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.
This particular course
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 |
All Geography, Earth and Environmental Studies courses of The University of Manchester
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 |
All Geography, Earth and Environmental Studies Courses in the UK
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.
All Earth Sciences courses of The University of Manchester
Current jobs
All courses of The University of Manchester
Required skill level of job after 15 months
All Earth Sciences courses of The University of Manchester
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
This particular 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 |
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
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
-
Total number of students enrolled at The University of Manchester by level Academic year 2021/22 - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on February 2022
- undergraduates:
- 30130
- postgraduates:
- 12730
- Total:
- 42860
-
Number of students enrolled in courses of subject “Planetary Science”: 1440 Academic year - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on February 2022
Where is this programme taught



Similar courses
Program | University | Student satisfaction | Unemployed | Dropout | Tuition (UK) | Tuition (International) | City | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Earth and Planetary Science BSc (Hons) | Imperial College of Science | 87% | 10% | 0% | £9250 | £40940 | 145 | London |
On campus
Full-time
|
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Earth and Planetary Science with an Integrated Foundation Year MEarthSci | The University of Manchester | - | 5% | 8% | £9250 | - | - | Manchester |
On campus
Full-time
|
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Earth and Planetary Sciences BSc (Hons) | The University of Manchester | 53% | 5% | 10% | - | - | - | Manchester |
On campus
Full-time
|
![]() |
Environmental Geoscience BSc (Hons) | Durham University | 91% | 20% | 0% | £9250 £9250 | £29500 £31250 | - | Durham |
On campus
Full-time
|
![]() |
Environmental Geoscience BSc (Hons) | The University of Edinburgh | 66% | 5% | 5% | £9250 | £34800 | - | Edinburgh |
On campus
Full-time
|
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Environmental Geoscience with a Year of Study Abroad BSc (Hons) | Cardiff University | 92% | 5% | 3% | £9000 | £28200 | - | Cardiff |
On campus
Full-time
|
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Geoscience BSc (Hons) | University of Aberdeen | 94% | 10% | 0% | £9250 | £24800 | - | Aberdeen |
On campus
Full-time
|
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Environmental Earth Science (with integrated year in industry) BSc (Hons) | Aberystwyth University | 69% | 0% | 20% | £9000 | £18830 | 111 | Aberystwyth |
On campus
Full-time
|
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Environmental Geoscience BSc (Hons) | Cardiff University | 92% | 5% | 10% | £9000 | £28200 | - | Cardiff |
On campus
Full-time
|
![]() |
Environmental Geoscience BSc (Hons) | University of Bristol | 85% | 8% | 10% | £9250 | £29300 | - | Bristol |
On campus
Full-time
|
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.
- The University of Manchester achieved the highest ranking for Geology. It is ranked #20 in CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject (Geology). See all subject rankings for The University of Manchester.
- 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.
Ranking publishers
The University League Tables
- Published:
- 14 May, 2024
The Times and The Sunday Times
- Published:
- 20 September, 2024
THE Times Higher Education, UK
- Published:
- 17 January, 2025
- Criteria used in ranking -THE World University Rankings by Subject:
- 37.4% Teaching (the Learning Environment)
37.6% Research (Volume, Income and Reputation)
15% Citations (Research Influence)
7.5% International Outlook (Staff, Students and Research)
2.5% Industry Income (Knowledge Transfer)
British Quacquarelli Symonds, UK
- Published:
- 10 April, 2024
- Criteria used in ranking -QS World University Rankings By Subject:
- Academic Reputation: 50%
Employer Reputation: 30%
Research Citations Per Paper: 10%
H-index: 10%
ShanghaiRanking Consultancy
- Published:
- 11 November, 2024
Urap
- Published:
- 22 July, 2024