Ranking
13th
In the UK for Geology
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Course overview
Explore Earth’s history through fossils and rocks, and unlock the evolutionary journey and diversity of ancient life, from the grandeur of dinosaurs to the subtlety of microfossils. combining fieldwork with scientific study to understand past climates, life, and natural processes. Equipping you with the skills to tackle environmental challenges and pursue careers in areas such as research, conservation, or resource management.
Study Earth Science at the University of Birmingham
Two of our students, Amani Kouasii and Charlotte White, talk about why they chose to study Earth Sciences at the University of Birmingham, and what they love most about it.
I've developed a range of skills during my time here such as team work and geological mapping, and enhanced both my analytical and communication skills.
Join our four-year programme comprising of core (compulsory) and optional modules. Each module will be assessed in different ways depending on the topic you're studying.
In year 1, you’ll kick off your adventure with a one-week residential field course to Northern Ireland in semester one, followed by another exciting trip to Pembrokeshire in SW Wales in semester two. These immersive experiences will equip you with practical skills and a solid theoretical foundation in Earth Sciences. You’ll bond with fellow students from Geology and Physical Geography courses, creating lasting connections. The first year offers comprehensive training across Earth Sciences, with compulsory modules like Earth History and Life, Earth Systems, and Atoms to Volcanoes. No prior knowledge is assumed, as you’ll learn essential chemistry, physics, and maths within the context of your studies. Get ready to dive into geological observation, data recording, and interpretation.
Why Study Palaeontology and Geology at Birmingham?
- 13th
in the UK for Geology
Complete University Guide 2025
- Top 20
In the UK for Earth and Marine Sciences
The QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
- Embark on thrilling fieldwork adventures - What better way to text your skills and learn new ones than hands on experience. Have the chance to travel to International locations Including Spain, Scotland, and the USA await, with all travel and accommodation costs fully covered.
- Learn from top paleobiologic experts - Our staff are experts in there field currently conducting cutting-edge research in diverse ecosystems.
- Accredited - Geological Society of London ensure top-tier professional training.
- Explore the Lapworth Museum of Geology - Our unique facilities include the Lapworth Museum of Geology. Which has more than 250,000 specimens some over 500 million years old. As one of the oldest specialist designated and accredited geological museums in the UK, this is an invaluable study resource at your disposal.
Talk to our students
Hear more about studying at Birmingham. Chat to one of our friendly students to find out more about your favourite course, our beautiful campus and life in our vibrant and cultural city.
Course delivery
At Birmingham, you’ll learn through diverse methods including fieldwork, practicals, and tutorials, fostering independent and research-led learning.
Lecture
Seminar
Tutorial
- Seminars and tutorials - Alongside fieldwork, they are key to your studies, offering hands-on training in lab skills like measurement and calibration. You’ll use top-notch facilities for your modules and research projects. In your first year.
-
World-leading research - Feeds directly into our undergraduate programmes, meaning you will learn from academics who are experts in their fields. For example, Prof. Richard Butler sheds new light on the major patterns and drivers of terrestrial biodiversity change, as exemplified by tetrapods over the last 375 million years, while Prof Sam Giles works on the evolution of fish. Dr. Stephan Lautenschlager uses cutting-edge computational techniques to restore the morphology of fossil organisms and reconstruct their biology, whereas Dr. Kirsty Edgar uses the remains of microscopic marine organisms to reconstruct past environments. Our research is truly global, taking us from the UK to the deserts of the American west.
- Resources and Facilities - Our unique facilities include Lapworth Museum of Geology , brimming with more than 250,000 specimens some over 500 million years old. As one of the oldest specialist designated and accredited geological museums in the UK, this is an invaluable study resource, and the state-of-the-art Collaborative Teaching Lab (CTL) with wet, dry, and e-labs. We have geochemistry facilities and newly installed CT scanner for 3D investigation of fossils.
Support during your studies
You will have access to a comprehensive support system to help you make the transition to higher education when you start at Birmingham:
Personal academic tutors – You will be assigned your own personal academic tutor who will get to know you as you progress through your studies. They will provide academic support and advice to enable you to make the most of your time here at Birmingham.
Wellbeing Officers – Alongside your personal academic tutor, you will also have access to dedicated wellbeing officers who provide professional support, advice and guidance to students across a range of issues. They can meet with you to discuss extensions, disabilities, reasonable adjustments, extenuating circumstances, or talk through any problems you might be experiencing, and help you access wider support on campus and beyond if you need it.
Our Student Experience Team - Will help you get the most out of your academic experience. They offer research opportunities, study skills support, and help you prepare for your post-university career. They also organise social events, such as field trips, to help you meet fellow students from your course.
Contact hours
In the first year of your Palaeontology and Geology MSci degree, you can expect around 11 hours of contact time per week during the autumn and spring terms, including lectures, practical labs, and small group sessions, plus about 14 days of field courses. In the second year, the contact time averages about 7 hours per week, with similar components and approximately 16 days of field courses. In the third year, contact time ranges from 6 to 9 hours per week, depending on your chosen modules, along with around 6 days of field courses. In the final MSci year, contact time averages between 2 and 5 hours per week, again depending on your module choices, plus about 5 days of field courses.
Assessment methods and feedback
Our degree programs use various assessment methods, including exams, presentations, project work, and practical exercises. Each module has its own assessment style, with some focusing on exams and others on projects. We emphasise individual projects and research dissertations in Years 2 and 3. You’ll receive assessment details at the start of each module and feedback within 15 working days. This approach helps you develop critical thinking and independent learning skills, essential for success at Birmingham.
Fieldwork
Fieldwork is a thrilling part of our degree programs, bringing the subject matter to life through hands-on experiences like sampling, mapping, and data collection. Earth Sciences at Birmingham is renowned for high-quality field training, offering opportunities to travel, work independently and in groups, and develop technical skills. We ensure accommodations for students with disabilities. New starters receive a basic fieldwork kit worth ~£85, though suitable outdoor clothing is your responsibility. Fieldwork is the best way to learn about the natural and built world.
This course is accredited by the Geological Society of London.
Accreditation indicates that the course offers sound training for a professional career in the geosciences and satisfies the academic requirements to achieve Fellowship and Chartered Geologist status.
Module information
The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. The optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.
The following must be taken:
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| LC Introductory Field and Research Skills | 20 | Semester 1 |
| LC SW Wales Field Course | 10 | Semester 2 |
| LC Atoms to Volcanoes | 10 | Semester 1 |
| LC Earth History and Life | 20 | Semester 2 |
| LC Earth Structures & Tectonics | 10 | Semester 2 |
| LC Earth Systems | 20 | Semester 1 |
| LC Geoscience Project | 10 | Semester 2 |
| LC Introduction to Evolution and Animal Biology | 20 | Semester 1 |
Teaching staff
Dr James Bendle
Reader (Associate Professor) in Organic Geochemistry
James is a paleoclimatologist, specialising in molecular organic geochemistry. His research is focused on Cenozoic and Holocene climate evolution, high-resolution palaeoclimatology and biomarker proxy development.
Entry requirements
To secure a place at Birmingham, you'll need to meet our general entry requirements as well as those specific to your course.
- A Level
AAB Including 1 Required Science
- IB
6,6,5 32 points overall Including HL in 1 Required Science
- BTEC
BTEC Extended Diploma, Diploma and Extended Certificate are accepted but subjects are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us for further guidance.
Number of A levels required: 3
-
Accepted Science Subjects
Biology/ Chemistry/Computing/Electronics/Environmental Studies/Further Maths/Geography/Geology/Human Biology/ Maths/ Physics/ Psychology/Statistics/ PE
-
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
General Studies
General Studies is not accepted but a good performance may be taken into account if you fail to meet the conditions of the offer.
6,6,5 in Higher Level subjects plus 32 points overall. Including HL in 1 Required Science
BTEC qualifications
BTEC Extended Diploma, Diploma and Subsidiary Diploma are accepted but subjects are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us for further guidance.
English language requirements
If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification or a Presessional English course.
- TOEFL: 80 overall with no less than 19 in Reading, 19 in Listening, 21 in Speaking and 19 in Writing.
- IELTS*: 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in any band.
- Pearson Test of English (PTE): PTE 64 with no less than 59 in all four skills.
- Cambridge English (exams taken from 2015)***: C1 Advanced - Minimum overall score of 169, with no less than 162 in any component.
- Language Cert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 ‘Communicator’ with no less than 25 in each skill.
- Trinity ISE II: Distinction all skills.
- Trinity ISE III: Pass in each Skill
Presessional English courses
If you have a conditional offer for Birmingham where English is a requirement, you can take a Presessional English course as an alternative to retaking IELTS or a similar qualification. We offer on-campus courses all year round starting from September, including additional online courses in the summer term. Teaching takes place in small classes with no more than 18 students to maximise class participation.
Alternative Offers
Students who are eligible and complete a Pathways to Birmingham programme will receive an alternative offer, which is typically two grades below the standard offer. For more information, please contact outreach@contacts.bham.ac.uk.
Our Contextual Offer scheme
Our Contextual Offer scheme recognises the potential of students whose personal circumstances may have restricted achievement in school or college. If you are eligible to benefit from the Contextual Offer scheme, you will receive an offer which is one grade lower than the standard offer. You don’t need to apply for this – it will be assessed and applied at the point of application if you’re eligible.
- Pathways to Birmingham
BBB - Including 1 Required Science
- Contextual Offer
ABB - Including 1 Required Science
Fees and scholarships
The University tuition fee covers the cost of your tuition, examination and graduation, and includes membership of the Guild of Students.
The University will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year. If your offer is for 2025 year of entry, we expect that the tuition fee for your first year of study will be £9,535 for UK students. If Parliament agrees on an increase in tuition fees, the University will increase fees for each year of study normally in line with these changes and will communicate any change in the fees to you without delay. If you are applying for 2026 year of entry, you will be advised of the annual tuition fee closer to the time.
- £9,535
per year for domestic (UK) students for 2025/26
Undergraduate loans
To help with the cost of studies, undergraduate students from the UK can apply for student finance through the Student Loans Company. The support available is made up of a tuition fee loan and a maintenance loan which helps to cover living costs.
Scholarships, grants and bursaries
At Birmingham, we believe that financial worries should not be a barrier to accessing higher education. That’s why we offer a range of additional financial support for students through scholarships, bursaries and other awards.
Financial support for Home students
If you're a UK student and starting university in September 2025, find out more about what financial support is available to you.
Financial support for International students
We want to help you reach your full potential. Explore our wide variety of scholarships available for international students.
Application process
Whatever your journey to university looks like, we’re here to support you every step of the way. For all undergraduate courses at Birmingham, you apply online through UCAS. The UCAS website has lots of information and advice around the process.
- 29 January 2025
Application deadline for September 2025 entry. Applications close at 18:00 GMT.
View further information on how to apply for undergraduate courses, including advice for UK and overseas applicants.
What careers can I do with a Palaeontology and Geology degree?
Our graduates are highly sought after, with Birmingham being the top UK university targeted by top employers (High Fliers ‘Graduate Market in 2024’ report). Our Earth and Environmental Sciences graduates excel in diverse fields such as scientific civil service, local government, environmental consultancies, conservation, and education. Many pursue teaching, while a quarter continue with Masters and PhD studies in areas like Environmental Management Systems, Water Resources Technology, and Air Pollution Management. University is just the beginning of your career journey
The University is the top choice for the UK's major employers searching for graduate recruits.
The Graduate Market in 2024, High Fliers report
Receive one-to-one careers advice, including guidance on your job applications, writing your CV and improving your interview technique.
Meet employers face-to-face at on-campus recruitment fairs and employer presentations.
Careers Network
Our aim is to make sure that success in your studies leads you on to a fulfilling career. Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offer support to help you identify your options, develop your skills and gain access to opportunities that propel you towards your career goal.
Built in Birmingham. Forged for the future.
Hear from some of our inspiring alumni who have gone on to work for leading employers such as the UK Space Agency and BBC Sport.
Student experience
Your experience studying at Birmingham will give you the opportunity to discover new experiences, develop different skills and make friends for life.
Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community, and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.
Accommodation
Coming to Birmingham to study might be your first time living away from home. In our student accommodation, you can enjoy your independence in safe, welcoming and sociable surroundings.
Living in Birmingham
Our cosmopolitan city has a unique history and so much to see and do. With an ever-changing food and drink scene, a vibrant nightlife and plenty of culture, our city is more than somewhere to study.
Student support
Whoever you are and wherever you come from, we are committed to providing the best possible support to our students, both before you start and throughout your time on campus.
Campus life
Our beautiful campus is the place where our diverse community comes together to learn and socialise. Like a town of its own, it’s just minutes from the hustle and bustle of the UK’s second city.
Take a virtual tour
Explore our beautiful campus from wherever you are. Get a feel for the wide range of historic and modern spaces and state-of-the-art facilities.