Earth Science (Hons) University of Portsmouth

Overview

On this Earth Science (Hons) course at University of Portsmouth , you'll follow one of three pathways at the end of your first year:

• Geology
• Engineering geology
• Environmental geology

These pathways will provide you with the skills for a career across the diverse Earth science space, either by direct entry to the workplace or by taking one of our applied Earth science Master's degrees.

The UK government has pledged to train the next generation of miners, geologists and engineers in the UK’s new Critical Minerals Strategy (Gov.uk), and lists a number of Earth science related roles in its Tier 2 Shortage Occupation List in this field (DavidsonMorris). Roles in this sector are expected to increase given that Earth scientists will be at the forefront of the energy transition and ensuring human interaction with the natural environment and its resources is sustainable.

Earth Science (Hons) at University of PortsmouthHighlights

• Boost your professional experience by doing a work placement
• Conduct experiments in our Earth science labs, stocked with industry-standard Leica polarising microscopes, laser ablation geochemistry and electron microscopes
• Examine rocks, minerals and fossils from our extensive collection
• Develop essential skills on our fantastic field trips to world-class geological locations such as Cornwall, the Scottish Highlands, Cyprus and France, and explore local south coast geology on field trips to the Isle of Wight and the Jurassic Coast in Dorset

• Receive financial and placement support through our industrial bursary scheme on the Engineering Geology pathway

Careers and Opportunities

Careers in geology, engineering geology and environmental geology are particularly buoyant at present with demand being driven by large infrastructure projects (HS2), offshore wind projects, and nuclear power station construction. This means geologists are in high demand – in 2020, the role of geologist was added to the UK shortage occupation list.

Graduates from this course will be equipped with the skills and understanding to tackle some of the biggest issues facing the planet, such as finding and extracting natural resources, planning safe and responsible building projects, understanding past and future climate change, predicting natural hazards, and helping develop resilient cities and infrastructure.

Graduates would be equipped to seek employment in the following sectors: energy and resource exploration, geothermal, environmental monitoring and management, geotechnical engineering, engineering geology, natural hazard mitigation, teaching, or further academic research.

Graduates could progress onto Master’s level study, postgraduate teaching qualification, work towards Chartered Geologist status, or enter graduate-level employment in the sectors noted above. Our graduates would enter the job market as graduate geologists, engineering geologists, environmental geologists, mining geologists, and geotechnical engineers.