Earth Sciences

Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
The University of Edinburgh

Course details

Course description

Do you want to:

* learn more about how our planet works?

* help protect the planet?

* tackle the greatest challenges facing society and the natural world?

* find out how we can live sustainably on our planet?

Then this degree is for you.

**Why Earth sciences?**

The world needs Earth scientists now more than ever before. We need them to:

* help us address the climate crisis

* adapt to environmental changes

* secure the energy and materials society needs

* live more safely and sustainably on our dynamic Earth

With our BSc Earth Sciences, you will:

* study our Earth's past to forecast and safeguard its future

* learn about the structure and composition of the Earth

* develop a deep understanding of the many processes that shape the Earth and life on it

* learn how these processes interact and depend on each other

Our degree will help you play a valuable role in our transition to a fair and sustainable society.

Making a difference starts here. Are you ready?

**What will I learn?**

Our BSc Earth Sciences is a new cutting-edge degree that prepares you for advanced careers in the Earth sciences and beyond.

It carefully balances data science, programming, and computing skills with traditional field and laboratory skills, along with a knowledge of Earth sciences.

We will train you in the skills needed to answer the important questions in the Earth sciences, including:

* How can we mitigate the effects of global change?

* What tools can we use to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere?

* Why is our planet able to sustain life?

* How does the Earth's interior work, and how do these processes affect the surface?

* How can we sustainably manage the Earth's resources to meet our energy, mineral, and water needs?

* How can we improve our understanding of natural hazards such as earthquakes and volcanoes to reduce their risk and save lives?

We embrace a hands-on approach to learning, so you can develop in-demand practical skills. Many of your activities simulate those that professionals perform in the real world.

You will also learn sought-after computational analysis and quantitative skills and will gain experience in:

* acquiring, analysing, assessing and presenting a wide range of data

* computing skills including programming and use of specialist software

* computer modelling and mapping

* Geographical Information Systems (GIS)

Demand is growing for these data skills across a range of employment sectors.

You will learn from leading national and international Earth scientists across a diverse range of fields. We help ensure your degree has real-world relevance and make you highly sought after by employers.

Our links provide you with valuable networking and potential employment opportunities. You will be able to meet and interact with professionals from various sectors throughout your studies. This will provide you with opportunities to gain insights into real working environments, where Earth scientists make real contributions to our everyday lives.

Additionally, this degree offers you flexibility in your studies. You'll be able to build your degree around topics you are curious or passionate about. Our staff can also help you design an interdisciplinary curriculum by choosing option courses from other disciplines.

**Open to a world of possibilities**

We are one of the largest and most successful groupings of geographers, Earth and environmental scientists in the UK.

* We have pioneered research proving human-caused greenhouse gases are warming our planet, which helped underpin the 2015 Paris Agreement.

* We are working with major space agencies to monitor the environment using satellite data.

* We are 15th in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2023.

Our staff will incorporate the latest research in your teaching, and share our discoveries with you.

Join us as our planet and humanity face some of the biggest challenges we have ever known.

Subjects

  • Geology
  • Earth sciences

Provided by

The University of Edinburgh

futurestudents@ed.ac.uk

0131 297 3272

Provider website

Student Recruitment and Admissions

33 Buccleuch Place

Edinburgh

EH8 9JS

Entry requirements

Scottish Higher minimum entry requirements: B,B,B,B

BBBB by end of S5 or AABB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6. Required subjects: Highers: two of Biology, Chemistry, Geography, Mathematics, or Physics at B. Higher Applications of Mathematics is not accepted in place of Higher Mathematics. National 5s: English at C and Mathematics at A. We will accept combinations of Mathematics and Physics both at grade B to meet this requirement.

Check if you can join this course with your HNC or HND

Course options

Course details

Full time

1st Sep 2024 to 1st Sep 2028

Cost: £1,820.00 (ex. VAT)

Venue details

Central area campus

George Square

Edinburgh

EH8 9JZ