Geology (MSci)
- Subject areas: Earth and environmental sciences, Geology and geoscience
- UCAS code: F604
- Next intake: September 2025
- Duration: 4 years
- Mode: Full time
Why study this course
This accredited four-year Master's degree investigates the formation of Earth and its constant evolution with a focus on learning how to conduct research.
Professionally accredited
Accredited by the Geological Society, the professional body for geosciences in the UK.
Flexible course
In most cases, you may request a transfer to programmes with a professional placement year, with a year of study abroad, or to the MSci. You may also request a switch to another course in the School at the end of the first semester.
Fieldwork opportunities
We take regular field trips in the UK and overseas to help you develop strong fieldwork skills. The cost of compulsory field trips is included in the course fees.
No prior knowledge needed
You don’t need to have studied Geology to take this course. We start with the basics to bring everyone to the same level.
Local connections
Based in the same building as the Welsh office of the British Geological Survey and next door to the National Museum of Wales.
To find solutions to some of the biggest problems facing our planet today we need to understand the Earth’s history and processes. Geologists use their knowledge of past climates and hazards to understand and address the challenges we face from issues like climate change and natural disasters.
On our Geology course, you will explore how rocks and minerals are formed, how animals evolve over geological time, what causes earthquakes and volcanoes and how geology impacts our lives today. You will develop skills in fieldwork, data capture, analysis and confident decision making. We’ve worked with industry to design our degree so you graduate with the specialist skills needed to be a professional geologist.
We make the most of our location and take regular field trips in South Wales to explore how geology impacts the landscapes and the industry of the region. There will also be opportunities to do overseas trips, in the past we’ve been to Spain and Cyprus.
The MSci involves the opportunity, subject to academic performance, to do a fourth year of study where you work on an exciting research project with an academic from the School and their research staff. You will develop advanced skills in research and gain experience in scientific writing and presentation at a professional level.
Accreditations
Subject area: Earth and environmental sciences
Subject area: Geology and geoscience
Entry requirements
We accept a combination of A-levels and other qualifications, as well as equivalent international qualifications subject to entry requirements. Typical offers are as follows:
A level
ABB-BBC. Must include a minimum of 1 science subject at grade B. Acceptable science subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental Science, Geography, Geology, Maths, Physics.
Extended/International Project Qualification: Applicants with grade A in the EPQ/IPQ will typically receive an offer one grade lower than the standard offer. Please note that any subject specific requirements must still be met.
- Our grade range covers our standard offer and contextual offer. We carefully consider the circumstances in which you've been studying (your contextual data) upon application. Eligible students will be given an offer that is lower than the standard offer (usually the middle or lower end of the advertised grade range).
- Where there is no grade range advertised and/or where there are selection processes in place (like an interview) you may receive additional consideration in the selection process.
Learn about eligible courses and how contextual data is applied.
International Baccalaureate
32-30 overall or 665-655 in 3 HL subjects. Must include a minimum of 1 HL science subject at grade 6. Acceptable science subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental Science, Geography, Geology, Maths, Physics.
Baccalaureate Wales
From September 2023, there will be a new qualification called the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales (level 3). This qualification will replace the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (Welsh Baccalaureate). The qualification will continue to be accepted in lieu of one A-Level (at the grades listed above), excluding any specified subjects.
Other essential requirements
You must have or be working towards:
- English language or Welsh language at GCSE grade C/4 or an equivalent (such as A-levels). If you require a Student visa, you must ensure your language qualification complies with UKVI requirements.
- GCSE Maths grade C/4 or equivalent qualification (subject and grade). If you are taking A-level Maths (or equivalent), GCSE Maths is not required. Core Maths may also be accepted in place of GCSE Maths.
We do not accept Critical Thinking, General Studies, Citizenship Studies, or other similar equivalent subjects.
We will accept a combination of BTEC subjects, A-levels, and other qualifications, subject to the course specific grade and subject requirements.
English language requirements
GCSE
Grade C or grade 4 in GCSE English Language.
IELTS (academic)
At least 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each subskill.
TOEFL iBT
At least 90 overall with a minimum of 17 for writing, 17 for listening, 18 for reading, and 20 for speaking.
PTE Academic
At least 69 overall with a minimum of 59 in all communicative skills.
Trinity ISE II/III
II: at least two Distinctions and two Merits.
III: at least a Pass in all components.
Other accepted qualifications
Please visit our English Language requirements page for more information on our other accepted language qualifications.
Criminal convictions
You are not required to complete a DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) check or provide a Certificate of Good Conduct to study this course.
If you are currently subject to any licence condition or monitoring restriction that could affect your ability to successfully complete your studies, you will be required to disclose your criminal record. Conditions include, but are not limited to:
- access to computers or devices that can store images
- use of internet and communication tools/devices
- curfews
- freedom of movement
- contact with people related to Cardiff University.
Other qualifications from inside the UK
BTEC
DDM-DMM in a BTEC Extended Diploma in Animal Science, Applied Science, Engineering, Health Science, ICT, or Sports and Exercise Science.
T level
Acceptance of T Levels for this programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Academic School. Consideration will be given to the T Level grade/subject and grades/subjects achieved at GCSE/Level 2.
Please see our admissions policies for more information about the application process.
Tuition fees for 2025 entry
Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on your fee status. Your fee status could be home, island or overseas.
Learn how we decide your fee status
Fees for home status
| Year | Tuition fee | Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Year one | £9,250 | None |
| Year two | £9,250 | None |
| Year three | £9,250 | None |
| Year four | £9,250 | None |
The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees in the second and subsequent years of a course as permitted by law or Welsh Government policy. Where applicable we will notify you of any change in tuition fee by the end of June in the academic year before the one in which the fee will increase.
Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland
If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss national, your tuition fees for 2025/26 be in line with the overseas fees for international students, unless you qualify for home fee status. UKCISA have provided information about Brexit and tuition fees.
Fees for island status
Learn more about the undergraduate fees for students from the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
Fees for overseas status
| Year | Tuition fee | Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Year one | £29,450 | None |
| Year two | £29,450 | None |
| Year three | £29,450 | None |
| Year four | £29,450 | None |
Learn more about our tuition fees
Financial support
Financial support may be available to individuals who meet certain criteria. For more information visit our funding section. Please note that these sources of financial support are limited and therefore not everyone who meets the criteria are guaranteed to receive the support.
Additional costs
The fieldwork costs for your core modules are included but you will need to make a contribution towards food if it is provided during the trip. You will need to pay for any optional fieldwork modules. The cost of these trips will be capped at an amount determined by the school. Students facing financial hardship may be eligible to apply to the Cardiff Financial Assistance Programme for help with these costs.
Course specific equipment
You will need suitable clothing including warm weather, wind and storm-proof jackets and walking boots. The school will provide all health and safety equipment as well as specialised field equipment.
Accommodation
We have a range of residences to suit your needs and budget. Find out more on our accommodation pages.
Living costs
We're based in one of the UK's most affordable cities. Find out more about living costs in Cardiff.
Course structure
This is a four-year full-time course and you study for your Bachelors and Masters degree at the same time. The first three years are structured in the same way as the BSc course and then in year four you will complete your Masters qualification.
In your first year you will study core modules and get a strong foundation in geology. In year two to four there are core and optional modules so you have some flexibility to choose to study the areas that you’re most interested in. Year four is focussed on a major independent research dissertation that marks the culmination of your studies.
The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum and will be reviewed prior to the 2025/2026 academic year. The final modules will be published by September 2025.
Year one
In your first year you will study core modules designed to give you a solid foundation in the science of Geology. We start with the basic principles, and cover topics like Earth’s surface plates and internal structure, the minerals that make our planet and the evolution of life through billions of years of geological time. You will develop essential skills like mapping and surveying, microscopy and, representing data in geographical information systems (GIS).
We will go on local field trips across South Wales and a week-long residential field trip to Pembrokeshire in West Wales to build on your learning from lectures and practical classes.
All of the degrees at the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences study the same first semester. After semester one you can decide whether you want to continue with your original choice or switch to one of the other degrees (e.g. Exploration Geology or Environmental Geoscience).
You earn 120 credits for the year with each core module worth 20 credits.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| World of Dynamic Environments | EA1300 | 20 credits |
| Exploring Planet Earth | EA1301 | 20 credits |
| GIS, Maps and Analytical Skills | EA1303 | 20 credits |
| Earth Science Fieldwork | EA1304 | 20 credits |
| Earth Materials | EA1306 | 20 credits |
| Life and Earth History | EA1307 | 20 credits |
Year two
In your second year you will build on the knowledge from year one and start exploring more advanced concepts like sedimentary processes, the origins of igneous and metamorphic rocks, and the structures resulting from earthquakes and mountain building.
You can select from optional modules that open pathways to environmental or mineral resource geology, or to the study of landscapes and surface features. During this year you will gain skills and experience in sampling, data collection and analysis ready for your dissertation in year three.
We will go on residential field trips to Central and West Wales, Dorset and overseas as well as regular day trips to sites across South Wales.
In the summer between year two and three, you will do a five-week independent mapping project to prepare for your dissertation in year three. You can choose to do this in the UK or overseas. In the past students have chosen to study areas in North Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Norway, Northern Spain, Southern France or the French Alps.
You earn 120 credits for the year. This is made up of 40 and 20 credit core modules and a choice of 20 credit optional modules.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Geological Fieldwork, Data Analysis and Professional Skills | EA2301 | 40 credits |
| Sedimentary facies and environments | EA2303 | 20 credits |
| Petrology and Volcanology | EA2304 | 20 credits |
| Structural Geology and Geophysical Investigation | EA2305 | 20 credits |
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Environmental and Resource Geology | EA2306 | 20 credits |
| Process Geomorphology & Hydrology | EA2312 | 20 credits |
Year three
In your third year you will have more freedom to shape your degree and choose modules that fit with your career ambitions. You will also develop essential professional skills and knowledge that all employers are looking for.
You earn 120 credits for the year. The core modules include your dissertation and Geodynamics. For your optional modules you can choose from a range of specialist modules covering subjects like advanced fieldwork, natural hazards and resilience, environmental and engineering geology, ancient climates, and much more.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Geology Dissertation | EA3301 | 40 credits |
| Geodynamics | EA3309 | 20 credits |
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Geoscience Fieldwork | EA3305 | 20 credits |
| Advanced Environmental Geology | EA3306 | 20 credits |
| Petroleum, Geoenergy and Basin Analysis | EA3308 | 20 credits |
| Hazards, Risk and Resilience | EA3317 | 20 credits |
| Advanced petrology and geochemistry | EA3325 | 20 credits |
Year four
Year four is when you study for your Masters. Your core modules include your dissertation (60 credits) and a fieldwork module. For your optional modules you can choose from topics like business and consultancy or environmental modelling.
You can choose to do your Masters dissertation on any topic related to Environmental Geography that we can supervise in the School. You can either choose from a list of potential projects circulated by the School or you can work with a supervisor to design a project in an area you’re particularly interested in.
You will work one-to-one with a research supervisor throughout the year and possibly with a wider group of research students. Some of our best Masters research projects have been published in the scientific literature.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MSci Geology Research Dissertation | EA4301 | 60 credits |
| Advanced Research Field Course | EA4308 | 20 credits |
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Scanning the Research Horizon | EA4309 | 20 credits |
| Business and the Environment | EA4310 | 20 credits |
| Earth and Environmental System Modelling and Applications | EA4311 | 20 credits |
The University is committed to providing a wide range of module options where possible, but please be aware that whilst every effort is made to offer choice this may be limited in certain circumstances. This is due to the fact that some modules have limited numbers of places available, which are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, while others have minimum student numbers required before they will run, to ensure that an appropriate quality of education can be delivered; some modules require students to have already taken particular subjects, and others are core or required on the programme you are taking. Modules may also be limited due to timetable clashes, and although the University works to minimise disruption to choice, we advise you to seek advice from the relevant School on the module choices available.
Learning and assessment
We are a friendly and informal school and you will be supported and taught by world-leading experts involved in cutting-edge international research.
Our teaching approach is a mix of theory and practical and includes: lectures, laboratory work, fieldwork, tutorials, workshops and seminars. You will also be encouraged to learn independently throughout the course. We encourage you to think creatively and to reach conclusions from incomplete data which is a skill valued highly in sectors such as insurance, civil engineering and consulting.
How will I be supported?
Supervision
At the start of the course you will be allocated a personal tutor who you will meet with regularly for tutorials. Tutorials are fortnightly in the first year and then monthly in year two and three. Your personal tutor will be a specialist in geology and can offer advice on academic and personal matters. In year three and four you will also be allocated a supervisor for your dissertation project.
Facilities
We have a Learning Central website where you can access videos, images, presentations, lecture handouts, bibliographies, links to further reading, electronic exercises and discussion circles. Where possible, lectures will be recorded so you can watch and study in your own time.
The Learning Central website also has a ‘Personal Development Planning’ module that supports you in regularly assessing your progress and meeting your development needs.
Support services
The University offers a range of services including the Careers Service, the Counselling Service, the Disability and Dyslexia Service, the Student Support Service, alongside excellent libraries and resource centres.
Diversity
We aim to create an inclusive, supportive and welcoming environment that respects the dignity of staff and students of all ages, ethnicities, disabilities, family structures, genders, nationalities, sexual orientations, races, religious or other beliefs, and socio-economic backgrounds. Read about our commitment to the Athena SWAN principles and our Bronze status (https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/earth-ocean-sciences/about-us/equality-diversity-and-inclusivity).
How will I be assessed?
We will be assessing your level of knowledge and understanding in each module through a combination of assignments, presentations, fieldwork, examinations and a dissertation. You will receive written and oral feedback on your coursework and there are opportunities for informal feedback throughout the course.
NOTE: The University welcomes applications from students with disabilities and we endeavour to offer reasonable alternative assessment methods wherever possible. We have an Alternative Fieldwork Policy which is adopted in cases where a student cannot attend a scheduled, taught field course, or part(s) thereof, because of extenuating circumstances.
What skills will I practise and develop?
The Learning Outcomes for this Programme describe what you will be able to do as a result of your study at Cardiff University. They will help you to understand what is expected of you.
The Learning Outcomes for this Programme can be found below:
Knowledge & Understanding:
On successful completion of the entire Programme students will be able to demonstrate the following:
- The ability to acquire, integrate and synthesise information to address complex problems in earth sciences.
- A critical knowledge and understanding of the structure of the Earth, its materials, lifeforms and resources and the processes that shape it at present and through geological time.
- Ability to explain and critically evaluate the role and impact of earth science in solving 21st century environmental challenges such as climate change, geohazards and the sustainability of energy, water and other natural resources to meet the needs of the world’s population.
- Rigorous appreciation and application of the scientific process, including the design and testing of hypotheses, and the formulation of new concepts.
- Formulation, design and use of appropriate laboratory, field, and/or computational methodologies relevant to a high level research project.
Intellectual Skills:
On successful completion of the entire Programme students will be able to demonstrate the following :
- Comprehension and critical evaluation of science-based evidence to assess and formulate solutions to complex multi-component problems in earth sciences.
- The ability to assemble and critically evaluate information on a variety of scales (from microscopic to planetary) and generate and interpret datasets in 2D, 3D and 4D.
- The capability to evaluate and critically assess current research in the earth sciences, with commensurate appreciation of uncertainty and debate and limits to understanding.
- Ability to model and interpret earth science data to generate hypotheses that can be tested with additional data or observation
- The ability to solve complex scientific problems both creatively and independently.
Professional Practical Skills:
On successful completion of the entire Programme students will be able to demonstrate the following:
- Ability to recognise and interpret rocks, minerals and fossils to determine the geological relationships and reconstruct the history of any particular sample/outcrop/region under study.
- Advanced application of the methods used to acquire geospatial data and represent such data in 2D and 3D using maps and digital platforms such as GIS.
- Analysis and portrayal of numerical data in earth sciences, including using appropriate software.
- Problem solving involving integration and analysis of diverse and often incomplete earth science data and using appropriate qualitative and quantitative methodologies.
- The ability to design, implement and safely carry out a programme of field- or laboratory-based research and report the findings effectively in writing in a dissertation.
- Ability to model complex numerical earth science data and draw realistic conclusions from such modelling.
- An ability to independently plan a complex geology project at the frontier of a research topic.
Transferable/Key Skills:
On successful completion of the entire Programme students will be able to demonstrate the following:
- Ability to design, implement and manage a project through to completion.
- The ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Application of the scientific method, numerical and spatial skills including visualization to the understanding of 3D (and 4D) data sets and their interpolation in space (and time).
- Ability to communicate information and concepts effectively through oral, written and visual means to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
- A critical understanding of the benefits of employment networking and continuing professional development.
- Commitment to lifelong learning through engaging in the process of personal development planning and ownership of own learning.
- Problem solving, reliability, loyalty, social conduct, tact, attitude to learning and research, leadership, resilience, decision-making and reasoning.
- ffective time management and organisation commensurate with successful delivery of an extended research project.
Careers
Career prospects
Geologists play a central role in society today. We need geology to locate sustainable sources of water, energy and minerals, to recognise and mitigate hazards, and to assess land for constructing roads or buildings.
With a geology degree, you can choose to work in a variety of different roles including an engineering geologist, a hydrogeologist, a mineralogist, and an environmental consultant. You will also have essential employable skills that sectors like insurance, finance, education and planning are looking for.
Your advanced research skills, innovation and initiative from your Masters will be invaluable to employers in academia, government and industry. Many senior positions in geology-related careers ask for a minimum of a Masters level qualification and it is often the entry-level qualification for PhD research programmes.
Some of our past students now work for the British Geological Survey, the Environment Agency, Digirock, Boliden Mining, Network Rail, Balfour Beatty and the engineering and mining consultancy Royal Haskoning DHV.
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HESA Data: Copyright Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited 2021. The Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited cannot accept responsibility for any inferences or conclusions derived by third parties from its data. Data is from the latest Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20, published by HESA in June 2022.
