Earth sciences

Explore our planet – understand the past to benefit the future
 Earth Sciences - students with hard hats stood on a tor looking at the landscape

Earth sciences

Explore our planet – understand the past to benefit the future

Why Plymouth?

  • <Geological Society accredited degrees

  • (Extensive UK and overseas fieldwork portfolio, including: Spain, Namibia, USA (Death Valley) and Italy*

  • ?Our Earth sciences degrees ranked 4th in the South West for overall student satisfaction by the Complete University Guide 2027

  • @Geology ranked 10th in the UK for graduate prospects and best in the South West for student experience in The Times Good University Guide 2027

  • 'Benefit from an extensive network of placement providers

  • ,Stunning coastal location near UNESCO world heritage sites and geopark

Discover our range of undergraduate degrees

Eden Project
BSc (Hons) Environmental Geoscience
Students on geology fieldtrip at Bovisand beach, Devon
BSc (Hons) Geology
Marble. Image courtesy of Getty Images.
MGeol (Hons) Geology
Closeup beautiful marble - onyx pattern with veins useful as background or texture, full frame. Image courtesy of Getty Images.  
BSc (Hons) Geology with Foundation Year
Physical Geography and Geology student on a fieldtrip to Sharpitor
BSc (Hons) Physical Geography and Geology

Discover our range of postgraduate taught programmes and research opportunities

Two women working on the beach by a pool of water collecting and analysing samples to assess environmental damage. They are wearing protective gloves and reflective clothing (full-bleed)
MSc Environmental Geochemistry
Two female researchers on the beach by a pool of water collecting and analysing samples.
MSc Environmental Geochemistry (Nuclear Science)
Top view of an open pit for the extraction of gold ore with depth of 250 meters.
MSc Environmental and Engineering Geology
Hinkley Point Nuclear Power Station in the distance.
MSc Environmental and Engineering Geology (Nuclear Science)
Student walking across red cliffs, on a geology field trip.
ResM Geological Sciences
Top view green forest with globe earth. Sustainable Environment concept.
MSc Global Sustainability

Register for postgraduate open evening
 
Welcome to Earth Sciences at Plymouth. Few subjects are as well placed as ours to understand both the challenges and opportunities of the contemporary world. From reducing risks from natural hazards, to leading the transition to cleaner and more sustainable energy sources, Earth Scientists are at the heart of life-crucial technologies and decision-making.
Our programmes are designed to equip students to make the world a safer and more sustainable place. Through extensive national and international fieldwork, lectures and hands-on practicals, you will develop knowledge about the forces that shape the planet and our lives. Enjoy exploring our programmes and all of the opportunities that come with them.
Dr Simon Dickinson
Earth Sciences and Geography Programme Leader
Lecturer in Geohazards and Risk
Dr Simon Dickinson

Read about our student and staff success in our latest newsletter.

Recent edition:

Jon ShawProfessor Jon Shaw
Head of School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

Front cover of the SoGEES newsletter - Autumn 2026

Out in the field

Earth sciences students enjoy immersive field trips led by expert lecturers. Our trip to Italy combined expert teaching from a local geologist - who has dedicated his career to studying Mount Vesuvius - with opportunities to develop valuable hands-on practical skills.
“These residential trips are more than just learning about the geology, they’re also a fantastic opportunity for our students to socialise and interact with each other, and the lecturers, outside of a formal university setting. It’s a great way to build cohesion within a group and to get to know each other better.”
Dr Zoe Mildon
Associate Professor in Earth Sciences
 
 
 

What we offer...

Students using a petrographic microscope
Facilities in the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences
Earth Sciences Geology Students on fieldtrip to Kilve on the north Somerset Coast.
Careers in Earth sciences
Girls into Geoscience
We hope to provide crucial role models for aspiring female scientists across the Earth Science spectrum, in person and through our popular blog posts, as well as promoting diversity and equality in our field. Our an annual award winning Girls into Geoscience (GiG) event is held at the University of Plymouth.
Girls into Geoscience

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.

Earth Smart  

At Plymouth, we are bridging the gap between research and action – we are Earth Smart. By bringing research directly into the field, working with farmers, landowners and communities, we are co-creating sustainable land management strategies. We are developing practical approaches to using advanced agri-tech and sensor technology to provide rapid, real-world data that can be applied at the right time and in the right place for productive, sustainable, healthy landscapes.’
Earth Smart logo
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.

People

Petroleum Experts Limited Donates MOVE Software License

Software facilitates three dimensional analysis and structural modelling of deformation of Earth's crust through time.

We are pleased to announce the donation of 10 sets of the MOVE software suite to the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences by UK-based Petroleum Experts Limited. This industry standard software package, which is valued at £1,872,218.26 million, facilitates three dimensional analysis and structural modelling of deformation of Earth's crust through time. Tools in the software suite aid in cross-section construction, kinematic restoration, geomechanical modelling, fracture studies, and stress analysis. The School greatly values the donation of this software and the opportunity to continue to integrate MOVE into the teaching and research activities of both undergraduate and postgraduate students and academic staff.