Geology
UCAS code F600
- Study mode
- Full-time
- Duration
- 3 years
- Start date and application deadlines
-
- Start date
About this course
Discover planet Earth: from natural hazards to natural resources, from the history of life to the history of the planet itself. You don’t need to have studied geology before and this programme can open the door to a career as a professional geologist in industries such as petroleum, mineral resources, engineering geology and environmental assessment. You will gain thorough and highly practical training in modern geology, with a strong emphasis on fieldwork.
Introduction
By studying Geology at Liverpool, you’ll explore the processes shaping our planet and its future. Taught by leading researchers, you’ll gain insights into cutting-edge discoveries and develop the skills to address global challenges like climate change, resource management, and sustainability. Hands-on project work and field classes in diverse locations, including the UK, Ireland and Spain, will prepare you for real-world problem-solving.
In your first two years, you’ll receive core training in key areas of geology. In your third year, you’ll complete an independent field-based project and dissertation, honing critical skills in research, data integration, and analysis. You’ll also develop transferable skills, including teamwork, leadership, communication, and time management, through reports, presentations, and specialist software and equipment.
Our degree programs combine laboratory and fieldwork across urban, coastal, and mountainous environments. We welcome applications from all students, including those with disabilities, and provide reasonable adjustments to ensure accessibility.
What you'll learn
- A comprehensive introduction to core disciplines in geoscience
- Geological mapping training
- Advanced field technique training
- Independent project fieldwork
- Conduct original research and present your findings.
Accreditation
This degree is accredited by the Geological Society of London, satisfying the requirements of Fellowship and Chartered Geologist status.
Accreditation in detail
Geological Society of London
Course content
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
Year one
Year one aims to provide a comprehensive introduction to core disciplines in geoscience assuming no prior knowledge of the subject. A strong feature of year one is the development of transferable skills (eg Geographical Information Systems [GIS], IT, essay writing, oral communication), integrated within a tutorial system. Tutorials are run by academic staff.
Fieldwork involves a residential field class and field days (UK based).
Students should take the following compulsory modules.
ENVS117 is a compulsory module for those without A level Maths or Physics at grade C or above. You should discuss this with your programme director at the start of the academic session.
Modules
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Year two
Year two takes subjects to greater depth and builds student skills in synthesising and evaluating geological data. A key part of the year is training students in preparation for their year three independent field projects, particularly in tutorial sessions run by academic staff.
Fieldwork involves a residential field class and field days (UK based).
To fulfil the aims of the year and gain accreditation, all modules are compulsory.
Modules
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Year three
Year three modules are research-based. The aim is to train students in the analysis of large-scale, multidisciplinary geological problems and to provide an awareness of the key applications and employment areas of geoscience. A major feature of this year of study is the independent field project and dissertation in which students have the opportunity to conduct a major piece of original field-based research and to present it in both a conference talk and a substantial report.
Fieldwork involves:
- Residential field classes (Ireland and Europe)
- Field days (UK based)
- Optional field days to carry out independent field data collection as part of the final year Earth Science Project.
Students take three compulsory modules and choose four optional modules as outlined below.
ENVS300 is a research project that can take place in the field, laboratory or a combination. If students choose a geological
field mapping project, data in the field will take place in Summer between Years 2 and 3. If students choose a laboratory
project, data can be collected in the summer between Years 2 and 3 and during Semester 1 of year 3. Report write up will
take place in Semester 1 and 2.
Modules
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| EARTH SCIENCE PROJECT (ENVS300) | 30 |
| ADVANCED GEOLOGY FIELD TECHNIQUES (ENVS351) | 15 |
| APPLIED GEOLOGY AND GEOHAZARDS OF THE CANARY ISLANDS (ENVS375) | 15 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Teaching and assessment
How you'll learn
Teaching takes place through lectures, practicals, workshops, seminars, tutorials and fieldwork, with an emphasis on learning through doing. The award-winning Central Teaching Laboratories, provide a state-of-the-art facility for undergraduate practical work. Students value the learning opportunities provided by field classes, including the rapid and detailed feedback on performance.
You will typically receive 15-20 hours of formal teaching each week and complete multiple residential fieldtrips over the course of the programme. In years three and four you will carry out independent research projects on a topic and location of your choice. All projects are supervised by a member of staff who will meet with you on a weekly, or more frequent, basis.
A number of the School’s degree programmes involve laboratory and field work. The field work is carried out in various locations, ranging from inner city to coastal and mountainous environments. We consider applications from prospective students with disabilities on the same basis as all other students, and reasonable adjustments will be considered to address barriers to access.
How you're assessed
Assessment matches the learning objectives for each module and may take the form of written exams, practical laboratory and computer examinations, coursework submissions in the form of essays, scientific papers, briefing notes or lab/field notebooks, reports and portfolios, oral and poster presentations and contributions to group projects, and problem-solving exercises. Assessment is via tasks that mirror those graduate students are likely to undertake working as professional geoscientists. For example, generating and interpreting quantitative spatial data, with appropriate consideration of inherent uncertainty, is a key task and necessary skill for professional environmental geoscientists, and this skill is developed and assessed on several programme modules, especially field and lab-based modules. As well as being authentic in terms of the underlying purpose of the assessed task, assessment tasks are also authentic in terms of format, intended audience, resources used, and collaborative team elements. For example, team-based environmental assessment work with professional format delivery appropriate for presentation to management-level colleagues using state-of-the-art field, lab or IT resources is central to assessments in field classes.
Liverpool Hallmarks
We have a distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which focuses on research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment to ensure our students graduate as digitally fluent and confident global citizens.
The Liverpool Curriculum framework sets out our distinctive approach to education. Our teaching staff support our students to develop academic knowledge, skills, and understanding alongside our graduate attributes:
- Digital fluency
- Confidence
- Global citizenship
Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:
- Research-connected teaching
- Active learning
- Authentic assessment
All this is underpinned by our core value of inclusivity and commitment to providing a curriculum that is accessible to all students.
Entry requirements
The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.
| Qualification | Details |
|---|---|
| A levels |
BBC (including ) |
| BTEC Level 3 national extended diploma |
DDM. Forensic Science is not accepted. |
| BTEC combinations |
BTEC National Diploma DM plus a science subject at A level grade B; BTEC National Extended Certificate M plus a science subject at A level grade B another A level grade B. |
| Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced |
C in the Welsh Baccalaureate, plus BB at A level including a science subject at grade B. |
| Access |
Pass relevant Access to HE Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits with 27 at Distinction and 18 at Merit |
Course options
Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.
Global opportunities
University of Liverpool students can choose from an exciting range of study placements at partner universities worldwide.
Year in China
Immerse yourself in Chinese culture on an optional additional year at Xi'an Jiaotong Liverpool University in stunning Suzhou.
- Learn Chinese
- Study in a bustling world heritage city
- Improve employment prospects
- Study Chinese culture
- 30 minutes from Shanghai
- Learn new skills
Year abroad
Broaden your world by spending an additional year of study at a partner university abroad following your second year of study.
- Choose from up-to 26 countries
- Experience another way of life
- Inspire your future career or studies
- Improved prospects of earning a 2:1 or First
- More likely to earn higher salary
- More likely to be employed after graduating
Where can I spend a year abroad on this course?
- Australia
- Canada
- Hong Kong
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- South Korea
- USA
Summer abroad
Spend a summer abroad on a study placement or research project at one of our worldwide partner institutions.
- Spend a summer abroad in addition to your degree programme
- Study abroad without adding an extra year
- Choose any summer between your first and final year of study
- Get the chance to study subjects outside your discipline
Where can I spend a summer abroad on this course?
- Hong Kong
- Japan
- South Korea
Year in industry
Year in industry placements give you an in-depth workplace experience where you can develop your skills and apply your learning.
- Develop key employability skills that graduate employers are looking for
- Experience and understand workplace culture and discipline
- Understand the relationship between academic theory and real world application
- Begin your professional network
- Gain industry insight and insight into potential career options.
You don't need to decide now - you can choose to add a year in industry after you've begun your degree.
To spend a year in industry, you'll need to secure a placement with an organisation. If you're unable to find a placement, you'll continue with the standard version of the course without a year in industry.
Language study
Every student at The University of Liverpool can study a language as part of, or alongside their degree. You can choose:
- A dedicated languages degree
- A language as a joint or major/minor degree
- Language modules (selected degrees)
- Language classes alongside your studies
Your experience
At Liverpool, we place a great deal of emphasis on learning through experience. You will be taught in Europe’s most advanced teaching laboratories and will participate in a strong fieldwork programme that will help to prepare you for solving real work problems. You will have access to excellent resources, including research-level analytical equipment and computing facilities, and will be trained in industry-standard methods using materials donated by companies. All our degree programmes will provide you with specific scientific training, as well as equipping you with a wide range of transferable skills valued by employers. You will graduate as a practical, confident and employable earth scientist.
We have a very active Earth Sciences student society – The Herdman society. The society runs academic and social events from guest lectures and field trips to gala dinners, symposiums and sports events.
Explore where you'll study
Studying Earth Sciences
Discover what you’ll study, the facilities and resources you’ll have access to, and how we’ll prepare you for your future career.
Virtual tour
Supporting your learning
From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:
- Careers and employability support, including help with career planning, understanding the job market and strengthening your networking skills
- A dedicated student services team can help you get assistance with your studies, help with health and wellbeing, and access to financial advice
- Confidential counselling and support to help students with personal problems affecting their studies and general wellbeing
- Support for students with differing needs from the Disability advice and guidance team. They can identify and recommend appropriate support provisions for you.
Chat with our students
Want to find out more about student life?
Chat with our student ambassadors and ask any questions you have.
Careers and employability
There has never been a better time to study Earth sciences. Many of the fundamental questions of our times will be answered by geoscientists, as we seek to provide sustainable resources for the world’s population, as well as predict and mitigate climate change and natural hazards by building a better understanding of the planet on which we live.
Our recent graduates have gained employment within a degree-related field or continued within further education after graduation. We have close links with geoscience and environmental industries ensuring that our degrees properly equip you for future employment.
Recent employers
- Geological Surveys in the UK and abroad
- Hydrocarbon and support industries: ExxonMobil, BP, Shell, Geotrace, Geokinetics, Neftex, Robertson, Deloitte, CGG, Osiris, PGS
- Engineering and environmental consultancies: The Environment Agency, Environmental Resources Management, URS Corporation, Caulmert Ltd, VerdErg Renewables, RSK Geophysics, RSK Environment, Geomaterials, Fugro
- Mining and related industries: Gold Fields, Rio Tinto, Cliffs Natural Resources, Geological Solutions, Hanson Aggregate Marine Ltd, Aggregate Industries.