Geophysical and Atmospheric Sciences

Geophysical and atmospheric sciences address some of the most pressing challenges facing our planet. With a growing global population, more and more people are affected by natural hazards such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and extreme weather, while the weather in space is also increasingly impacting the technologies societies depend on. These are disciplines that sit at the intersection of physics, mathematics, and earth science, applying quantitative methods to understand how the solid earth, the ocean, and the atmosphere behave and interact.

At the University of Leeds, this three-year full-time degree develops your understanding of the physical processes governing our planet and its space environment. You will study seismology, fluid dynamics, atmospheric physics, remote sensing, and the modelling of complex Earth systems, developing strong mathematical and computational skills alongside the conceptual frameworks needed to interpret geophysical and atmospheric data. The programme includes a sandwich year with a year abroad and work placement opportunities, giving you direct professional experience in research, environmental consultancy, or related industries, as well as international exposure to different scientific communities and field environments.

Entry typically requires around 152 UCAS tariff points.

Geophysical and atmospheric science graduates work in oil and gas exploration, environmental consultancy, hazard assessment, meteorological agencies, space weather forecasting, academic research, and government scientific agencies such as the Met Office and the British Geological Survey. The strong quantitative and computational skills the degree develops are also valued in finance, data science, and engineering. Many graduates continue to postgraduate research in earth sciences, atmospheric physics, or related disciplines.