Careers and the Future

A degree in Earth Sciences (whether it’s Geology, Geophysics, or both, perhaps combined with a joint-honours subject), is an excellent route to a great career. Generally, our students follow one of four routes after graduation 

Earth Science careers include geological engineering, environmental, and mining jobs. Some work for national organisations such as the Environment Agency and the British Geological Survey, others work for smaller consultancy companies. 

Postgraduate training is usually an MSc in areas such as hydrocarbon production, energy resources, mining, natural hazard mitigation and engineering geology, and provide excellent routes into a range of organizations, small and large, that require specialist geological skills. A PhD qualification is a route either into academia, or into larger companies that require researchers, for example multinational resource exploration and production companies, PGCE and teaching leads to positions in a wide variety of schools, mostly teaching either science or geography. 

Employment outside Earth Science makes use of the excellent transferable skills learned from an Earth Science degree, for example numeracy, independent problem solving, and effective team work. Non-Earth Science careers range from accountancy, management consultancy, the Civil Service, the armed forces, to starting a business.