Course content

The course includes a balance of physical geography and geology topics, as well as material from complementary disciplines such as geophysics, meteorology, geomorphology, and environmental science. You will learn about the history of the Earth, its past and present environments, and the planet’s resources and hazards. We look at the Earth as a global system, including the causes and effects of global environmental change. There is strong emphasis on developing both laboratory and fieldwork skills, with field courses in the UK as well as overseas (current students have visited Spain and Iceland).

Combining fieldwork, practical classes, tutorials and lectures, this course provides a diverse range of specialist options. You will focus particularly on research skills: you will learn to collect, analyse and interpret different types of data, and to carry out your own research using specialist software and equipment. Field courses, with zero-cost overseas options, are one highlight of the programme.

Course structure

Our degree courses are organised into modules. Each module is usually a self-contained unit of study and each is usually assessed separately with the award of credits on the basis of 1 credit = 10 hours of student effort. An outline of the structure of the programme is provided in the tables below.

There are three types of module delivered as part of this programme. They are:

• Compulsory modules: a module that you are required to study on this course;
• Optional modules: these allow you some limited choice of what to study from a list of modules;
• Elective modules: a free choice of modules that count towards the overall credit requirement but not the number of subject-related credits.

The Geology programme is modular in structure and must be taken in Levels 4 and 5 in combination with another principal subject. Students may select to study only Geology modules at Level 6, or transfer to study M. Geology at Levels 6 and 7 (see M. Geology Programme Specification for details), or continue with the Combined Honours scheme at Level 6.

A summary of the total credit requirements per year is as follows, with a minimum of 90 subject credits (compulsory plus optional) required for each year across both of your Principal Subjects. This document has information about Geology modules only; please also see the document for your other subject.

Year	Compulsory	Optional		Electives
		Min	Max	Min	Max
1	60	0	0	0	0
2	60	0	0	0	0
3	15	45	45	0	0
3*	45	75	75	0	0

* at Level 6 (year 3) there is the option to choose to specialise in one of your subjects. These are the credits if you choose to specialise in Geology in your final year.

Physical Geography A summary of the total credit requirements per year is as follows, with a minimum of 90 subject credits (compulsory plus optional) required for each year across both of your Principal Subjects. This document has information about Physical Geography modules only; please also see the document for your other subject. For Physical Geography Combined Honours:  

Year	Compulsory	Optional		Electives
		Min	Max	Min	Max
1	60	0	0	0	0
2	60	0	0	0	0
3*	0	45	60	0	15

* in year 3 there is the option to choose to specialise in one of your subjects, taking a minimum of 90 credits in this subject rather than taking modules from both subjects

Year 1 (Level 4)

Geology Year 1 (Level 4)

It is assumed that students have no previous geological knowledge and therefore the programme starts from basics. The programme provides a broad-based introduction to geological topics at Levels 4 & 5 with emphasis on the characteristics of rocks, minerals and fossils, together with the processes that govern their formation and development.

Compulsory modules	Credits	Optional modules	Credits
Minerals, Rocks and Fossils †	30	None
Earth Structure and History †	30

† Module contains fieldwork

Physical Geography Year 1 (Level 4)

Compulsory modules	Credits	Optional modules	Credits
Fundamentals of Physical Geography	15	None
Geographical Skills	15
The Practice of Physical Geography	15
People and the Environment	15

Year 2 (Level 5)

Geology Year 2 (Level 5)

During Level 5 particular attention is paid to first hand observation, recording and interpretation of geological phenomena in the field and laboratory. This year includes a major overseas field course. By the end of the level you will have been given a complete grounding in geology that will allow you to carry out your own independent studies.

Compulsory modules	Credits	Optional modules	Credits
Petrology †	30	None
Field Techniques †	30

† Module contains fieldwork

Work Placement Year

Students taking the 4-year with ‘Work Placement Year’ undertake their work placement between Year-2 and Year-3 of their degree programme.  During the work placement year, students undertake a work placement (minimum 30 weeks full time (1,050 hours) or equivalent) with a geologically-focussed company or organisation. Students take the year-long, non-credit bearing module:

Core modules	Credits
Work Placement Year	n/a

International Year

Information relevant to students taking the International Year is available in Annex A.

Physical Geography Year 2 (Level 5)

Compulsory modules	Credits	Optional modules	Credits
Dynamic Geographies	15	None
Practical Physical Geography	15
Regional Landsystems	15
Geographical Research Training	15

Year 3 (Level 6)

Geology Year 3 (Level 6)

This year starts during the summer vacation when you will carry out an independent field project, which normally takes 3 weeks. During the autumn semester you will prepare a dissertation based upon this field project. In addition, there is a choice of option modules from a wide range of geological subject areas. The method and approach to teaching changes emphasis from staff-centred instruction at Levels 4 & 5 to more student-oriented activities, with components of several modules based upon independent or team-based project work.

There is also a change from modules based upon pure aspects of geological study to more applied aspects. It is intended that students should select their option modules according to their interests and career aspirations. Much of the content of these Level 6 option modules is based on research at the forefront of the discipline and helps to strengthen links between teaching and research.

Compulsory modules	Credits	Optional modules (Choose 45 Credits)	Credits
Independent Fieldwork Project (ISP) †	15	Structure and Geodynamics †	15
		Natural Hazards	15
		Hydrological and Engineering Geology	15
		Exploration Geophysics for Hydrocarbons	15
		Micropalaeontology: Principles and Applications †	15
		Economic Geology †	15
		Advanced Topics in Sedimentology †	15

Physical Geography Year 3 (Level 6) (Combined Honours)

Students take either 60 credits from the options below, or 45 credits from this list plus 15 credits from an elective outside this list. Students may take no more than one of the ISPs on this list, and do not need to take a Geography Independent Study Project (ISP) as long as there is an ISP included within their overall combined honours module diet.

Compulsory modules	Credits	Optional modules	Credits
None		Double Dissertation ISP	30
		Single Dissertation ISP	15
		Glaciers and Glacial Geomorphology	15
		Inspirational Landscapes	15
		Global Environmental Change	15
		Water Resources	15
		Applied GIS	15
		Coastal Environments	15
		Natural Hazards	15

 

If you choose to specialise in Geology in your final year you will study the following modules:

Compulsory modules	Credits	Optional modules (Choose 75 Credits)	Credits
Independent Fieldwork Project (ISP) †	15	Structure and Geodynamics †	15
Geological Communication Skills	15	Natural Hazards	15
Volcanic and Magmatic Processes †	15	Hydrological and Engineering Geology	15
		Exploration Geophysics for Hydrocarbons	15
		Micropalaeontology: Principles and Applications †	15
		Economic Geology †	15
		Advanced Topics in Sedimentology †	15
		Glaciers and Glacial Geomorphology *	15
		Global Environmental Change *	15
		Water Resources *	15
		Coastal Environments *	15

* No more than two of these Physical Geography modules may be taken

† Module contains fieldwork

If you choose to specialise in Physical Geography in your final year you will take either 120 credits from the list below, or 105 credits from this list plus 15 credits from an elective outside this list. Students must take one of the two Dissertation ISP options below.

Compulsory modules	Credits	Optional modules	Credits
None		Double Dissertation ISP	30
		Single Dissertation ISP	15
		Glaciers and Glacial Geomorphology	15
		Global Environmental Change	15
		Water Resources	15
		Natural Hazards	15
		Inspirational Landscapes	15
		Applied GIS*	15
		Coastal Environments	15
		Trees in their Environment*	15
		Contemporary Topics in Environmental Science	15
		Environment & Sustainability Case Study	15

For further information on the content of modules currently offered, including the list of elective modules, please visit: www.keele.ac.uk/recordsandexams/az

The module details given above are indicative and will give you a good idea of the range of subjects that we teach. We regularly review our teaching to ensure that the modules we offer are up-to-date; therefore, the modules available to study are liable to change.

Entry requirements

The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the likely offer or range of offers which would be made to candidates along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate’s application. Read more about our undergraduate entry requirements for United Kingdom, European Union and International students.

A Level requirements

• A Level requirement BBC

GCSE requirements 

• English at C (or 4) OR equivalent qualification, please contact us for advice

BTEC

• BTEC requirements DMM

International Baccalaureate

• 30 points 

Access to HE Diploma requirements

• Obtain Access to Higher Education Diploma with 112 UCAS Tariff points including 15 Level 3 credits at Distinction. 

PREPARATION PROGRAMMES FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

International students who do not meet the direct entry requirements for this course have the opportunity to study an International Foundation Year programme.

These courses are designed to prepare international students to enter into Keele University undergraduate degrees.

Fees and funding

Going to university can be a daunting as well as an exciting experience. It can be difficult to understand the true costs of being a student, as well as the financial support that is available to help you meet those costs.

We can help you to manage your funds, create a budget and ensure that you receive any funding for which you may be eligible. We also offer financial support such as the Keele University Hardship Fund and emergency loans.

For more information visit our money, advice and guidance section.

Career prospects

96% of Keele graduates were in a job or further study within six months of graduating (DLHE, 2017)

Keele enjoys high rates of graduate employment, achieving 96% graduate employability in 2017 in the Destination of Leavers from Higher Education survey.

As a graduate from this course you will have a wide range of skills that are currently in demand and, given current concerns around environmental change and natural resources, are likely to be in demand for a considerable time to come. You might choose to work in a subject specific role in geological or environmental consultancy, in planning, for a mining company, or in the oil and gas industry. Besides having strong subject specific skills, you will be an articulate communicator and confident problem solver, and these will be valuable attributes in a wide range of different careers.

You will be an articulate communicator and confident problem solver, and these will be valuable attributes in a wide range of different careers. Previous graduates now hold senior positions in academic, government and industrial posts.

Recent employers

• Base Energy Services Ltd
• Cyient
• GB Geotechnics Limited
• RSK
• Thomas Broadbent
• British Army

Jobs that a graduate of this course could go on to do:

• Geophysicist
• Wellsite Geologist
• Hydrogeologist
• Seismic Interpreter
• Mudlogger
• Geochemist
• Engineering Geologist
• Geoscientist
• Cartographer 
• Environmental Consultant 
• Geographical Information Systems Officer 
• Planning and Development Surveyor 
• Meteorologist 
• Waste Management Officer 
• Minerals Surveyor 
• Geography Teacher

 Regardless of which career you pursue after Keele, employers will want evidence of the range of skills and personal qualities you possess and which are required for the job. Your degree is clearly important in this respect but don’t forget the extra-curricular activities, positions of responsibility, jobs and voluntary work you may have been engaged in while studying at Keele. These activities allow you to demonstrate the skills and personal qualities required by employers and will be vital in your attempts to secure graduate employment.

It is estimated that 60% of jobs are open to graduates of any discipline. This demonstrates the flexibility of many graduate employers when setting out their academic requirements and that students are not necessarily restricted to careers related to their degree.