Program Overview

This four-year course will inspire a lifelong interest, knowledge and understanding of the way the Earth works. You’ll explore how the whole Earth system and its interactions control our environment and will develop an understanding of the issues that threaten our future.

As part of this degree programme you’ll have the opportunity to spend your third year studying and living abroad with one of our university exchange partners in Australasia, North America or Europe. Going to a university in another country is an unmissable opportunity to experience other cultures and lifestyles and will give you the opportunity to study within a department where different aspects of geophysics are taught.

During your course you’ll study mathematical techniques and gain the skills necessary to analyse the physical environment. You’ll develop a critical awareness of issues at the frontier of research, along with a comprehensive understanding of research methods and their limitations. You’ll learn self-direction and originality in applying knowledge, solving problems and conducting research.

You’ll get involved in a significant amount of fieldwork in many different geological environments. During your field course you’ll learn to use a variety of technological equipment and techniques, including seismic and gravity investigations, magnetic and electrical measurements, and ground-penetrating radar surveys.

Our geophysics degrees are run jointly by the School of Environmental Sciences and the School of Mathematics, and in collaboration with the School of Computing Sciences. So you’ll benefit from a broad choice of subject material and have the chance to specialise in your field of interest to an advanced level. You can tailor your degree towards geological geophysics, geohazards, meteorology and climatology, or oceanography – or study a combination of them all.

When you graduate, you’ll be highly employable, with a wide range of skills that are highly prized by employers. Many of our graduates have gone on to work for local and multinational companies within sectors including geophysical exploration and services, geotechnical engineering, risk analysis and environmental consultancy.