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Geophysical Hazards MSc

London, Bloomsbury

Disasters resulting from natural hazards affect millions of people across the world each year. All nations are at risk and consequently the field of natural hazard and risk science is one of the fastest-growing areas of research in the Earth and Climate Sciences. Understanding how multiple hazards may intersect in time and space, and how their impacts may cascade over potentially global footprints, are critical areas of current research. Our course offers a specialised focus on hazard forecasting and assessment, including multi-hazards, and on how policymakers and communities can use science to increase resilience.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2026/27)
£16,800
£8,400
Overseas tuition fees (2026/27)
£46,700
£23,350
Duration
1 academic year
2 academic years
Programme starts
September 2026
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 20 Oct 2025 – 26 Jun 2026
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 20 Oct 2025 – 28 Aug 2026
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

Normally a minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Applicants whose qualifications are of lower second class honours standard may be admitted if evidence of an adequate academic background and appropriate field experience can be shown.

The English language level for this course is: Level 1

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

Our MSc in Geophysical Hazards investigates the processes that turn natural events into hazards, from volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and landslides to floods, tsunamis and hurricanes. It provides an essential grounding for all fields of hazard study, from pure research to applications in the commercial and humanitarian sectors.

Our course offers a specialised focus on quantitative and qualitative models for hazard forecasting and assessment, and demonstrates how knowledge of the controlling processes is vital for improving decision-making during emergencies, for raising awareness among vulnerable communities, and for evaluating and implementing mitigation strategies.

Who this course is for

The course will be particularly attractive to those seeking or advancing a career in natural hazards — including hazard and risk management, environmental monitoring, emergency planning, and catastrophe-related finance — and to academics and professionals considering a career move into the rewarding field of hazard and risk science.

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

UCL Earth Sciences is world-leading in our field, ranking 3rd in the UK in the QS World University Rankings 2025 for Earth and Marine Sciences and Geophysics.

The Department is engaged in world-class research in the processes on and within the Earth, atmosphere and planets, with over 90% of submissions rated at 4 or 3* in the REF2021.

You will benefit from our lively and welcoming atmosphere. The department hosts the UCL Hazard Centre, which delivers the latest research and knowledge on natural hazards to industry, humanitarian and development organisations, government and civil protection agencies. Our lecturers have practical experience in monitoring hazards and responding when they occur, and we offer comprehensive transferable skills training.

This MSc includes a one-week field trip to explore the impact and management of natural hazards in a multi-hazard context, and contributes to field-based monitoring activities with local partners responsible for hazard assessment.

Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

Graduates from this course have followed careers in global insurance and reinsurance, or developed careers in other sectors, ranging from non-governmental organisations, through teaching, to the fields of emergency planning and environmental management. Many of our graduates also go on to pursue a PhD including research in hazard-related studies. This information has been taken from the annual Graduate Outcomes Survey, aggregated over the five most recent surveys (2017-2023). 

You can find out more about our graduate destinations for this course on our What do UCL Graduates do? page.

Employability

Our course provides specialist training in investigating the processes that drive natural hazards, through evaluating models of their behaviour and understanding how these models can be used, improving resilience and informing policy. You will develop transferable skills in critical analysis of qualitative and quantitative data, verbal and written reasoning, field observation, and the use of programming languages and Geographical Information Systems.

Networking

On the course, students have the opportunity to directly interact with guest lecturers from industry, government institutions, and third sector organisations. One past visiting institution was the the British Geological Survey.

Students can also choose an independent research project in collaboration with one of our industry partners, working alongside their team. The Department of Earth Sciences hold weekly research seminars which are available for all students to attend, also providing an opportunity to hear from and meet expert speakers from academia and industry. 

Teaching and learning

The course is delivered through a combination of lectures, directed reading and practical exercises. A one-week field trip is also included on the course.

Assessment is primarily through coursework (problem-solving exercises, oral presentations, and essays), which may be supported by some written examinations. The independent research project is assessed through the dissertation.

On average, it is expected that a student spends 150 hours studying for each 15-credit module. This includes teaching time, private study and coursework. Modules are usually taught in weekly four-hour sessions over 10 weeks each term. The field course module involves a one-week field trip plus several taught classroom sessions.

For full-time students, typical contact hours are around 12 hours per week. Outside of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials, 20-25 hours a week should be used for self-directed study and completing coursework assignments.

In Term 1 and Term 2, full-time students can typically expect between 10 and 12 contact hours per teaching week through a mixture of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials. In Term 3 and the summer period, students will be completing their own research project, keeping regular contact with their supervisors.

Modules

You will undertake eight 15-credit taught modules and an independent research project to the total value of 180 credits. The majority of teaching is carried out in the first two terms. In the second term, students identify an independent research project topic and supervisor; this research is then conducted in the third term and over the summer, culminating in a 12,000-word dissertation.

You will undertake eight 15-credit taught modules and an independent research project to the total value of 180 credits over a period of two years. The majority of teaching is carried out in the first two terms. Those who undertake part-time study will discuss with the degree coordinator their pathway through the course. The research project and dissertation is discussed in Year 1 and completed at the end of Year 2. We endeavour to be flexible to the needs of part-time students in designing their pathway through the degree over two years.

Compulsory modules











Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Geophysical Hazards.

Fieldwork

The course includes a compulsory field trip, which includes assessed components, that currently runs to the Azores, Portugal. The department will cover all accommodation and transport in the field. Students will need to cover travel to the field site from home, and subsistence costs. The field trip is normally held in early May.

A day-visit to a flood location near London may also be included as a compulsory component within the course.

Accessibility

The department will endeavour to make reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities, including those with long-term health conditions, neurodivergence, learning differences and mental health conditions. This list is not exhaustive. If you're unsure of your eligibility for reasonable adjustments at UCL, please contact Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

Reasonable adjustments are implemented on a case-by-case basis. With the student's consent, reasonable adjustments are considered by UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services, and where required, in collaboration with the respective department.

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information about support available can be obtained from UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

For more information about the department and accessibility arrangements for your course, please contact the department.

Visit us

All open days and events

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Earth Sciences

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Join us for a Virtual Graduate Open Event to find out more about our wide range of Master's programmes, how our programmes are taught, and what it's like to study at UCL Earth Sciences. You'll have the chance to hear from our academics and ask any questions you might have in a live Q&A.

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Earth Sciences

—

Join us for a Virtual Graduate Open Event to find out more about our wide range of Master's programmes, how our programmes are taught, and what it's like to study at UCL Earth Sciences. You'll have the chance to hear from our academics and ask any questions you might have in a live Q&A.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2026/27) £16,800 £8,400
Tuition fees (2026/27) £46,700 £23,350

Postgraduate Taught students benefit from a cohort guarantee, meaning that their tuition fees will not increase during the course of the programme, but UCL reserves the right to increase tuition fees to reflect any sums (including levies, taxes, or similar financial charges) that UCL is required to pay any governmental authority in connection with tuition fees.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Where the course is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

For full-time and part-time offer holders with a fee status classification of UK, a fee deposit will be charged at 2.5% of the first year fee.

For full-time and part-time offer holders with a fee status classification of Overseas, a fee deposit will be charged at 10% of the first year fee.

Further information can be found in the Tuition fee deposits section on this page: Tuition fees.

The cost of the mandatory European field trip depends on location and exchange rate. Based on the previous three years, it is estimated that students would need to contribute £350-£500 for travel between home and field, essential subsistence, and incidental equipment (e.g., notebooks).

If it runs, the mandatory UK day-trip is estimated to cost £25-£35 for travel and subsistence.

Funding is available for the independent research project, but may involve additional costs depending on the scope of the project. These will vary on a case-by-case basis, such as travel costs to fieldwork sites if required. Budgets will be discussed before any project is agreed and presented within the research proposal.

For in-person teaching, UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £119.90. This price was published by TfL in 2025. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide.

Funding your studies

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Next steps

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this course of £90 for online applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study Geophysical Hazards at graduate level
  • why you want to study Geophysical Hazards at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to the Geophysical Hazards course
  • how your academic and professional background meets the demands of this course
  • where you would like to go professionally with your degree; for example, are you interested in pursuing a career in research, or in applying your knowledge to the commercial or humanitarian sectors?

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this course match what the course will deliver.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate courses (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2026-2027

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Earth Sciences
Earth Sciences

alexander.steele@ucl.ac.uk

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