Earth Science and Physical Geography

Earth science and physical geography together examine the processes that have shaped our planet over geological time and that continue to transform it today. Earth science investigates the composition and structure of the Earth, the tectonic forces that move continents and build mountains, the history of life preserved in the rock record, and the deep-time climatic changes that have repeatedly transformed the conditions on Earth's surface. Physical geography asks complementary questions about the processes operating at and near the surface: how rivers, glaciers, oceans, and the atmosphere interact to create the landscapes we inhabit and the climatic systems that sustain life.

At the University of Edinburgh, these two disciplines are studied within a department that explicitly bridges the sciences, social sciences, and humanities, giving you access to an unusually wide range of perspectives and methods over four years.

You will develop both quantitative and observational skills, working with geological and geographical data from fieldwork, laboratory analysis, and computational modelling. The programme traces environmental and Earth system change from the deep past to the present, asking how scientists reconstruct earlier conditions and what those reconstructions tell us about the future. Edinburgh's transdisciplinary approach means you will engage with the social and cultural dimensions of environmental change as well as its physical and geological dimensions, developing a holistic understanding of how the Earth system and human societies interact.

A typical entry tariff of 184 points reflects the competitive admissions standard at Edinburgh. Graduates move into careers in environmental consultancy, geological survey, hydrogeology, the energy sector, climate science, environmental policy, hazard assessment, and academic research. Many continue to postgraduate study in earth sciences, physical geography, or environmental science.