Geophysics BSc

Our Geophysics BSc draws on the expertise and active research of one of the UK’s largest teams of academic geophysicists.

Geophysics is the application of physics to understand processes such as the generation of Earth's magnetic field, motion of Earth's tectonic plates, and the movement and structure of the oceans and atmosphere.

It provides the tools to look inside the Earth in order to find resources, monitor natural hazards and track movement of the Earth’s surface.

During your degree you'll study all aspects of geophysics with a focus on the solid Earth, whilst gaining strong analytical, computational and numerical skills, which are highly valued by geophysics companies, research institutions, and financial and governmental departments.

There's a strong emphasis on applying your knowledge in the real world through practical hands-on learning and field trips, in national and international destinations. We invest heavily in ensuring that our field geophysical equipment is of industry standard and one of the most complete collections within the UK.

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Accreditation

This course has been accredited by The Geological Society of London, the recognised professional body for geoscientists.

An accredited degree is the first step to becoming a Chartered Geologist, an increasingly important professional qualification - especially in the geotechnical and engineering geology sectors.

Your degree is designed around a combination of compulsory core modules and a choice of optional modules that allow you to tailor your study towards the topics that interest you most.

In your first year you’ll study compulsory modules only, training you in the fundamental skills in geology, maths, physics, geophysics and computer programming that you will use throughout your degree. Students who don’t have A-level Further or Pure Maths will study University level maths in their first and second year (students with this A-level study a discovery module).

In your second year compulsory modules train you in the key geophysical techniques used to look inside and understand the Earth. These include methods used to understand plate tectonics, earthquake and volcanoes, as well as tools to investigate the near surface as used to enable civil engineering projects, locate and extract the resources we need to make batteries and wind turbines, and to enable the understanding of the subsurface needed to permit carbon sequestration.

Your final year includes a project that allows you to do research with a member of staff on a topic of mutual interest. Recent projects have involved machine learning, study of the Earth's core, computational physics, study of volcanic systems and earthquakes using satellite data and archaeological geophysics to name a few.

In compulsory modules you will study the global structure and dynamics of our planet, and attend seminars from visiting researchers from around the world. Optional modules allow you to pursue interests in, for example, volcanic systems, engineering geology or the petroleum and energy sector.

Module details

Take a look at the module descriptions to find out more about 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 Geophysics BSc in the course catalogue

Modules

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Learning and teaching

Most modules combine lectures with practicals, workshops or seminars, depending on the subject. These are enhanced with skills classes, fieldtrips and small group academic tutorials. You can expect to study in a variety of settings, from large lecture theatres to computer clusters, seminar rooms, tutorials, laboratories, visualisation suites and out in the field.

We offer research-led teaching across the breadth of our disciplines, from specialists in their field. As Leeds is a research-intensive Russell Group University, you’ll be studying amongst staff who are at the cutting edge of research world-wide, and who will incorporate this expertise into their teaching.

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

You'll be assessed through a variety of methods, specifically designed to help students learn, whatever their preferred learning style. We use both coursework and exams, but with a general progression from an emphasis on exams in year 1 towards an emphasis on coursework your final year.

Entry requirements

A-level: AAB , including mathematics and physics.

Offers exclude general studies.

GCSE: English and Mathematics at grade C (4) or above, or an equivalent appropriate English language and Mathematics qualification.

• Access to HE Diploma

  Pass 60 credits overall with 45 credits at Level 3, 30 credits with Distinction and the remaining 15 credits with Merit or above.

• BTEC

  DDD in Extended Diploma/3 Subsidiary Diplomas in Mathematics and Physics. We will accept a combination of BTECs and A-Levels. Please contact the School's Undergraduate Admissions Team for more information.

• Cambridge Pre-U

  D3, M1, M1 including Mathematics and Physics.

• International Baccalaureate

  35 points overall, with 17 points at higher level to include 5 points in Mathematics and Physics.

• Irish Highers (Leaving Certificate)

  AAAABB/H2H2H2H2H3H3 including Mathematics and Physics.

• Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers

  AABBB overall with AB in 2 Advanced Highers (AH). For non-AH applicants AAAABB. To include Mathematics and Physics.

Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the School’s Undergraduate Admissions Team.

Alternative entry

We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.

Access to Leeds is an alternative admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.

Find out more about Access to Leeds and alternative admissions.

Typical Access to Leeds A Level offer: BBB plus a pass in the Access to Leeds scheme.

For alternative qualification offers please contact the admissions team.

If you do not have the formal qualifications for immediate entry to one of our degrees, you may be able to progress through a foundation year. We offer a Studies in Science with Foundation Year BSc for students without a science background at A-level and an Interdisciplinary Science with Foundation Year BSc for applicants who meet specific widening participation criteria.

International Foundation Year

International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.0 overall, with no less than 5.5 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

How to apply

Apply to this course through UCAS. The institution code for the University of Leeds is L23. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.

International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK/EU students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. 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.

Applicant days

If you receive an offer to study with us, we’ll invite you to attend one of our applicant days. You’ll have the opportunity to meet our academic staff and students, explore the School and University and find out more about your course and what it’s like to be a student at Leeds.

Admissions policy

Faculty of Environment Taught Admissions Policy 2021

Fees

UK: See fees section below

International: £24,500 (per year)

UK undergraduate tuition fees for 2021 entry 
For UK full-time students starting in 2021, the fee for 2021/22 will be £9,250.

The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation, and as permitted by law. Fees for UK undergraduate students are decided by the UK government and may vary if policy changes.

EU students starting in 2021/22 
EU students starting their course in the 2021/22 academic year or later will now be classed as international students and so will need to pay the international student tuition fee.

UK undergraduate tuition fees for 2022 entry
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students starting in 2022/23 have not yet been confirmed by the UK government. In other years, the government has confirmed fee levels in the summer. When the fee is confirmed we will publish an update on all course pages.

Tuition fees for new international students for 2022 entry
Tuition fees for international students are published on each individual course page. These are usually published a year in advance, so 2022 course fees should be available from September 2021.

Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.

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.

Additional cost information

<p>Because we recognise the value of field experience, the school heavily subsidises or covers transport and accommodation costs for compulsory taught field courses and many optional field trips. You will have to supplement the cost of some optional fields trips.</p><p>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.</p>

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

Financial support

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

Scholarships

Scholarships are available.

Geophysics graduates are in demand among companies that value teamwork skills, independence, numeracy and scientific literacy.

Your main strengths as a Leeds graduate will be the breadth and depth of your core knowledge and skills in the Earth Sciences. You will have the ability to combine quantitative and analytical skills with a good overview and understanding of geophysical and geological problems.

Our graduates have secured positions including:

• Geophysicist, National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology

• Energy Officer, Energy Department, Prime Minister’s Office

• Project Leader, Schlumberger

• Software Developer, Cloudhouse

• Catastrophe Risk Analyst, Wills Re

• Graduate Operational Meteorologist, Met Office

• Graduate Geophysical Engineer, RSK Group

Our strong research tradition means that our graduates are also found working as researchers in government organisations and universities around the world.

If you wish to continue with further study, you could enhance your employment prospects even further by taking a vocational MSc degree in Leeds – with industry sponsored scholarships and other funds available.

Careers support

The School of Earth and Environment is committed to enhancing employability and offers a range of initiatives to ensure our students receive the highest level of support throughout their studies. Read about careers and employability on the School website.

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.

Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.

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.

Study abroad

On this course you have the opportunity to apply to spend time abroad, usually as an extra academic year. We have over 300 University partners worldwide and popular destinations for our students include Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa and Latin America.

Find out more on the Study Abroad website.

You may also be interested in our integrated Masters degree. On this course, your year abroad replaces the third year of your degree (it does not add an additional year to your studies).