The School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences has a renowned history for international excellence in research and teaching. Geology at Birmingham dates back to 1881 and Geography began here in 1924. We are proud of our long history and build on our successes through our research and teaching to address some of the biggest challenges of the 21st century. This includes creating sustainable environments and societies, environment and health, dynamic earth and ecosystems, and extreme climates.
Our research spans four major themes:
We welcome students and staff to a supportive interdisciplinary community of some 60 academic staff, 28 technical and support staff and 24 research staff.
We have a thriving postgraduate community, with around 90 research students and more than 150 following our acclaimed taught postgraduate programmes.
The latest Research Excellence Framework (REF) results rank research at the University of Birmingham as 3rd* in the UK for ‘Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences’.
Our undergraduate teaching programmes reflect our research expertise, enabling students to benefit from staff actively involved in innovative, leading-edge research. Our teaching has been ranked ‘excellent’ in the HEFCE quality review. Our graduates are successful and highly sought after by employers.
We offer excellent facilities for postgraduate study through both taught courses and by research. Staff and students benefit from:
We are also home to the nationally important Lapworth Museum of Geology, one of the finest geological collections in the UK. It is free to the public and open all year round.
* ranking by Grade Point Average (Times Higher Methodology)