Course options
Key information
Duration: 1 year full time or 2 years part time
Institution code: R72
Campus: Egham
UK fees*: £5,238
International/EU fees**: £29,700
The course
Earth Sciences (MSc by Research)
The MSc by Research in Earth Sciences offers an opportunity to join our thriving research community to refine your research skills and develop advanced scientific and technical knowledge through an original research project supervised by internationally-renowned academic research staff.
You’ll contribute to the research culture in the Earth Sciences at Royal Holloway, a leading centre for multidisciplinary research, with a wide range of industrial and commercial collaborations and partners within the energy, environmental and extraction sectors.
The Department of Earth Sciences is one of the leading centres of research and teaching in the UK. 88% of our research is rated world-leading or internationally excellent in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021).
Graduates are invited to contact individual members of staff in the department in the first instance to discuss potential research projects. Your research topic will be developed into a project proposal through discussion with your chosen supervisor from the full breadth of the themes covered by the Research Centres within the Department.
You will have access to world-class facilities in high-quality, custom-designed laboratories for conducting research and training activities in air quality monitoring; analogue modelling; aerosol studies; computing; greenhouse gas measurements and analysis, Laser ablation-ICP-MS analysis, light stable isotope analysis; mineral separation; multi-collector-ICP-MS analysis; palaeobiology; rock crushing; scanning electron microscopy; sea-ice studies; wet geochemical analysis; X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence.
You’ll develop skills in experimental design, data collection, analysis and interpretation, and analytical methods, as well as transferable team working and presentation skills. You may also be encouraged to present your work at national and international conferences, and to prepare your work for publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
The MSc by Research will help you to develop valuable vocational skills and acquire industry insight to prepare for a career in a wide range of research and employment sectors, or to gain experience in original research prior to taking a full PhD programme.
Find out more about staff and their research interests and how to apply here:
Earth Sciences - Postgraduate research
- Take part in world-class research led by renowned academics using state-of-the-art facilities
- Join a department with outstanding international links with industry and research partners across earth science, energy and environmental sectors.
- Equip yourself with valuable vocational skills and experience to pursue your career or progress to further research at PhD level.
We sometimes make changes to our courses to improve your experience. If this happens, we’ll let you know as soon as possible.
Teaching & assessment
The Earth Sciences MSc by Research degree culminates in a supervised independent research project presented in the form of a thesis, which is assessed by an internal and external examiner, and an oral presentation at the annual Postgraduate Research Student Conference.
During your studies you may attend taught courses from specialist 3rd or 4th year undergraduate taught modules if appropriate. You can also attend Earth Sciences research seminars to better understand a wide range of scientific issues beyond your individual research project.
The academic progress and social welfare of our research students is a high priority, and the administration of your project will be overseen by a dedicated postgraduate research student lead in the Earth Sciences department, in conjunction with the Doctoral School.
Your progress will be reviewed at four and eight months by a panel comprised of your supervisor, co-supervisor or advisor, and an independent staff member. At each meeting, you must provide examples of written work and timetabled plans for future work, with a verbal presentation made at the four month meeting. A progress review form is completed at each meeting, checked by the Earth Sciences Postgraduate Research Student Lead who may also provide feedback.
All students have access to the wide range of other training opportunities available in the college including the Researcher Development Programme (RDP) and support from the Centre for Development of Academic Skills.
Entry requirements
2:2
Normally we require at least a UK 2:2 (Honours) or equivalent. Applicants with other qualifications in related disciplines should discuss these with their potential supervisor(s).
Eligible degree subjects include Chemistry, Biological Science, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Geography, Geology, Geoscience, Marine Science, and Physical Science.
Vocational and professional experience within the environmental sector is desirable, but not essential.
Before making an application, prospective students should contact potential supervisors in the Department of Earth Sciences to discuss possible research projects. A research proposal is not required as part of the application.
We advise getting in touch with the Director of Postgraduate Education making an informal enquiry for your chosen research topic.
Some projects may benefit from external co-supervisors with specialist knowledge or facilities at universities, research institutes, industry or other collaborative partners.
International & EU requirements
Bachelors Degree/ Bachelor Honours Degree: GPA 2.6
Masters degree: GPA 3.0/ 80%
Diplomë e Integruar e Nivelit të Dytë:or Diplomë e Nivelit të Parë: 7/10, or Master i Shkencave në Mjekësi të Përgjithshme / në Mjekësi Veterinarë / ne Stomatologji: 7/10
Licence, Diplôme, Diplôme d'Études Supérieures, Diplôme de Docteur en Pharmacie: 11/20
Batxelor: 5/10
Grau de Licenciado/a: 13/10
Bachelor degree from The University of the West Indies: GPA 2.5
Título, Grado de Licenciado/A: 6/10
Specialist Diploma, (Diplom bakalavri astichan), Bachelor degree from American University of Armenia: 70%, GPA 3.0 out of 4, or 14 out of 20
Bachelor degree (Honours) with a 2:2, or a Bachelor degree (Ordinary) with a Pass with 57% overall.
Bachelor degree or Fachhochschuldiplom/Diplom (FH): Bestanden- PASS, Befriedigend - Satisfactory, or 3 out of 5
Bachelor degree (Bakalavr) or Specialist Diploma with 3.5 out of 5 or 70% overall.
Bachelor degree from The University of the West Indies: 2:2, GPA 2.5
Bachelor degree: 2.6/4 or 3.2/5 or 65%
4 year Bachelor degree from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) with a First Class Division or a Masters Degree following a 3 or 4 year degree.
Specialist Diploma 6/10, or Bachelor Degree 8/10
Bachelor degree with grade 12 overall or the Licentiaat or Licence and other two cycle diplomas with grade 12 overall.
Bachelor degree from The University of the West Indies: 2:2 or GPA 2.5
Diplôme d'études Approfondies/Supérieures/Master: 13 out of 20
Bachelors degree: 60%
Licenciado/Titulo de.... :60%, or Titulo de Bachiller Universitario: 70%
Diploma Visokog Obrazovanja Diploma Visokog Obrazovanja / Diplomirani with Grade 8
Bachelors or Masters: 60%
Título de Bacharel/ Titlo de... 6.5/10
Bachelor degree from The University of the West Indies: 2:2
Bachelor (Honours) Degree: Lower Second Class, or Bachelor (Ordinary) Degree GPA 2.5/5
Bakalavar or Diploma of Completed Higher Education with a Grade 4 out 6 overall.
Diploma d’Etudes Approfondies: 13/20
Diplome d’Etudes Approfondies: 70%
Masters degree: 60%
12/20 or GPA 2.5/4
4 year Bachelor degree with 62%, a GPA 2.5 out of 4, Grade 6 out of 12 or grade C+ overall OR 3 year Bachelor degree with 73%, a GPA of 3.1 out of 4, Grade 8 out of 12 or grade B overall, depending on the grading scheme.
Grau de Licenciado/a: 13/20
The University of the West Indies, or University of College of the Cayman Islands: 65%
Diplome d’Ingenieur (non-honours): 14/20
Diplôme d'Etat de Doctorat en Médecine, Diplome d'Etudes Approfondies 13/20
Grado de Licenciado en..., or Grado de Bachiller: 4.6/7
4 year Bachelors degree with an overall 65% to 70% or GPA of 2.8 to 3.0 out of 4.0 depending on the institution.
Licenciado en, Licenciado en, or Diploma de: 3.5/5
Licenciado, Bachiller: 7.5/10
Diplôme d'études supérieures spécialisées, Diplôme d'études approfondies, Diplôme d'Etat de docteur en Pharmacie: 13/20
3 out of 5 overall in the Baccalaureus Prvostupnik or Visoko Obrazovanja/Level VII/1 (second level degree obtained on completion of 4-6 year course).
Titulo de Licenciado/ Arquitecto / Inginiero / Doctor: 3.5/5
Overall 6.5 out of 10 or a GPA of 2.5 out of 4 in a Bachelor degree from a public university, Ptychion (from University of Cyprus) or Bachelor degree awarded by a private institution (the programme must be accredited by the Ministry of Education and Culture).
Bakalar with dobre (good), score of 2 or Grade C overall.
Diplome d’Etudes Speciales, Diplome d'Etudes Approfondies, Maistrise/Diplome d'Ingenieur/Diplome d'etudes superieures:
7 from 13 points grading system or 4 from 7 points grading system in a Bachelor degree, Candidatus Philosophiae or Professionbachelor.
Diplome d'Ingenieur Bien, or Maitrise/ Master: 14
The University of the West Indies: Lower Second Class Honours, or BSc in Nursing from Dominica State College
Licenciado/Titulo: 75%
Titulo de Licenciado/a from Universidade Nacional Timor Lorosa'e
Titulo de Licenciado/ Titulo: 7/10 OR 70%
University bachelors degree with a GPA of 2.4 overall or 65% overall
Licenciado/ Titulo de: 6.5/10
Masters Degree: 2.6/4
71-80%, 3 or C overall in a Bakalaurusekraad/Diploma, Magister or Magistrikraad
2.5 out of 4
Bachelor Degree: 2.5 or overall grade Satisfactory
GPA of 1.4 where marks are in 1 - 3 system or GPA of 2.5 where marks are in 1 - 5 system in a Kandidaattii/Kandidat or Maisteri/Magister
Licence awarded from 2009 with grade 10-11.99 or Maitrise (pre-Bologna) with grade 11
Diplome D'Ingenieur, or Maitrise: Bien
Master's degree: 60%/ GPA 2.7/4.3
Bakalarvis Khariskhi: 71%
Grade 3 overall in a Bachelor, Fachhochschuldiplom or Magister Artium
Bachelor degree with a Second Class Lower Division overall.
6 out of 10 overall in a Diploma from the Faculties of Engineering and Agriculture or a Ptychion (Bachelor degree) awarded by an AEI.
Bachelor degree from The University of the West Indies: GPA 2.5
Licenciado/ Titulo: Pass mark of 51% University: 60% or Pass mark of 61% Universities: 70%
Diplôme d'Etat de docteur en médecine, or Diplome d’Etudes Superieures/Maitrise/Diplome d’Etudes Approfondies : 14/20
65%, or 3.0 out of 4
Titulo de Licenciado/a/Grado Academico de Licenciatura: 70%
Bachelors degree degree with a Second Class Honours, Lower Division.
Egyetemi Oklevel /Foiskola Oklevel/ Alapfokozat with 3 out of 5 overall.
Baccalaurreatus with grade 6.5 out of 10 overall or Kandidatsprof / Cadidatus Mag with 6 out of 10 overall.
Bachelor degree with 55% to 60% overall or a CGPA of 5.5 to 6 out of 10 overall depending on the NIRF 1-100 institution ranking
Bachelor degree or Diploma IV with overall GPA of 2.8.
Bachelor Degree/Professional Doctorate with 12 out of 20 overall.
Bachelor’s degree (four years) with 70% overall.
Bachelors degree with at least 65% overall depending on the mark scheme.
Diploma di Laurea or Licenza di Accademia di Belle Arti with 80 out of 110 overall.
Bachelor degree (when accredited by the University Council of Jamaica, or when awarded by the Council of Community Colleges of Jaimaica): Second Class Lower Division
Bachelor degree (Gakushi) with a B overall, dependent on the mark scheme.
Bachelor degree: GPA 2.8 out of 4, Good, C, 68%
Bakalavr or Specialist Diploma with 3.5 out of 5, 75% or 2.67 out of 4.33, or 2.67 out of 4 overall.
Bachelor degree with a Second Class Honours (lower division) overall.
Bacelor/Bachelor Degree: C - Good
Bachelor degree with B or a GPA of 2.6 overall.
Specialist Diploma, Bachelor Degree, Masters Degree: 3.0 out of 4 or 4.0 out of 5
Masters degree: C or GPA 2.0
Bakalaura Diploms or Professional Bakalaura Diploms with Grade 6 overal.
Bachelor Degree/ Licence: 70%
Masters Degree: 65%
Master's degree: 70% or GPA 2.4 out of 4.0
Bachelor Degree of Medicine/Surgery/Architecture/Engineering: 65% or 2.6/4
Dipl Ing (FH) or Dipl Arch (FH) from Liechtenstein Technical College with a Grade 4.4/6 overall.
7 out of 10 overall in a Bakalauras or Specialist Diploma.
Bachelor or Diplome d'ingenieur industriel: 14/20
Licenciatura: Lower Second Class Honours or GPA 2.5
Diplome d'Ingenieur: 13/20
Masters Degree: 60%
Bachelor degree with Class 2 Division ii, B or 2.6 out of 4.0 overall.
Bachelor degree (Maldives National University): GPA 2.5
Diplôme d'Etat de docteur en Pharmacie: GPA 15 out of 20
Honours degree with a Second Class (Lower Division) overall.
Maitrise: 13/20
Bachelor Degree: Class II division II
Titulo de Licenciado/Titulo: GPA 7 out of 10 or 70%
Diplomă de Licenţă: 7/10
Bachelor degree (awarded after 2012): 80 out of 100
Masters Degree: 70%
Diploma o završenim osnovnim akademskim studijama: Grade C
Licence/Licence d'Etudes Fondamentales/Licence Profesionnelle: GPA 111 out of 20
Grau de Mestre: 12/20
Master's degree: 60%
Bachelor Honours / Professional Bachelor degree: 60%
Bachelor degree (4 years) or Master's degree (following a 3-year Bachelor degree): 65%
Bachelor degree or Doctoraal with Grade 6.0 out of 10 overall.
Bachelor degree Honours or Ordinary with an overall Grade C+ or Grade 3 out of 9 points grading system.
Licenciado/Titulo: 80%
Diplôme d'études Approfondies or Diplôme d'études Supérieures Spécialisées: 15 out of 20
Bachelor degree with a Second Class Honours, Lower Division or overall GPA of 2.4 out of 5.
Visoko Obrazovanja with 7 out of 10 overall.
Bachelor degree GPA 2.6 to 2.8 depending on your institution.
Bachelor degree, Candidatus Magisterii, Sivilingeni-r (siv. ing.) (Engineering degree ) or Sivil?konom (siv. ?k.) (Economics degree) Grade D or 3.25 where 1 is the highest.
Bachelor degree with an overall GPA of 2.6/4
4 year Bachelor degree or combined bachelors degree and Master degree for the duration of 4 years with 58% - 65% or a CGPA of 2.8 - 3.2 overall depending on your institution.
Bachelor degree: GPA 3.0 out of 4.0, 80%, B
Licenciado/ Titulo: 70%
Bachelor Honours Degree: Class II, Division B
Titulo de Licenciado/ TItulo: 3.5/5
Grado Academico de Bachiller: 13/20
Bachelor degree (awarded from 2022): 2.5/4, or Masters degree: 2.5/5
Licencjat, Inzynier or Bachelor with grade 4 out of 5
Diploma de Estudos Superiores Especializadoswith grade 14 overall or Licenciado with grade 13 overall.
Bachelor degree: 70/100 or GPA 2.0 out of 4.0
Bachelor degree with an overall GPA of 2.8 overall.
Maitrise: 13/20
Diploma de Licenta, Diploma Inginer or Diploma de Arhitect with 7.0 out of 10 overall.
Bakalavr Bachelor degree or Specialist Diploma with 3.5 out of 5 or 70% overall.
Bachelor Honours Degree: 13/20
Bachelor degree when studied at University of South Pacific, Samoa: GPA 2.5
Licenciatura: 13/20
Bachelor degree with 65%, 3.25 out of 5.0 or 2.5 out of 4.0 overall.
Diplom Visokog Obrazovanja (second-level degree obtained on completion of a four to six-year course) with 7 out of 10 overall.
Bachelor Degree: Lower Second Class
Bachelors Degree (Honours): Lower Second Class
Bachelor degree (from a public university) with a Class II (lower) overall.
Bakalar or Magister / Inzinier with vel'mi dobre (very good) or Grade 2 overall.
Diplomirani / Diplomirani Inzenir from Visoko izobrazevanje, University Diploma or Visoko Obrazovanja (until 1999) with 7 out of 10 (8 for Visoko Obrazovanja) overall.
Bachelor degree when studied at University of South Pacific, Vanuatu: GPA 2.5
Bachelor (Honours), Bachelor or Professional Bachelor degree with 60% or Second Class Lower Division.
Bachelor (Haksa) degree with 3.0 out of 4.5, 2.9 out of 4.3 or 2.8 out of 4.0.
Bachelor Honours degree: 2.5/4.0 Division Two Lower
Licenciado, Titulo de Ingeniero or Titulo de Arquitecto with 6 out of 10.
Bachelor degree from The University of the West Indies: GPA 2.5 Second Class Honours, Lower Division
Bachelor degree from The University of the West Indies: GPA 2.5 Second Class Honours, Lower Division
Bachelor degree from The University of the West Indies: GPA 2.5 Second Class Honours, Lower Division
Bachelor Honours Degree: 60%
Bachelor degreee, Masters Degree, MO-B Akte Diploma: Met Genoegen (Good)
Bachelor degree: 70%
Bachelor degree from National University or Private University with 68% to 73% or GPA 2.8 to 3.0 depending on your institution.
Specialist Diploma: 3.5/5
Bachelor degree with a 2nd Class Honours (Lower) overall.
Bachelor degree GPA 2.4 to 2.6 depending on your institution.
Diplôme d'études supérieures, Diplôme d'études approfondies: 13/20
Bachelor or Masters degree from the University of the South Pacific: 70%/ B+
Bachelor degree (when accredited by the Accreditation Council of Trinidad and Tobago (ACTT)): Lower Second Class Honours
12 out of 20 (Assez Bien)
Bachelor degree GPA 2.6 to 2.8 depending on your institution.
Ýokary bilim hakynda şahadatnama: 3.5/5
Bachelor degree (accredited by the Council of Community Colleges of Jamaica)
Bachelor degree: Class II Lower/ Honours Lower/ 3.0-3.9/ B
Bachelor degree (post 2007) or Specialist Diploma (after 1991) with a Grade 3, 9 out of 12 or 3.5 out of 5 overall.
Bachelor degree with 80%, a GPA of 2.8 out of 4, C+ or Good overall.
Bachelor degree with a GPA of 2.6 overall.
Bachelor Honours Degree: GPA 2.5 or Second Class Honours, Lower Division
Titulo de Licenciado/Titulo: GPA 7/12
Diplomi: 70%
Kandidatexamen with at least a Pass (godkand) overall.
Bachelor degree when studied at University of South Pacific, Vanuatu: GPA 2.5
Titulo de Licenciado/Titulo: 70% or 11 from high ranking institution
Bachelor degree or Bang tot nghiep dai hoc with 6.5 out of 10.
Masters Degree: 63%
Masters Degree: 55%
60%-64%, Second Class Honours, Lower Division
English language requirements
- IELTS: 6.5 overall. Writing 7.0. No other subscore lower than 5.5
- Pearson Test of English: 67 overall. Writing 76 no other subscore lower than 59.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.
- TOEFL iBT: 88 overall, with Reading 18 Listening 17 Speaking 20 Writing 26.
- Duolingo: 120 overall, 135 in Literacy, 135 in Production and no sub-score below 100.
Your future career
A Masters in Earth Sciences at Royal Holloway, University of London is excellent preparation for graduates who want to continue to further PhD study or pursue a career in a variety of sectors.
Upon completion of the course you will have acquired a range of advanced research techniques and experience of research in the earth sciences. You’ll also develop important transferable skills, including teamwork and networking, communication and presenting research findings to an audience in the form of a conference presentation.
Students may be employed as Postgraduate Demonstrators, and those who successfully complete the Skills of Teaching to Inspire Learning course will be awarded accreditation as an Associate of the Higher Education Academy.
You’ll benefit from a close-knit graduate network to draw on, with alumni often visiting Royal Holloway to share their experiences.
Many of our Masters graduates have gone on to secure PhD positions at Royal Holloway, or at other leading university departments. Our graduates have entered careers in the research and employment sectors, with roles in GIS, IT, science editing, climate science, industry and environmental consultancies.
Fees, funding & scholarships
Home (UK) students tuition fee per year*: £5,238
EU and international students tuition fee per year**: £29,700
Other essential costs***: There are no single associated costs greater than £50 per item on this course.
How do I pay for it? Find out more about funding options, including loans, grants, scholarships and bursaries.
* and ** These tuition fees apply to students starting their course on a full-time basis in the academic year 2026/27. Students studying on the standard part-time course structure over two years are charged 50% of the full-time applicable fee for each study year.
Royal Holloway reserves the right to increase all postgraduate tuition fees annually. For further information, see fees and funding.
** These estimated costs relate to studying this particular degree at Royal Holloway during the 2026/27 academic year, and are included as a guide. Costs, such as accommodation, food, books and other learning materials and printing, have not been included.
† Earth Sciences by Research MSc is subject to up to £6,000 in addition to the above fees which are negotiated between the department and student/sponsor at the project setup stage.
We adopt the minimum fee level recommended by the UK Research Councils for the Home tuition fee. Each year, the fee level is adjusted in line with inflation (currently, the measure used is the Treasury GDP deflator). Fees displayed here are therefore subject to change and are usually confirmed in the spring of the year of entry. For more information on the Research Council Indicative Fee please see the UKRI website.
