University of Aberdeen
Geology and Physics BSc (Hons)
University of Aberdeen

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews of 10 graduates of Geology and Physics BSc (Hons) and other courses in Physics at University of Aberdeen for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Physics.

Overall student satisfaction
87 /100
10 total respondents

Primarily based on data from undergraduate degree students.

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 Physics 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 £24500 £23500 £29500
25-75 percentile range £21000 - £27000 £18500 - £30000 £23500 - £39000


Salary of all UK Graduates of Earth Sciences

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £27921 £27036 £32104
25-75 percentile range £24053 - £32060 £21289 - £33837 £24974 - £41824

Course Description

Geology offers you the chance to find out how the Earth works and when you combine Physics with this subject you get a real sense of energy and matter and their interaction.

Geology - studying the Earth beneath our feet and it’s fascinating 4.5 billion years of history, from volcanoes and earthquakes to dinosaurs and ancient rivers - is central to our transition to a sustainable future. Geology provides you with the skills you need to explore the processes that have shaped the Earth and its surface and subsurface environments through time, equipping you with powers to address the major modern world challenges, from climate change to sustainable energy, and from water security to natural disasters.

This programme teaches and utilises the latest fieldwork, digital and technological skills and techniques to show you how to extract valuable information recorded in Earth’s rocks, minerals and fossils: an archive that holds the keys to many of the issues we face today such as climate change, water management, natural hazards and transition from fossils fuels to geothermal energy and other sources of renewable energy.

You will examine the origin, structure and composition of the three major rock groups; igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary, learning about the most fascinating and important geological events and how we date them, and developing the professional geological skills needed to gather and interpret data in the field.

Physics challenges our imaginations with concepts like relativity and string theory and leads to great discoveries about how the world works. Physics is the most fundamental of sciences. At its most basic, it is about explaining and predicting what happens in the physical universe. This covers topics so vast they don’t get much bigger, such as "How the universe has evolved into its present state?" to topics of daily importance such as "Will the car I’m in stay on the road as it corners?" or "Will an artificial hip joint last as long as the patient?"

Physics encompasses the study of the Universe from the largest galaxies to the smallest subatomic particles and is the basis of many other sciences, including chemistry, oceanography, seismology, and astronomy. Discoveries in Physics make possible technological innovations like transistors and the microchip, computers and lasers which in turn change our lives.

Geology at Aberdeen is ranked 6th in the UK by the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023. We are ranked 6th in the UK for Physics - The Guardian University Guide 2022.

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 and Physics BSc (Hons) at University of Aberdeen

25% Sales occupations
15% Teaching Professionals
10% Administrative occupations
5% Business and public service associate professionals
5% Media Professionals
5% Secretarial and related occupations
5% Artistic, literary and media occupations
5% Managers, directors and senior officials
5% Legal professionals
5% Business, Research and Administrative Professionals

Grading & Study Time

**Students are assessed by any combination of three assessment methods:** Coursework such as essays and reports completed throughout the course; Practical assessments of the skills and competencies they learn on the course; Written examinations at the end of each course. The exact mix of these methods differs between subject areas, years of study and individual courses. Honours projects are typically assessed on the basis of a written dissertation.

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for Physics

Qualification requirements

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

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

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

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

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate: D plus AB in two A Levels to include English. Preferred:- Performing Arts, Art & Design, Digital Film and Video Production,Business IT, Applied Science,Sport, Sport and Exercise Science

Scottish Higher qualifications are considered on an individual basis

English language requirements

test Grade Additional Details
IELTS (Academic) 6

Overall - 6.0 with: Listening - 5.5 or above; Reading - 5.5 or above; Speaking - 5.5 or above; Writing - 6.0 or above.

IELTS Indicator or IELTS General Training are not accepted

TOEFL (iBT) 78

TOEFL iBT and TOEFL Home Edition (online) - DI code is 0818: Overall 78 with: Listening - 17 or above; Reading - 18 or above; Speaking - 20 or above; Writing - 21 or above.

PTE Academic 59

Overall - 59 with: Listening - 59 or above; Reading - 59 or above; Speaking - 59 or above; Writing - 59 or above.

Online Test is not accepted

Trinity ISE

Pass overall at ISE II with a distinction in writing and merit in the other three skills.

Institution's Own Test

Academic English Pre-sessional Programmes - Pass (valid for one year) OR Academic English Preparation Programme - Pass at Level Four (valid for one year)

Cambridge English Advanced

Overall - 169 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing -169.

Cambridge English Proficiency

Overall - 169 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing -169.

When you are thinking about studying overseas, it is important that you understand all the costs involved and budget accordingly. It is essential to budget for your studies prior to leaving your home country and to arrange all your funding for BOTH your tuition fees and your living costs.

View the University of Aberdeen Online Prospectus programme page to find out about any scholarships and funding you may be able to apply for.
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Geology and Physics, 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 and Physics BSc (Hons)

Ireland £9250 year 1
International £26100 year 1
England UK £9250 year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 year 1
Wales £9250 year 1
Channel Islands £26100 year 1
EU £26100 year 1
Scotland £1820 year 1
International £24800 year 1
Channel Islands £9250 year 1
EU £24800 year 1

Additional fee information

EU/International Applicants: When you are thinking about studying overseas, it is important that you understand all the costs involved and budget accordingly. It is essential to budget for your studies prior to leaving your home country, and arrange all your funding for BOTH your tuition fees and your living 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:

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 University of Aberdeen in top UK and global rankings.

Rankings of University of Aberdeen in related subject specific rankings.

Natural Sciences

    • #4 
    • #15 
    Geology
    CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
    [Published 08 June, 2023]
    • #3 
    • #101 
    Geology
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #3 
    • #154 
    Geology
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]

Social Studies & Humanities

    • #4 
    • #101 
    Geography
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 19 July, 2022]
    • #4 
    • #151 
    Geography
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #4 
    • #176 
    Social Sciences
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 26 October, 2022]

See all 28 university rankings of University of Aberdeen

About University of Aberdeen

Dating back to the year 1495 we find the University of Aberdeen, located in the Scottish city of the same name. The main site of this ancient institution is Old Aberdeen, where students in the arts and social sciences as well as the physical sciences carry out their learning. Meanwhile on the significantly more modern campus site Foresterhill, learners in the medical and research fields occupy their own purpose-built buildings, such as Suttie Centre.

List of 511 Bachelor and Master Courses from University of Aberdeen - Course Catalogue

Where is this programme taught

Main Site
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