Exploration Geophysics MSc

Geophysics involves the use of physical techniques to study the Earth's interior. It involves a range of disciplines, including seismic, gravity, magnetic and geo-electrical methods.

Exploration Geophysics is a key element of understanding the resource potential of the subsurface – whether they are water, minerals, geothermal heat, hydrocarbon reserves, or prospective storage repositories. It is applied in engineering site investigations and environmental assessment, and is a significant component of archaeological mapping and glacier monitoring. Our Exploration Geophysics Masters degree gives you the skills to embark on a career in any of these industrial or academic sectors.

Established for over 50 years, MSc Exploration Geophysics has strong links both to sectors of industry and Leeds’ new GeoSolutions centre, which aims to apply geoscience expertise to support the clean-energy transition. The course provides you with a breadth of practical skills, underpinned by a theoretical understanding that equips you to become a professional in your chosen field.

Central to the course is a four-month individual project, typically conducted in close association with an external company or institute, and often in their offices on placements or subsidised internships.

Course highlights

• Theoretical and practical understanding of Exploration Geophysics principles, consistent with professional practice in many industrial and academic sectors.

• Opportunity to network with geoscience companies from energy, service, and consultancy fields.

• A four month individual research project, typically in association with an external company or institute and often in their offices.

• Access to state-of-the-art computer facilities, featuring a comprehensive range of industry-standard software on hi-spec twin-screen workstations.

• Develop your field skills with our sector-leading portfolio of field geophysical equipment.

• A close working relationship with academic geoscientists in Leeds’ GeoSolutions centre, and its Institute of Applied Geoscience and the Institute of Geophysics and Tectonics.

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Accreditation

The quality and relevance of our teaching has been recognised by an independent body of academics and industrialists through our Geological Society of London Professional Accreditation.

You will study eight taught modules and an individual project.

Taught modules cover a broad range of geophysical disciplines as applied to resource, environmental and engineering industries.

The individual project is the most challenging and exciting part of the course. It runs from May to September and tests your skills in applying the experiences acquired over the year to a specific problem.

Typically, some 90% of our projects are associated with an external partner – operator, service, and consultancy companies in the energy sector; engineering and infrastructure site investigation companies; government and higher education institutes; in the UK and overseas – so that you work in liaison with geoscience professionals. Furthermore, typically some 50% are on placement in their offices, so you will be in a professional environment directly alongside them.

Project topics regularly include investigations of specific geological issues and prospects, studies of novel seismic analysis tools, and integrated geophysical investigations – on scales from basins to quarries. All are unique to each year, with a desired commercial or academic outcome: about 10% of projects involve fieldwork, and can be case studies or innovative research-aligned investigations – even to a publishable standard.

Want to find out more about your modules?
Take a look at the Exploration Geophysics module descriptions for more detail on what you will study.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Exploration Geophysics MSc in the course catalogue

Modules

Year 1

Learning and teaching

Learn through field-based and practical-based (individual and group) training, while your lectures and seminars are supplemented by desk-based and workstation-based practicals and fieldwork including two residential field classes.

Facilities

You will have access to specific facilities as well as the general facilities available through the School and the University.

We have a sector-leading, and frequently upgraded, inventory of geophysical survey equipment (seismic, gravity, magnetics, GPR, resistivity/IP, EM, GPS positioning, etc.), which you can use to demonstrate and practise a range of techniques in the field.

Data that you acquire is subsequently used in your classroom/computer exercises to establish a practical link between field practice and data quality and interpretability.

A dedicated computer lab containing a suite of high-powered computers enhances your learning experience by providing you with access to a comprehensive range of industry-standard geophysical processing and interpretation software packages, e.g. MESA, SeisSpace/ProMAX®, KINGDOM, Petrel™, Geosoft, RokDoc, OpendTect™ and Reveal™.

This is used extensively for workstation-based teaching, and later is available for your individual projects. The software will also facilitate your individual and team-based exercises designed to simulate industry practice, e.g. processing a reflection seismic line, interpreting geophysical data for determining subsurface structure and reservoir potential.

On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

During the taught-course element of the Masters you will be assessed by written exams, and by coursework (in-class and independently completed, project report writing and group presentations) in roughly 55%:45% proportion overall.

Entry requirements

A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in geosciences (e.g. geology or geophysics) or in a relevant numerate subject, such as physics, mathematics, or some engineering discliplines. Relevant and extensive industry experience can also be taken into account.

You must have mathematics to a good A-level grade (or equivalent) as a minimum. Your mathematical competence will be assessed prior to joining and additional training may be required. The course is computer-intensive and we assume you have basic computer literacy including Windows and MS Office. EDCL/ICDL qualifications are not formally required, but represent the level expected. Familiarity with Linux would also be advantageous as it forms the platform for much of the workstation based training.

Applicants with a 2.2 will be considered on a case by case basis where applicants can demonstrate relevant work experience or aptitude in a relevant specialist field. Graduates from other disciplines and those with professional experience in the sector will also be considered.

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For more information please contact the Admissions Team.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Science (6 weeks) and Language for Science: General Science (10 weeks). 

If you need to study for longer than 10 weeks, read more about our postgraduate pre-sessional English course.

How to apply

Application deadline

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

31 July 2021 – International applicants

10 September 2021 - UK applicants

Apply

This link takes you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.

If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

Faculty of Environment Taught Admissions Policy 2021

Fees

• UK: £11,250 (total)
• International: £28,750 (total)

Read more about paying fees and charges.

Brexit 
Visit our Brexit page for the latest information on the effect of the UK's exit from the EU on current students and applicants to the University.

For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.

Additional cost information

Because we recognise the value of field experience the school heavily subsidises or covers the transport and accommodation costs for all compulsory taught field courses.

We hope to run our fieldwork activities as planned for the 21/22 academic year, but it might not be possible due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are continually reviewing the situation and will communicate any decisions to applicants and offer holders at the earliest possible opportunity.

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government.  Find out more at Masters funding overview.

We have strong company links which typically offer a number of industry scholarships. Available scholarships can be viewed on our website.

There is a high demand for geophysicists. A Masters is generally considered an appropriate level to embark on a career in resource exploration or engineering/environmental site investigation, and the course at Leeds has an exceptionally good record of job placement for students.

Many energy, and service-sector companies target the course directly for recruitment with numerous company visits through the year. Other opportunities arise from project placements, the EAGE, or Project Presentation day in September.

Most students join energy or minerals companies, or geophysical acquisition, processing, interpretation or software companies.

Our graduates have secured positions in recent years, including:

• geologist/geophysicist, Agencia Nacional de Hidrocarburos (Colombia)

• geologist/geophysicist, Arup – engineering site investigation

• geophysicist, Bell Geospace – airborne geophysics

• geophysicist, British Geological Survey – geomagnetism unit

• geophysicist, CGG – seismic data processing

• geophysicist, DownUnderGeosolutions – seismic data processing

• geophysicist, ExxonMobil – energy company

• geophysicist, ION GX Imaging – seismic data processing

• geophysicist, NexenCNOOC (now CNOOC) – energy company

• geophysicist, Shell (UK) – energy company

• hydrogeophysicist, Aestsus LLC (USA) – near-surface geophysics

• PhD, University of Bristol – microseismics

• PhD, University of Edinburgh – seismic interferometry

• PhD, University of Stockholm - glaciological geophysics

• software developer, AWE (UK) – forensic seismology

• software developer, BAe Systems – cybersecurity

Careers support

We offer extra support and activities to help you stand out in your chosen field and achieve your career goals.

We have a strong commitment to enhancing student employability and have our own dedicated school Employability Officer.

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.

Strong links with industry reinforce this vocational Masters degree, helping you to develop a grounded perspective, as well as providing you with recruitment possibilities.

In addition to the industrial experience of many School staff and contributions from University of Leeds geoscience spin-out companies, you will have numerous contacts with industry representatives throughout the year.

We have many visits from energy, geophysical acquisition, processing and software companies, primarily to engage with you and recruit Masters students throughout their degree. These visits include recruitment information, technical showcases and case studies of integrated geoscience in practice, as well as opportunities for you to network with geoscience professionals. Many offer 'guest lectures' on the taught course, to supplement what you will learn from our defined syllabus and enhance strongly your employability.

You will have the opportunity to attend one or more major industry events: the PETEX conference, (Biennially, in November: PESGB) and/or the annual European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers conference and exhibition in May/June (EAGE). They have strong student-aligned programmes, alongside extensive presentations and exhibitions on the latest scientific and technological developments. You can experience all of these, and meet industry experts, including potential employers.

Your summer project is typically carried out either with collaborating commercial companies or academic/government institutes. These projects are linked to current activities, representing actual problems for which a real research or business outcome is sought. Some are field-based: some result in journal publications or conference presentations, such as at the EAGE conference. The projects finish with a presentation day where you will present your work to an audience of academic and industry visitors.