MEarthSci Earth and Planetary Sciences with a Research Placement

Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.

• Earth and Environmental 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. 

Please check for specific GCSE/IGCSE subject entry requirements below

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.

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. 

Please check for specific GCSE/IGCSE subject entry requirements below

Contextual offers are available for applicants who:

• live in the UK and will be under the age of 21 on 1 September of the year they will start their course; and
• live in an area of disadvantage or with low progression into higher education; and
• have attended a UK school or college for their GCSEs or A-levels (or equivalent qualifications) that has performed below the national average over multiple years.

See our contextual admissions page for full details and to check your eligibility.

BBB/ABC, 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.

Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore 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 offer you will receive.

Applicants taking A Levels are normally expected to offer three full A Levels. If you’re taking more than three A Levels, these won’t be included in your offer. We will only make offers consisting of three A Levels.  

Please check for specific GCSE/IGCSE subject entry requirements below

UK refugee/care-experienced offers are available for applicants who:

• have been looked after in care for more than three months; or
• have been granted refugee status by the UK government or have been issued a UK visa under one of the Ukrainian schemes (Homes for Ukraine, Ukraine Family Scheme or Ukraine Extension Scheme).

See our contextual admissions page for full details and to check your eligibility.

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. 

Applicants must demonstrate a broad general education, typically a minimum of five GCSE/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.

We accept a range of qualifications from different countries.

Detailed information on our international entry criteria is available on the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences website .

For general entry requirements for countries not listed above, see accepted entry qualifications from your country . Please note that these general requirements may differ from the Department’s requirements.

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 sub-score below 20. We do not accept TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition, or;
• 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 English Language qualifications or achieve a higher grade in your IGCSE than the one stated above.

If you need to improve your English language skills to meet the entry requirements for your academic course, the University Centre for Academic English (UCAE) summer pre-sessional courses can help. Check if your academic course offers the option of taking a pre-sessional course on the UCAE page .

The UK Visas and Immigration ( UKVI ) student-visas requires that every student requiring a visa to study in the UK must show evidence of a minimum level of English Language (Common European Framework (CEFR) B2 level) to be granted a Student Route visa (previously known as a Tier 4 visa) to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level.

In addition, our academic Schools/Departments may require applicants to demonstrate English proficiency above the B2 level. Further information about our English Language policy, including a list of some of the English Language qualifications we accept, can be found on our website.

Fees for entry in 2026 have not yet been set. For entry in 2025 the tuition fees were £9,535 per annum for home students, and are expected to increase slightly for 2026 entry.

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

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 .

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 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).

Applicants are not routinely interviewed. In the majority of cases, admissions decisions will be made on the basis of the application information alone. However, depending on the qualifications taken, applicants may be invited to undertake an interview online or in person before a final decision is made.

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 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:

Course units for year 1

The first year is composed of three units which run across the academic year. Two thirds of your time will be spent in practical and field-based activities. Each unit is worth 40 out of a total of 120 credits.

Unit 1: Understanding the Earth

This unit will provide you with an understanding of evolution of the Earth within our solar system, the establishment of Earth cycles including the development of plate tectonics, the atmosphere and the oceans. You will study the history of life on Earth from first life through to the rise of humans, how we utilise energy and resources, and how Earth systems will evolve in the future.

Unit 2: The Natural Scientists Toolkit

In this unit you will study the chemistry, physics and biology of the Earth and planets as integrated systems. You will develop skills in numeracy and scientific problem solving, learn programming, and apply numerical models to analyse the chemistry and physics of the Earth and its environment.

Unit 3: Practical Skills

Practical classes fieldwork and professional skill development make up a large part of the course. This unit is composed of three parts.

Field Work

You will take part in regular field days throughout semester 1 covering the breadth of the course, for example, explore planetary science at Jodrell bank and geology in the Derbyshire Peak District that is on our door step. You will attend a residential field course in semester 2 that is focused on your preferred degree pathway

Laboratory Skill Development

You'll be introduced to the key observational, laboratory and field skills that you'll need as an Earth scientist.

The Professional Scientist and Society

Our course will equip you with an armory of skills to take into the world of work, including the ability to analyse problems, to work collaboratively as part of a team, and to communicate effectively to different audienc

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 the series of core units and extends topics from your first year, introducing new areas in your area of specialisation. Available Pathways are :

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 focused 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.

Your third year will be spent undertaking a year-long placement. Students who take this degree will find themselves working full-time in one of the world's leading research labs. You will gain experience in a professional research setting and make connections with world-leading researchers.  You will report your results in a scientific paper which will be marked at Manchester. You will also complete 20 credit units by distance learning.

You'll carry out an extended individual research project working alongside world-leading scientists using state-of-the-art research facilities, study subject-related units, and attend specialist lectures.