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Exploration Geology with a Year of Study Abroad (BSc)

Why study this course

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Professionally accredited

Accredited by the Geological Society, the professional body for geosciences in the UK.

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Summer placement opportunities

Many students have the opportunity to complete a summer placement, working as a junior geologist and experiencing real exploration work. In the past, our students have travelled to locations like Finland, Canada, Africa, Australia and Kazakhstan.

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Alumni mentorship scheme

Through our digital support scheme via LinkedIn you can be assigned to an exploration geology graduate, who will act as a mentor to you during your studies. Our mentorship scheme helps our students to gain confidence, receive support, and learn more about navigating the world of careers.

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Student support tutorials

You will be in close contact with an assigned tutor with expertise in exploration geology. They will be there to help you through regular formal sessions, as well as to offer guidance on anything relating to your course or the subject matter.

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Year abroad

Learn while traveling, and experience the landscapes, coasts, education and culture of a different country by spending a year studying at a university abroad.

People have been using Earth’s natural resources like metals, minerals, oil and gas for centuries to build our towns and cities, power our homes, and make the vehicles, devices and tools that we depend on. New resources are increasingly hard to find, and specialist skills and technology are required to locate and use them responsibly.

On our Exploration Geology course, you will discover how Earth’s processes have created natural resources and how to explore for them to meet future demand. You will develop skills in data analysis, confident decision making and fieldwork, both above and underground. Through specialist exploration modules and practical classes, you will learn to characterise minerals and experience modern software and datasets used by professionals in the sector. All students will gain an introduction to the environmental, social and governance factors affecting the exploration industry and can choose sustainability-focused modules on topics such as hazard resilience and environmental geology as options.

Cardiff University has been training mining engineers and geologists for over 100 years, and our Exploration Geology degree is the only undergraduate degree in the UK that focuses on specialist training in resource exploration. We have a strong and established network of industry connections that allows us to offer our students summer placement opportunities, working in exploration organisations around the world.

On this four-year programme, you will have the opportunity, subject to academic performance, to spend one academic year studying at one of our partner universities abroad. Studying abroad is a fantastic opportunity to experience other cultures and viewpoints, learning the different styles and approaches to your subject in another country and exploring new physical environments, landscapes and coastlines.

Subject area: Earth and environmental sciences

Subject area: Geology and geoscience

Entry requirements

We accept a combination of A-levels and other qualifications, as well as equivalent international qualifications subject to entry requirements. Typical offers are as follows:

A level

ABB-BBC (with 1 science subject) or BBB-BCC (with 2 science subjects). Acceptable science subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental Science, Geography, Geology, ICT, Maths, Physics, Statistics.

Extended/International Project Qualification: Applicants with grade A in the EPQ/IPQ will typically receive an offer one grade lower than the standard offer. Please note that any subject specific requirements must still be met.

  • Our grade range covers our standard offer and contextual offer. We carefully consider the circumstances in which you've been studying (your contextual data) upon application. Eligible students will be given an offer that is lower than the standard offer (usually the middle or lower end of the advertised grade range).
  • Where there is no grade range advertised and/or where there are selection processes in place (like an interview) you may receive additional consideration in the selection process.

Learn about eligible courses and how contextual data is applied.

International Baccalaureate

32-30 overall or 665-655 in 3 HL subjects (with 1 HL science subject) or 31-29 overall or 665-655 in 3 HL subjects (with 2 HL science subjects). Acceptable science subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental Science, Geography, Geology, Maths, Physics.

Baccalaureate Wales

From September 2023, there will be a new qualification called the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales (level 3). This qualification will replace the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (Welsh Baccalaureate). The qualification will continue to be accepted in lieu of one A-Level (at the grades listed above), excluding any specified subjects.

You must have or be working towards:
- English language or Welsh language at GCSE grade C/4 or an equivalent (such as A-levels). If you require a Student visa, you must ensure your language qualification complies with UKVI requirements.
- GCSE Maths grade C/4 or equivalent qualification (subject and grade). If you are taking A-level Maths (or equivalent), GCSE Maths is not required. Core Maths may also be accepted in place of GCSE Maths.

We do not accept Critical Thinking, General Studies, Citizenship Studies, or other similar equivalent subjects.
We will accept a combination of BTEC subjects, A-levels, and other qualifications, subject to the course specific grade and subject requirements.

GCSE

Grade C or grade 4 in GCSE English Language.

IELTS (academic)

At least 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each subskill.

TOEFL iBT

At least 90 overall with a minimum of 17 for writing, 17 for listening, 18 for reading, and 20 for speaking.

PTE Academic

At least 69 overall with a minimum of 59 in all communicative skills.

Trinity ISE II/III

II: at least two Distinctions and two Merits.
III: at least a Pass in all components.

Other accepted qualifications

Please visit our English Language requirements page for more information on our other accepted language qualifications.

You are not required to complete a DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) check or provide a Certificate of Good Conduct to study this course. If you are currently subject to any licence condition or monitoring restriction that could affect your ability to successfully complete your studies, you will be required to disclose your criminal record. Conditions include, but are not limited to:

  • access to computers or devices that can store images
  • use of internet and communication tools/devices
  • curfews
  • freedom of movement
  • contact with people related to Cardiff University.

Other qualifications from inside the UK

BTEC

DDM-DMM in a BTEC Extended Diploma in Animal Science, Applied Science, Engineering, Health Science, ICT, or Sports and Exercise Science.

T level

Acceptance of T Levels for this programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Academic School. Consideration will be given to the T Level grade/subject and grades/subjects achieved at GCSE/Level 2.

Qualifications from outside the UK

See our qualification equivalences guide

Please see our admissions policies for more information about the application process.

Tuition fees for 2025 entry

Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on your fee status. Your fee status could be home, island or overseas.

Learn how we decide your fee status

Fees for home status

Year Tuition fee Deposit
Year one £9,250 None
Year two £9,250 None
Year three (sandwich year) £1,385 None
Year four £9,250 None

The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees in the second and subsequent years of a course as permitted by law or Welsh Government policy. Where applicable we will notify you of any change in tuition fee by the end of June in the academic year before the one in which the fee will increase.

Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland

If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss national, your tuition fees for 2025/26 be in line with the overseas fees for international students, unless you qualify for home fee status. UKCISA have provided information about Brexit and tuition fees.

Fees for island status

Learn more about the undergraduate fees for students from the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.

Fees for overseas status

Year Tuition fee Deposit
Year one £29,450 None
Year two £29,450 None
Year three (sandwich year) £4,417.5 None
Year four £29,450 None

Learn more about our tuition fees

Financial support

Financial support may be available to individuals who meet certain criteria. For more information visit our funding section. Please note that these sources of financial support are limited and therefore not everyone who meets the criteria are guaranteed to receive the support.

Costs for sandwich years

During a sandwich year (e.g. year in industry, placement year or year abroad) a lower fee will apply. Full details can be found on our fees pages.

Additional costs

The fieldwork costs for your core modules are included but you will need to contribute towards food if it is provided during the trip. You will need to pay for any optional fieldwork modules. The cost of these trips will be capped at an amount determined by the school.

You will pay 15% of the usual Cardiff University fees during your year of study abroad. You will also need to pay for your living costs while abroad, which may include health insurance costs. Further additional costs include travel and visa application fees. Financial support is available. Under the present system, students remain eligible for Student Finance for overseas placements. The Global Opportunities Centre also currently provides a bursary to assist with some of the costs associated with an overseas placement.  Full details will be confirmed when you are considering your year of study abroad options.

Accommodation

We have a range of residences to suit your needs and budget. Find out more on our accommodation pages.

Living costs

We're based in one of the UK's most affordable cities. Find out more about living costs in Cardiff.

Course structure

This is a four-year full-time degree. In your first year you will study core modules and get a strong foundation in exploration geology. In year two and four there are core and optional modules so you have some flexibility to choose to study the areas that you’re interested in. Year three is spent studying at one of our partner institutions in another country.

You are required to achieve a minimum Year 1 average mark of 60% to progress to applying for a study abroad placement.  If you do not, you will be transferred to the 3-year equivalent programme without the year of study abroad opportunity.

The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum and will be reviewed prior to the 2025/2026 academic year. The final modules will be published by September 2025.

Year one

Module titleModule codeCredits
World of Dynamic EnvironmentsEA130020 credits
Exploring Planet EarthEA130120 credits
GIS, Maps and Analytical SkillsEA130320 credits
Earth Science FieldworkEA130420 credits
Earth MaterialsEA130620 credits
Life and Earth HistoryEA130720 credits

Year two

Year three: Sandwich year

Module titleModule codeCredits
Year of Study AbroadEA3300120 credits

Year four

The University is committed to providing a wide range of module options where possible, but please be aware that whilst every effort is made to offer choice this may be limited in certain circumstances. This is due to the fact that some modules have limited numbers of places available, which are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, while others have minimum student numbers required before they will run, to ensure that an appropriate quality of education can be delivered; some modules require students to have already taken particular subjects, and others are core or required on the programme you are taking. Modules may also be limited due to timetable clashes, and although the University works to minimise disruption to choice, we advise you to seek advice from the relevant School on the module choices available.

Dolaucothi gold mine
Our Exploration Geology students panning for gold at Dolaucothi gold mine, South Wales.

Learning and assessment

We are a friendly and informal school and you will be supported and taught by world-leading experts involved in cutting-edge international research.

Our teaching approach is a mix of theory and practical and includes: lectures, laboratory work, fieldwork, tutorials, workshops and seminars. You will also be encouraged to learn independently throughout the course. We encourage you to think creatively and to reach conclusions from incomplete data which is a skill valued highly in sectors such as insurance, civil engineering and consulting.

How you will be taught during your year of study abroad will depend on the host institution.  All our overseas partners are of at least a comparable standard to Cardiff University and the partnership goes through a rigorous approval process. You will look in detail at teaching methods in your host institution and discuss these with the School Director of International as part of your application process and Study Abroad learning agreement.

How will I be supported?

At the start of the course you will be allocated a Personal Tutor who you will meet with regularly for tutorials. Tutorials are fortnightly in the first year and then monthly in year two and four. Your Personal Tutor can offer advice on academic and personal matters. In year four  you will also be allocated a supervisor for your dissertation project.

Academic support for the year of study abroad will be provided to you during your second year by the Director of International for the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences and planning advice by colleagues at the Global Opportunities Centre. Advice regarding choice of university, aims of the year, academic regulations and module choice will be given by the Director of International, who will be available to discuss ideas, concerns and issues with you..

The School Director of International works closely with the Global Opportunities Centre to support you  in applying to the host university, provide advice on finances, visas and all the practical arrangements involved in studying abroad. Global Opportunities will organise a pre-departure session and provide you with a pre-departure pack which includes an informative guide. Members of staff from the Global Opportunities Centre will happily answer any questions you may have.

The School Director of International will meet with you to review and agree your courses abroad as part of signing off your Study Abroad Learning Agreement.  This will give you the opportunity to review the teaching, learning outcomes and assessment methods at the partner university and we will ensure these are appropriate for you as a Cardiff University student. If there are assessment methods that are new to you, we will support you in being prepared for this.

A requirement of the Year of Study Abroad module is that you complete an online reflective journal and meet to discuss this monthly with your Personal Tutor.  This provides a structured and required monthly meeting with your Cardiff University Personal Tutor to allow you to review your study progress and for any concerns or needs to be raised and addressed. You can also contact your Personal Tutor or the Director of International as and when needed.  You will have access to the full Cardiff University online resources and Student Support Services while abroad.  The comprehensive support services of the Students’ Union are also available to you throughout. 

The School Director of International will work with you and with their contact at the Partner Institution to resolve any issues with the partner Institution itself, drawing on support from Global Opportunities where there are University-wide partnerships, as appropriate.

All partner universities are of similar standing to the Cardiff School Earth and Environmental Sciences, and have mechanisms for academic and pastoral support, so you will be additionally supported through the academic and pastoral care arrangements of your host university.

Facilities

We have a Learning Central website where you can access videos, images, presentations, lecture handouts, bibliographies, links to further reading, electronic exercises and discussion circles. Where possible, lectures will be recorded so you can watch and study in your own time.

The Learning Central website also has a ‘Personal Development Planning’ module that supports you in regularly assessing your progress and meeting your development needs.

Support services

The University offers a range of services including the Careers Service, the Counselling Service, the Disability and Dyslexia Service, the Student Support Service, alongside excellent libraries and resource centres.

We aim to create an inclusive, supportive and welcoming environment that respects the dignity of staff and students of all ages, ethnicities, disabilities, family structures, genders, nationalities, sexual orientations, races, religious or other beliefs, and socio-economic backgrounds. Read about our commitment to the Athena SWAN principles and our Bronze status (https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/earth-environmental-sciences/about-us/equality-diversity-and-inclusivity).

How will I be assessed?

We will be assessing your level of knowledge and understanding in each module through a combination of assignments, presentations, fieldwork, examinations and a dissertation. You will receive written and oral feedback on your coursework and there are opportunities for informal feedback throughout the course.

NOTE: The University welcomes applications from students with disabilities and we endeavour to offer reasonable alternative assessment methods wherever possible.   We have an Alternative Fieldwork Policy which is adopted in cases where a student cannot attend a scheduled, taught field course, or part(s) thereof, because of disability or extenuating circumstances.

How you will be assessed during your year of study abroad will depend on the host institution.  All our overseas partners are of at least comparable standard to Cardiff University and the partnership goes through a rigorous approval process.  The marks gained from all your credits at your host institution will be reviewed by the Chair of the Exam Board and the Director of International in the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences.  The marks are collated and converted into one equivalent Cardiff University mark for the 120 credit Year of study abroad module.  This will be calculated using the University mark conversion tool. This mark will count 10% weighting in the calculation of your degree average.  You will discuss the grade conversion methodology with the Director of International to ensure you understand it thoroughly before you sign your Year of Study Abroad learning agreement, as you will not be able to challenge it at a later date.

You will be required to complete a reflective journal during your Year of Study Abroad and to discuss this monthly with your Personal Tutor.  This is to ensure you meet the study abroad learning objectives of evaluating your own experience, noting the challenges and benefits of your year abroad and comparing and contrasting the study of your subject in your host institution with that in Cardiff University.  There will be no mark for this work and it will not count towards your module or degree outcome.  Discussing your reflective journal with your Personal Tutor every month will also ensure that you remain connected to Cardiff University and supported by the School, and will allow you the opportunity to raise any concerns or needs within a required activity.

What skills will I practise and develop?

The Learning Outcomes for this Programme describe what you will be able to do as a result of your study at Cardiff University. They will help you to understand what is expected of you. 

The Learning Outcomes for this Programme can be found below:

Knowledge & Understanding:

On successful completion of the Programme students will be able to demonstrate the following:

  • The ability to acquire, integrate and synthesise information to address complex problems in earth sciences
  • Knowledge and understanding of the structure of the Earth, its materials, lifeforms and resources and the processes that shape it at present and through geological time.
  • Ability to compile, assess and model information in order to predict where new natural resources may be discovered or how existing resources might be managed.
  • Ability to explain the role and impact of earth science in solving 21st century societal challenges such as the sustainable supply of water, energy and other natural resources to meet the needs of the world’s population.

Intellectual Skills:

On successful completion of the Programme students will be able to demonstrate the following:

  • Comprehension and critical evaluation of science-based evidence to assess and formulate solutions to complex multi-component problems in earth sciences.
  • The ability to assemble and critically evaluate information on a variety of scales (from microscopic to planetary) and generate and interpret datasets in 2D, 3D and 4D to formulate realistic conceptual earth models as a tool for resource exploration, extraction and sustainable management.
  • The capability to evaluate current research in applied and exploration geology, with commensurate appreciation of uncertainty and debate and limits to understanding.

Professional Practical Skills:

On successful completion of the Programme students will be able to demonstrate the following:

  • Ability to recognise and interpret rocks, minerals and fossils to determine the geological relationships and reconstruct the history of any particular sample/outcrop/region under study.
  • Understanding and application of the methods used to acquire geospatial data and represent such data in 2D and 3D using maps, GIS and proprietary mining and exploration software.
  • Analysis and portrayal of numerical data in earth sciences, including using appropriate software.
  • Problem solving involving integration and analysis of diverse and often incomplete exploration data and using appropriate qualitative and quantitative methodologies.
  • The ability to design, implement and safely carry out a programme of field- or laboratory-based research in an applied setting and report the findings effectively in writing.

Transferable/Key Skills:

On successful completion of the Programme students will be able to demonstrate the following:

  • The flexibility, resilience, open-mindedness and ability to approach a subject from different perspectives, that can be gained in the year of study abroad.
  • Ability to design, implement and manage a project through an independent dissertation.
  • The ability to work independently and as part of a team.
  • Application of the scientific method, numerical and spatial skills including visualization to the understanding of 3D (and 4D) data sets and their interpolation in space (and time).
  • Ability to communicate information and concepts effectively and clearly through oral, written and visual means to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
  • An understanding of the benefits of employment networking and continuing professional development.
  • Problem solving, reliability, loyalty, social conduct, tact, attitude to learning and research, leadership, resilience, decision-making and reasoning.
Fieldwork
Exploration Geology and Geology students sketching sedimentary rocks in Dorset.

Careers and placements

Career prospects

Our constant demand for metals, construction materials and other natural resources means the knowledge and skills of an exploration geologist are in high demand. With a degree in Exploration Geology, you have a range of career options open to you and can apply for roles like an exploration geologist, a hydrogeologist, a mineralogist or an environmental consultant. The practical and business-focused aspects of the degree will give you essential employable skills that sectors like insurance, finance, education also look for.

Some of our past students have gone on to work for Anglo American Plc, North American Nickel, Mineco, Karelian Gold Ltd, 6 Alpha Associates, Gemfields Ltd, Terravision Exploration Ltd, Bibby Hydromap and the engineering and mining consultancies Golder Associates and Royal HaskoningDHV. Many of our students that spent time in industry as part of their dissertation project went on to work for the same organisation after graduation.

Students who have completed a year of study abroad often have additional people skills, confidence, flexibility and an open-minded perspective that are attractive to employers.

Placements

Year abroad 

You will have the opportunity to undertake a study placement at a partner institution in another country, between year two and year three. Here you will learn while you travel and experience the landscapes, education and culture of a different country. In recent years, study has been available at universities in the USA, Canada, Australia, Sweden and the Netherlands. 

Summer placements 

Students on this course will have the opportunity to complete a placement for a minimum of five weeks in the summer term, between year two and year three. You will have the opportunity to work as a junior geologist and experience what it is like to carry out exploration in the real world, which will help you to gain an advantage when applying for a graduate career.  

We will help you to find a placement locally or with a range of international mining organisations that explore for base metals, gold, platinum and other commodities. In the past, our students have explored for nickel, platinum and diamonds in Greenland, gold in Finland, Ghana and Australia, and copper and lithium in Peru and Chile, as well as working in the UK and Ireland on projects focused on clay, zinc and gold Many alumni look back on this experience as a defining point in their career. 

Placement opportunities are based on merit. We cannot guarantee placements as the recruitment and selection process depends on the company you are applying to. However, we will support you in finding and applying for a placement. Payment for the position, travel costs and other expenses vary depending on the placement provider.  

We advise students to undertake a summer placement if they want to, but it is not a requirement. Other summer project opportunities include mapping projects in the UK and overseas, where students will have the opportunity to generate data that can go into their dissertation and feature on their CV.  

Fieldwork

Exploration geologists must interpret complex data in order to focus exploration and evaluation efforts on the best targets. This key skill is underpinned by learning how rocks behave in different settings and at different scales through fieldwork. In the field, students learn to make maps, identify rocks and rock structures, and assess the evidence to determine whether they contain valuable resources.

We make the most of our location and take plenty of local field trips. In the past, we have visited Pembrokeshire, Snowdonia, Cornwall and Dorset, where the rocks contain metalliferous ores or energy resources. There will also be opportunities for an overseas trip. Previously, we have visited northern Spain to learn how to map complex structures, as well as Cyprus to explore mineral deposits that originally formed in magma chambers and submarine vents on the deep ocean floor.

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HESA Data: Copyright Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited 2021. The Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited cannot accept responsibility for any inferences or conclusions derived by third parties from its data. Data is from the latest Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20, published by HESA in June 2022.