BSc Earth and Planetary Sciences

AAB, including at least one science subject.

Subjects considered to be science subjects are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Geology, Environmental Science, and Geography.

If Geography is the only science subject being taken, the offer will typically specify an A in Geography and applicants may first be required to attend an interview online or in person to assess their suitability for the course.

If you do not have the required grades or subjects you may want to consider our integrated foundation year.

Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore there will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A-level taken. Where applicants are applying for science and related degrees, this is likely to be made explicit in the offers you will receive. 

ABB, including at least one science subject.

Subjects considered to be science subjects are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Geology, Environmental Science, and Geography.

If Geography is the only science subject being taken, the offer will typically specify an A in Geography and applicants may first be required to attend an interview online or in person to assess their suitability for the course.

Find out more about contextual admissions.

Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore there will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A-level taken. Where applicants are applying for science and related degrees, this is likely to be made explicit in the offers you will receive. 

Applicants who have been in local authority care for more than three months or have refugee status may be eligible for an offer two grades below the standard requirements.

Your application will be considered against the standard selection process of your chosen course if you either:

a) sat your examinations early; 

or 

b) followed an accelerated curriculum and spent three years studying A-levels where the examinations were taken over two years.

If you are studying an advanced curriculum where the examinations are spread over three years, consideration for an offer will be at the discretion of the admissions tutor for that subject. 

AS level results are not considered as part of the standard admissions process at The University of Manchester.

The University of Manchester welcomes the provision of unit information where available.  Like all other information provided by applicants this may be taken into consideration when assessing your application.  Unit grades will not normally form part of an offer conditions.

Applicants must demonstrate a broad general education, typically a minimum of five GCSEs/iGCSEs, including acceptable levels of literacy and numeracy, equivalent to at least grade 4/C in GCSE/iGCSE English Language and grade 6/B in GCSE/iGCSE Mathematics. 

GCSE/iGCSE English Literature will not be accepted in lieu of GCSE/iGCSE English Language. 

35 points overall with 6,6,5 at Higher Level, including at least one science subject.

We will accept Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches or Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation. 

We accept a range of qualifications from different countries. For these and general requirements including English language see Accepted entry qualifications from your country

Scottish Advanced Highers are normally required in one of the following combinations:

Three Advanced Highers with grades ABB, including at least one science subject. 

Or 

Two Advanced Highers with grades AB, including at least one science subject, and two Highers with grades AB in additional subjects. 

English Language and Mathematics not taken at Higher/Advanced Higher must have been achieved at SCQF level 5 (minimum National 5 grade C / Intermediate 2 grade C / Standard Grade Credit level grade 3).

If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification, please contact the Admissions Team. 

The University welcomes and recognises the value of the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma/Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate and usually requires two A-levels, including at least one science subject, or equivalent to be included within this.

The minimum grade required will normally be the same as the lowest grade listed in the A-level entry requirements.

Typically, we require 80% overall with 8.5, 8.5, 8.0 in three written subjects, including 8.5 in at least one science subject.

The University recognises the benefits of the AQA Baccalaureate and the opportunities it provides for applicants to develop independent study and research skills.

In making offers, the University will focus on the three A-levels taken within the AQA Baccalaureate.

The A-level requirements for the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences are AAB, including at least one science subject.

The units of broader study, enrichment activities and the Extended Project are considered to be valuable elements of the AQA Baccalaureate and we would therefore strongly encourage students to draw upon these experiences within their personal statement. 

The University recognises a number of foundation programmes as suitable for entry to this undergraduate programme.

Applicants completing the Northern Consortium (NCUK) International Foundation Year or INTO Manchester International Foundation in Science and Engineering are required to achieve grades AAB, including at least one science subject, and grade B in English for Academic Purposes (EAP).

Applicants studying other Foundation programmes should contact the Admissions Team to check if their qualification is recognised for entry to this programme and for specific entry requirements. 

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma

We consider the National Extended Diploma for entry provided it is in a subject relevant to the chosen course.

Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Applied Science National Extended Diploma with grades DDD, which must include distinctions in all mandatory science units.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma

We consider the National Diploma for entry provided it is in a subject relevant to the chosen course.

Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Diploma in Applied Science with grades DD when taken with one science A-level at grade A.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma

We consider the National Foundation Diploma in any subject with grade D when taken with two A-levels at grades AB, including at least one science subject or grade M when taken with two A-levels at grades AA, including at least one science subject.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate

We consider the National Extended Certificate in any subject with grade D when taken with two A-levels with grades AA, including at least one science subject. 

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Certificate

We do not consider the National Certificate for entry to this course. 

Legacy BTEC qualifications

The University of Manchester welcomes applications from students who have achieved legacy BTEC qualifications (pre-2016) such as the BTEC Extended Diploma, BTEC Diploma and BTEC Subsidiary Diploma when taken with suitable A-levels.

We do not consider the BTEC Certificate for entry to this course.

If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification, please contact the Admissions Team.  

Cambridge Level 3 Technical Extended Diploma (CTEC)

Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Extended Diploma with grades DDD, plus one science A-level with grade A.

Cambridge Level 3 Technical Diploma (CTEC)

Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Diploma with grades DD, plus one science A-level at grade A.

Cambridge Level 3 Technical Foundation Diploma (CTEC)

Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Foundation Diploma with grade DD when taken with two A-levels at grades AB, including at least one science subject or grade MM when taken with two A-levels at grades AA, including at least one science subject.

Cambridge Level 3 Technical Extended Certificate (CTEC)

Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Extended Certificate with grade D when taken with two A-levels with grades AA, including at least one science subject.

Cambridge Level 3 Technical Certificate (CTEC)

We do not consider the Technical Certificate for entry to this course.

Legacy CTEC qualifications

The University of Manchester welcomes applications from students who have achieved legacy CTEC qualifications (pre-2016) such as the CTEC Extended Diploma, CTEC Diploma and CTEC Subsidiary Diploma. The grades required are likely to be the same or very similar to the new CTEC qualifications (first teaching 2016, awarded 2018).

If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification, please contact the Admissions Team. 

We require a QAA-recognised Access to HE Diploma (a minimum of 60 credits overall with at least 45 at Level 3), with distinction in a subject area relevant to the chosen course.

The specific course requirements are 45 graded credits at Level 3 with a minimum of 39 credits at Distinction, 15 of which must be in a science, and remaining 6 credits at Merit. We may request a copy of your modules. 

D3, D3, M1 in Principal subjects, including at least one science subject.

We also consider applicants offering a mix of Pre-U Principal Subjects and A-level subjects, provided a minimum of three distinct subjects overall are taken, and specific subject and grade requirements are met.

The University welcomes and recognises the value of the Cambridge Pre-U Global Perspectives and Research (GPR) and the opportunities it provides for applicants to develop independent study and research skills. However, the qualification will not form part of your offer conditions.

If you do not have the required grades or subjects you may want to consider our integrated foundation year  

We do not accept T Levels as entry onto this course. The University does accept specific T Level qualifications on a number of courses please review to our T Level information page for a full list.

The University recognises the benefits of the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and the opportunities it provides for applicants to develop independent study and research skills. Although the Extended Project will not be included in the conditions of your offer, we strongly encourage you to provide information about the EPQ in your personal statement and at interview. A number of our academic Departments may also choose to take your performance in the EPQ into account should places be available in August for applicants who narrowly miss the entry grades for their chosen course.

The University welcomes and recognises the value of Level 3 core mathematics qualifications (e.g. AQA Certificate in Mathematical Studies).

Core Mathematics is not a compulsory element of post-16 study and as a result we will not normally include it in the conditions of any offer made to the student. However, if a student chooses to undertake a core mathematics qualification this may be taken into account when we consider their application, particularly for certain non-science courses with a distinct mathematical or statistical element.

We advise students to contact the academic Department, who will clarify whether their specific portfolio of qualifications is acceptable for entry on to their chosen course.

Core Mathematics will not be accepted in lieu of an A-level. 

If you are a student who has followed a non-standard educational route, e.g. you have been educated at home; your application will be considered against the standard entry criteria of the course for which you are applying. You will be required to demonstrate that you meet the specified academic entry requirements of the course.  

We will also require a reference from somebody who knows you well enough, in an official capacity, to write about you and your suitability for higher education. Please refer to UCAS for further information.

If you are a home-schooled student and would like further information or advice please contact the Department Admissions Team. 

Mature applicants who are returning to studies after a break from formal education will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

If you require further clarification about the acceptability of the qualifications you hold please contact the Department Admissions Team directly. Further information for mature students can be found on our website. 

All applicants to the University (from the UK and overseas) are required to show evidence of English Language proficiency. 

The minimum English Language requirement for this course is either:  

• GCSE/iGCSE English Language grade 4/C  

• IELTS 6.5 overall with no sub-skill below 6.0 

• TOEFL iBT 90 overall with no subscore below 20. We do not accept TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition. 

• An acceptable equivalent qualification  

Where specified, we also require grade 1 or 2 in the Oral Exam component of the iGCSE English Language (first or second language) qualification.

Please note that if you hold English as a Second Language iGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of our acceptable equivalent qualifications or achieve a higher grade in your iGCSE than the one stated above.

Some English Language test results are only valid for two years. Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the course.

The University of Manchester is committed to attracting and supporting the very best students. We have a focus on nurturing talent and ability and we want to make sure that you have the opportunity to study here, regardless of your financial circumstances.

For information about scholarships and bursaries please visit our  undergraduate student finance pages  and the  Department funding pages .

All applications are considered on an individual basis once we receive a formal application through UCAS which includes details of the subjects taken and grades achieved, a personal statement, academic reference and your predicted grades (if you have not yet taken your final examinations). Candidates may also be interviewed online or in person.

All applicants should be aware that, if they are interviewed, information provided in the personal statement may be used as the basis for further discussion in an interview with an academic member of staff.

Further information and advice on writing your personal statement and the UCAS application process can be found on the  UCAS website . 

Applications for deferred entry are considered equally to other applications up to the point of confirmation.

Deferred entry is granted at the discretion of admissions staff, and is normally granted for one year only and two years at the maximum in exceptional circumstances.

Some English Language test results, such as IELTS or TOEFL, are only valid for two years from the test date. Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the course. 

We normally guarantee a place in the current year should an applicant's gap year plans change. However, this is subject to availability of places.

If you have re-sat individual modules to improve your grades, we will consider your application according to the standard selection process. If you are planning to re-sit the final Year 13 examinations, or have already done so, the University will consider your application, but we may require further information in order to make an informed judgment on your application.

We are happy to consider applicants who are taking their examinations in different sittings, provided they were taken over the standard two-year period.

If you applied in the previous year and your application was not successful you may apply again. Your application will be considered against the standard course entry criteria for that year of entry. In your new application you should demonstrate how your application has improved.

We may draw upon all information from your previous applications or any previous registrations at the University as a student when assessing your suitability for your chosen course.

If you are applying for a place for the same year of entry through UCAS Extra, you should provide additional evidence of your suitability for the course. If you are applying through UCAS Clearing, you are required to meet the Clearing requirements. In both UCAS Extra and Clearing, places will be subject to availability. 

We are happy to consider students who want to transfer to the first year of this course from other courses within the University. Transfers into the first or second year from other institutions are considered on a case-by-case basis.

If you wish to enquire about whether you would be eligible to apply for entry onto the first or second year, please contact the Admissions Team with full details of your qualifications and copies of your transcripts to date. 

Our Earth and Planetary Science course covers all major aspects of the earth system. The course has a common first year, allowing you to choose your degree specialisation that you will follow in years 2 and 3. You will develop core knowledge alongside a choice of optional units.

Our first year will introduce you to the modern way we study the Earth. The emphasis in the first year is on building foundational knowledge in the natural sciences, tailored to the Earth, planets and their environments, and on developing practical and transferrable skills.

During this year you will study the principles that underlie all our degree specialisations and will receive one-on-one advice to help you choose your preferred pathway at the end of the first year.  Every first year student will be supported by our peer mentoring schemes and small group work with an academic tutor.

The first year units will develop your theoretical knowledge, your numerical, field and laboratory skills, and aid your professional development.

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

In year 2 you will tailor your studies to your own academic interests by focusing on a particular aspect of the Earth and planetary sciences.  Each pathway  consists of a series of core units and extends topics from your first year, introducing new areas in your area of specialisation.

For an indicative list of the course units for each pathway, please click on the links below:

Geology - The Earth's rocks and minerals preserve a 4.5 billion year record of global change. In this pathway you will learn how to read that rock record and develop an understanding of the physical processes responsible for it.

Planetary Science -  In this pathway you will gain the skills of a professional geologist while pursuing a broader interest in planetary science, developing an understanding of how the Earth and other planets have been shaped by the prehistory, formation and evolution of our solar system.

Geochemistry - Understanding the chemistry of the Earth is fundamental to challenges such as managing resources like precious minerals and oil, understanding climate change at the molecular level, and the control of pollution. In this pathway you will also study the composition and evolution of the planets, melting and mineral reactions in Earth's interior, and Earth's (bio)geochemical cycles.

Energy and Resources -  In this pathway you'll study units that are focussed on resource formation, ranging from metal and hydrocarbon resources, to nuclear energy and groundwater resources. You will also study sustainable and efficient extraction of resources, while acquiring the skills suitable for a thriving energy and resources job market.

Palaeobiology - Palaeobiology addresses major questions relating to the Earth's living systems, their interplay over geological time, and the genesis and evolution of today's living world. This pathway takes an interdisciplinary approach, combining the study of the biodiversity and ecology of modern and ancient life, with training in the geological processes that shape the history and future of Earth.

In your final year, you can choose from a wide range of course units made up of core units from within your own pathway specialization units from other pathways offered within the Earth and Planetary Science degree, as well as units from our other degree in Environmental Sciences. A range of units are offered which have an applied focus to help you prepare for your future career, including case studies that will allow you to follow a project, such as the establishment of a mine, from its inception to final abandonment.

Alternatively, you may choose to study a course from the University's College for Interdisciplinary Learning , including our innovative Leadership in Action course, which combines study with volunteering and personal development.

You'll undertake a research project that is tailored to your degree pathway specialisation. You will collect data in the field and laboratory to answer a scientific question of your choice.

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service. Email: dass@manchester.ac.uk

This programme is accredited by the Geological Society of London, the UK’s national society for geoscience and the professional body for Earth scientists, with over 12,000 members worldwide.