**Course details** Earth Sciences is the holistic study of the planet from the core to the surface, its water and the surrounding atmosphere. Our lives on Earth are at a turning point. Studying Earth Sciences provides knowledge and insight into the implications of this and explores society’s options to secure a sustainable future for the Earth, its environment and its inhabitants. Understanding the physical processes that control the materials, structure and dynamics of our planet is key to predicting the Earth’s future behaviour and mitigating the global challenges faced by society. Geophysics is essential to creating a more sustainable future for humanity through monitoring natural hazard risks, detecting resources and computer modelling to predict future behaviour. Our flexible Geophysics degree, puts you in control, giving you both the fundamentals and increased specialisation as you progress through the degree, allowing you to choose a pathway of most interest to you. **Why Durham University?** Durham is one of the UK’s leading providers of Earth Sciences education. We offer six undergraduate courses, four of which are accredited by The Geological Society of London. Our courses explore the full geological spectrum including climate change, oceans, mass extinctions, rocks and minerals, volcanoes, and the structure and chemistry of the Earth. Course structures are flexible with a balance of formal teaching, fieldwork and active learning to put your theoretical knowledge into practice. You can tailor your degree to your interests through the wide range of optional modules and you may also be able to spend a year studying abroad, extending your degree by a year. Our multidisciplinary approach applies physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology and physical geography to real world scenarios to make sense of today's major geoscience concerns. **Facilities** Our our teaching takes place in the modern, purpose-built Arthur Holmes Building equipped with brand-new optical microscopes and a large teaching collection of rocks, fossils, geological maps, and thin sections. We use industry-standard and research-level software (e.g., ESRI ArcGIS Pro, Python and Matlab). If your dissertation or research project involves laboratory study, you can access our world-class geochemistry and rock mechanics labs. **Rankings** **3rd** in the UK Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026 **5th** in the Guardian University Guide 2026 **5th** in the UK Complete University Guide 2026 **Top 100** in the QS World University Rankings 2026 **Career Opportunities** Our flexible courses have been developed to meet the needs of industry and provide you with the skills you need to succeed. You will graduate with the scientific foundations and transferable skills to move directly into the workplace or to progress to a more specialised postgraduate qualification. Career prospects for Durham graduates are excellent. Geology and Earth Sciences graduates are highly valued by employers and go on to a wide range of highly successful careers in the sector and beyond, working in industry and research, including environmental management, water management, energy and engineering geology. Some of the high-profile employers our graduates have gone on to work for include ATKINS, ARUP, Centrica and the Environment Agency.
A Level: AAB | Must include AB in Mathematics or Further Maths, and one other science from Biology, Chemistry, Computer and Marine Science, Economics, Environmental Sciences, Engineering, Life and Health Sciences, Further Mathematics, Geography, Geology, Mathematics, Physics, Psychology or Statistics. Information: Applicants taking Science A-levels that include a practical component will be required to take and pass this as a condition of entry. This refers only to English A Levels. | T Level | T levels will be considered on a case-by-case basis where the subject area aligns with the course applied to. Please note that additional A levels or equivalent may be required to study certain courses. If you’re interested in applying, then please Ask Us and we’ll see if we’re able to consider this for you: www.durham.ac.uk/study/ask-us/ | Scottish Higher: AAABB | We normally make offers based on Advanced Highers. If you’ve not been able to take three Advanced Highers, then we’ll consider a combination of Advanced Highers and Highers, or just Highers (if your school doesn’t offer Advanced Highers at all). Two science subjects required including Mathematics. | Access to HE Diploma: 30 UCAS points | Access to HE Diploma: 15 UCAS points | Access to HE Diploma | We require 60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at level 3 (or equivalent). Applicants may be required to meet additional subject-specific requirements for particular courses at Durham. Applicants may be required to meet additional subject-specific requirements for particular courses at Durham. Applicants also require A Level Maths or Further Maths with at least grade B. | Scottish Advanced Higher: AAB | Two science subjects required including Mathematics. | International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme: 35 UCAS points | 35 665 at higher level, including one of HL Maths Analysis and Approaches or HL Maths Applications and Interpretation, and an additional science subject | Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016): DDD | Applicants also require A Level Maths or Further Maths with at least grade B. Other BTEC level 3 qualifications are also accepted in combination with each other or with other qualifications. See our website for more information on our BTEC qualification equivalencies. | Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017): H2H2H2H3H3 | Two science subjects required including Mathematics. | OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma: DDD | Applicants may be required to meet additional subject-specific requirements for particular courses at Durham. Applicants also require A Level Maths or Further Maths with at least grade B. Other level 3 Cambridge Technical qualifications are also accepted in combination with each other or with other qualifications. See our website for more information on our Cambridge technical qualification equivalencies.
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The tuition fees shown for home students remain subject to parliamentary approval. They are for one complete academic year of full-time study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Durham University will charge home rate tuition up to the maximum allowed by the UK Government. Fees for subsequent years of your course may rise in line with an inflationary uplift as determined by the government. The tuition fees shown for international and EU students are for one complete academic year of full-time study and are set according to the academic year of entry. Fees are subject to an annual inflationary increase. Tuition fees will rise annually by up to the higher of 6% or the latest annual percentage increase in the Consumer Prices Index. As a student you may also get involved in optional activities which incur additional costs. To find out more visit https://www.dur.ac.uk/colleges-and-student-experience/additional-charges/. — 27/28 Placeholder
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