The School of Earth Sciences is situated at the historic heart of the University campus, in the neo-Gothic Wills Memorial Building with most of the Palaeobiology group hosted in the Life Sciences Building since 2014. Part of the Faculty of Science and Engineering, our school is one of the leading centres for research and teaching in the Earth Sciences, having been ranked in the top four UK departments of its kind since 2001.  The current Head of School is Professor Alison Rust. 

One of the school’s greatest research strengths is the truly collegiate atmosphere fostered by a fluid grouping of research activities with emphasis on excellence and interdisciplinarity. Our research activity is organised into six groups covering everything from climate and environmental change, to palaeobiology and geochemistry.

Researchers collaborate across the groups to investigate issues such as the evolution and architecture of the Earth, global biogeochemical cycles, evolution of biodiversity and morphology, and geological hazards and risks. We attract major support and financial investment from a diverse range of sources, including UKRI and particularly NERC, the EU, the Royal Society and other charitable bodies, and industry.

The school boasts some of the best research laboratories in the UK, with a further £3 million being spent by the University on upgrading facilities. Our research output is prolific, with over 120 ISI cited papers published each year in leading scientific journals.

The school currently offers eight undergraduate degrees: six single honours degrees which cover two main disciplines, Geology and Environmental Geoscience, both with BSc, MSci and year-abroad study options, and two single honours Palaeontology and Evolution degrees as BSc or MSci.  

The aim of all undergraduate programmes is to develop an enthusiasm for the Earth Sciences as a foundation for meeting the scientific challenges of the future through a learning experience informed by our position at the forefront of international research. Our students benefit from learning a wide range of scientific and transferable skills that equip them with the confidence to succeed in their chosen professional or academic career.  The School has two undergraduate student societies, run by elected student officers. Bristol University Geology and Geoscience Society (BUGGS) organises student-run fieldtrips, informal staff seminars at a local pub, social events and an annual ball. DinoSoc arranges field trips to sites of palaeontological interest in and around Bristol and occasionally further afield, guest lectures and social events.

The Earth Sciences Graduate School hosts approximately 100 students from around the world. We have a rich and integrated community of students undertaking PhD and Masters level study. Our students are regularly recognised by national and international awards, and many go on to research positions at the post-doctoral level.

For postgraduate study, we offer PhD, a one year Masters by Research and a taught Masters programme, MSc in Palaeobiology.  The postgraduate students organise a number of events including an annual cross-faculty scientific poster fair, a seminar series and social events.

To learn more about the school, please visit Facebook and X (@UOBEarthScience).