Information for Prospective Students
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Fees and Funding
UK & EU Fee
£9,000 (2013/14)
Overseas Fee
£19,500 (2013/14)
General Funding Notes
Details about financial support are available at: www.ucl.ac.uk/study/ug-finance
Contacts
Key Facts
Research Assessment Exercise
80% rated 4* (‘world-leading’) or 3* (‘internationally excellent’)
(What is the RAE?)
Departmental website
More Information
Earth Sciences (International Programme) MSci
UCAS Code: F605
This four-year programme allows students to follow any of the MSci programmes offered by UCL Earth Sciences, with the additional opportunity to spend year three studying at an approved university in Australia, New Zealand, continental Europe or North America.
Entry Requirements
A Levels
| Grades | AAA-ABB |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Two (essential), three (preferred) from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics. |
| AS Levels | A pass in a further subject at AS level or equivalent is required. |
| GCSEs | English Language and Mathematics at grade C. For UK-based students, a grade C or equivalent in a foreign language (other than Ancient Greek, Biblical Hebrew or Latin) is required. UCL provides opportunities to meet the foreign language requirement following enrolment, further details at: www.ucl.ac.uk/ug-reqs |
IB Diploma
| Points | 34-38 |
|---|---|
| Subjects | A score of 16-18 points in three higher level subjects to include at least two (preferably three) from Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics, with no score lower than 5. |
Other Qualifications
For entry requirements with other UK qualifications accepted by UCL, choose your qualification from the list below:
Selected entry requirements will appear here
International Qualifications
International Qualifications
In addition to A level and International Baccalaureate, UCL considers a wide range of international qualifications for entry to its undergraduate degree programmes.
University Preparatory Certificates
UCL offers intensive one-year foundation courses to prepare international students for a variety of degree programmes at UCL.
The University Preparatory Certificates (UPCs) are for international students of high academic potential who are aiming to gain access to undergraduate degree programmes at UCL and other top UK universities.
For more information see our website: www.ucl.ac.uk/upc
English Language Requirements
If English is not your first language you will also need to satisfy UCL's English Language Requirements. A variety of English language programmes are offered at the UCL Centre for Languages & International Education.
Degree Summary
Degree Benefits
- You will have the opportunity to specialise in Environmental Geoscience, Geology, Geophysics, Palaeobiology or Planetary Science and broaden your horizons by spending the third year of study abroad.
- Degrees for those specialising in Environmental Geoscience, Geology and Geoscience are fully accredited by the Geological Society of London
- The programme includes approximately three months of field classes in the UK and continental Europe, with a component of financial support from the department.
- World-leading research in geophysical hazards, mineral, ice and rock physics and palaeoenvironmental analysis is undertaken in the department and is used in the development of our courses.
You will initially follow the first two years of one of the degree programmes on offer in the Earth Sciences department (Environmental Geoscience, Geology, Geophysics) or the pathways in Palaeobiology or Planetary Science but with an additional option of a foreign language elective.
Your third year is spent abroad at an approved university in Australia, New Zealand, continential Europe or North America, and you will return to UCL for your final year.
The final title of the degree awarded may reflect the particular choice of courses that you have taken, for example Earth Sciences (International Programme) (Geology) MSci.
The number of places available for direct entry onto the International programme is limited and, therefore, competitive. Eligibility to continue will be assessed in both the first and second years of study. Students failing to maintain the required standard will be transferred to the corresponding Uk-based MSci or BSc programme.
Your Learning
We use a mixture of lectures, practical classes, field courses, directed reading, problem-orientated learning, private study and tutorials to enable you to gain the theoretical knowledge and practical skills demanded by the programme, as well as to develop key transferable skills such as critical analysis, report writing, team working and organisational skills.
Assessment
You will be assessed by a combination of written examinations, practical examinations, coursework, independent project reports and an oral examination.
Degree Structure
In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual courses, normally valued at 0.5 or 1.0 credits, adding up to a total of 4.0 credits for the year. Courses are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional courses varies from programme to programme and year to year. A 1.0 credit is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).
Year One
Year Two
Year Three
Final Year
Further details available on degree page of subject website:
Your Career
You will develop both discipline-based and highly sought after analytical skills, together with practical skills such as planning, conducting and reporting on investigations, collecting, recording and analysing data and the ability to undertake field and laboratory research.
All our students are encouraged and helped towards making informed career choices. We have excellent relationships with many employers in diverse aspects of the Earth and planetary sciences, and students are actively guided towards achieving their potential at UCL in preparation for their future careers.
In addition to further study, main employment destinations include exploration and production for mining, oil and engineering companies, groundwater resources management; investigating groundwater conditions associated with land use, such as planning, construction and waste disposal; and geological surveying, collecting geological information for maps and databases.
Destinations
First destinations of recent graduates (2009-2011) from Earth Sciences programmes at UCL include:
- Full-time student, PhD in Paleoclimatology at Uppsala University (2011)
- Satellite Data Processing Technician, Centre for Polar Observation and Monitoring (2011)
- Upstream Oil and Gas Recruiter, Dynamic Recruitment Solutions (2010)
- Full-time student, MPhil in Environmental Systems at the University of Cambridge (2010)
- Broadcast Assistant, BBC (2009)
Find out more about London graduates' careers by visiting the Careers Group (University of London) website:
Application
Your Application
We will assess your application on the basis of your performance, or predicted performance academically, but we will also be looking for an indication of how your interest in natural and Earth sciences has developed, what aspects particularly appeal to you, and whether you have undertaken any research or reading to find out about the subject matter you wish to study.
How to Apply
Application for admission should be made through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Applicants currently at school or college will be provided with advice on the process; however, applicants who have left school or who are based outside the United Kingdom may obtain information directly from UCAS.
Selection
If you are resident in the UK and your application demonstrates potential you will be invited to an applicant open day. This visit will include introductory talks on Earth sciences and our degree programmes, a tour of the department and UCL, and a question and answer session.
You may also have a one-to-one discussion with a member of academic staff in which we aim to find out more about your personal interests and motivation.
Applicants from regions distant from London and from outside the UK are not normally required to attend for an interview, and we reach a decision on making an offer on the basis of the application alone.
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