Geology
Geology is the study of the Earth, its history, its materials, and the processes that have shaped and continue to shape it. Within that broad discipline, volcanology focuses on one of the most dramatic and consequential of those processes: volcanic activity. Volcanoes are not merely spectacular; they are major drivers of geological, climatic, and biological change.
Understanding how volcanoes work, how they behave, and how to monitor and interpret their signals is both scientifically fascinating and practically important for managing one of the most significant natural hazards facing human populations.
At Keele University, this three-year full-time BSc allows you to explore the Earth's fascinating history through a programme that combines core geological training with a particular focus on volcanological processes. You will develop both theoretical understanding and practical skills through fieldwork and laboratory work, learning to read geological evidence in rocks, landscapes, and geophysical data. The programme includes a sandwich year working in industry and a year abroad, as well as a work placement, giving you substantial professional and international experience before you graduate.
These elements are designed to enhance your employability, connecting academic study to the realities of professional practice in geology and related fields. With a typical entry tariff of 104 UCAS points, the programme is accessible to students with strong scientific backgrounds.
Geology graduates, particularly those with specialist knowledge of volcanology and natural hazards, are sought across the earth sciences sector. Geological surveying, environmental consultancy, the energy industry, hazard assessment and monitoring agencies, mining and mineral exploration, and academic research are all common destinations. The practical fieldwork skills and laboratory experience developed during the degree are directly transferable to professional practice.
Postgraduate study in volcanology, earth sciences, or geohazards provides a route into research and specialist academic careers.