Environmental Geoscience (MSci)

Got a question?

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

All modules are compulsory in the first year to build the foundations for the rest of the course to come. As you progress towards year 3, the focus will shift towards research and exposure to the latest thinking within Earth sciences.

This will culminate in year 4, with your own independent research project.

Your academic tutor will help guide you in the customisation of your course.

Year 1 overview

You'll begin with a broad grounding in geoscience, oceanography and environmental science theories and research techniques.

All modules in year 1 are compulsory.

Year 2 overview

Explore a greater range of topics on the interactions between the Earth system and human activity.

You'll explore subjects like:

• environmental impact assessments

• Earth resource management

• geographic information systems (GIS)

Year 2 will expand your skills with fieldwork, laboratory sessions and opportunities to specialise with your module choices.

Year 3 overview

Hone your skills by specialising in modules relating to terrestrial sciences (geoscience pathway) or marine sciences (marine pathway).

Both choices are accompanied by fieldwork tailored to your chosen path.

On the geoscience pathway you'll study topics such as:

• the volcanic mantle

• geology and mineral resources

On the marine pathway you'll explore things like:

• seafloor exploration and surveying

• coastal sediment dynamics

During this year you'll have the opportunity to conduct supervised, original research.

Year 4 overview

You'll embark on a major research project while gaining an advanced understanding of current research areas within the geological and environmental sciences.

Your original research will be supervised and guided by our team of researchers and scientists - with a greater emphasis placed on fieldwork and lab-based research skills this year.

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)

Course leader

Juerg Matter is the course leader.

As an Environmental Geoscience master's degree graduate you'll have the opportunity to work across a number of industries; whether you're locating and managing natural resources, developing new technologies, or working to protect the planet's natural systems from disaster.

The skills you'll gain on this programme will prepare you for employment in areas like:

• environmental surveying, research and consultancy

• petroleum and mineral resource industries

• renewable energy

• environmental planning

• education

• engineering

This degree is also a good basis for further study at postgraduate level.

We host an annual careers fair at the National Oceanography Centre Southampton - an event attended by over 25 employers that look to hire Southampton graduates.

Careers services at Southampton

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:

• work experience schemes

• CV and interview skills and workshops

• networking events

• careers fairs attended by top employers

• a wealth of volunteering opportunities

• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,250.
• EU and international students pay £25,000.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and all examinations.

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. Explore:

• accommodation costs

• living costs

• budgeting advice

Bursaries, scholarships and other funding

If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £25,000 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.

Scholarships and grants

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.

Support during your course

The Student Services Centre 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: F651
• UCAS institution code: S27

Apply for 2023 entry

What happens after you apply?

We will assess your application on the strength of your:

• predicted grades
• academic achievements
• personal statement
• academic reference

We'll aim to process your application within 2 to 6 weeks, but this will depend on when it is submitted. Applications submitted in January, particularly near to the UCAS equal consideration deadline, might take substantially longer to be processed due to the high volume received at that time.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

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