Geology (Volcanology)
Keele University
UCAS Code: F650 | Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Keele University
UCAS Code: F650 | Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Entry requirements
A level
BBB in three A levels
Access to HE Diploma
122 UCAS points in any Access to HE Diploma including Distinction in at least 30 Level 3 credits
GCSE/National 4/National 5
4 / C in GCSE Maths or Level 2 Functional Skills Maths, plus an English language qualification.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
555 in three Higher Levels, OR 30 points
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
DDM in any BTEC Extended Diploma / National Extended Diploma
T Level
Merit in any T level
UCAS Tariff
About this course
This course has alternative study modes. Contact the university to find out how the information below might vary.
Volcanology – the study of one of the Earth's most dynamic processes. From climate change to natural hazards, our Geology (Volcanology) BSc allows you to explore and understand the Earth’s fascinating history. Our modern programme focuses on developing your practical skills through fieldwork and laboratory scenarios, as well as enhancing your employability by offering the opportunity to spend a year working in industry. These essential skills will prepare you for highly valued careers in geology, including volcanologist, seismologist, or geological surveyor.
**Why choose this course?**
- This programme is accredited by the Geological Society of London
- Our unique 600-acre campus offers a fantastic natural environment to perform fieldwork
- Enhance your employability with study abroad and work placement options
- No prior knowledge of geology is required and there are no formal exams
- Top 20 in the UK for Earth and Marine Sciences (Guardian University League Table, 2024)
Delve into the inner workings of volcanoes and gain the geological skills to address some of our planet’s major environmental issues. Our Geology (Volcanology) BSc programme will build your comprehensive geology knowledge and skills and provide an in-depth study of volcanic processes and their effects on society.
Never studied Geology before? We've designed this programme to provide you with a solid grounding in the subject during year one, laying the foundation for advanced study in years two and three.
Your geology studies will include exploring Earth’s origins, the evolution of life, and the exploration, extraction, and management of its natural resources. As an interdisciplinary subject, it draws on geography, environmental science, chemistry, biology, and physics. You will develop an understanding of Earth’s and other planets' structures and explore the physical, chemical, and biological processes occurring deep beneath our feet.
Our volcanology pathway allows you to study specialist field techniques, equipment and software to understand different volcanic phenomena. You will explore everything from magma generation deep within the Earth, to the diverse types of volcanic eruptions and the effects of volcanoes on society, ranging from natural hazards to climate change.
**About Keele**
Keele University was established in 1949 by the former Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University. Founded to meet the needs of a changing world, Keele has always had a pioneering vision to be a different kind of university.
We excel in both teaching and research, with some of the most satisfied students in England, and research that is changing lives for the better at a regional, national and global level.
Our beautiful 600-acre campus is one of the biggest in Britain – but all the most important services and facilities are on your doorstep, with accommodation, teaching spaces, facilities including a medical centre, sports centre and pharmacy, and a range of shops, eateries and entertainment venues – including the Students’ Union – clustered around the centre.
Modules
For a list of indicative modules please visit the course page on the Keele University website.
The Uni
Keele University
School of Life Sciences
What students say
We've crunched the numbers to see if the overall teaching satisfaction score here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.
How do students rate their degree experience?
The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Earth sciences
Teaching and learning
Assessment and feedback
Resources and organisation
Student voice
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
After graduation
The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Earth sciences
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
The market for geologists is has been quite linked to the oil industry for some time now, and the drop in the price of oil has meant the industry has stopped recruiting as many people for the time being. Geologists are still in demand, though, so the main effect has been to reduce the opportunities - and salaries - for geologists working abroad. At home, the oil industry remains a big employer, and so are the mining, civil engineering, construction and consultancy industries, with geology graduates working as geologists, geophysicists, civil engineers and environmental professionals.
What about your long term prospects?
Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Earth sciences
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£19k
£26k
£29k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
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Higher entry requirements
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Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF):
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This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).
This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.
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This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.
You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.
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Post-six month graduation stats:
This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.
It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.
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Graduate field commentary:
The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show
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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.
While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?
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