MEarthSci Earth and Planetary Sciences with International Study / Application and selection

Year of entry: 2024

How to apply

Apply through UCAS .

Advice to applicants

Our common first year provides a solid foundation for both our Earth and Planetary Sciences and Environmental Sciences degrees. Should your interests shift in your first year of study, you have the flexibility to transfer to other degrees in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences in first year, subject to academic achievement.

Eligibility for continuation onto the fourth year of the MEarthSci/MEnvSci programmes is based on your marks at the end of second year and/or third year. If you are not eligible you will be transferred to the BSc programme.

Factors contributing to a successful application include:

  • past academic performance; 

  • predicted academic performance; 

  • enthusiasm for, and realistic grasp of, chosen degree programme; 

  • evidence of interpersonal skills and non-academic interests/achievements. 

Further guidance on how to apply can be found on our How to Apply webpage .

Your referee should give realistic grade predications for all qualifications that you are currently studying at the top of their reference. If you attend a non-UK school or college that does not provide predicted grades your referee should explain this policy within their reference.

Where you have mitigating circumstances these should be reported to your education provider and relevant exam board. We cannot make further allowances.

We would normally only consider applicants who obtained the relevant qualification within the three years prior to entry. Applicants who have left education for more than three years should contact the Department Admissions Team to discuss their particular circumstances.

You should not normally apply for more than one course offered by the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at The University of Manchester. Applicants who miss the MEarthSci/MEnvSci grades at confirmation, but who meet the BSc grades, will automatically be considered for the BSc option. Please contact the Department Admissions Team for advice if you are planning to apply for more than one course. 

How your application is considered

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 information provided in the personal statement may be used as the basis for further discussion during an interview.

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

Deferrals

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.

Policy for applicants who resit their qualifications

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.

Policy for applicants who take their examinations in more than one sitting

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

Re-applications

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 Clearing, you are required to meet the Clearing requirements. In both UCAS Extra and Clearing the places will be subject to availability.

Transfers

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. Please contact the Department Admissions Team if you require further advice.