Rock solid career choice: what your students need to know about studying geology

The discipline of geology offers a fantastic variety of vocational pathways, as well as high employability. Students of geology acquire critical, analytical and practical skills.

Geological careers include mineral extraction (metal ores, stone, rare earth minerals, gemstones and fossil fuels), geoconservation and heritage, as well as volcanology and hydrogeology. Geology graduates work in national parks and museums, as well as in science journalism, education, forensic and criminological science, and government and international organisations.

To pursue further study related to geology, students should focus on high school STEM subjects such as mathematics, physics and chemistry. Geography and geology are also helpful additions. 

Some universities, such as UCL and the University of Sydney, allow students to study geology as a standalone subject. Often, though, it is part of a broader degree, such as the BSc in earth, atmospheric and planetary sciences at Massachusetts Institute of Technology; the BSc in earth sciences at the University of Oxford or the BSc in natural sciences at the University of Cambridge.

What type of geology degree?

1. Mineral extraction and prospection

Top schools for mineral extraction include: 

• Colorado School of Mines (US)
• University of Queensland (Australia)
• University of British Columbia (Canada) 
• University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa)
• University of Exeter’s Camborne School of Mines (UK)

Many programmes are at postgraduate level, and would usually follow on from a bachelor’s degree covering areas such as environmental and electrical engineering, metallurgy, materials science, geology or geoscience. However, there are direct undergraduate routes – for instance, the BEng in mining engineering at the University of Exeter's Camborne School of Mines, and the University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s BEng in mining and quarrying engineering.

Some bachelor’s degrees, such as the University of Oklahoma’s geology degree, offer a petroleum route. Others, such as the University of Leicester’s BSc in geology and BSc in applied and environmental geology, focus on environmental management. 

For mineral prospection (detecting minerals), students could consider geophysics at Stanford University, the University of British Columbia or UCL.

2. Palaeontology 

Many geology programmes include palaeonotology (the study of ancient life, such as dinosaur fossils), for example: 

• Natural sciences (physical pathway) at the University of Cambridge (UK)
• Geophysical sciences at the University of Chicago (US)
• Some biology programmes, such as the BA in integrative biology at the University of California, Berkeley (US)

There are also specific degree programmes for palaeontology. These include: 

• Palaeontology and evolution at the University of Bristol (UK)
• Geology with palaeontology at the University of Edinburgh (UK)
• Earth and environmental sciences with a paleontology track at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (USA)

Palaeontological careers are found in the university, museum, education and heritage sectors, and include geoprospection (using fossil organisms as type specimens to help map and locate mineral resources) as well as geoconservation (for example, for Unesco).

A broader application of a heritage-based geology or palaeontology degree is science journalism or science illustration.

3. Planetary geoscience

A degree dedicated to planetary geoscience (geology and mineral extraction) is available at CalTech and the University of Arizona. Otherwise, the subject area is offered as a degree component at MIT, Oxford and Cambridge. The University of Hong Kong includes this modular pathway in its earth and environmental sciences degree.

4. Other specialisms

Volcanology can be studied as part of a geology degree or on its own, for example at Keele University.

The University of Nevada, Reno offers hydrogeology: water management in geology, including storage, water quality and supply.

How can students enhance their geology application?

Students can enhance their geology application and career prospects by joining a science or engineering club and participating in geology field trips and engineering competitions. The Big Bang competition helps young scientists and engineers develop problem-solving skills and gain recognition for their research. 

Work experience will give students real-world understanding of how geological knowledge can be applied. Mining companies may offer summer internships and job shadowing. Students can contact local engineering firms or universities to arrange opportunities with professionals in the field, or they can volunteer for environmental projects.

Other useful resources

The Geologists’ Association’s A-level skills page 

The Geological Society of London with University Geosciences UK has a useful page on university and career pathways. 

For geological fieldwork opportunities, see the Field Studies Council. 

Lumiere Education provides a useful guide to geology-related internships for high school students. 

Geology programmes involve fieldwork, which can require specialist clothing (steel-capped or steel-soled boots and waterproofs), tools (a geologist’s hammer, eye protection, a hand lens and a geological compass, as recommended by the university), as well as camping materials.

Students should also consult their doctor about vaccinations against soil biohazards.