Earth Sciences (BSc)

Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

You'll take a mix of compulsory and optional modules throughout your Earth sciences degree. This structure gives you a strong foundation in key topics, while allowing you to tailor your Earth science course to your interests as you progress.

In later years, you can shape your studies by choosing from a range of optional modules. You may focus on areas such as geology, environmental geoscience or geophysics, or combine topics to create a broader Earth science degree that reflects your career goals.

Year 1 overview

All students take compulsory modules and learn about:

• the formation, composition and identification of the Earth's rocks and minerals
• dynamic Earth processes, including plate tectonics
• the processes controlling Earth systems function and environments
• the interconnected evolution of life and the Earth
• environmental biogeochemistry
• scientific and research skills
• practical fieldwork skills

Fieldwork is a key part of your first year. You'll apply your learning in the field and begin to develop the practical and observational skills used by Earth scientists.

Year 2 overview

You will build on your core knowledge and start to specialise. All students study key topics including:

• geohazards, such as Earthquakes, volcanoes and climate change
• the geochemical processes operating in the Earth system
• modern and geological sedimentary environments
• advanced fieldwork and research skills

You'll also choose optional modules to develop your interests. Depending on your choices, you may study topics such as:

• structural geology at micro- to macro- scale
• exploration and spatial analysis using remote sensing and Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
• global and oceanographic perspectives on climate change and it's impacts
• quantitative skills, including modelling and the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• palaeobiology and evolution
• ocean and coastal analysis, monitoring and modelling
• sustainability challenges, and Sustainable Development Goals

Year 3 overview

In your final year, you'll deepen your knowledge and complete an independent project. You can choose from options such as a research, mapping or industry focused project, to suit your interests.

You'll also study core topics linked to current global challenges, including the role of Earth resources in the transition to a more sustainable future.

Alongside this, you can choose from a wide range of optional modules. These may include topics such as:

• optional residential field classes studying volcanic and mantle  processes in Tenerife or applied geophysical techniques in south Wales
• opportunities to use our survey vessel to learn practical seafloor surveying techniques.
• past, present and future climate change and the  broader evolution of the Earth system
• environmental and engineering geology
• analytical techniques for oceanographic, meteorological, geophysical and remote sensing data
• environmental pollution, radioactivity and sustainable resource management
• ocean processes and biogeochemical cycles

This flexible structure allows you to graduate with a broad Earth science degree or a more focused skill set in the areas that interest you most.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

The learning activities for this course include the following:

• lectures
• classes and tutorials
• coursework
• individual and group projects
• independent learning (studying on your own)

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and standard exams.

Find out how to:

• pay your tuition fees
• calculate your student finances

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges, and expenses regulations 

If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £36,200 a year, you may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs. Find out about bursaries and other funding we offer at Southampton.

If you're a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary.

Get in touch for advice about student money matters.

You may be able to get a scholarship or grant to help fund your studies.

We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from under-represented backgrounds.

The Student Hub offers support and advice on money to students. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

When you apply use:

• UCAS course code: F645
• UCAS institution code: S27

Apply for this course

We treat and select everyone in line with our Inclusion and Respectful Behaviour Policy.

Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000