Geophysics plays a key role in understanding what lies beneath the earth's surface. This knowledge is vital for large engineering projects such as wind farms, carbon dioxide capture and storage, and hydrogen storage complexes.
With our geophysics master's degree course, you'll learn how to apply the geophysical techniques needed to sustainably explore Earth’s resources. The skills, knowledge and experience you'll gain will help you start a successful career and become a leader in geophysics and sustainable development.
You'll be based at our Waterfront Campus at The National Oceanography Centre Southampton (NOCS), one of the world's largest centres for marine education and research. Here you'll be studying the part of our planet’s subsurface which is essential to moving forward with the energy transition, and helping to transform the lives of others by decarbonising our economy.
During your studies, you'll develop your understanding of modern survey methods, and gain experience in planning surveys. You'll also gather, process and analyse data which is critical to enabling safe and efficient development.
To achieve this, you'll have access to our research boat, R.V. Callista, and facilities to help you broaden your skills and knowledge.
As an MSc Geophysics student, you'll also benefit from:
We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.
Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).
The course leader(s) is Professor Tim Henstock, Professor of Geophysics.
This course is based at Waterfront (National Oceanography Centre Southampton).
This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.
The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.
To apply for this course, you'll need at least a 2:1 or equivalent degree in one of the following subjects:
We will consider other degree qualifications on a case-by-case basis.
If you don't have a degree in maths or studied some maths as part of your degree, you'll also need an A level or equivalent qualification in maths.
If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:
We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.
If you don’t meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with ONCAMPUS. Learn more about the programmes available.
Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
Our geophysics master's degree course will prepare you for a career linked to sustainable development, such as renewable energy.
It will include practical experience based on the University research vessel, R.V. Callista. You'll also get the chance to work with multiple industry-standard software packages for data processing and analysis.
The programme has a strong emphasis on coursework, a lot of which is based on industry or industry-equivalent datasets. You'll participate in activities and assessments that replicate what you will encounter in your future career.
We also expect to work with industry partners to design many of our research projects.
Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.
The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Find out why, when and how we might make changes.
You must study the following modules :
The module covers, at advanced level, three topics that are central to applied geophysics in the marine environment.
The module will present a variety of different types of oceanographic, meteorological, geophysical, and remote sensing data and will explore methods for processing, analysing and modelling using Python. This module introduces you to the essential skill...
Please note: this is a new module which will launch in the 2025/26 academic year, it will not be available in 2024/25. This module provides an introduction to the parameters and methods used to characterize the properties of soils in geotechnical engin...
Please note: this is a new module which will launch in the 2025/26 academic year, it will not be available in 2024/25. This module provides the key background and skills for students on the MSc Geophysics programme to enable successful future careers. ...
The MSc project will entail four months of full-time work investigating a topic related to Marine/Earth/Environmental science, and culminating in the submission of a dissertation. The project is conducted on a novel question, often associated with a large...
In this module students work through many of the data analysis and interpretation steps to evaluate plans for an offshore windfarm, using an example site in the east Solent. With the University of Southampton’s unique access to its own research vessel t...
Please note: this is a new module which will launch in the 2025/26 academic year, it will not be available in 2024/25. This module covers the background critical to understanding human interaction with the Earth, and particularly focused on the process...
You must also choose from the following modules :
This module aims to increase your research-led analytical skills in the handling of sub-surface data using the digital tools routinely employed within the carbon capture and storage (CCS) and energy industries. The course is almost entirely work-station d...
Understanding changes in sea level is of the utmost importance, as it: (1) shapes the coastlines; (2) affects the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people living in the world’s coastal regions, and (3) is a key indicator of climate change. Sea-level ...
This programme will use a range of different learning and teaching approaches, including:
You'll be taught by an experienced teaching and pastoral team, whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on your course. This team includes:
Trained postgraduate research students may also help teach seminars and be involved in practical classes, project work and field trips. The module leader will supervise these contributions.
When you're not attending lectures, seminars and other timetabled sessions, you'll be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This will typically involve:
We use assessment techniques that ensure the work you do on this degree mirrors what you'll encounter in your future career. Typically, this will include data acquisition, data analysis and laboratory or computer exercises.
Modes of assessment include formal written reports and oral presentations aimed at a range of audiences, such as clients, managers, or peers.
You'll have informal opportunities to test your understanding of the subject before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your module mark.
Formal assessments, also known as summative assessments, usually take place at the end of each module, although you may have interim assessments throughout some modules. The marks from summative assessments will count towards your module mark.
We will allocate a personal academic tutor to you once you arrive at the University. This is normally a member of academic staff in your own or a related subject area.
Your personal academic tutor will offer one-to-one support and advice throughout your time at Southampton, and will support you in your studies or with other issues you may have.
The industry use of geophysics is growing fast, and there are increasing calls for trained geoscientists. You'll graduate from our geophysics master's degree with the skills, knowledge and experience to lead in the sustainable development sector throughout your career.
The methods you'll learn on this course have many real-world use cases. You may use them to determine the strength of the shallow subsurface, assess whether or not a site is appropriate to store carbon dioxide, or confirm that there is no unexploded ordnance at a future windfarm site.
Our School of Ocean and Earth Science has a strong history of research and training in the field, pioneering methods that have become standard in environmental and marine geophysics.
We are still carrying out research and have excellent partnerships in growing fields such as offshore renewables, and the carbon capture and storage sectors. These are key employment areas in the UK and across the world which are important through to 2050 and beyond.
There are multiple roles in these industries, including:
Employers in this field range from survey companies to consultancies and operators, such as:
By working with employers in high-resolution geophysics, you can access research and career opportunities which will enable an exciting, challenging and fulfilling future in a rapidly developing field.
We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:
We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:
Fees for a year's study:
If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.
Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.
Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.
Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and standard exams.
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:
If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.
This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.
A scholarship of £3,000 is available to international students studying for a postgraduate master’s in Ocean and Earth Science.
Find out more about Southampton Ocean and Earth Science Postgraduate International Scholarship, including eligibility and conditions.
A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.
Find out about funding you could get as an international student.
For further details, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.
The deadline to apply for this course is Tuesday 9 September 2025, midday UK time.
We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.
The deadline to apply for this course is Tuesday 26 August 2025, midday UK time.
We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.
We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.
This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.
If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.
When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.
You’ll need to include information about:
You'll also need to submit two academic references.
Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.
You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.
We will aim to send you a decision 6 weeks after you have submitted your application.
If we offer you a place, you will need to accept the offer within 30 working days. If you do not meet this deadline, we will offer your place to another applicant.
Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.
We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.
Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
