Earth and Planetary Science
Gain the geological and geophysical skills that underpin modern investigation of solid planetary bodies in the Solar System.
Gain the geological and geophysical skills that underpin modern investigation of planetary bodies
Draw on different fields – from physics and chemistry, to mathematics and engineering
Discover the science behind new planetary missions and review freshly acquired data
Course key facts
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Qualification
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BSc
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Duration
3 years
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Start date
October 2023
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UCAS course code
F64B
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Study mode
Full-time
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Fees
£9,250 Home
£37,900 Overseas
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Delivered by
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Location
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South Kensington
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Applications: places
4 : 1 (2021)
Minimum entry standard 2023
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AAA (A-level)
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38 points (International Baccalaureate)
Course overview
Find out how solid planetary bodies are explored using geological and geophysical principles.
This degree focuses on planets, moons, asteroids, and comets, along with geological and geophysical processes in the Solar System. You will also learn about geosciences, physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, and computing as part of an interdisciplinary degree.
During the first two years, you'll take core subjects alongside students from other Earth Science degrees.
In your third year, you can choose from optional geology or physics modules, such as astrobiology, earth systems, planetary physics, ore deposits and collisions.
As part of our courses, you'll engage in fieldwork, which allows you to put knowledge into practice and develop valuable skills.
Some students have the option to work in the field mapping the geology of areas such as the Greek Cyclades, French Massif Central, Pyrenees, French Alps, and North West Scotland.
The planetary sciences are extremely popular due to the abundance of active and upcoming missions, requiring students to know the fundamentals of geosciences but also to be familiar with current knowledge and research problems.
Structure
This page is updated regularly to reflect the latest version of the curriculum. However, this information is subject to change.
Find out more about potential course changes.
You’ll take the following core modules.
You’ll also choose three optional modules.
Core modules
- Dynamic Earth and Planets
- Stratigraphy and Geomaterials
- Deforming the Earth
- Physical and Surface Processes
- Volcanism and Internal Processes
- Programming for Geoscientists
- Maths Methods 1
- Geology in the Field
Optional Modules
- Maths Methods 2 or Life over Deep Time
- Chemistry for Geoscientists or Low Temperature Geochemistry
You’ll take the following core modules.
You’ll also take four optional modules in total. You will choose three from Group A and one from Group B.
Core modules
- Pure and Applied Geophysics
- Solar System Science
- High-temperature Geochemistry
- Maps and Structures
- Remote Sensing Earth and Planets
Optional modules
Group A
- Palaeontology and Optical Petrology
- Maths for Scientists and Engineers
- Igneous and Metamorphic Geology
- Seismology and Numerical Methods
- Mechanics and Waves
- Sediments and Stratigraphy
Group B
- Environmental Geochemistry and Climate Report
- Rocks and Structures in the Field
- Field Geophysics
You’ll take the following core modules.
You will choose two modules from Group A, one from Group B and four from Group C. A maximum of three of these can be level 7 modules from Group C during this year.
Core modules
- Independent Project
- Advanced Remote Sensing
- I-Explore
Optional modules
Group A
- Continental Tectonics
- Climate
- Near-surface Seismic Imaging
Group B
- Integrated Advanced Field Geology
- Seismic Processing
- Comparative Planetary Science
Group C – Level 6
- Mining Environmental Management
- Ore Deposits
- Environmental Seminars
- Hydrogeology and Fluid Flow
- Tectonics of the Oceans
- Planetary Surfaces
- Advanced Programming
- Gravity, Magnetism and Orbital Dynamics
- Geological and Coastal Engineering
- Astrobiology
- Earth Systems
- I-Explore
Group C – Level 7
- Planetary Chemistry
- Planetary Physics
- Palaeobiology
- Palaeoceanography
- Geohazards
- Geodynamics
- Applied Geomorphology
- Collisions and Craters
- Meteorites
- Geophysical Inversion
- Advanced Exploration Geophysics
- Geological Reactive Transport
- Minerals Processing
- Magmatic Processes and Products
Please note, you cannot take the same module twice in different years.
Professional accreditation
Accreditation is sought from the Geological Society of London and the Royal Astronomical Society.
Our Earth and Planetary Science degrees were launched for 2019 entry. Usually, a degree can be newly accredited once the first intake of students graduate. This will be in 2022 for our first BSc students and 2023 for our first MSci students. We will seek retrospective professional accreditation for students beginning from September 2019.
Associateship
In addition to your degree, you’ll receive the Associateship of the Royal School of Mines (ARSM) upon completion of this course. This associateship is awarded by one of our historic constituent Colleges.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching and learning methods
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Lectures
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Tutorials
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Field work
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Group exercises
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Laboratory work
Balance of assessment
Key
- Coursework
- Exams
- Oral assessment
Year 1
- 10% Coursework
- 20% Exams
- 70% Oral assessment
Year 2
- 10% Coursework
- 30% Exams
- 60% Oral assessment
Year 3
- 5% Coursework
- 40% Exams
- 55% Oral assessment
Assessment methods
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Written examinations
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Coursework
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Reports
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Poster presentations
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Seminars
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Oral assessments
Entry requirements
We consider all applicants on an individual basis, welcoming students from all over the world.
How to apply
Apply via UCAS
You can track your application via the UCAS hub.
Applications for 2023 entry are closed
Application deadlines — 25 January 2023 at 18.00 (UK time)
Assessing your application
Admissions Tutors consider all the evidence available during our rigorous selection process and the College flags key information providing assessors with a more complete picture of the educational and social circumstances relevant to the applicant. Some applicants may be set lower offers and some more challenging ones.
If your UCAS application indicates that you are likely to satisfy our requirements you will be invited to participate in an interview, which may be online.
You will be introduced to the Department, the staff, our courses, teaching facilities and methods and life at College by staff and our current students. You will have an interview online with a member of the academic staff.
The interview is a chance for us to get to know each other, and we consider all aspects of your application fully when deciding whether to make you an offer. We will also take the comments of the staff member who has interviewed you into account, particularly when we decide after A-levels whether to confirm a place should you marginally fail to meet the terms of your offer.
An ATAS certificate is not required for students applying for this course.
Year abroad
Language requirement
Teaching is in the language of your host country in France and Germany, so you will need to reach an acceptable proficiency in the relevant language before you go. Free language classes are available at the College to help you prepare.
Availability
There are limited places available on the Year Abroad programme, which means that competition for selection is strong and a placement cannot be guaranteed.
Normally, only students with marks of 60% or above will be eligible for placements in France and Germany. Only students with marks of 70% or above will be eligible for placements in the USA.
Please note the list of universities located abroad that the Department currently has partnerships with is illustrative.
Partnerships with universities are subject to continuous review and individual partnerships may or may not be renewed.
Tuition fees
Home fee
2023 entry
£9,250 per year
Your fee is based on the year you enter the College, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
If you're a Home student, you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan from the UK government to cover the entire cost of tuition for every year of your course.
You can also apply for a means-tested Maintenance Loan to help towards your living costs.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
Overseas fee
2023 entry
£37,900 per year
Your fee is based on the year you enter the College, not your year of study. This means that if you repeat a year or resume your studies after an interruption, your fees will only increase by the amount linked to inflation.
Find out more about our tuition fees payment terms, including how inflationary increases are applied to your tuition fees in subsequent years of study.
Whether you pay the Home or Overseas fee depends on your fee status. This is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status. Find out how we assess your fee status.
Your future career
Develop the essential core knowledge and skills for an earth sciences career.
Become a geologist, geochemist, or geophysicist with highly sought-after skills in space-related jobs.
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Our graduates often pursue further study in master's programs or doctoral research.
Other potential career paths include geologists, risk consultants, geophysicists, consultants and research assistants.
Further links
Contact the department
- Telephone: +44 (0)20 7594 6478
- Email: admit.earth@imperial.ac.uk
Visit the Department of Earth Science and Engineering website
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Request info
Learn more about studying at Imperial. Receive useful information about our life in our undergraduate community and download our latest Study Guide.
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Course data
Terms and conditions
There are some important pieces of information you should be aware of when applying to Imperial. These include key information about your tuition fees, funding, visas, accommodation and more.
You can find further information about your course, including degree classifications, regulations, progression and awards in the programme specification for your course.
Programme specifications