Environmental Geoscience
Environmental geoscience sits at the intersection of geology and environmental science, applying the tools and understanding of earth science to the most pressing environmental challenges facing humanity. Population growth, global industrialisation, resource extraction, pollution, and climate change are placing the planet under unprecedented strain, and addressing those challenges requires professionals with a deep scientific understanding of Earth systems and the ability to apply that understanding to real problems in the real world.
At Royal Holloway, University of London, this four-year programme develops both acute problem-solving skills and the profound understanding of humanity's relationship with the planet that environmental geoscience demands. You will study the structure, composition, and history of the Earth alongside the processes that connect geology to environmental change: how rocks and soils respond to contamination, how groundwater systems work, how natural hazards develop and can be assessed, and how geological resources can be extracted sustainably. The programme includes a sandwich placement year and a year abroad, alongside embedded work placement opportunities, giving you direct professional experience in the field and international exposure to environmental challenges and scientific approaches in different contexts.
Graduates work in environmental consultancy, minerals and resource management, hydrogeology, engineering geology, environmental impact assessment, contaminated land management, climate and environmental research, government environmental agencies, and the oil and gas sector. The combination of geological understanding and environmental focus is particularly valuable as the engineering and energy sectors grapple with the challenge of sustainability. Many graduates pursue postgraduate study in environmental geoscience, hydrogeology, engineering geology, or related fields, and doctoral research is a pathway for those interested in academic or specialist research careers.