You may have already decided that a geoscience degree is for you. If not, our information on "Why Study Geoscience?" may help you decide.

As a geoscience student at Leicester you will benefit from:

• A thriving department where you will be taught by internationally recognised geoscientists at the forefront of their field.
• Excellent staff-student relations with high student satisfaction levels - rated first amongst departments offering full-time Geology degrees in National Student Surveys for the last four years.
• Enthusiastic staff using innovative teaching methods to inspire you to achieve your full potential.
• Small group teaching and tutorials providing individually tailored academic and pastoral support throughout your degree.
• An excellent field programme giving you opportunities for visits to the Alps, Tenerife, Spain, Scotland and Wales.
• Flexible courses so that you can follow your own interests and career aspirations.
• A wide variety of specialist modules, such as Physical Volcanology or Environmental and Forensic Geoscience.
• Active student geological societies who organise talks, field trips and departmental social activities.
• Opportunities to study abroad in North America, New Zealand and Europe.
• Unparalleled opportunities for vacation or year-out work experience resulting from our excellent links with employers.
• Excellent career prospects.
• Numerous scholarships available to support your studies.

The Bennett Building Foyer, Department of Geology © Peter Durant

Why study Geoscience?

Geoscience investigates some of the most interesting and important scientific questions of our time. Our lives today, and even the survival of our species, are dependent on understanding our planet and the way it has evolved through time - and how it may change in the future.

Our degree courses tackle questions such as “how did life originate, and evolve?”, “can we limit global warming?”, “what will happen when that volcano erupts?” or “how can we sustainably provide resources for a global population of 7 billion people?”, whilst teaching the subject-specific and transferable skills that equip you for a successful career.

Geoscience is the ideal subject for those with a broad interest in science and its application to the natural environment.

Degree programmes

All our programmes are modular and provide degree-specific optional modules in the third and fourth years. A unique characteristic of our programme structure is the flexibility in degree options. All degree programmes include common modules in the first year, enabling you to transfer between degrees at the end of the first year, subject to meeting the A-level requirements for your intended degree.

BSc versus MGeol degrees

Our BSc degrees provide an ideal 3-year route if you want to pursue your interest in geoscience and are contemplating becoming a professional geologist. The 4-year MGeol degrees include a major cutting-edge independent research project on a topic chosen by you, including training in research methods and access to high quality analytical facilities.

Second Year Fieldwork, Anglesey

These Masters degrees also include additional field courses, training in data analysis, and the opportunity to specialise further in your favourite subjects. These programmes are ideal if you aspire to enter professional geological employment at a high level or PhD research after graduation. You can change from an MGeol degree to a BSc degree at any time until the end of the second year.

You can change from a BSc degree to an MGeol degree before the end of the first year, subject to satisfactory performance. Continuation on the MGeol degree is conditional on achieving a sufficient level of performance in the second year assessment.

Work Experience

You can take a year out to gain work experience in industry on all our degrees. Because of our strong links with employers many of our students also gain valuable work experience during summer placements – Click here for further inspiration.

Teaching

• Diverse learning methods with the proportion of independent project work increasing towards the third and fourth years.
• Each year group has their own study area, readily accessible and equipped with specimens.
• Transferable skills teaching, including computing and maths, integrated into course modules.
• Supervised practical classes linked with lectures.
• Students are actively encouraged and guided into independent study.
• Independent and teamwork projects are integral parts of modules in every year.
• Diverse assessment methods include coursework, fieldwork, independent reports/projects, seminars, oral and poster presentations, computer-based tests and web pages, as well as formal examinations.
• Each student has a personal tutor who provides pastoral and academic support.
• Ready access to teaching staff.

Private Study in the Department's Student Resource Room

Student Feedback

• You will be provided with non-assessed feedback on every module to help you improve and prepare for assessed work.
• Student questionnaires give direct feedback on modules.
• An active Student-Staff Committee allows students to raise any issues relating to their studies and suggest course developments.

For further information see the 'More Information' and 'FAQ' links on the right side of this page.