University of Southampton
Geophysics MSc
University of Southampton

Key Course Facts

Course Description

If you are looking for a professional career in geophysics or quantitative Earth science, this degree is for you. Your four-year MSci Geophysics degree will equip you with a broad knowledge of contemporary geophysics and a range of geophysical, geological and mathematical skills, including field skills and computer programming.

This broad course is one of only a few in the UK that combines terrestrial and marine geophysics. You can shape the course to your personal interests or career plans by choosing options that explore subjects like:

current and past climate change tides and waves hydrocarbon exploration our unique seafloor surveying module

In your final-year you will get the opportunity to work alongside one of the University's cutting edge research groups completing an extensive research project in a specialised area of geophysics.

Accredited by the Geological Society of London, this means that our teaching is of the highest quality and approved by an independent body of academics and experts.

The University of Southampton is ranked 7th in the Russell Group for Satisfied with course. *Guardian best UK universities league table 2021, Earth and Marine Sciences subject area.

Subject revalidation.

The learning activities for this course include the following: lectures classes and tutorials coursework individual and group projects independent learning (studying on your own) How we’ll assess you We’ll assess you using: coursework, laboratory reports and essays individual and group projects oral presentations written and practical exams

Entry Requirements / Admissions

Minimum Required UCAS Tariff

Qualification requirements

AAB to include Maths and Physics. Science practical components must be passed. General Studies, Critical Thinking and Use of Mathematics are excluded for entry. Contextual offer: ABB to include Physics and Maths

We normally consider applicants who offer at least 1 Advanced Higher. Applicants presenting with only Highers will be considered on a case by case basis. Where Highers are taken over two years it might be expected that higher grades are achieved, particularly in any specific subjects required. For example, S5 – S6 (2 years): AABBB (A in specific subject) or S6 (1 year): ABBBB (A in specific subject). Unless a more advanced level (Higher or Advanced Higher) is specified in the stated entry requirements, all applicants will be required to have achieved a pass in Mathematics and English at Standard Grade, Grade 3 or National 5, Grade C, the equivalent of GCSE Grade C/ Grade 4" We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education. Please see the University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information. Applicants are also required to have achieved a pass in Maths and English at Standard Grade Grade 3 or National 5 Grade C, the equivalent of GCSE Grade C/Grade 4. We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

DD + AA at A-Level (or equivalent), to include Maths and Physics.

ABB in 3 A-levels to include Physics and Maths plus Grade A in EPQ

Pass with overall score of 34 points, with 17 points required at higher level: including 6 points from Maths and Physics. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP): The University of Southampton accepts the IBCP for entry to their degree programmes, recognising the value of combining academic skills with practical skills, providing a solid preparation for university level work. Offers will be made on the individual components of the IBCP. Applicants not taking the full IBCP but presenting with a combination of a Level 3 vocational qualification and IB Certificates may still be considered. Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information. We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

DDD + AA at A-Level (or equivalent), to include Maths and Physics.

H1, H2, H2, H2, H2, H2 to include Maths and Physics. We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

D + AA at A-Level (or equivalent), to include Maths and Physics.

D + AA at A-Level (or equivalent), to include Maths and Physics.

AA from two A-Levels, to include Maths and Physics and B from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate. We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

GCSEs: achieve at least a Grade 4 in English, Science and Mathematics GCSEs (taken in England) or a Grade C in both subjects (where taken in Northern Ireland or Wales). English Language proficiency for international students: All programmes at the University of Southampton are taught and assessed in the medium of English (other than those in modern foreign languages). Therefore, all applicants must demonstrate they possess at least a minimum standard of English language proficiency. For more information on the University of Southampton’s English Language entry requirements, please see the English Language Proficiency webpage. AQA Tech Levels: The University accepts the new AQA Tech Level qualification, which must be offered in combination with at least one A Level. For degrees in Engineering, Computing and related subjects, the A Level must be in Mathematics and the units M1 and M2 must be taken. Typical entry criteria for degrees in Engineering will be to achieve an A in the A Level plus D*D in the Tech Level, or A* in the A Level plus DD in the Tech Level. For Computer Science and Information and Technology in Organisations, typical offers will be to achieve an A in the A Level and DD in the Tech Level. We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

English language requirements

test Grade Additional Details
IELTS (Academic) 6 with no component below 5.5

Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Geophysics, MSc, if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Costs

Tuition Fees Geophysics MSc

International £21580 year 1
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

Additional fee information

Please note that the Fees shown are those charged for entry in September 2020. Fees for entry in September 2021 will be available at the end of August 2020. Please see our website for further details and updates : www.southampton.ac.uk/uni-life/fees-funding.page

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, 2024

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 Southampton in top UK and global rankings.

See all 34 university rankings of University of Southampton

About University of Southampton

The University of Southampton, often abbreviated to Soton, is a research university located in Southampton, England. Although the university was founded in 1862, it has only enjoyed full university status from 1952 onwards. The university has five campuses in total, with the main one based in the Highfield area of Southampton.

Student composition of University of Southampton

Students by level of study Academic year 2020/21 - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on 10 February 2022
undergraduates:
14055
postgraduates:
6000
Total:
20055
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Where is this programme taught

Main Site - Highfield Campus
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