Best Universities for Geology

Studying geology at postgraduate level has many benefits, and is an equally popular choice for students coming from an undergraduate programme in geology or a related area such as engineering or chemistry. The courses allow students to focus on an area of particular interest, developing professional expertise in niches such energy and mining, geophysics or paleontology. 

Geology postgraduates are valued by employers across many industries due to their transferable skills and technical knowledge, and many graduates go on to achieve high salaries in roles across sectors like energy, chemical engineering, mining, seismology and more. 

This guide has been developed to help you identify some of the best universities for geology, helping you make the ideal choice for your postgraduate studies. 

Best Universities for Geology 

The annual league tables published by the Complete University Guide are a one-stop-shop for clear information on the top universities for geology. The subject tables highlight the best overall universities in different fields, as well as those that top the ranks in certain categories. 

The three top geology universities according to Complete University Guide are: 

• University of Cambridge 
• University of Oxford 
• University of St Andrews 

Top choice for Student Satisfaction 

Student satisfaction is an important consideration for students, whatever the subject. For geology postgraduates, this ranking describes the quality of course delivery, the support of staff, the wider services available at a university, the standard of facilities and more. 

The best university for geology, when it comes to student satisfaction, is the University of Aberdeen. 

Go to: Search for geology courses at the University of Aberdeen

Top choice for Graduate Prospects 

Many geology students place graduate prospects at the top of their considerations when it comes to study at postgraduate level. With great career progression in a number of industries, but high competition for junior roles and graduate schemes, ensuring that you’re best placed for professional success is key. The curriculum, careers support and industry connections of your university are key to this. 

The top university for geology in terms of graduate prospects is the University of Oxford. 

Top choice for Research Quality 

Research quality is another top consideration for many geology students. Effective research underpins progress in the field and shapes the training that students will receive during their studies. Within this category is the reflection of a university’s research pedigree, the expertise of its staff, the quality of its facilities and the research partnerships it has with other academic or industrial organisations around the world. 

The top geology university in terms of research quality is Imperial College London. 

Go to: Search for geology courses at Imperial College London

Ranking Information Source   

The ranking information for these selections comes from the 2024 Complete University Guide league table. The data for the league table is sourced from the National Student Survey, the 2021 Research Excellence Framework and the Higher Education Statistics Agency, with the rankings calculated using Complete University Guide’s own methodology.   

Go to: See the 2024 Complete University Guide geology subject league table 

Student reviews 

While the Complete University Guide league table is a comprehensive measure of a geology university’s performance across a number of metrics, even more valuable insights can be had from looking at the experiences of other current or recent students.  

Among all the universities offering geology postgraduate courses, the University of Portsmouth is especially prevalent as one that receives high praise, including five-star reviews on Whatuni. One reviews of the university said, “...The teaching is good and there are lots of opportunities for placements.” 

Go to: Search for geology courses at the University of Portsmouth

More universities for studying Geology 

There are more than 50 postgraduate programmes for you to choose from as a prospective geology student, at over 20 UK universities. By using our course search tool to research, shortlist and select your top geology universities, you can quickly and easily make the right choice for your future. 

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