Geophysics and Geology
The University of Edinburgh
UCAS Code: F690 | Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
The University of Edinburgh
UCAS Code: F690 | Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Entry requirements
A level
AAA - ABB. These grades should be achieved in one set of exams. Required subjects: A levels: Mathematics at A; Physics at B. GCSEs: English at C or 4.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
from 34 points with 666 at HL to 32 points with 655 at HL. Required subjects: HL: Mathematics (Analysis and approaches only) at 6; Physics at 5. SL: English at 5.
Scottish Higher
ABBB by end of S5 or AAAB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6. Required subjects: Highers: Mathematics at A; Physics at B. Higher Applications of Mathematics is not accepted in place of Higher Mathematics. National 5s: English at C.
UCAS Tariff
We've calculated how many Ucas points you'll need for this course.
About this course
If you are curious about how our planet works and want to help solve some of our biggest global challenges, geophysics may be for you.
**What is geophysics?**
Geophysics is about understanding the complex interactions between the Earth's systems using physics. We explore everything from the Earth's core to the atmosphere.
For example:
* Studying what causes natural disasters, like earthquakes and volcanoes.
* By using satellites and drones, we can collect data on how the Earth behaves using a process called remote sensing.
* Understanding the physics of environmental change to find ways to reduce the harmful impact of human activity.
* We can also predict human impacts on the rapidly changing climate by understanding how the atmosphere and oceans interact.
It is the interdisciplinary nature of geophysics that defines much of what we do. It is also why geophysics plays an important role in creating a more sustainable future for everyone.
**What will I learn?**
Our degree offers you the best of both subjects.
Many people confuse geology and geophysics, as both disciplines study the Earth and how it works. For example, they both explore the mechanisms behind plate tectonics.
However:
* **Geologists** focus on the materialistic surface, namely rocks and minerals, of the Earth and its evolution.
* **Geophysicists** are mainly concerned about the mechanical and thermal structure of the Earth and the force balance in the Earth’s physical processes, including its internal composition and atmosphere.
As a student in geophysics and geology, you will learn about:
* the microscopic properties of minerals
* the structure and composition of the Earth
* how large scale forces such as gravity, seismology and magnetism shape the Earth
* our Earth's past to forecast and safeguard its future
* the impact of global climate change on our world
By studying this degree, you will learn from our wide range of experienced academics across a range of Earth science disciplines. Our research-led, industry-informed teaching makes your degree relevant to the world and helps make you highly employable
We have a hands on approach to learning, so you can develop valuable practical skills. Many of your activities are similar to what professionals do in the real world.
**An extraordinary reputation**
We are one of the largest and most successful groupings of geographers, Earth and environmental scientists in the UK, many of whom are world experts in their field.
* We have pioneered research proving human-caused greenhouse gases are warming our planet, which helped underpin the 2015 Paris Agreement.
* We are working with major space agencies to monitor the environment using satellite data.
* We are 22nd in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2024.
* We are also in the world's top 50 and the UK's top 10 universities for natural sciences, environmental sciences, geology, geophysics, Earth and marine sciences, (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023).
Our staff will include the latest research in your teaching, and share our discoveries with you.
Tuition fees
Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:
The Uni
Central area campus
School of GeoSciences
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.
£23k
£30k
£34k
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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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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