We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified*:
IELTS Academic module overall 6.5 with 5.5 in each component.
TOEFL-iBT (including Special Home Edition) 92 or above with 20 in each section. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
Cambridge English: Advanced or Proficiency overall 176 with 162 in each component.
Trinity ISE: ISE II with a distinction in all four components.
We also accept a wider range of international qualifications and tests.
English language qualifications must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the degree you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, or Trinity ISE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.
Introducing BSc Geophysics and Meteorology
Imagine exploring our magnificent planet – from its hot core through to its crust and oceans, atmosphere and beyond. As well as being fascinating, geophysics and meteorology are important to us all, as the mounting impacts of global climate change and extreme weather events pose ever more significant challenges for society and the environment.
If you have a curiosity about how the Earth works, a desire to tackle complex world issues such as climate change, a love of the outdoors, and an aptitude for physics and maths, then this may be the degree for you.
Geophysics is the study of physical processes through the use of physics and mathematics and applying them to the Earth. Meteorology uses similar methods and techniques to study:
There is a strong connection between geophysics and meteorology. Many of the Earth's processes such as gravity, heat transfer, ocean currents and volcanic eruptions can affect our atmosphere, climate and the weather.
This programme offers you a thorough grounding in geophysics, allied with an appreciation of atmospheric processes and the techniques which can be used to study them.
Through this programme, you will discover the inner workings the Earth to understand it and help safeguard its future. You will be equipped with the fundamental physical principles and mathematical techniques of geophysics, and their application to diverse fields including:
Geophysics and meteorology have significant impacts on the welfare of society and our planet. Exploration geophysics has helped us to find the energy sources that have driven many of the social and economic advances over the last century. Now, these techniques are increasingly being used to safeguard our natural environment. For example, gravity surveys can tell us about mass losses from the ice sheets of Greenland and Antarctica, as well as changes in the water table in regions reliant on groundwater. Large scale global seismology has helped us to identify areas at risk from earthquakes and tsunami to help save lives.
The use of the Earth's natural resources is also evolving. You will learn how the applications for natural resource exploration are shifting into new and innovative technologies to ensure the Earth's resources are used and disposed of more sustainably. You will benefit from the research and expertise of our academics, many of whom are at the forefront of this change.
If you choose to study Geophysics and Meteorology at the University of Edinburgh, you will become part of an academic community in one of the leading geoscience departments in the UK and one of the top-ranked universities in the world. As a result, you will experience teaching and learning at the forefront of this knowledge and learn from one of the largest groupings of geophysicists and climate scientists in Europe who are undertaking world-leading research in a wide range of areas.
We hope that by studying this degree, you can play an important role in our transition into a more sustainable society.
Flexible options
Our degree programs are flexible, allowing you to easily switch between the different Geophysics programmes at the start of your second year. Depending on your future plans, you can choose from Geophysics, Geophysics and Geology, or Geophysics and Meteorology. The course structure also makes it possible to transfer to Physics at the end of your first year.
You also have the option to stay an extra year and do an MEarthPhys integrated Masters. You can also choose the 'Professional Placement' option, and spend a year at an external organisation between years three and four, to similarly graduate with an integrated masters degree.
Field trips
Field trips are at the heart of this programme. You will get your hands dirty during local and international field trips throughout your studies. Applying geophysical techniques and using equipment in the field is fun, rewarding, and brings the subject to life. On recent field trips, students have mapped the subsurface at sites of meteorite impacts and volcanic craters. You will sample the atmosphere using a wide array of meteorological equipment. These trips will take you beyond the classroom, where you can gain valuable hands-on experience by applying what you have learned into real-life situations. Edinburgh is also an ideal location for this rapidly evolving subject, with many sites of geological interest right on your doorstep, and a constant supply of interesting weather!
Geophysics is a practical as well as a theoretical subject, and we like to enable you to explore both aspects. Within the geology courses over the first two years, there are several local trips to sites where many of the founding ideas of geology were formed.
In Year 3, you will take part in a week-long meteorological trip, where you will be introduced to many practical and measurement methods. Previous trips have been to the Isle of Arran (off the west coast of Scotland).
In Year 4, there is a week-long field trip that links up with students from France and Germany. You will apply a wide range of geophysical techniques and equipment (gravity, magnetics, electromagnetism, ground-penetrating radar, seismology) to intensively explore a specific site. These trips move around various sites in Europe but have recently been to meteorite impact and ancient volcanic craters, with a variety of fascinating geophysical and geological structures.
These trips are fantastic opportunities to interact with fellow students and staff, meet new people, and see how geophysics is applied in the real world. You will be taken beyond the classroom to apply the skills you have learned towards real-life situations.
Please note:
As the content of the programme is updated to reflect the advancing subject matter and student feedback, the location of field trips may change. The School of GeoSciences does not charge extra fees for compulsory field trips or field courses. Our Earth Science degrees all involve a significant element of field study, and we are pleased to be able to support our students as they learn practical and highly prized skills.
Due to the continued support of our generous Alumni community, all costs of travel, accommodation and subsistence on compulsory field trips are covered by the programme. However, incidental/personal expenses are to be met by the student.
What is it really like to study with us?
Visit our student blog, where our students share their experiences of undergraduate study, living in Edinburgh and everything in-between.
Student experience blog
Accreditation
This degree is accredited by the Royal Meteorological Society. This means upon completion of the degree you are eligible to apply to become a Fellow of the Royal Meteorological Society (FRMetS).
More info: Click here
We encourage you to review the Programme Structure - Degree Programme Table to see compulsory and option courses.
There are three variants of the Geophysics degree in terms of topics:
(i) Geophysics; (ii) Geophysics and Geology (iii) Geophysics and Meteorology
It is not crucial to choose between these programmes when applying. The Geophysics programmes have the same entry requirements, and all share the same first year. Switching degrees at the end of Year 1 is possible. From Year 2, the programmes subsequently diverge. For each of these variants there are options to make your degree an undergraduate masters (Master of Earth Physics), through either taking an industrial placement year (between the academic years three and four), or by adding an extra research-focused, additional year.
Conversion to these undergraduate master’s variants can also be arranged during your degree, dependent on grades.
This description is for the BSc Geophysics and Meteorology variant.
Year 1
You will study a first year that is shared with all Geophysics variants, introducing you to the foundations of physics, geophysics, mathematics and geology on which the rest of your programme will be based.
Year 2
You will take more advanced maths and physics courses, introductory meteorology courses and a specialist geophysics course.
In addition, you can choose two option courses from a wide selection in the schools of Physics & Astronomy, GeoSciences or elsewhere in the University.
Direct entry to 2nd year students take a specially tailored set of courses in the first semester, but join the standard program in second semester.
Year 3
In Year 3, the courses become more specific to geophysics, and are focussed on teaching you detailed skills. Courses cover maths and computing, measurements and modelling, geophysical imaging and inversion, thermodynamics, atmospheric composition, atmospheric science field skills and general research skills.
Year 4
Year 4 is all about applying the skills you have learnt up to this point. It starts with a field course along with students from universities in France and Germany.
One third of the year is taken up with independent research projects (either one large one, or two smaller ones).
You will also continue with specialised compulsory courses, and one option course from across GeoSciences.
Programme structure
Find out more about the compulsory and optional courses in this degree programme.
To give you an idea of what you will study on this programme, we publish the latest available information. However, please note this may not be for your year of entry, but for a different academic year.
With the world facing numerous challenges including global climate change, extreme weather, depleting natural resources and a growing population, the demand for quantitative Earth scientists has never been greater.
Our graduates have successfully entered challenging and rewarding areas of geophysics including:
Traditionally, geophysicists have mainly entered careers in oil and gas, or mineral exploration. However, as the world has woken up to the need for more sustainable development, geophysicists are increasingly employed in the fields of:
The numerical and analytical skills you will gain, including the ability to interpret complex systems, are prized by potential employers. Your skills will be highly transferable, allowing you to apply your skills to other disciplines such as engineering, finance, business, consultancy or a variety of governmental or civil service positions.
Examples of roles our recent graduates have obtained include geophysicist, meteorologist, waste resource management, hydrogeologist, resource discovery, environmental consultant, sustainability consultant, minerals surveyor, or energy resources management.
We are one of the largest groupings of geoscientists in the UK, and our research and industry networks give you access to a world-class experience with real-world relevance. Under the guidance of our academics who are leaders in their field, you will be equipped with sought-after skills in Earth science research.
We have a professional advisory board that provides support on employability skills.
Additionally, our programmes equip you with the critical thinking and research skills to be prepared for competitive entry into relevant postgraduate degree programmes. A significant proportion of our students progress to further postgraduate study and research.
