Earth Sciences (Geology)

(3-year average, 2023-25)

Read more about the University's undergraduate admissions statistics.

Read more about how Oxford's teaching year is structured.

The options listed above are illustrative and may change. For a full list of current options, please visit the department website.

For all courses, you must pass your first University examinations (usually known as ‘Prelims’ or ‘Mods’ and taken during your first year) to progress to the next stage of your degree. All students must pass their final year examinations (Finals) to pass their degree. ‘Finals’ for some courses occur not only in the final year, but may be staggered over the remaining years of the degree. 

Read the information in the accordions above for details on progression and assessment for this particular course. (If you are already an offer holder please read your Course Information Sheet.)

Foundation Year courses at Oxford are full-time and the University expects students to spend at least 40 hours per week on academic work during term. Significant self-study is expected of all students – read workload and independent study information for further details.

Read more general information about Learning at Oxford.

The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out above. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. For further information, please read the University's Terms and Conditions and information about potential course changes.

You are also referred to the Student Handbook (which is updated every September).

Read more about potential course changes.

Wherever possible, your grades are considered in the context in which they have been achieved.

Read more about how we use contextual data.

If a practical component forms part of any of your science A‐levels used to meet your offer, we expect you to pass it.

If you want to study at Oxford, you need to apply a year before the start date of your course by completing an online UCAS application form. Applications open in May so you can start work on the form then.

You must submit your application by the strict deadline of 6pm (BST) on 15 October.

When filling out the form, in addition to choosing a course you will need to decide whether to express a college preference or make an 'open' application (in which case a computer will assign you a college). Not all courses are offered by all colleges so before you start, check which colleges offer your course and read our guidance on choosing a college. 

Read more about your UCAS application.

You do not need to take a written test as part of an application for this course.  

You do not need to submit any written work as part of an application for this course.

All shortlisted applicants will be invited to online interviews in December.

Read more about Oxford interviews.

Deferrals are made on a case-by-case basis and are not always possible. If you would like to request a deferral you should contact the college considering your application and provide your UCAS ID number, full name and date of birth alongside your request. 

Oxford University does not accept transfer students. If you wish to follow an undergraduate course here, you will need to start the course from the beginning.  

If you are currently studying at a university either in the UK or outside, and are thinking of applying to Oxford to start a new undergraduate course, please note that normally we will only consider such applications in exceptional circumstances. You should make very clear in your application why you do not wish to continue with your current course. As applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis, we are not able to provide examples of what constitutes exceptional circumstances. 

If you do decide to apply whilst enrolled at another university, and do not have A-levels (or equivalent qualifications) at the grades required for the standard offer for the course you are interested in applying for, you will need to demonstrate how your subsequent study has prepared you for Oxford. This should include evidence of your performance on your current course, as well as a reference from your current tutor or equivalent.

You must declare on your UCAS form if you are currently studying at another university. Failure to do so could result in Oxford withdrawing any offer made to you.

Please also be aware that not only will you incur a year of additional costs but your eligibility for government support or loans may be affected by any previous university study, whether or not you have completed your course.

If your first language is English and you have always been a resident and citizen of a majority English-speaking country recognised by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), you do not need to demonstrate your level of English.

If English is not your first language you may need to meet our English language requirements. Oxford’s undergraduate courses are demanding, and you will need to demonstrate that you have a high level of proficiency in English to take up a place.

Where applicable, you must achieve all required test component scores (Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking) in a single test session; we do not accept scores from multiple sittings ('superscoring'). You can view a list of accepted and non-accepted qualifications certificates. All courses now require the higher level of ability in English.

You do not need to provide evidence of English Language proficiency when you apply through UCAS.

If you are offered a place, you must meet the required level of proficiency by 31 July in the year you receive this, even if your course doesn't begin until the following October.  

Read more about English language requirements.

You do not need GCSEs or IGCSEs to apply to Oxford. However, where students have taken them, as evidence of prior academic attainment, they can form an important part in the assessment of an application. All GCSE (or IGCSE) results should be listed on your UCAS application. Higher GCSE grades may make an application more competitive, but they are only one aspect we consider. They will be looked at alongside all other elements of your application and, where possible, considered in context to help us better understand your achievements within your individual circumstances.

We recognise that many students - particularly those educated outside the UK - will not have taken GCSEs. If you have completed equivalent qualifications, you should include details of these in your application. If no such qualifications exist in your country, your application will be assessed in line with the selection criteria for your course. It is helpful for us to have some indication of your academic progress, so your teacher may instead comment on the results of any internal school assessments. We also provide comprehensive guidance for teachers on writing UCAS academic references.

Oxford’s admissions requirements are based on A-levels or equivalent qualifications, which are a stage above GCSEs. All applicants must be taking A-levels or another accepted equivalent qualification; please see our international qualifications page for further details.

Read more about Oxford's use of contextual data.

We offer step-by-step guidance on each stage of our admissions process for both applicants and their supporters.

• Sign up to our Choosing Oxford applicant newsletter
• Read our Guide for applicants

This includes bespoke guidance for: 

• International students
• Disabled students
• Mature students
• Care-experienced students

If you are supporting an applicant, either as a teacher or a family member, we have specific guidance for you too: 

• Information for families
• Information for teachers

We also recommend exploring outreach programmes, events and resources offered by the University, individual subject departments and our colleges. 

• Outreach programmes and events
• Read Access Oxford below

The University of Oxford is committed to protecting the privacy and security of your personal information. Our undergraduate applicant privacy policy describes how we collect and use your personal data during the admissions process in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and related UK data protection legislation. It should be read in conjunction with the privacy policy of the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

Read our undergraduate applicant privacy policy.

Read UCAS' privacy policy.

If you are successful in your application, you will receive a formal offer of a place at the University. Your offer is likely to be contingent on you meeting certain conditions. Once you have accepted our offer you will enter into a formal contract with the University. After completing the enrolment process you will attend an event during your first term to formally admit you to the University (the Matriculation Ceremony) and then become a Matriculated Student of the University. 

Everyone applying through UCAS to study as an undergraduate needs to read: 

1. the University Terms and Conditions for Matriculated Students
2. the University Student Handbook
3. the appropriate Course Information Sheet for your course and year of entry (available from when offers are made in January).

You will also have a separate contract with the Oxford college admitting you. 

Read more about your contract with Oxford University.

Please note that the fees and funding information below relates to 2026 entry and updated information for 2027 entry will be available in September 2026. Students from England starting new courses in the 2027/28 academic year will apply for student finance through the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE).

For full-time Home undergraduate students, current university policy is to charge fees at the level of the cap set by the government, which for 2026/27 is £9,790. In the 2027/28 academic year course fees for Home fee status students will rise to £10,050 (in line with the government fee cap).

For more information please refer to our course fees page. 

Fees will usually increase annually. For details, please read our guidance on likely increases to fees and charges.

Living costs at Oxford might be less than you’d expect, as our world-class resources and college provision can help keep costs down.

Living costs for the 2026-27 academic year are estimated to be between £1,405 and £2,105 for each month you are in Oxford. Our academic year is made up of three eight-week terms, so you would not usually need to be in Oxford for much more than six months of the year but may wish to budget over a nine-month period to ensure you also have sufficient funds during the holidays to meet essential costs. For further details please visit our living costs webpage.

Please note that the fees and funding information above relates to 2026 entry and updated information for 2027 entry will be available in September 2026.

*For courses starting on or after 1 August 2021, the UK government has confirmed that EU, other EEA, and Swiss Nationals will be eligible for student finance from the UK government if they have UK citizens’ rights (i.e. if they have pre-settled or settled status, or if they are an Irish citizen covered by the Common Travel Area arrangement). The support you can access from the government will depend on your residency status.

**If you have studied at undergraduate level before and completed your course, you will be classed as an Equivalent or Lower Qualification student (ELQ) and won’t be eligible to receive government or Oxford funding

Fees, funding and scholarship search

Please note that the fees and funding information above relates to 2026 entry and updated information for 2027 entry will be available in September 2026.

College tutorials are central to teaching at Oxford, offering a level of personalised attention from academic experts that is rare at most universities. They usually take place in your college and are led by tutors who combine teaching with their own research. Alongside tutorials, students also learn through lectures and classes, and depending on the course, may take part in laboratory work and fieldwork.

Tutorials typically last around an hour and involve in-depth discussion of a topic, with detailed feedback on your prepared work. You’ll usually have your tutorial with one or two other students studying the same course and material. This regular, rigorous academic discussion supports learning in a way that lectures alone cannot, while also allowing tutors to closely monitor your progress and provide additional support where needed.

All students are expected to undertake significant independent study (see Independent self-study above). Undergraduate courses at Oxford are full-time during term, with students typically spending at least 40 hours per week on academic work.

Read more about tutorials and an Oxford education.

Read more about our libraries and other learning resources.

Our colleges are at the heart of Oxford’s reputation as one of the world’s leading universities. As an undergraduate, you will belong to a college as well as your subject department(s) and the wider University. This means you benefit from being part of a large, internationally renowned institution while also enjoying the support of a small, friendly academic and social community. Your tutorial teaching will usually take place within your college, with college tutors. While every college has its own character, facilities are broadly similar, and all offer opportunities to make friends, pursue your interests and enjoy student life.

When you apply, you can express a preference for a college on your UCAS form, or make an ‘open’ application if you have no preference. Even if you do choose a college, you may still be offered a place by another. This reallocation process happens for around a third of applicants each year.

Not all colleges offer all courses so be sure to check which colleges offer your course. 

Accommodation

All first-year students are offered college accommodation, either on the main college site or in a nearby annexe, so you’ll be living alongside other students who are new to Oxford. This accommodation is guaranteed, so there’s no need to worry about arranging somewhere to live before you arrive. All colleges offer at least one further year of accommodation, and some provide it for the full duration of your degree. 

Read more about Oxford colleges and how you choose.

Our students come from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences - something we value and celebrate. We recognise that everyone arrives in Oxford from a different starting point and our wellbeing and community support is here to help you feel healthy, connected and valued throughout your time here.

We offer a range of services to support your wellbeing, help you settle in, boost your study skills, manage your finances and feel part of our welcoming community. It’s important to know who to turn to if times get tough and there are many people on hand to support you, both within your college and across the wider University. Life at Oxford extends way beyond your studies and there are plenty of opportunities to get involved through clubs, societies and shared interests, helping you feel at home and part of a vibrant, supportive community.

Read more about wellbeing and community at Oxford.

Discover life beyond your studies and the wide range of opportunities to pursue your interests.

Studying at Oxford opens up a lifetime of personal and professional opportunities, equipping you with the skills and experience to pursue a wide range of careers or further study after graduation.

The Oxford University Careers Service offers extensive, tailored support to help students develop their skills, explore career options and plan for their future. With its guidance and resources, students can position themselves strongly for the job market or further study. Whatever your interests and whichever degree you are studying, the Careers Service is there to support you. 

Read about careers support available at Oxford.

As well as developing your enjoyment of a subject, supercurricular study helps you demonstrate the intellectual curiosity, independent thinking and academic engagement tutors look for when assessing your suitability to study at Oxford — especially for our tutorial-style teaching.

What is supercurricular study?

A supercurricular activity can be anything you do to engage with the ideas and information that interest you. You can think of it in three parts:

1. Explore - read, watch, listen to or try to find out things related to your subject other than what you are being taught in class.
2. Engage - question everything you encounter. Do you agree? Does it fit with what you have learnt previously? Has it changed your mind? How does it link to other ideas?
3. Reflect - tutors want you to be able to explain what you learned and why it interested you. Being able to talk in depth about one subject resource is more impressive than reeling off a list of books you have read. 

Some examples include:

• Reading books or articles related to your subject, for example, via subject-specific reading lists on department or college websites or academic blogs or journals written for general audiences
• Watching documentaries and videos related to your subject
• Attending public lectures or online talks
• Listening to academic and general podcasts
• Entering essay competitions or seek out free short online courses on topics which interest you
• Carrying out small independent projects on something which interests you
• Attending Oxford's University, department or college outreach events. These may offer support with your application but many also include a learning component which you may find inspiring and helps with your supercurricular study. Access Oxford below has more information on these opportunities. 

Explore our new supercurricular hub.

Explore the suggested subject-specific resources on Oxford's University, department and college websites.

• Look for pre-reading lists and other useful study resources on department websites
• Check out our Supercurricular hub
• Watch our Oxford Impacts research video series
• Discover Oxplore, our online learning platform for 11-18 year olds

In addition to exploring department-run activities, we recommend checking out the outreach event calendar for upcoming University-wide events and other subject and college activities. 

UK state school students interested in this or similar courses may like to explore UNIQ, Oxford's free flagship outreach programme for students in their first year of further education. UNIQ offers a choice of academic residentials in over 30 courses and each year provides over 1,000 students with the opportunity to experience Oxford's teaching, explore student life and receive expert support with their application to university.

All potential applicants and their supporters are encouraged to visit Oxford during our University-wide Open Days. They’re one of the best ways to start exploring life at Oxford, and by the end of the day you’ll have a clearer sense of whether Oxford is right for you. 

Read more about Oxford's widening access initiatives and other ways to connect with us before applying.