2024 entry (view 2023 entry)
MSci Geophysics (F662)
Course overview

Typical offer
A-level standard offer: ABB
A-level contextual offer: BBC
See entry requirements for full details and eligibility.
Course duration
4 year(s) full-time
Part-time study is not available for this course
Application method
Full-time: UCAS
Fees
£9,250 per year, home students
£29,300 per year, international students
More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.
Location
Join a University ranked second in the UK for 'Earth systems and environmental sciences' research (THE analysis of REF 2021) with an excellent reputation for teaching and learning (UK top ten for Geology, which includes Geophysics, Complete University Guide 2022).
Learn about the physics that underpins the history, structure and dynamics of Earth systems, and how these relate to exploration for natural resources and environmental monitoring.
Explore the inaccessible parts of Earth's interior through a range of geophysical techniques and become immersed in hands-on science from the start.
Learn with experts whose research feeds directly into your studies at the cutting edge of scientific developments. Recent options have included Global Seismology, Near Surface Geophysics Fieldwork and Physical Volcanology. By your final year you'll be conducting your own independent research and exploring the questions that matter most to you.
MSci courses allow you to invest in your skills development by studying more advanced material in greater depth during your final year, preparing you for further research or boosting your career opportunities.
Field trips are a huge part of why our community is so tight knit, and you'll get to know your course mates whilst honing your practical skills. You will gain plenty of hands-on experience, with over 40 days of fieldwork both in the UK and overseas, the cost of which is included in your tuition fee.
The skills developed throughout your studies are highly valued by employers, from scientific and technical skills including coding, modelling, lab skills and data analysis, to transferable skills such as communication, creativity and resilience.
This course is accredited by the following organisations
The Geological Society for the purpose of partially meeting the experience requirement for Chartered Geologist.
Course structure
Full details about the course structure and units for this course can be viewed in the programme catalogue.
Go to programme catalogueEntry requirements
We accept a wide variety of qualifications and welcome applications from students of all backgrounds. Below is a guide to the typical offers for this course.
A-level standard offer
ABB including Mathematics and Physics
A-level contextual offer
BBC including BB in Mathematics and Physics
Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offerBTEC
DDM in Engineering BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma with Distinctions in four specified Physics units and B in A-level Mathematics (or equivalent)
Find out more about our BTEC entry requirementsInternational Baccalaureate Diploma
32 points overall with 16 at Higher Level, including 5, 5 in Higher Level Mathematics (either Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretations) and Higher Level Physics
International Baccalaureate Diploma contextual offer
29 points overall with 14 at Higher Level, including 5, 5 in Higher Level Mathematics (either Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretations) and Higher Level Physics
Find out if you are eligible for a contextual offerEuropean Baccalaureate
77% overall, with 8.0 in Mathematics and Physics
Scottish Qualifications Authority
Advanced Higher: AB in any order in Mathematics and Physics, and Standard Higher: AABBB
Access to HE Diploma
Access to HE Diploma in Engineering, Science or Computing (or similar titles). The 45 graded Level 3 credits must include: at least 21 credits at Distinction and 24 at Merit or above; and at least 12 credits at Distinction from Mathematics units (including algebra, calculus and trigonometry); and at least 12 credits from Physics units, at least nine of which must be at Distinction and the rest at Merit.
Mature students can contact mature-students@bristol.ac.uk to check the suitability of their Access course.
Welsh Baccalaureate
Requirements are as for A-levels, where you can substitute a non-subject specific grade for the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate at that grade.
Cambridge Pre-U
Requirements for principal subjects are as for A-level, where D1/D2 is A*, D3 is A, M1/M2 is B, and M3 is C.
International qualifications
The University of Bristol welcomes applications from international students, and we accept a wide range of qualifications for undergraduate and postgraduate study.
Search international qualificationsApplicants must also meet these requirements
GCSE profile requirements
No specified subjects required.
Further information about GCSE requirements and profile levels.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you need to have one of the following:
- IELTS 6.5 overall with 6.5 in all skills
- GCSE English Language grade C or 4
- An alternative English Language Profile C qualification
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels
More about UK qualifications.
Selection process
- For most candidates, we will only use your information in UCAS or your application form to assess your application. We may interview mature applicants and applicants with non-standard qualifications.
- Full information about our selection processes for this course:
- Regulations and codes of conduct we abide by to create a positive environment for learning and achievement: