BSc Palaeontology and Geology

You won’t just be reading about Earth’s history—you’ll live it. From the very first term, you’ll explore real geological landscapes during field courses in places like Northern Ireland, Pembrokeshire, and the Jurassic Coast, and even venture all the way to Utah, USA. On campus, you’ll hone your skills in ultra-modern labs and museums, gaining expertise in fossil identification, lab analysis, and even exhibition design.

Here’s how your learning will come to life in detail:

• Immersive field trips: One-week residential field courses in Year 1 (Northern Ireland and Pembrokeshire), Year 2 (Jurassic Coast in southwest England), and Year 3 (Utah, USA), all fully funded for travel and accommodation. 

• Lapworth Museum of Geology access: One of the UK’s oldest and richest geological museums houses over 250,000 specimens—an essential resource for hands-on learning, from studying 3.5 billion-year-old fossils to curating exhibits. 

• Lab-based expertise: Use the state-of-the-art Collaborative Teaching Lab (wet, dry, and e-labs), CT scanner for 3D fossil scanning, and geochemistry labs to analyse samples and visualise findings. 

• Specialised research facilities: The school offers palaeomagnetic and rock preparation labs, the Geosciences Microscope Facilities (including Zeiss systems with digital imaging), analytical instruments (e.g., mass spectrometry), and precision cutting tools—all designed for geological and palaeontological exploration.

• Dynamic field research base: The Wolfson Laboratories support a wide range of field disciplines—palaeoecology, sedimentology, hydrology and more—with tools like corers, surveying equipment, water sampling kits, and data loggers.

• Digital tools & visualization: The Earth imaging and visualisation lab and map collections—featuring physical maps, atlases, and satellite imagery—support detailed spatial and temporal analysis. 

• Museum curation skills: The Palaeontology Field and Museum Skills module lets you learn not just fossil collection but also museum exhibition design, ethical curation practices, and specimen preservation. 

Graduates of this programme often move into fulfilling roles such as natural science professionals, environmental consultants, museum curators, or geological surveyors, reflecting the versatility and depth of the training. What’s more, the university’s support and reputation ensure you’re not just ready for your first job—you’re ready to shape your career path, whether in industry, research, or conservation:

• Careers Service support: You’ll have access to the Student Experience Team, who offer subject-specific career guidance, support with placements, research opportunities, and help building employability skills—from writing CVs to planning interviews. ([turn0search1] citation)

• Employment stats & salary figures: Within 15 months of graduation, around 85% of Earth Sciences students are in work or further study—averaging a salary of £26,000 (typical range: £23,000–£30,000). After 5 years, salaries typically rise to around £30,500.

• University–industry partnerships: Graduates work in diverse fields such as scientific civil service, environmental consultancies, local government, conservation, and education—with employability enhanced via placement options and strong ties to industry. 

• Long-term accreditation value: This programme is accredited by the Geological Society of London, satisfying academic requirements for Fellowship and Chartered Geologist status—boosting credibility with employers. 

• Graduation outcomes: Alumni of the programme are reaching roles in environmental planning, hydrogeology, land remediation, groundwater management, and working with organizations like the British Geological Survey, Environment Agency, or local museums and planning authorities. 

Further Academic Progression:
After completing your BSc, you can step directly into postgraduate study through an MSc, MSci, or PhD, focusing on topics like palaeoclimates, vertebrate evolution, or environmental geoscience. Many graduates also pursue the CNRS/STEM postgraduate routes or other professional accreditation schemes—your rigorous training and research experience will make you a strong candidate for advanced academic and professional trajectories.