Geology with Palaeontology

Geology with palaeontology is the study of the Earth's physical history combined with the history of life as preserved in the fossil record. Geology examines how the Earth formed and how it has been shaped over billions of years by volcanic activity, erosion, plate tectonics and the deposition of sediments, developing skills in field observation, mineral and rock analysis and the interpretation of geological structures. Palaeontology reads this record through the fossils of organisms that lived in the past, asking what they can tell us about evolution, ancient environments and the forces that have driven mass extinctions and recoveries across geological time.

At the University of Leicester, this three-year programme is designed for students who love fossils and want to understand what they reveal about evolution and environmental change. You will develop expertise across the geological sciences, from mineralogy and petrology to structural geology and sedimentology, while also developing specialised skills in palaeontology, including the identification and interpretation of fossil groups, the reconstruction of ancient environments and the use of fossils in biostratigraphy. A sandwich placement year provides professional experience in a geological or palaeontological context, and a year abroad and work placement opportunities extend the programme further.

Graduates in geology with palaeontology pursue careers in geological surveying, oil and gas exploration, environmental consultancy, geoengineering, mining, water resources management, museum work, science education and academic research. Palaeontology itself offers a rewarding route into research and curation, with roles in natural history museums, universities and geological surveys open to well-qualified graduates. Postgraduate study in geology, palaeontology, sedimentology or environmental science is a common and well-supported next step for those who want to develop deeper specialist expertise or pursue a research career.