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Geoscience MRes

  • Intro
  • Course
    content
  • Careers
  • Entry
    criteria
  • Fees
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Intro

Our Geoscience MRes provides the opportunity to contribute to impactful earth sciences research and develop the theory and practical knowledge you’ll need for a successful career as a geoscientist.

You are encouraged to work in interdisciplinary teams within geosciences, collaborating across disciplines such ecology, geography and engineering. You can study areas of earth sciences that most interest you, including igneous petrology, geochemistry, mineral deposits, marine geology, tectonic geomorphology, dryland geomorphology, remote sensing, hydrogeology and hydrochemistry.

Making use of our specialist facilities you will work on your research project under the supervision of an academic member of staff who is an expert in your area of interest. You’ll be linked to our research Centre for Aquatic Environments and Centre for Earth Observation Science, or to research and enterprise groups in Applied Geosciences and Past Human and Environment Dynamics, and benefit from our collaboration with international organisations and universities.

Find out about postgraduate events

Key facts

Location Brighton: Moulsecoomb

Full-time 1 year
Part-time 2 years

Apply online

Please review the entry requirements carefully and if you have any questions do get in touch with us.

Apply now for your place

In geography and environmental studies, 100% of our research impact is assessed as outstanding or very considerable in terms of its reach and significance in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.

Course content

Course structure

The Geoscience MRes is typically completed full-time in one year, but can be taken part-time over two years. The course is structured to include a significant research component which you will undertake throughout the course. In addition, a series of supporting taught modules further enrich your learning.

To be awarded the MRes, you must obtain 180 M-level credits, 40 credits from taught and subject-specific modules and 140 credits through the completion of the research project.

Geoscience image

Areas of study

The core MRes research project module is at the heart of the degree and equips you with a fundamental understanding of the research process across a wide and dynamic range of disciplines. You will discuss and develop your idea for this with your supervisor early in the course. 

You develop your wider understanding of environmental research through our specialist evaluating research modules including guided reading from journal clubs, research seminars and more informal student led presentations.

Taught modules will support your research specialism or project further training in key research skills such as GIS, qualitative methods or geochemistry.

Geoscience areas of study landscape temperature graph

Syllabus

Core modules

  • Research Project
  • Evaluating Research in Environmental and Geoscience

Options

  • Policy and Implementation in Town Planning 
  • Sustainable Urbanism in Coastal Communities 
  • Sustainable Construction 
  • Issues in Ecology and Conservation 
  • Advanced Taxonomy and Survey Skills 
  • Microbiology, Ecotoxicology and Environmental Remediation
  • Introduction to GIS 
  • Applications in GIS 
  • Applied Remote Sensing 
  • Environmental Politics and Social Justice
  • Independent Study 
  • Environmental Impact Assessment 
  • Environmental Management in Organisations
  • Environmental Policy and Law 
  • Case Studies in Environmental Assessment and Management 
  • Controversies in Science 
  • Hydrology and Pollutant Transport 
  • Water Quality Analysis
  • Wastewater Treatment Technology 
  • Water and Water Reuse Treatment Technology 
  • Water, Sanitation and Health 
  • Atmosphere, Weather and Climate
  • Waste Management and the Circular Economy 
  • Advanced GIS and Remote Sensing
Geoscience syllabus magnified sample

Staff profile 

Dr Aggeliki Georgiopoulou, Senior Lecturer

I am a member of the Applied Geosciences and the Past Human and Environment Dynamics Research and Enterprise Groups, and the Centre for Aquatic Environments. As a Marine Geoscientist I have published extensively on processes involved in submarine landslides, the offshore record of the British Irish Ice Sheet and bottom current circulation and its impact on sedimentary processes. I have been part of many collaborative teams and have participated in, and led, offshore oceanographic expeditions.

The complexity and connectivity of the oceanic environment requires cross-disciplinary collaborations, while the difficulty in accessing it requires the constant push for technological development, both of which fascinate me and keep the research topic interesting.

I believe in the power of fieldwork when it comes to conveying complex concepts to students. I keep much of my teaching research-led, and I often use my own research material in practical assignments as well as the latest published literature. Overall I aim to instil self-confidence in my students.

I am interested in supervising projects in the following topics: Slope instability in multiple geological environments, siliciclastic passive margins, active tectonic margins, seamounts, atolls, etc.; Alongslope bottom current sediment transportation and its links to slope instability as well as past climatic events; Offshore glacial processes, modern and ancient; Industry-related projects on topics such as pipeline/cable routes, offshore wind energy foundations, geohazard assessments for seafloor installations; Microplastic distribution and incorporation in deep sea sediments; Continuous processes from the shelf to the deep sea; Applicants' own ideas on marine geological processes.

Find out about other members of the team:

  • Dr Raymond Ward
  • Dr Laurence Hopkinson
  • Dr Norman Moles
  • Dr Laura Evenstar
  • Dr Jake Ciborowski
  • Dr Friederike Gunzel
  • Dr Heidi Burgess
  • Dr Chris Carey
  • Dr Lorna Linch
Aggeliki Georgiopoulou

Facilities

Our specialist facilities include:

  • geology, soil and water analysis labs
  • public health and geochemical analysis labs
  • air and water quality monitoring sites
  • environmental hydraulics labs
  • microscopy suite
  • computer suite with GIS and remote-sensing software
  • bench scale experimental treatment rigs 
  • gamma spectroscopy 
  • XRF and PXRF 
  • Carbon analysis 
  • DGPS
  • experimental river basin 
  • flumes
  • terrestrial laser scanners 
  • field survey equipment and drones
  • atmospheric observatory
Geography lab 360 image

Tap for a virtual tour of some of our facilities.

Careers


The course intends to maximise both your personal and professional potential, and in particular provides a foundation for careers in research, industry, the public sector and academia.

On course completion, you will be equipped with practical research-based training, plus the necessary transferable skills to prepare you for career progression. 

Geoscience careers2 mountain landscape with bridge

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

Degree and experience
A 2:1 degree in a relevant subject. Students with a degree that does not fall within this category but who have significant relevant experience, will also be considered. All applicants should provide a full description of any research projects undertaken, relevant work experience and non-academic qualifications.

English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. Find out more about the other English qualifications that we accept.

International students whose language skills do not match the IELTS scores set out here should consider applying for this course through our Extended Masters programme.

International requirements and visas

International requirements by country
Country name
Albania
Algeria
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belgium
Bermuda
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Bulgaria
Burma (Myanmar)
Cameroon
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Ecuador
Egypt
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Guyana
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kosovo
Kuwait
Latvia
Lebanon
Liechtenstein
Libya
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Malaysia
Malawi
Malta
Mexico
Moldova
Montenegro
Morocco
Namibia
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nigeria
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palestinian National Authority
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russian Federation
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sri Lanka
Syria
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Tanzania
Thailand
Tunisia
Turkey
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United States
Uzbekistan
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

Visit our language centre

For English language preparation courses.

Visit our International College

For degree preparation courses.

Visas and immigration advice

Applying for a student visa

Check out our step-by-step guidance.

Fees

Course fees

UK/EU (full-time) 8,100 GBP

International (full-time)15,800 GBP


Scholarships, bursaries and loans

We offer a range of scholarships for postgraduate students. Bursaries and loans may also be available to you.

Find out more about postgraduate fees and funding.

What's included

You may have to pay additional costs during your studies. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. A summary of the costs that you may be expected to pay, and what is included in your fees, while studying a course in the School of Applied Sciences in the 2022–23 academic year are listed here.

  • Where required:
    • all students are provided with a laboratory coat, safety glasses and log book.
    • a budget to cover laboratory consumables and equipment for your final year project is included in the fees for all students.
    • access to key subject journals and subject specific databases is provided, as well as a site licence for industry-standard chemical drawing software.
    • essential instruction booklets (laboratory handbooks) are provided, as is project poster printing and thesis binding. However, you should budget for books, printing and stationery for personal study.
  • For our ecology and conservation courses there are compulsory field trips for which you should budget up to £200. There are also optional field trips for which you may choose to budget up to £2,700. You may also need to buy appropriate clothing for outdoor use.
  • DBS checks for MPharm students are included in the fee.
  • Costs for MPharm placement travel is reimbursed up to a specified amount depending on location of placement.
  • The independent mapping project is a mandatory part of the Geology BSc(Hons) involving independent fieldwork that is undertaken in the summer between years 2 and 3. The cost of this fieldwork is not included in the fee, and you will need to meet this additional cost yourself.
  • Travel and accommodation costs are included for all mandatory taught residential field trips, but you’ll need to provide your own food and drink.
  • Optional placements and day trips may include additional costs. This will vary depending on where and how long the field trip is but you should budget approximately £1,500.
  • Some students require specialist outdoor equipment and/or personal protective equipment (PPE) and should budget up to £100.
  • If you choose to take an optional paid placement you’ll be expected to cover your own travel, accommodation, food and drink.
  • You will have access to computers and necessary software, however many students choose to buy their own hardware, software and accessories. The amount spent will depend on your individual choices but this expenditure is not essential to pass any of our courses. Find out what free software is available from the University of Brighton.
  • In most cases coursework submissions are electronic but students may wish to print notes which would involve an extra cost.

You can chat with our enquiries team if you have a question or need more information. Or check our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as more information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2023–24.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full-time or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

Location and student life

Campus where this course is taught

Moulsecoomb campus

Two miles north of Brighton seafront, Moulsecoomb is our largest campus and student village. Over the last four years Moulsecoomb has undergone a major transformation, planned with accessibility, inclusivity and sustainability in mind.

Over 900 students live here in our halls, Moulsecoomb Place and the new Mithras halls – Brunswick, Goldstone, Hanover, Preston and Regency.

On campus you’ll find professional-standard facilities and learning resources for all of our subjects and a brand new academic building Elm House, alongside the library, student centre, fitness facilities and the Students’ Union.

Moulsecoomb has easy access to buses and trains and to all the exciting things happening in our home city.

Two people walking past Mithras halls

Accommodation

Brighton: Moulsecoomb

We guarantee an offer of a place in halls of residence to all eligible students.

Halls of residence
We have halls of residence across Brighton in the city centre, Moulsecoomb, Varley Park and Falmer.

  • You'll be prioritised for accommodation in the halls that are linked to your teaching base, subject to availability.
  • Moulsecoomb campus is linked to Moulsecoomb Place, Mithras halls and Varley Park. All halls are self-catered.
    • Varley Park offers a mix of rooms. It is around two miles from Moulsecoomb campus and four miles from the city centre. Public transport in the city is excellent, and there’s a shuttle bus between our Brighton campuses during term time.
    • Moulsecoomb Place halls are all self-catered and are located right on campus.

Want to live independently? We can help – find out more about private renting.

Modern accommodation at nearby Varley Halls

Modern accommodation at nearby Varley Park

Relaxing in halls near the campus

Relaxing in halls near the campus

Students eating at the Hub

Students eating at the Hub

Local area

About Brighton

The city of Brighton & Hove is a forward-thinking place which leads the way in the arts, technology, sustainability and creativity. You'll find living here plays a key role in your learning experience.

Brighton is a leading centre for creative media technology, recently named the startup capital of the UK.

The city is home to a national 5G testbed and over 1,000 tech businesses. The digital sector is worth over £1bn a year to the local economy - as much as tourism.

All of our full-time undergraduate courses involve work-based learning - this could be through placements, live briefs and guest lectures. Many of these opportunities are provided by local businesses and organisations.

It's only 50 minutes by train from Brighton to central London and less than 40 minutes to Eastbourne. There are also daily direct trains to Bristol, Bedford, Cambridge, Gatwick Airport, Portsmouth and Southampton.

Map showing distance to London from Brighton
Brighton Beach sunset

Maps

Moulsecoomb campus map

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Support and wellbeing

Your course team

Your personal academic tutor, course leader and other tutors are all there to help you with your personal and academic progress. You'll also have a student support and guidance tutor (SSGT) who can help with everything from homesickness, managing stress or accommodation issues.

Your academic skills

Our Brighton Student Skills Hub gives you extra support and resources to develop the skills you'll need for university study, whatever your level of experience so far.

Your mental health and wellbeing

As well as being supported to succeed, we want you to feel good too. You'll be part of a community that builds you up, with lots of ways to connect with one another, as well having access to dedicated experts if you need them. Find out more.

Students talking in a social area

Sport at Brighton

Sport Brighton

Sport Brighton brings together our sport and recreation services. As a Brighton student you'll have use of sport and fitness facilities across all our campuses and there are opportunities to play for fun, fitness or take part in serious competition. 

Find out more about Sport Brighton.

Sports scholarships

Our sports scholarship scheme is designed to help students develop their full sporting potential to train and compete at the highest level. We offer scholarships for elite athletes, elite disabled athletes and talented sports performers.

Find out more about sport scholarships.

Students playing frisbee

Stay in touch

Find out about postgraduate events

Ask a question about this course

If you have a question about this course, our enquiries team will be happy to help.

01273 644644

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‹ ›

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