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Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences

A group of students looking out and taking notes while on a field trip

Why study here?

Study in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences: experience research-led teaching from renowned scientists, and enjoy life-changing, free field trips. Acquire invaluable skills and hands-on experience ahead of an exciting career without limitation.

Why Earth Sciences at Manchester?

  • Study at one of the top 10 universities in the UK for Earth and Environmental Sciences (THE World Rankings 2021)
  • Journey across the world on CV-enhancing field trips that will equip you with transferable skills.
  • Shape your career with our strong industrial experience option.

We have a common first year for both our degree programmes in Earth and Planetary Science and Environmental Science, which includes three core units: Understanding the Earth, The Natural Scientist’s Toolkit, and Practical and Professional Skills. At the end of the first year you can choose one of nine degree pathways from the two degrees, offering a fantastic flexibility and opportunity to develop ideas during the common First Year. The Geology degree pathway is a full, traditional Geology degree with a focus on independent field-based mapping and project work.  

Manchester has received global recognition for our action taken towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. In the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, staff, students and alumni have contributed through work on public engagement, microplastics, water quality, soil ecology and teaching on the MSc Pollution and Environmental Control degree programme, to name just a few of our inputs.

You'll join a close-knit, multicultural student community and benefit from small-group working and a close working relationship with renowned, world-leading teachers in their field. Sustainable development is at the core of research and teaching practices in The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences.

Our wonderful facilities allow you to truly explore, question and understand the world around you, and we offer exciting industry placement and work experience opportunities. We're helping to tackle global challenges, and we want you to be a part of it.

Bella's student experience

Have a listen to Bella's experiences as a student at Manchester, including the reasons why she decided to study here and her favourite things about the course.