Palaeontology BSc (Hons)
University of Portsmouth
Key Course Facts
Student Reviews
Below you can see course specific reviews for 15 graduates of Palaeontology BSc (Hons) at University of Portsmouth 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 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 | £22500 | £22500 | £26000 |
25-75 percentile range | £18000 - £27500 | £17000 - £28000 | £18500 - £32500 |
All Earth Sciences courses of University of Portsmouth
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 |
All Earth Sciences courses in the UK
Course Description
Overview
Are you interested in studying the processes of how life on Earth began, evolved and diversified? Do you enjoy getting your hands dirty as well as spending time in the lab? Get ready to dig up the past on our BSc (Hons) Palaeontology degree course, which is accredited by The Geological Society of London.
- Reveal the secrets of ancient life in our petrology and palaeontology laboratories, stocked with rock, mineral and fossil specimens
- Work alongside our active academic research team on the latest palaeontological theories and models, as they integrate new ideas and data into teaching
- Unearth your own discoveries on field trips in locations such as the Isle of Wight, Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site locations Lulworth Cove and Lyme Regis, and other famous fossil localities
Accredited by:
This course is accredited by the Geological Society of London.
Careers and opportunities
Palaeontology is the study of ancient life, from the earliest algae to the biggest dinosaurs and our first human ancestors. It seeks to uncover the ways in which life on Earth evolved through the ages, and in turn, how this can help us better understand the natural world today.
Studying fossilised lifeforms can reveal facts about biology, ecology and evolution vital to many modern environmental issues, including climate change.
On this BSc (Hons) Palaeontology degree, you gain the knowledge and expertise to become a skilled palaeontologist, without any previous experience in palaeontology or geology.
When you graduate, you’ll have a strong set of transferable skills suitable for a range of scientific roles, in areas such as energy resources and exploration, environmental consultancy, teaching and museum curation.
You could also continue your studies with our research master's programme in Palaeontology, which would enable you to spend a year working on a dedicated project in an paleontological area that interests you. Many of our MRes students publish papers in scientific journals by the time they complete the programme.
What areas can you work in with a palaeontology degree?
Previous students have gone on to work and study in areas such as:
- energy resources and exploration
- environmental consultancy
- museum curation
- teaching
- academic research
What jobs can you do with a palaeontology degree?
They've gone on to work in the following roles:
- researcher of vertebrate palaeontology
- geographic information systems (GIS) editor
- science teacher
Placement opportunities
After your second year, you can do an optional work placement to get valuable longer-term work experience in the industry. Placements give you the opportunity to apply what you've learnt so far in a real workplace, boosting your employability and making you attractive to employers after graduation.
You can work for a company or organisation here in the UK or overseas, or you could go independent by setting up and running your own business with other students.
Previous students have enjoyed placements at civil engineering, mining and quarrying companies and the Dinosaur Isle museum on the Isle of Wight.
Whichever route you choose, you'll receive support and guidance. Our specialist team of Science and Health Careers advisors can help you with finding a work placement and improving your employability skills. They'll provide you with a database of placement vacancies, support with your job search – including help with applications and interviews – and support throughout your placement.
Ongoing careers support
After you graduate, you can get help, advice and support for up to 5 years from our Careers and Employability Service as you advance in your career.
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.
This particular course
Current jobs
All courses of University of Portsmouth
Required skill level of job after 15 months
This particular course
Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)
Example below based on all graduates of Palaeontology BSc (Hons) at University of Portsmouth
25% | Web and Multimedia Design Professionals |
15% | Science, engineering and technology associate professionals |
15% | Natural and social science professionals |
5% | Elementary occupations |
5% | Science, engineering and technology associate professionals |
5% | Administrative occupations |
5% | Caring personal services |
5% | Other Health Professionals |
5% | Sales occupations |
5% | Teaching Professionals |
Entry Requirements / Admissions
UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for this course
This particular course
English language requirements
test | Grade | Additional Details |
---|---|---|
IELTS (Academic) | 6 | English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5. |
PTE Academic | 54 | An overall score of 54 with a minimum of 51 in each skill. |
TOEFL (iBT) | 79 | 79 with a minimum of 18 in Reading, 17 in Listening, 20 in Speaking and 17 in Writing. |
Cambridge English Advanced | Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) taken after January 2015. An overall score of 169 with no component score less than 162. |
|
Cambridge English Proficiency | Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) taken after January 2015. An overall score of 169 with no component score less than 162. |
|
Trinity ISE | Trinity College Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III with a Pass in all 4 components |
Costs
Tuition Fees Palaeontology BSc (Hons)
EU | £9250 | year 1 |
---|---|---|
England UK | £9250 | year 1 |
Northern Ireland | £9250 | year 1 |
Scotland | £9250 | year 1 |
Wales | £9250 | year 1 |
Channel Islands | £9250 | year 1 |
Ireland | £9250 | year 1 |
International | £20200 | year 1 |
Additional fee information
Students who are resident in EU countries: please note that the net fee is inclusive of the Transition Scholarship
Placement Year and Year abroad:
UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £925 |
EU – £925 (including Transition Scholarship)|
International (Non-EU) – £2,000
Fees are accurate at the time of publishing and are subject to change at any time without notice.
Fees may also go up in later years, in line with inflation
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)
- year 2
- year 3
University Rankings
Positions of University of Portsmouth in top UK and global rankings.
Rankings of University of Portsmouth in related subject specific rankings.
Natural Sciences
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-
- #22
- #27
-
- Geology
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CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
[Published 08 June, 2023]
-
-
- #21
- #27
-
- Geology
-
The Times Good University Guide by Subject
[Published 15 September, 2023]
-
-
- #20
- #201
-
- Geology
-
QS World University Rankings By Subject
[Published 22 March, 2023]
-
-
- #23
- #431
-
- Geology
-
URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
[Published 22 July, 2023]
Social Studies & Humanities
-
-
- #29
- #151
-
- Geography
-
GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
[Published 27 October, 2023]
-
-
- #55
- #401
-
- Social Sciences
-
THE World University Rankings by Subject
[Published 19 October, 2023]
See all 31 university rankings of University of Portsmouth
About University of Portsmouth
The University of Portsmouth is located on the United Kingdom’s only island city, Portsmouth. This public university, which was previously known as Portsmouth Polytechnic, forms part of the University Alliance, an organisation whose aim is to promote growth and innovation in the UK by putting an emphasis on links with business and industry.
List of 234 Bachelor and Master Courses from University of Portsmouth - Course Catalogue
Student composition of University of Portsmouth
-
Total number of students enrolled at University of Portsmouth by level Academic year 2021/22 - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on February 2022
- undergraduates:
- 18085
- postgraduates:
- 5005
- Total:
- 23090
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Number of students enrolled in courses of subject “Palaeontology”: 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) | UCAS Tariff | City | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Palaeontology and Evolution BSc (Hons) | University of Bristol | - | 8% | 0% | £9250 | £29300 | 173 | Bristol | On campus Full-time | |
Palaeontology BSc (Hons) | University of Portsmouth | 86% | 10% | 15% | £9250 | £20200 | 126 | Portsmouth | On campus Full-time | |
Palaeontology and Geology BSc (Hons) | University of Birmingham | 84% | 0% | 0% | £9250 | - | 159 | Birmingham | On campus Full-time |
Ranking publishers
The University League Tables
- Published:
- 08 June, 2023
The Times and The Sunday Times
- Published:
- 15 September, 2023
THE Times Higher Education, UK
- Published:
- 19 October, 2023
- 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:
- 22 March, 2023
- 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:
- 27 October, 2023
Urap
- Published:
- 22 July, 2023