Geology

Geology is the science of the Earth, concerned with the materials that make up the planet, the processes that have shaped it over billions of years, and the record of those processes preserved in rocks, fossils and landscapes. It is a discipline that combines fieldwork in real landscapes with laboratory analysis and the application of physics, chemistry and biology to understanding the natural world. Geologists read rocks the way historians read documents, reconstructing past environments, tectonic events, climate changes and biological evolution from the evidence preserved in the geological record.

This three-year full-time degree at the University of Exeter is accredited by the Geological Society, which is the first step on the path to becoming a Chartered Geologist after graduation. You will study the core areas of the discipline, including mineralogy, petrology, structural geology, sedimentology, palaeontology and geophysics, developing both theoretical understanding and practical skills in field mapping, laboratory analysis, data interpretation and geological report writing. Fieldwork is a central component of geological education, and you will spend time working in real geological environments, developing the observational and interpretive skills that distinguish a geologist.

Geology graduates work in the minerals and mining industries, the oil and gas sector, environmental consultancy, engineering geology, hydrogeology, geohazard assessment and the public sector in roles including national geological surveys and environmental regulation. The growing importance of understanding subsurface resources for energy transition, including geothermal energy and carbon storage, makes geological expertise increasingly relevant. Further study at postgraduate level, particularly research degrees or master's programmes in specific areas of geology or earth science, is a common path for those who wish to develop specialist expertise or pursue academic careers.