Palaeontology and Geology MSci

• Learn from top paleobiologic experts - Our staff are experts in their field currently conducting cutting-edge research in diverse ecosystems.
• Embark on thrilling fieldwork adventures - What better way to text your skills and learn new ones than hands-on experience. Have the chance to travel to International locations Including Spain, Scotland, and the USA await, with all travel and accommodation costs fully covered.
• Accredited - Geological Society of London ensure top-tier professional training.
• Explore the Lapworth Museum of Geology - Our unique facilities include the Lapworth Museum of Geology. Which has more than 250,000 specimens some over 500 million years old. As one of the oldest specialist designated and accredited geological museums in the UK, this is an invaluable study resource at your disposal. 
• Students on this course ranked the course first in the Russell Group for how good teaching staff are at explaining (NSS 2025)
• 100% of students on this course agreed teaching staff were good at explaining things (NSS 2025)
• Students on this course ranked the course 2nd in the Russell Group for both Assessment and Feedback, and for Organisation and Management (NSS 2025).
• We are also ranked 9th in the UK for Earth and Marine Sciences According the the Guardian (2026).

• Seminars and tutorials - Alongside fieldwork, they are key to your studies, offering hands-on training in lab skills like measurement and calibration. You’ll use top-notch facilities for your modules and research projects. In your first year. 

• World-leading research - Feeds directly into our undergraduate programmes, meaning you will learn from academics who are experts in their fields. For example, Prof. Richard Butler sheds new light on the major patterns and drivers of terrestrial biodiversity change, as exemplified by tetrapods over the last 375 million years, while Prof Sam Giles works on the evolution of fish. Dr. Stephan Lautenschlager uses cutting-edge computational techniques to restore the morphology of fossil organisms and reconstruct their biology, whereas Dr. Kirsty Edgar uses the remains of microscopic marine organisms to reconstruct past environments. Our research is truly global, taking us from the UK to the deserts of the American west. 

• Resources and Facilities - Our unique facilities include Lapworth Museum of Geology, and the state-of-the-art Collaborative Teaching Lab (CTL) with wet, dry, and e-labs. We have geochemistry facilities and newly installed CT scanner for 3D investigation of fossils. 

Support during your studies

You will have access to a comprehensive support system to help you make the transition to higher education when you start at Birmingham:

Personal academic tutors – You will be assigned your own personal academic tutor who will get to know you as you progress through your studies. They will provide academic support and advice to enable you to make the most of your time here at Birmingham.

Wellbeing Officers – Alongside your personal academic tutor, you will also have access to dedicated wellbeing officers who provide professional support, advice and guidance to students across a range of issues. They can meet with you to discuss extensions, disabilities, reasonable adjustments, extenuating circumstances, or talk through any problems you might be experiencing, and help you access wider support on campus and beyond if you need it.

Our Student Experience Team - Will help you get the most out of your academic experience. They offer research opportunities, study skills support, and help you prepare for your post-university career. They also organise social events, such as field trips, to help you meet fellow students from your course.

Contact hours

In the first year of your Palaeontology and Geology MSci degree, you can expect around 11 hours of contact time per week during the autumn and spring terms, including lectures, practical labs, and small group sessions, plus about 14 days of field courses. In the second year, the contact time averages about 7 hours per week, with similar components and approximately 16 days of field courses. In the third year, contact time ranges from 6 to 9 hours per week, depending on your chosen modules, along with around 6 days of field courses. In the final MSci year, contact time averages between 2 and 5 hours per week, again depending on your module choices, plus about 5 days of field courses.

Assessment methods and feedback

Earth Sciences uses a variety of methods to assess student performance, including exams, essays and dissertations. At the beginning of each module, you'll be given information on how and when you'll be assessed for that particular area of study.

Fieldwork 

Fieldwork is a thrilling part of our degree programs, bringing the subject matter to life through hands-on experiences like sampling, mapping, and data collection. Earth Sciences at Birmingham is renowned for high-quality field training, offering opportunities to travel, work independently and in groups, and develop technical skills. We ensure accommodations for students with disabilities. New starters receive a basic fieldwork kit worth ~£85, though suitable outdoor clothing is your responsibility. Fieldwork is the best way to learn about the natural and built world.

The optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.

To secure a place at Birmingham, you'll need to meet our general entry requirements as well as those specific to your course.

Number of A levels required: 3

Accepted Science Subjects

Biology/ Chemistry/Computing/Electronics/Environmental Studies/Further Maths/Geography/Geology/Human Biology/ Maths/ Physics/ Psychology/Statistics/ PE

 

General Studies

General Studies is not accepted, but a good performance may be taken into account if you fail to meet the conditions of the offer.

 

International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma

6,6,5 in Higher Level subjects plus 32 points overall. Including HL in 1 Required Science

BTEC qualifications

We welcome students studying BTEC qualifications as an alternative to A levels, and accept BTEC Extended Diploma, Diploma and Extended Certificate. Please contact us for further guidance.

English language requirements

If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification or a Presessional English course.

• TOEFL: 80 overall with no less than 19 in Reading, 19 in Listening, 21 in Speaking and 19 in Writing.
• IELTS*: 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in any band.
• Pearson Test of English (PTE): PTE 64 with no less than 59 in all four skills.
• Cambridge English (exams taken from 2015)***: C1 Advanced - Minimum overall score of 169, with no less than 162 in any component.
• Language Cert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 ‘Communicator’ with no less than 25 in each skill.
• Trinity ISE II: Distinction all skills.
• Trinity ISE III: Pass in each Skill

Presessional English courses

If you have a conditional offer for Birmingham where English is a requirement, you can take a Presessional English course as an alternative to retaking IELTS or a similar qualification. We offer on-campus courses all year round starting from September, including additional online courses in the summer term.  Teaching takes place in small classes with no more than 18 students to maximise class participation.

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

Applicants who take the EPQ and meet our offer criteria will be made the typical offer for their programme of choice, plus an alternative offer which will be one grade lower plus a grade A in the EPQ. This offer would apply if you make Birmingham your firm choice.

Core Maths qualification

Applicants who take the Core Maths qualification and meet our offer criteria will be made the typical offer for their programme of choice, plus an alternative offer which will be one grade lower plus a grade A in Core Maths. If you are also taking A-level Maths, you will not be eligible for an alternative offer through studying Core Maths. This offer would apply if you make Birmingham your firm choice.

*The University will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year. If Parliament agrees on an increase in tuition fees, the University will increase fees for each year of study, normally in line with these changes and will communicate any change in the fees to you without delay. The fee for September 2025 entry was £9,535 for UK students. If you are applying for 2026 entry, you will be advised of the annual tuition fee once it is confirmed by the Government.

Undergraduate loans

To help with the cost of studies, undergraduate students from the UK can apply for student finance through the Student Loans Company. The support available is made up of a tuition fee loan and a maintenance loan which helps to cover living costs.

Scholarships, grants and bursaries

At Birmingham, we believe that financial worries should not be a barrier to accessing higher education. That’s why we offer a range of additional financial support for students through scholarships, bursaries and other awards.

View further information on how to apply for undergraduate courses, including advice for UK and overseas applicants.

Graduates from this programme have gone on to work for organisations including:

• University of Birmingham
• Arup
• Jacobs
• SLR Consulting
• Optus
• Bp
• RSK Geosciences
• Campbell Scientific Ltd
• McConnell Dowell
• Biffa
• Fisher German LLP
• Berkeley Group Plc
• Trident Utilities
• Wythenshawe Community Housing Group
• British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (BVCA)

Their job roles include:

• Director
• Supply Chain Director
• Service Line Director, Earth Sciences
• Sales Director
• Graduate Minerals Surveyor & Geologist
• Construction Supervisor
• General Manager Health, Safety, Environment and Sustainability
• Category Buyer
• Head of Remediation
• Principal Geo-environmental Engineer
• Head of Product Management at Incuto
• Head of Civil Engineering
• Commercial Manager
• Environmental Specialist
• Data Analyst
• Geologist

Careers Network

Our aim is to make sure that success in your studies leads you on to a fulfilling career. Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offer support to help you identify your options, develop your skills and gain access to opportunities that propel you towards your career goal.

Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community, and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.

Flexible programmes to suit you

Not sure what you want to study?

Explore your options for combining subjects and shape your degree around your interests, whilst developing key skills for the world of work.