Geology

Geology is the study of the Earth: its materials, structures, processes, and history across timescales that dwarf human experience. Applied geophysics is the branch of geology that uses physical methods, including seismic surveys, gravitational and magnetic field measurements, and electrical imaging, to investigate what lies beneath the surface without direct excavation. It is a field with enormous practical importance, underpinning the discovery of energy resources, the characterisation of geological hazards, environmental site investigation, and the understanding of tectonic structures.

At Keele this three-year full-time programme gives you a contemporary education in geology with a specialist focus on applied geophysics techniques. You will develop a grounding in the geological sciences, including the study of minerals, rocks, structures, and Earth history, alongside specialist training in the geophysical methods used to investigate subsurface conditions. Practical skills are developed through fieldwork and laboratory assignments, which are central to geological education, and the programme is designed so that your technical training is connected to the kinds of problems that professional geophysicists actually solve.

A sandwich year provides the opportunity to spend a full year working in an industry environment, and a year abroad allows you to encounter geological fieldwork and geophysical investigation in a different international context. Work placements are integrated throughout the programme, reinforcing the professional relevance of what you are studying.

Graduates of geology and geophysics programmes are in demand across the energy sector, including oil and gas, geothermal, and the subsurface engineering needed for carbon capture and storage. Environmental consultancy, mining, engineering geology, natural hazard assessment, and academic research are also well-established career paths. Many graduates continue to postgraduate study to specialise further.