Exploration Geology

Overview and aims of the Programme People have been using Earth’s natural resources for centuries to build our cities, power our homes, and make the vehicles, devices and tools we depend on. New resources are increasingly hard to find and require specialist skills and technology to locate and exploit responsibly.

On our Exploration Geology course, you will learn how the Earth’s processes have created the planet’s natural resources and how to explore for them to meet future demand. You will develop skills in fieldwork (both above and underground), analysis and confident decision making and use modern exploration software. We’ve worked with industry to design our course so you graduate with the specialist skills needed to be a professional exploration geologist.

Our Masters degrees involve a fourth year of study where you work on a research project with a scientist from the School. Your advanced research and problem-solving skills will be invaluable to employers in academia, government and industry. Our degrees are also accredited by the Geological Society, the professional body for geosciences in the UK.

We take regular field trips to explore mining sites across Wales. There will also be opportunities to do overseas trips, in the past we’ve been to Spain and Cyprus.

You don’t need to have studied Geology already as we’ll be starting year one with the basic principles to bring everyone to the same level.

Distinctive Features of the Programme

History and uniqueness – we have been training mining engineers and geologists for over 100 years. Exploration Geology is the only undergraduate degree in the UK to focus on specialist training in resource exploration and we have strong links to industry through placements and through the Exploration alumni network and its mentoring scheme.

Student satisfaction - belong to a small and friendly community of staff and students. Exploration Geology received a score of 100% Overall Satisfaction in the National Student Survey 2019.

Flexible degree schemes - all of the School’s degrees have a common first semester that introduce you to geosciences and geography. You can then decide whether to stay with your chosen degree or switch to another in the same School.

Hands-on fieldwork - you will get plenty of opportunity to develop your fieldwork skills above and below ground with regular day trips and residential trips in Wales and overseas. We have a former gold mine close to Cardiff and many other outstanding natural landscapes for us to explore.

Access to the British Geological Survey and National Museum of Wales - our school is in the same building as the Welsh office of the British Geological Survey and next door to the National Museum of Wales. We use the exhibition galleries of the National Museum and material from its collections to enhance our teaching. The British Geological Survey Wales also provide ideas for student projects and advice on professional skills and careers.

Society of Economic Geologists Student Chapter – we have a thriving student society that you can join. Our links to this international society means we often get specialist visiting lecturers and sponsor student-led field visits to mineral deposits and mines across Europe. Recently our students have been to Ireland, Sweden, Finland and Serbia.