Geology with Palaeontology

Fossils. They already tell us so much about life. But in many ways, we’ve only just scratched the surface.

Along with building your skills and knowledge in the scientific study of fossils, this degree is your gateway towards PhD research. The browser you are using is no longer supported and for that reason you will not get the best experience when using our website. Fossils reveal the history of life on Earth, but each new fossil discovery – and new analytical approaches – can change our understanding forever.

In this degree, you will develop masters-level expertise, and undertake your own research on a palaeontological topic of interest to you. Ranked 1st in subjects aligned to Geology for ‘overall positivity’ in the NSS 2025 (according to Times Higher Education NSS 2024 methodology applied to the NSS 2025 data). Palaeontology addresses how the origin and evolution of life is intricately linked with the geological history of the Earth.

Through the fossil record you will explore topics such as evolutionary diversity, exceptional preservation and palaeoclimates. We will cover key groups of invertebrate fossils, vertebrate fossils and microfossils, investigating major concepts such as the origin of life, patterns of evolution and extinction, the importance of exceptional fossil assemblages, and the relationship between ecology and evolution.