Earth Science BSc Honours

Course overview

Earth science covers everything from the formation of rocks and minerals to the impact of human activity on the environment.

You'll study the Earth at the molecular, micro and macro-scale, from the chemistry of a single element to the processes that shape the continents.

Your key areas of study include:

• geology
• geochemistry
• geomicrobiology

Understanding how these areas interact and combine to create the complexity of the Earth system is what makes Earth science a fascinating area to study.

The practical skills you develop in geomatics – the fourth element of the degree – allow you to collect and analyse data about the world. This prepares you for diverse and in-demand careers.

Regular field days and residential field courses allow you to experience the Earth in action. You'll develop practical skills and network with Earth science professionals.  

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Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions  
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2022-23.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

Quality and ranking

Professional accreditation and recognition

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body.

Modules and learning

Modules

The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you'll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage. 

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

The first year introduces you to the key concepts of geology, remote sensing, GIS and geochemistry. The lectures, practical classes and field days combine to provide a foundation from which you can develop your skills.

The residential field course will enable you to put your newly developed skills into practice by exploring geology and modern mining operations in the Lake District.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Environment and Land Resources	10
Academic and Professional Skills	20
Earth System Science	10
The Geosphere	20
Geology and GIS Field Course	10
Interpreting Geological Maps	10
Geographic Information Systems	10
Principles of Remote Sensing	10

Optional Modules	Credits
Environment and Land use Field Course	10
Natural Science Research Impact	10
Fundamentals of Surveying I	10
The Marine Environment	20

Stage 2 advances your skills and knowledge. You'll be introduced to further complexity in the Earth system and explore the impacts that human activity has on the environment.

The residential field mapping course to the Isle of Arran provides training in how to identify and map geological formations in the field.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Dissertation and Research Preparation	10
Sustainable Solutions	10
Minerals and their Instabilities	10
Basin Analysis and Stratigraphy	10
Global Element Cycling	10
Geological Resources	10
Geomicrobiology	10
Basin Analysis Fieldtrip	20
Research Methods in Environmental Pollution	20

Optional Modules	Credits
Pollution of Air, Water & Soil	10
Geographic Information Systems: Theory and Application	10

You are ready to explore advanced aspects of Earth science, taking advantage of our world-leading research. Specialist topics such as geomicrobiology and biogeochemistry will present new insights and opportunities.

Stage 3 also has an international residential field course that consolidates your learning with practical experience at an advanced level.

Modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Biogeochemistry	20
Subsurface Investigations	10
Earth and Environmental Science Dissertation	30

Optional Modules	Credits
Ecosystem Ecology	10
Environmental Impact Assessment	20
Your Future - occupational awareness	10
Applied Remote Sensing and Image Processing	10
GNSS for Geoscientists and Engineers	10
Geological Mapping Fieldtrip	20
GIS Fieldcourse	20
Geohazards and Deformation of the Earth	10
Career Development for final year students	20
Science Communication for Sustainable Development	10
Creativity, Innovation and Market Research in Science and Engineering UG	10

Information about these graphs

We base these figures and graphs on the most up-to-date information available to us. They combine data on the planned delivery and assessments of our courses in 2021-22 with data on the modules chosen by our students in 2020-21.

Teaching time is made up of:

• scheduled learning and teaching activities. These are timetabled activities with a member of staff present
• structured guided learning. These are activities developed by staff to support engagement with module learning. Students or groups of students undertake these activities without direct staff participation or supervision

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methods

Teaching is delivered through lectures and practicals in:

• microscopy
• rock and mineral identification
• geological mapping
• geochemistry

Assessment methods

You'll be assessed through a combination of:

• 

  Assignments – written or fieldwork

• 

  Coursework

• 

  Examinations – practical or online

• 

  Group work

• 

  Practical sessions

• 

  Projects

Skills and experience

Practical skills

You will develop your hands-on, practical skills with fieldwork opportunities embedded throughout your degree.

You will be equipped with the practical skills that are sought by employers through fieldwork and access to our world-class facilities. 

There are lots of opportunities to explore the environment, including:

• frequent field days, reinforcing classroom learning and helping you apply your knowledge to practical contexts
• an annual residential field course, in the UK or abroad

Current field course locations include the Lake District, the Isle of Arran and Sorbas Basin, Spain.

Research skills

You'll have access to our world-class analytical laboratories, supported by our research expertise in fields such as petroleum geochemistry, biogeochemistry, global imaging systems, remote sensing and environmental impact.

You'll be able to conduct high-quality research, alongside our expert academic staff, to complement the teaching and practical classes delivered during your degree.

Opportunities

Study abroad

Experience life in another country by choosing to study abroad as part of your degree. You’ll be encouraged to embrace fun and challenging experiences, make connections with new communities and graduate as a globally aware professional, ready for your future.

You can choose to spend up to a year studying at a partner institution overseas.

If you choose to study abroad, it will extend your degree by a year. 

Find out more about study abroad

Work placement

This earth science degree is also available with a year's work placement, as a four-year programme.

You'll apply to spend 9 to 12 months working in any organisation in the world, and receive University support from our dedicated team to secure your dream placement. Work placements take place in Stage 3.

You'll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector, putting your learning into practice and developing your professional expertise.

Placements are subject to availability.

Find out more about work placements

Facilities and environment

Facilities

You will be based on campus at the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences. As a student of Earth and Environmental Sciences you'll have access to our world-class facilities and analytical laboratories, including:

• gas chromatography
• gas chromatography mass spectrometry
• high pressure liquid chromatography mass spectrometry
• inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry
• two commercial farms near Newcastle
• Dove Marine Laboratory on the coast
• research vessel, The Princess Royal

You'll also have access to two commercial farms near Newcastle.

Our University farms, Cockle Park Farm and Nafferton Farm, will give you an insight into how real-world farms operate, so you're prepared for your future. Our farms are used for research, teaching and demonstration.

You will be taught in the new, and unique, teaching space of the Houston Laboratory: part of a £2m redevelopment of Newcastle University’s Drummond Building.

You'll benefit from the Great North Museum on campus. It's home to over 9,000 geological and mineralogical specimens. The Mining Institute, with one of the world’s most comprehensive collections on mining engineering, is just a short walk away.

Support

To support you in your studies, all new students entering year 1 or year 2 will receive a tablet. You can download the online learning resources you'll need for your course (helping us to make our campus more sustainable).

You'll have the support of an academic member of staff as a personal tutor throughout your degree to help with academic and personal issues.

Peer mentors will help you in your first year. They are fellow students who can help you settle in and answer any questions you have when starting university.

There's also a staff-student committee, to give you an opportunity to have a say in how your degree works.

Your future

Earth science graduates are well qualified to enter a wide range of careers and the geoscience industry has a shortage of graduates with the skills taught on this course.

You will be able to enter the global geology industry with potential careers in:

• mining
• oil
• engineering
• water supply
• environmental sectors

The emerging alternative energy industry also needs these skills.

You will also develop a portfolio of graduate transferable skills that are highly valued by a wide range of employers outside the earth science sector, and which can open the door to graduate-entry programmes with major employers, such as:

• team working
• data analysis
• data interpretation
• enterprise

Employability at Newcastle

96% of Newcastle University graduates progressed to employment or further study within six months of graduating, with 85.5% in graduate-level employment or further study.

Take a look at the most recent data available for our graduates. See what they have gone on to achieve and be inspired to follow in their footsteps.

Statistics are based on what graduates were doing on a specific date, approximately six months after graduation (Destinations of (undergraduate and postgraduate UK domiciled) Leavers from Higher Education Survey 2016/17).

Enterprising students

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Careers support

Our Enterprise Challenge gives students the opportunity to work with industry on a project that tackles real-world issues. Watch the above video to find out more.

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Defence Technical Undergraduate Scheme

This degree is approved by DTUS, a Ministry of Defence sponsorship programme for students who wish to join the Royal Navy, British Army, RAF, or Defence Engineering and Science Group (DESG) as technical officers after graduation. 

This scheme is for 2021 entry only. DTUS will not be running for 2022 entry.

Find out more about the Defence Technical Undergraduate Scheme

Tuition fees and scholarships

Tuition fees for 2023 entry (per year)

Home Fee Students

£9250

International Fee Students

£26400

The maximum fee that we are permitted to charge for home fee-paying students is set by the UK government.

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

Read more about fees and funding

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

Read more about fees and funding

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our undergraduate scholarship page for more information.

Year abroad and additional costs

For programmes where you can spend a year on a work placement or studying abroad, you will receive a significant fee reduction for that year. 

Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.

Find out more about:

• different tuition fees
• additional costs

Scholarships

Find out more about:

• scholarships for UK, EU and international students
• Student Loans and Government financial support for UK and EU students

How to apply

Apply through UCAS

To apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle University, you must use the online application system managed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). All UK schools and colleges, and a small number of EU and international establishments, are registered with UCAS. You will need:

• the UCAS name and institution codes for Newcastle University (NEWC/N21)
• the UCAS code for the course you want to apply for
• the UCAS 'buzzword' for your school or college

If you are applying independently, or are applying from a school or college which is not registered to manage applications, you will still use the Apply system. You will not need a buzzword.

Apply through UCAS

Apply through an agent

International students often apply to us through an agent. Have a look at our recommended agents and get in touch with them.

Visit our International pages