The course
To understand the physical Earth and the dynamic processes that continue to alter and change our environment you must understand Geology.
Study Geology at Royal Holloway, University of London and you’ll combine disciplines including chemistry, physics, maths and geography to fully comprehend the past, present and future of our planet. You’ll gain the skills needed to help communities manage natural disasters such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, as well as those required to locate precious minerals and natural resources including crude oil and diamonds. You’ll graduate with a diverse set of transferrable skills that will make you a highly employable candidate for employers in a range of fields.
Study in a department consistently ranked among the top 10 in the country (The Complete University Guide and The Times Good University Guide 2018), and home to an inspiring research culture that informs our teaching. You’ll enjoy field work opportunities in the UK and overseas, and become a part of an inclusive, community-focussed department with a strong staff-to-student ratio.
Study Geology at Royal Holloway and you’ll graduate well equipped to progress to postgraduate study or to a rewarding career in your chosen field. Our alumni have gone on to careers in petroleum geology, geotechnical engineering and other related sectors, so follow your passion for Geology and see where it can take you.
- Combine disciplines including chemistry, physics, maths and geography.
- Choose from a broad range of optional courses to tailor your learning to your own interests.
- Benefit from a pioneering research culture.
- Enjoy fieldwork opportunities in the UK and overseas.
- An ideal preparation for a wide range of employment both inside and outside the subject area.
Course structure
Core Modules
Year 1- Global Tectonics
- Introductory Sedimentology
- Igneous and Metamorphic Geology
- Physics and Chemistry of the Earth
- Earth Structures
- Introductory Palaeontology
- Scientific and Geological Field Skills
- Stratigraphy and the History of Life
- Regional Geology
- Igneous and Metamorphic Geology
- Geochemistry
- Advanced Scientific and Field Skills
- Applied Geology (Industrial Placement)
- Advanced Concepts and Techniques in Geology
- Independent Field Mapping
Optional Modules
Year 1- All modules are core
- Sedimentary Basin Analysis
- Geohazards
- Applied Geophysics
- Computational Earth Sciences
- Structural Analysis and Remote Sensing
- Marine Geology
- Advanced Topics in Sedimentology
- Aqueous Geology
- Volcanology
- Planetary Geology and Geophysics
- Advanced Techniques in Tectonic and Structural Interpretation
- Modern Climate Change
- Mineral Resources
- Advanced Palaeontology
Teaching & assessment
Teaching and learning is mostly by means of practical classes, which comprise 60% of the timetabled study time. Lectures are used to introduce material and provide a context for private study. Tutorials supplement and reinforce knowledge and understanding, while field and laboratory project work carried out as individuals or in teams are valuable opportunities for students to develop in-depth knowledge of specialist areas and help bring the syllabus to life.
Assessment is by a mixture of coursework and end-of-year examination in varying proportions, depending on the chosen course units. Coursework can include literature research reports, fieldwork and laboratory exercises and reports, oral presentations and independent dissertations. In the final year you will produce an independent geological map and write a research report with individual guidance from your tutor.
The first year is foundational and marks do not count towards your final degree. The second year, optional year abroad and final year marks do count, with the final year marks being more heavily weighted in order to reward progress and achievement.
Entry requirements
A Levels: ABB-BBB
Acceptable Science subjects: Mathematics, Physics, Geology, Chemistry, Geography, Biology.
At least five GCSEs at grade A*-C or 9 - 4 including English and Mathematics.
Where an applicant is taking the EPQ alongside A - levels, the EPQ will be taken into consideration and result in lower A-level grades being required. Socio - economic factors which may have impacted an applicant's education will be taken into consideration and alternative offers may be made to these applicants.
Other UK Qualifications
International & EU requirements
English language requirements
All teaching at Royal Holloway is in English. You will therefore need to have good enough written and spoken English to cope with your studies right from the start.
The scores we require
- IELTS: 6.5 overall. No subscore lower than 5.5.
- Pearson Test of English: 61 overall. Writing 54. No subscore lower than 51.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.
For more information about country-specific entry requirements for your country please visit here. For international students who do not meet the direct entry requirements, we offer an International Foundation Year, run by Study Group at the Royal Holloway International Study Centre. Upon successful completion, students can progress on to selected undergraduate degree programmes at Royal Holloway, University of London.
Your future career
Geology graduates from Royal Holloway are well placed to progress to postgraduate study or a rewarding career in a variety of fields and our recent alumni have secured positions in fields including environmental consultancy, geoscience and petroleum geology, among others.
Geologists develop knowledge and a set of transferrable skills that prove attractive to a wide range of employers, with exciting career opportunities worldwide in fields such as mineral exploration and mining. Our jobs fairs, skills workshops and visits from industry representatives provide students with excellent career opportunities.
Fees & funding
Home and EU students tuition fee per year*: £9250
The fee for year in industry will be 20% of the tuition fee for that academic year.
International students tuition fee per year**: £11300
The fee for year in industry will be 20% of the tuition fee for that academic year.
Other essential costs***: £100 for a set of essential field work equipment, for example a hard hat, compass. £150 per year contribution towards field trip costs.
How do I pay for it? Find out more about funding options, including loans, scholarships and bursaries.
*The tuition fee for UK and EU undergraduates is controlled by Government regulations, and for students starting a degree in the academic year 2018/19 will be £9,250 for that year, and is shown for reference purposes only. The tuition fee for UK and EU undergraduates has not yet been confirmed for students starting a degree in the academic year 2019/20.
**Fees for international students may increase year-on-year in line with the rate of inflation. The policy at Royal Holloway is that any increases in fees will not exceed 5% for continuing students. For further information see fees and funding and our terms and conditions.
***These estimated costs relate to studying this particular degree programme at Royal Holloway. Costs, such as accommodation, food, books and other learning materials and printing etc., have not been included.
