Course information
Typical offer BCC
UK fee £9,535
UCAS code F993
International fee £20,250
Institute code L34
95% of students in work or further study six months after graduating (The Uni Guide 2023)
Accredited by the Geological Society of London
Ranked 2nd in subjects aligned to Geology for ‘overall positivity’ in the NSS 2024 (according to Times Higher Education NSS 2023 methodology applied to the NSS 2024 data).
- Course description
- Entry requirements
- Fees and funding
- Accreditation
- Careers and employability
- Sustainable Development Goals
Course description
Course description
Geology at Leicester provides a friendly, dynamic and supportive environment in which to learn about the history of our planet and life on Earth. You will be taught by staff recognised internationally for their expertise in fields such as palaeontology, economic geology, volcanology, structural geology, geophysics, and palaeoenvironments. You will benefit from our excellent facilities, ranging from dedicated student study spaces, 24/7 secure access to the building, and collections of over 250,000 specimens of rocks, fossils and minerals to help you learn. In later years, you can choose modules that give you experience of our research facilities, including advanced microscopes and geochemistry labs.
All of our geology-focussed degrees include common modules in the first year, so you can easily transfer between courses as you discover the topics that inspire you most and best match your career aspirations. From the third year you can choose from a range of optional modules, and it is also possible to transfer between the three-year BSc and the four-year MGeol degrees, so you can graduate with the most appropriate qualification for your future career. Our Physical Geography and Geology degree is a bit different, with a tailor-made programme right from the start, and plenty of options later on. For details of all the modules, follow the links under each degree course.
We pride ourselves on our excellent staff-student relations and have high student satisfaction levels, not least because of our small-group teaching and tutorials, which provide individually tailored academic and pastoral support throughout your degree. You will learn through a combination of lectures, practical classes, workshops, small-group tutorials, and field trips. This means you will have plenty of contact time with the lecturers, who are happy to provide feedback as you progress through each module. Your assessments will be a mixture of exams, presentations, written reports, group projects and other activities, as we recognise that everyone has different strengths and preferred ways of learning. For many students, fieldwork is one of the highlights of their time at Leicester.
All of our geology focussed courses are accredited by the Geological Society, demonstrating that our degrees offer high-quality teaching as well as providing the skills necessary for a career as a professional geoscientist. Furthermore, our graduates are highly sought after in many professions because of the breadth of skills you will develop, including high levels of independence, team-working, and data analysis. We have a strong emphasis on embedding skills within our modules, and we provide careers advice throughout your degree, including an annual in-house careers event and through our excellent links with industry partners and alumni.
With diverse modules to choose from to develop your own interests, and with excellent field programmes and numerous scholarships and bursaries available to support your studies, we are committed to helping you achieve your full academic potential.Entry requirements
Fees and funding
Accreditation
Careers and employability
Zach Banks (MGeol, Geology) Senior Policy advisor for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero “My role is supported by the range of modules I selected in my degree, particularly the third year Environmental Geoscience module and my fourth year ‘Hot topics’ module. These gave me confidence in presenting and developing new ideas, skills in evaluating arguments and ideas, and opened my eyes to the interactions between geology, human activity and legislation.”
Kiera McMahon (BSc Applied and Environmental Geology) Geological Engineer in the ground investigations industry “I work with drillers, excavators and engineers to plan construction and to monitor and mitigate the environmental impact of building works. This variously includes asbestos sampling, water quality monitoring and assessing foundations. My second and third year Mineral Resources for Net-Zero Carbon modules, and the Mineral Exploration, Economics and Sustainability module have really supported my career.”
Alfie Bower (BSc Geology) Offshore Geotechnical Engineer “My role involves the collection and interpretation of drilling vessel geotechnical data. Much of our work is focused on seabed surveys for future offshore wind farm construction. I use the practical skills from my degree most days, particularly through my role in describing and logging the variety of sediments and rock types in our drill cores, and in the interpretation of geophysical data.”
mining operations, including mapping and monitoring of mining pits using drones and GIS software, collection of near-pit data and development of our exploration programmes. The third year module Mineral Exploration, Economics and Sustainability influenced my career, and inspired being involved in the sustainable production of key resources for the future."
“My role is focused on understanding the role of hydrogeology in our mining operations. I collect mine borehole data, monitor rock porewater contents and sample groundwater for geochemical analysis. These data feed into our mine water balance modelling. I use a range of skills from my degree, including geological mapping and logging, as well as industry-standard software such as ArcGIS.”Sustainable Development Goals
Course structure
- Foundation Year
- Year 1
- Year 2
- Optional Year in Industry
- Final Year
- Fieldwork
Foundation Year
Foundation Year
Modules
- Fundamental Mathematics
- Scientific Computing
- Principles of Earth Science and Earth Systems
- Introductory Chemistry Practical
- Introductory Data Analysis
- Academic Support
- Introductory Earth and Environmental Science (double module)
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Year 1
Year 2
Optional Year in Industry
Final Year
Fieldwork
Why Leicester?
Job prospects are excellent: 95% of our Geology students are employed (or studying for a Masters degree) six months after graduating. (DLHE)
All our degrees are accredited by the Geological Society of London. They said that our courses are “excellent” and they were “particularly impressed by the amount of fieldwork undertaken”.
Your degree will take you to geologically fascinating locations across the UK and further afield, starting with a Year 1 trip to the Isle of Arran.
Ranked 1st in subjects aligned to Geology for ‘Learning opportunities’ in the NSS 2024 (according to Times Higher Education NSS 2023 methodology applied to the NSS 2024 data). View the NSS questions all students were asked for individual themes.
Teaching and learning
Teaching
You will be taught through a mixture of lectures, tutorials, seminars, practicals and fieldwork. All lecture material is available online through our virtual learning environment Blackboard. Residential field trips are run by academic staff throughout the degree and provide extended periods of small group teaching in field contexts.
Assessment
You will be assessed through a combination of coursework, fieldwork, independent reports and projects, seminars, oral and poster presentations and computer-based tests, as well as formal exams.
We place a strong emphasis on safety training, time management, and student initiative.
Your personal tutor will provide you with individually tailored academic support throughout your degree. You will receive non-assessed feedback on every module to help you improve and prepare for your assessed work.
Through the Student-Staff Committee you can raise any issues relating to your studies and suggest course developments.
Fieldwork
In your first year you will receive basic geological field training on the Isle of Arran, one of the most geologically varied spots on Earth. Further field trips will take you to:
- Spain - field mapping and training in advanced sedimentological techniques in an arid terrain.
- Anglesey - examining and interpreting structurally complex rocks.
And one from the following:
- Wales - studying the geology, palaeontology and evolution of this Palaeozoic sedimentary basin
- Tenerife - studying pyroclastic rocks on the third biggest volcano in the world
- Cornwall – investigating a classic area of economic mineralisation and the environmental consequences of mining
Following additional field training in your second year, you will undertake an Independent Field-based Project. This is an exercise in practical, deductive geology which forms an important part of the degree. You choose the field area, allowing you to develop your geological interests. This will enable you to demonstrate your determination, motivation and ability to solve problems based on your own observations, as well as developing your self-confidence and organisational skills.
The cost of fieldwork is dependent on the year of study, destination, and whether the trip is core or optional to the programme. You will also incur expenses in completing your own independent fieldwork which is a requirement of the course. You will undertake this at the end of the second year of your course and you will be provided with partial financial support for this. Your own expenses will depend upon where you decide to undertake your independent fieldwork.
Independent learning
When not attending lectures, seminars or other timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking research in the library, preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for exams. To help with your independent learning, you can access the Library and our social study spaces in halls of residence.
Your contact hours will depend on the option modules you select. You can see details of the contact hours on individual module pages.
Academic support
Our Centre for Academic Achievement provides help in the following areas:
- study and exam skills
- academic writing
- presentations
- dissertations
- numerical data skills
- referencing sources
Our AccessAbility Centre offers support and practical help for students with dyslexia or other specific learning difficulties, including physical, mental health or mobility difficulties, deafness, or visual impairment.
Teaching staff
You will be taught by an experienced teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. PhD research students who have undertaken teacher training may also contribute to the teaching of seminars under the supervision of the module leader. Our teaching is informed by the research we do. You can learn more about our staff by visiting our staff profiles.
Apply now
| Course | Qualification | Duration | UCAS Code | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course Geology with Foundation Year | Qualification BSc | Duration 4 years full-time | UCAS Code F993 | Availability How to apply |
| Course Geology with Foundation Year with Year in Industry | Qualification BSc | Duration 5 years | UCAS Code F993 | Availability How to apply |
Data about this course
There is a real sense of community within Geology. The lecturers are incredibly approachable.