Course starts: September 2027 Location: London, Bloomsbury

Earth Sciences (Palaeobiology) BSc

Earth Sciences is the study of our home planet. Our flexible course combines ideas and principles of physics, chemistry, biology, geology and geophysics. We explore how our planet works at depth and at the surface, the biological processes that build diversity and cause extinction, the ocean and atmospheric processes shaping climate, and issues relating to resources, geohazards and climate change. As well as the highly flexible General stream, students may choose to follow a Palaeobiology stream within this degree course. 

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Key information

Study mode
Full-time
Duration
3 academic years full time
Fees (2026/27)
UK: £9,790 per year
International: £42,700 per year
Application deadlines
13 January 2027. Applications close at 6pm UK time.
Applications may stay open after this UCAS Equal Consideration deadline, please check UCAS for details.
Course starts
September 2027
View 2026 entry
UCAS code
F603
Location
London, Bloomsbury
Department
Earth Sciences
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Entry requirements

Grades
AAB
Subjects
Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Geography, Mathematics, Further Mathematics or Physics preferred.
GCSEs
English Language and Mathematics at grade C or 4

Contextual offer

Grades
BBB
Subjects
Biology, Chemistry, Geology/Geography, Mathematics, Further Mathematics or Physics preferred.
GCSEs
English Language and Mathematics at grade C or 4

At least two A level subjects should be taken from UCL's list of preferred A level subjects.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 1

Information about the evidence required, acceptable qualifications and test providers can be found on our English language requirements page.

A variety of English language programmes are offered at the UCL Centre for Languages and International Education.

UCL is committed to widening access to higher education. Access UCL is our contextual offer scheme for applicants from groups that are underrepresented at UCL. We assess your eligibility for Access UCL based on the information contained within your UCAS application. We review and update our Access UCL eligibility criteria and datasets every year, so please check the requirements for the year you plan to apply.

The Undergraduate Preparatory Certificates (UPC) prepare international students for a UCL undergraduate degree who do not have the qualifications to enter directly. These intensive one-year foundation courses are taught on our central London campus.

Typical UPC students will be high achievers in a 12-year school system which does not meet the standard required for direct entry to UCL.

For more information see: ucl.ac.uk/upc.

About this course

The Palaeobiology specialism will provide you with a strong background in the evolutionary history of life, including interactions with Earth’s climate. It will teach you the cutting-edge methods that enable our understanding and reconstructions of past life, as well as how we incorporate this information into addressing the current biodiversity crisis. Delivered by experts spanning the full range of palaeobiological-related disciplines, from the origin of life to present-day biodiversity, and from the smallest life forms to the giant dinosaurs, our flexible degree stream also allows you to focus on an Earth or Life Sciences route to becoming a palaeobiologist.

This course allows you to select from a range of options offered across environmental geosciences, geology and geophysics and compulsory modules from across earth sciences and biological science. The third year has an emphasis on individual initiative and problem-based learning. We also offer MSci course variants incorporating independent-research components, which are intended as an entry route for high-level professional employment or postgraduate education and research.

Course structure

In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual modules usually 8 per year , normally valued at 15 credits. The balance of compulsory and optional modules varies from year-to-year.

In Year 1, for the Palaeobiology specialism you will follow a set of mandatory modules which are similar to our other degree courses. In this year you will develop a fundamental knowledge base in both practical, theoretical and field-based skills. A Mathematics module is taken appropriate to A level background.

In Year 2, you will now be able to take a wide range of optional modules, depending on your interests. You will develop specific skills used in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data and take modules which build on the first year course.

In Year 3, you again will be able to take a wide range of optional modules depending on your interests and career place, and will have considerable scope to develop an individual portfolio of interests through a range of advanced, research-based optional modules. The modules include research-based activities and independent projects that match students to researchers one-to-one.

We also offer a four year MSci version. Years 1 and 2 are common to these courses and it is possible to switch until the end of Year 2. However, we advise you to select the MSci course initially for maximum flexibility see separate MSci course summaries.

Modules

In each year of your degree you will take a number of individual modules, normally valued at 15 or 30 credits, adding up to a total of 120 credits for the year. Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional modules varies from programme to programme and year to year. A 30-credit module is considered equivalent to 15 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).

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 is 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.

Compulsory modules

Optional modules

Students will undertake compulsory modules in: GEOL0001 Earth Materials, GEOL0007 The Earth, GEOL0058 Matlab, GEOL0003 History of Life and either GEOL0005 Foundations of Physical Geoscience (compulsory for students who don’t have A-Level Maths) or GEOL0078 Mathematical Methods for Geoscience (compulsory for students who have A-Level Maths) in Term 1. In Term 2 students will have modules in GEOL0004 Dynamic Earth, GEOL0006 Surface Processes, GEOL0008 Geochemistry, GEOL0015 Maps, Images & Structures.

Students on the Palaeobiology specialism will undertake compulsory modules in: GEOL0003 History of Life, GEOL0007 The Earth, GEOL0058 MATLAB, and BIOL001 Quantitative Biology, in Term 1. In Term 2 students will have modules in: GEOL0006 Surface Processes, GEOL0015 Maps, Images & Structures, and BIOL0003 Introduction to Genetics. Students will have a choice of optional modules: GEOL0001 Earth Materials and BIOL0004 Life on Earth, in Term 1, as well as BIOL0006 Methods in Ecology and Evolution and GEOL0008 Geochemistry in Term 2.

Fieldwork opportunities include a a Dorset field course of 6 days as part of GEOL0015 Maps, Images and Structures.

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 course, as well as to develop key transferable skills such as critical analysis, report writing, team working and organisational skills.

Fieldwork can be an important part of the Earth sciences but because this course is flexible it allows students to choose from a wide range of aspects from within the subject, both practical and theoretical. There is a compulsory Year 1 field trip as part of Maps, Images and Structures (GEOL0015) but modules that include field work in Years 2 and 3 are optional. If these are to be chosen by the student, they must also take the required prerequisite modules. Field work assessment is via independent and team-based real-world exercises, often enquiry-based, with outputs that include written notes, maps, section logs, data analyses, scientific sketches and presentations. On return to UCL these field observations may form the basis for reports, fair-copy maps, oral presentations, posters, logs and cross sections. An independent mapping project (30 credits) may be taken in the third year allowing students to design, plan, execute and write-up a major independent piece of Earth sciences related research. Our field-based modules currently take place in Dorset (UK), Scotland, the Pyrenees (Spain), the Betics (Spain) and Germany. Mapping projects take place in a variety of locations, in the UK or abroad.

You will be assessed by a combination of written examinations, practical examinations, coursework, independent project reports and sometimes an oral examination.

Typical weekly contact hours in the first three years will be 8 hours of lectures and 8 hours of practicals. Lecturers are also available for help outside these formal hours, as well regular tutorial sessions. During field trips, student will have constant contact with several members of staff except for the independent mapping. Students are also expected to do an additional 15 to 20 hours per week independent study.

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 are 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.

Fees and funding

Study mode UK fee (2026/27) Overseas fee (2026/27)
Full time £9,790 £42,700

UK undergraduate fees for 2026/27 are subject to parliamentary approval and are for the first year only. Fees for subsequent years may be subject to increase: Student Terms and Conditions. UK fees are in line with the Government announcement on fee cap increases. Fees for 2027/28 entry will be published in August 2026.

International undergraduate students benefit from a cohort guarantee unless indicated below, 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.

International fees shown are the fees that will be charged to 2026/27 entrants.

Full details of UCL's tuition fees, tuition fee policy and potential increases to fees can be found on the UCL Students website.

Additional costs

The only extra costs above and beyond what is normally expected (e.g., computer, pens, paper) is for fieldwork. However, the Department makes substantial contributions towards these costs, covering all accommodation and in-field transportation. Only one Year 1 field trip is compulsory on this course, where lunch and evening meals will need to be covered by students (5 nights, ~£125).

If optional modules with associated field trips are chosen in Years 2 and 3, then students are expected to cover their transport costs (flight/train/bus) to and from the beginning of the field locations at an estimated cost of £200, depending on the exact location (currently Spain). Some fieldtrips include meals or are self-catered, but where they are not, the additional cost of food should be around £200 per trip. Students are expected to provide their own appropriate field clothing, such as walking boots and waterproofs. Students on the BSc Earth Sciences course can choose from three optional fieldtrip modules and so will need to budget ~£200 each for these, if chosen.

In the third year, Earth Sciences students can also choose the GEOL0024 independent mapping project (although a digital hybrid option is available), which includes 30 days of field work. For this field work, the department provides ~£800 to each student. This should cover all or most expenses, but extra costs may be incurred depending on where the student chooses to do their mapping and type of accommodation.

 

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 2026. 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. If you are concerned by potential additional costs for books, equipment, etc., please get in touch with the relevant departmental contact (details given on this page).

Various funding options are available, including student loans, scholarships and bursaries. UK students whose household income falls below a certain level may also be eligible for a non-repayable bursary or for certain scholarships. Please see the Fees and funding pages for more details.

Why study this course at UCL?

This course emphasises the holistic nature of the Earth Sciences. It offers the opportunity to specialise within Earth Sciences and, by the appropriate choice of modules, graduate with a degree in Earth Sciences General or Earth Sciences Palaeobiology .

Our department delivers world-leading teaching ranked 5th in the UK in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025: Earth and Marine Sciences embracing the origins and history of life, Earth’s composition and structure, earthquake and volcanic hazards, and past and present climate change, and these are fully integrated within our taught course.

You will be taught by lecturers who are active researchers within their fields, ensuring everything you learn is up to date and providing you with opportunities to take part in cutting-edge research activities. 

We are located in the Kathleen Lonsdale Building at the Bloomsbury campus, providing you with access to world-class facilities including bespoke teaching laboratories, microscope facilities and student hub spaces, all in the heart of the department, next to staff offices and our research laboratories.

This course offers up to three months of field classes in the UK and continental Europe and independent field mapping projects in Scotland, Southern France and Spain, with financial support from the department.

Discover Uni

To see official information about this course and others visit Discover Uni.

What this course will give you

As UCL Earth Sciences graduates, students will have developed both discipline-based and highly sought after analytical skills, for example in logical thought and numeracy. This BSc course provides a wide-ranging education and training in Earth Sciences and transferable skills that will qualify our graduates for a wide range of professional employment within and outside the subject area. A comprehensive list of learning outcomes is provided above. All our students are encouraged and helped towards making informed career choices. We have excellent relationships with many employers in diverse areas of the Earth sciences, and students are actively guided towards achieving their potential at UCL in preparation for their future careers.

Many of our graduate have gone on to employment in sectors such as Energy, Natural Resources and the Environment, Consultancy, Scientific Research, Policy and Government, Construction and Journalism. Recent graduates have found employment with companies such as Aether, the Department for Transport, Green Element, Thames Water, RSK Group and Veolia Environmental Services. After graduating students have have found employment as physical scientists, environment professionals, business analysts and in academia, with around 27% of our graduates choose to pursue further study for an MSc or PhD.

Graduate Outcomes survey carried out by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), looking at the destinations of graduates in the 2017–2023 cohorts.

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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.

We normally reach a decision on making an offer on the basis of the application alone. If you have an offer and would like to visit the department in person, please email the Admissions Tutor to arrange this.

Selection

For further information on UCL's selection process see: How we assess your application.

Apply for this course

You are applying for the Earth Sciences BSc course. Please note that the course options presented as post-enrolment specialisms will be available for you to choose once your enrolment is confirmed. For application guidance please visit Application guidelines.

Course starts: September 2027

UCAS applications open for 2027 entry on 12 May 2026.

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Earth Sciences

Earth Sciences

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