Student composition of The University of Manchester

undergraduates:
30130
postgraduates:
12730
Total:
42860
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Where is this programme taught

Main Site
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FAQ about Earth and Planetary Sciences BSc (Hons) The University of Manchester

  • The median salary of graduates of this course was £25000 15 months after graduation, £26500 3 years after graduation and £32000 after graduation.

  • Media Professionals (15%), Protective service occupations (15%), Administrative occupations (10%), Finance Professionals (10%)

  • 25 graduates rated the course 53. This means that 53% of graduates indicated that they were satisfied or very satisfied with the course. See detailed ratings above and how these compare to the averages at other universities.

  • Earth and Planetary Sciences BSc (Hons) is taught on campus and cannot be taken online at The University of Manchester.

  • It is rather difficult to get accepted into this course. Accepted students had an average UCAS tariff score of 156 which is higher than 69.57% of all Planetary Science courses in the UK.