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School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

BSc (Hons) Geology with Foundation Year

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UCAS tariff 32 - 48 Contextual offers
A contextual offer is an offer to study at university that takes personal circumstances that may affect grades into account.
UCAS course code F602
Institution code P60
Duration

4 years

(+ optional placement)
Course type

Full-time
Study location Plymouth

Earth Scientists use their knowledge of the earth’s evolution and the physical, chemical and biological process that shape our planet, to pioneer sustainable futures. If you're interested in geology and earth sciences but don’t have the qualifications to apply for a degree, this could be the pathway for you. Successful completion will enable you to progress onto one of our earth science degrees, which we have updated to reflect the changing demands on earth sciences and its role in society.

Innovative Earth Science courses

Our Earth Science courses are designed to equip you with the essential skills and expertise needed to confront today’s global challenges. From discovering and extracting the raw materials vital for a green energy revolution to understanding the complexities of climate history, Earth Sciences are at the heart of shaping a sustainable future. You'll gain the knowledge and perspectives that are crucial for addressing the planet’s future, making a real impact on the world around you!

Careers with this subject
Our Earth science students have tremendous opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment in a variety of work settings. Our hands-on approach to teaching and learning throughout the course will provide you with the topical skills and experience that you can apply to the wide range of career options as graduates.

Key features
  • Progress onto BSc (Hons) Environmental Geoscience, Geology, Geology and Ocean Science, Physical Geography and Geology, Geography on successful completion of the foundation year.
  • Our innovative course provides modules that address critical sustainability challenges: reducing risk from natural hazards, harnessing cleaner energy sources and how to combat climate and environmental change.
  • Our approachable staff share their cutting-edge research and expertise through varied teaching practices in lectures, tutorials, practical classes and field courses.
  • Learn to apply the latest techniques in the field and laboratory. Our substantial fieldwork programme provides opportunities in a variety of UK and overseas locations including Death Valley USA, Spain and Sicily.
  • Improve your skills in our open access laboratory, LABplus .
  • Develop your confidence with your personal tutor, providing you with regular guidance throughout degree.
  • Get support from students in the year ahead via our PALS mentoring scheme.
  • Live and study close to the sea, Dartmoor and two geological UNESCO World Heritage sites.
  • Receive free essential field safety equipment as part of your welcome package.
  • Work towards becoming a Chartered Geologist. Our accreditation by the Geological Society, the world’s oldest and most prestigious national learned society for geology, helps you to gain the required experience.
  • Take the opportunity to spend your second year studying abroad in Europe, Canada, Australia, USA or elsewhere through our bilateral and ISEP exchange programmes.
  • You also have the option to later transfer from the suite of Earth science degrees to our masters-level MGeol degree.
  • The foundation year is an integral part of the extended degree. Completion of the foundation year will not lead to a separate award or qualification in its own right but will provide access to Year 1 of your degree.
  • A diverse and respectful place in which to work and study is fundamental to everything we do. Find out more about equality, diversity and inclusion in the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Science .

Course details

  • Foundation Year

  • Your Foundation Year will equip you with the study skills and knowledge to successfully progress onto your chosen degree programme. You will gain an understanding of core concepts in earth science, chemistry, biology and mathematics. Working alongside an interdisciplinary cohort of students, you will explore the global challenges that we face as society today. Teaching will consist of a combination of hands-on practical work, lectures, small-group learning and fieldwork.

    Core modules

    FYM001
    Becoming a Successful Global Scientist 30 credits

    This module will introduce learners to some of the major global environmental challenges facing society today and how science has a role in tackling them. It will help enable learners to adapt to the Higher Education Learning Environment by the development of a more independent, reflective and self-managed approach to study, learning, scientific writing, time management and mathematical skills for the study of science.

    50% Coursework

    50% Tests

    FYM002
    Essentials for Physical and Environmental Sciences 30 credits

    This module introduces learners to the study of physical and environmental science. It covers the very small scale from atoms to large scale global systems. This module teaches the fundamental concepts and analysis methods for chemical, environmental and earth system sciences. No prior knowledge is assumed. Emphasis is placed on building understanding of core principles and confidence in essential practical techniques.

    50% Coursework

    50% Examinations

    FYM004
    Our Changing Planet - Chemical and Geo-environmental Processes 30 credits

    This module builds on the core ideas introduced in its partner module in the first semester (FYM002), introducing a range of additional physical, earth and environmental concepts. There will be a strong emphasis on applying scientific principles to a wide range of topics in earth, environmental and chemical sciences.

    50% Coursework

    50% Examinations

    FYM006
    Sustainable Development Project 30 credits

    This module will introduce the learners to group work. As part of a group, they will investigate one of the global environmental challenges facing society today. Each global environmental challenge will be investigated through its impact(s) in and around SW England. The learners will be guided in their investigation and present their findings at an end of year conference. This will be followed by an individual reflection upon the group work process.

    50% Practicals

    50% Tests

  • Year 2

  • Core modules

    GEES1201
    Sustainable Geoscience 20 credits

    An introduction to sustainable geoscience and the role of geoscientists in the solution of global challenges and UN sustainable development goals. Introduction to good, professional and ethical scientific practice. The module also introduces the Earth as a system of interlinked spheres (geosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, atmosphere), and the unifying paradigms associated with geological time and plate tectonics.

    60% Coursework

    40% Practicals

    GEES1202
    Earth Materials and Resources 20 credits

    An introduction to Earth materials (minerals, rocks and resources) and geological structures, focussing on their formation, composition and properties from a theoretical and practical perspective, supported by case study(ies). The environmental and ethical issues associated with resource exploitation will be introduced. Students will be introduced to safe and professional field practice.

    70% Coursework

    30% Remotely delivered assessments

    GEES1203
    Climate, Tectonics and Hazards 40 credits

    This module provides an introduction to Earth Surface processes and their interactions with plate tectonics, at present and in the geological past. Participants learn how an understanding of Earth surface processes and environments can be used in determining the cause and nature of past and future climate and oceanographic change, and in the understanding, prediction and mitigation of a range of geological hazards.

    50% Coursework

    25% Practicals

    25% Tests

    GEES1204
    The Life and Death of an Ocean 40 credits

    This module will explore the concept of the Wilson Cycle whereby major oceans periodically open and close, causing reconfiguration of the size, shape and position of the continents through geological time. Students will develop an in-depth understanding of the interactions between plate tectonics and earth surface systems and palaeontological evidence for past environments and environmental change.

    35% Coursework

    35% Practicals

    30% Remotely delivered assessments

The modules shown for this course are those currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new modules. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to amendment from time to time as part of the University’s curriculum enrichment programme and in line with changes in the University’s policies and requirements.

Entry requirements

UCAS tariff

32 - 48

Contextual offers: Typically, the contextual offer for this course is 8 points below the advertised tariff. A contextual offer is an offer to study at university that takes into account individual circumstances that are beyond your control, and that can potentially impact your learning and your exam results, or your confidence in applying to university.

Check your eligibility for a contextual offer

A level: from a minimum of 2 A levels, including at least one pass in a science subject (Biology/Human Biology, Maths/Use of Maths/Further Maths, Statistics, Physics, Electronics, Chemistry, Environmental Science/Studies, Applied Science, Geography, Geology, Design and Technology, Psychology, Computer Science/Computer Programming, Information Technology/Information and Communication Technology).
BTEC: 18-unit BTEC National Diploma/QCF Extended Diploma PPP in a science related subject (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geology, Use of Mathematics, Environmental Science/Studies, Applied Science, Geography, Geology). 12-unit BTEC National Certificate/QCF Diploma MP in a science related subject as above.
BTEC National Diploma modules
If you hold a BTEC qualification it is vital that you provide our Admissions team with details of the exact modules you have studied as part of the BTEC. Without this information we may be unable to process your application quickly and you could experience significant delays in the progress of your application to study with us. Please explicitly state the full list of modules within your qualification at the time of application.
Access: pass Access course (preferably from a science/combined studies/natural sciences/nursing subject) including GCSE English and mathematics grade C/4 or above, or equivalent. For candidates that do not have a science, electrical or technology background please contact: admissions@plymouth.ac.uk for further advice.
T level: Pass. Any pathways related to Science/Engineering/Health.
International Baccalaureate: 24 overall to include grade 3 in one Higher Level science subject – English and mathematics must be included.
GCSE: English and mathematics at grade C/4 or above.
Applications from students with non-standard qualifications, including those without science qualifications at Level 3, are welcomed and assessed on an individual basis. This course is also suitable for those returning to study who can offer work or other related experience in place of formal qualifications and who have the equivalent of basic mathematical, English and science skills (i.e. the equivalent of a grade C/4 at GCSE level).
We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary .

Fees, costs and funding
2024-2025 2025-2026 *
Home £9,250 £9,535
International £18,100 £18,650
Part time (Home) £770 £795
Full time fees shown are per annum. Part time fees shown are per 10 credits. Please note that fees are reviewed on an annual basis. Fees and the conditions that apply to them shown in the prospectus are correct at the time of going to print. Fees shown on the web are the most up to date but are still subject to change in exceptional circumstances. More information about fees and funding.

*UK Government announcement on tuition fees

Following an announcement in November, the government has confirmed its intention to increase undergraduate tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year.

Subject to final Parliamentary approval (expected in early March 2025), the tuition fee for UK students is increasing to a maximum of £9,535 from 1 August 2025. This change applies to current and new students at the University of Plymouth. The Student Loans Company (SLC) has confirmed loans for tuition fees will be increased accordingly.

Classroom-based Foundation years
On 4 November 2024, the UK Government announced a proposal to cap the home student fee for the Foundation year of this programme at £5,760, this will be applied from 1 August 2025. Subsequent years of this degree programme will be charged at the new standard rate for home undergraduate tuition fees of £9,535 per annum. Implementation of this increase will be subject to parliamentary procedure.

Additional costs

This course is delivered by the Faculty of Science and Engineering and more details of any additional costs associated with the faculty's courses are listed on the following page: Additional fieldwork and equipment costs .

Tuition fees for optional placement years

The fee for all undergraduate students completing any part of their placement year in the UK in 2024/2025 is £1,850.
The fee for all undergraduate students completing their whole placement year outside the UK in 2024/2025 is £1,385.
 Learn more about placement year tuition fees

How to apply
All applications for undergraduate courses are made through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service).
UCAS will ask for the information contained in the box at the top of this course page including the UCAS course code and the institution code.
To apply for this course and for more information about submitting an application including application deadline dates, please visit the UCAS website.
Support is also available to overseas students applying to the University from our International Office via our how to apply webpage or email admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

Student experience

Watch Adrienne, BSc (Hons) Geology student, talk about the Italy field trip and her Clearing experience.
“Being in the field and getting hands-on with some of the equipment has been really fun.”

Progression routes

After successful completion of your Foundation Year, you will have the choice of progressing onto:
 
 
 

Additional information

Why study Earth sciences?
Earth Sciences Geology Students on fieldtrip to Kilve on the north Somerset Coast.

Careers in Earth sciences

Student experience (our graduate Sophie)

Students using a petrographic microscope
Our world-leading new suite of scientific microscopes include touch screen and video capabilities to enhance your learning
Helen in Australia
Alumni success
Baobab tree in Madagascar
Sustainable Earth Institute

QS World University Rankings 2023

In top 15 UK universities for earth and marine sciences, geology and geophysics - QS World University Rankings by subject 2023

Centre for Research in Earth Sciences (CRES)

Our world-class research keeps staff at the cutting edge of recent scientific developments within the field.
Explore the interdisciplinary research carried out within Earth sciences.
Aerial shot of an active volcano.

Journey to the Bottom of the Celtic Sea

Research by our Earth Scientists on the Celtic Sea bed is helping develop renewable energy futures in the south west.

Academic staff

*These are the latest results from the National Student Survey. Please note that the data published on Discover Uniis updated annually in September.