MSci Earth and Planetary Science
Designed to educate and inspire future geoscientists with an interest in planetary science through this integrated Master’s degree.
Key information
Award
MSci
Duration
4 years
full-time
Applications : admissions ratio
4 : 1
Based on 2020 entry data
- UCAS course code: F647
- ECTS: 240
- Start date: October 2022
- Department: Department of Earth Science and Engineering
- Campus: South Kensington
Overview
Earth and planetary scientists seek to understand the Earth and other planets through observation.
Recent planetary missions and the development of new techniques are giving us radical new insights into Solar System evolution. Future exploration offers new opportunities to learn about planetary origins and evolution.
This degree focuses on geological and geophysical processes in the Solar System. There is a particular emphasis on planets, moons and smaller bodies, such as asteroids and comets. As an interdisciplinary degree, you'll gain skills in geoscience, physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering and computing.
First you will gain a strong theoretical and practical foundation in earth science. Then you're taught how to apply your knowledge to planetary science. By the end, you will understand how dust and gas evolved into planets such as Earth which are capable of supporting life.
The foundation in earth science will emphasise the fundamentals of geology and geophysics. From this you will learn how Earth’s atmosphere, life, surface, interior and external influences operate, interact and evolve.
You will use this foundation to understand solar system formation and evolution. You'll explore the physics, chemistry and geology of the main solid planetary bodies. Key planetary science questions you will examine include for example:
- How have collisions shaped planetary surfaces and affected planetary and biological evolution?
- What does the chemistry of meteorites tell us about planetary body evolution?
- How can we reconstruct the climate history of Mars from analysing pictures from rovers on the martian surface?
- Where is the best place to search for life in the Solar System?
All our courses combine a strong emphasis on observational and field skills, developed through field trips. These include modern numerical and analytical techniques required for a deep, quantitative understanding of Earth and planetary processes and systems.
Our department is in involved with current and future planetary missions, providing a unique insight into mission science and the opportunity to study recently acquired data.
We also emphasise the development of transferable professional skills such as group working, problem-solving, drawing inferences from incomplete data, computational methods and IT, and oral and written communication.
Study programme
You follow a pathway of core modules in years one and two, before studying specialised modules in the third and fourth years.
Modules in the first two years are taken alongside students from other Earth Science degrees and focus on the fundamentals of the subject.
You then specialise in your third year, choosing between physics and geology orientated optional modules. Current specialist modules include astrobiology, earth systems, planetary physics, ore deposits and collisions and craters.
There is also a major project in both years, providing a further opportunity to specialise.
Field work
We place emphasis on field work across all our courses. It is a great way to apply your knowledge to the real world and learn essential skills.
Our field trips are designed to help you gain experience of identifying rocks and interpreting the physical processes that may have been involved in their formation.
Depending on which course you choose, you could spend over 85 days in the field. This can range from geological day trips in the UK to 10 days in the Pyrenees.
Students on Geology courses spend six weeks mapping the geology of areas such as the: Greek Cyclades, French Massif Central, Pyrenees, French Alps, North West Scotland, and others.
Students on Geophysics courses spend less time in the field, andhave the chance to gain experience in using technical equipment in the field, in Cyprus.
Students on Earth and Planetary Science courses join Geology students for the same field trips, and have the option to join the independent mapping project.
Structure
Find out more about the limited circumstances in which we may need to make changes to or in relation to our courses, the type of changes we may make and how we will tell you about them.
Year 1
Core modules
- Dynamic Earth and Planets
- Stratigraphy and Geomaterials
- Deforming the Earth
- Physical and Surface Processes
- Volcanism and Internal Processes
- Programming for Geoscientists
- Maths Methods 1
Optional modules
You take three optional modules in total.
- Maths Methods 2 or Life over Deep Time
- Chemistry for Geoscientists or Low Temperature Geochemistry
- Geology in the Field or Field Geology and Thermodynamics
Year 2
Core modules
- Pure and Applied Geophysics
- Solar System Science
- High-temperature Geochemistry
- Maps and Structures
- Remote Sensing Earth and Planets
Optional modules
You take four optional modules in total. You will choose three from Group A and one from Group B.
Group A
- Palaeontology and Optical Petrology
- Maths for Scientists and Engineers
- Igneous and Metamorphic Geology
- Seismology and Numerical Methods
- Mechanics and Waves
- Sediments and Stratigraphy
Group B
- Environmental Geochemistry and Climate Report
- Rocks and Structures in the Field
- Field Geophysics
Year 3
Core modules
- Independent Project
- Advanced Remote Sensing
- I-Explore
Your I-Explore module offers you choices from a range of subjects hosted outside of the department. You will be taught alongside students from other courses with options including business, management and many more.
Optional modules
You take seven optional modules in total.
You will choose two modules from Group A, one from Group B and four from Group C. A maximum of three of these can be level 7 modules from Group C during this year.
Group A
- Continental Tectonics
- Climate
- Seismic Techniques
Group B
- Integrated Advanced Field Geology
- Seismic Processing
Group C
Level 6
- Mining Environmental Management
- Ore Deposits
- Environmental Seminars
- Hydrogeology and Fluid Flow
- Tectonics of the Oceans
- Planetary Surfaces
- Advanced Programming
- Gravity, Magnetism and Orbital Dynamics
- Geological and Coastal Engineering
- Astrobiology
- Earth Systems
- I-Explore
Level 7
- Planetary Chemistry
- Planetary Physics
- Palaeobiology
- Palaeoceanography
- Geohazards
- Geodynamics
- Applied Geomorphology
- Collisions and Craters
- Meteorites
- Geophysical Inversion
- Advanced Exploration Geophysics
- Geological Reactive Transport
- Minerals Processing
- Magmatic Processes and Products
You cannot take the same module twice in different years.
Year 4
Core modules
- MSci Independent Project
Optional modules
You choose six optional modules in total.
You can take either module from Group A and five modules from Group B or six modules from Group B. A maximum of three of these can be level 6 modules from Group B which may include an I-Explore module.
Group A
- Field Geology of an Active Mountain Belt
- Geophysical Synthesis Group Project
Group B
Level 6
- Mining Environmental Management
- Ore Deposits
- Environmental Seminars
- Hydrogeology and Fluid Flow
- Tectonics of the Oceans
- Planetary Surfaces
- Advanced Programming
- Gravity, Magnetism and Orbital Dynamics
- Geological and Coastal Engineering
- Astrobiology
- Earth Systems
- I-Explore
Level 7
- Planetary Chemistry
- Planetary Physics
- Palaeobiology
- Palaeoceanography
- Geohazards
- Geodynamics
- Applied Geomorphology
- Collisions and Craters
- Meteorites
- Geophysical Inversion
- Advanced Exploration Geophysics
- Geological Reactive Transport
- Minerals Processing
- Magmatic Processes and Products
You can not undertake take the same module twice in different years.
Download the programme specification [PDF] – this is the most up-to-date version available for this course. It may change for your year of entry. If/when changes to this course are approved by the College, we will update this document and the information on this course page.
I-Explore
Through I-Explore, you'll have the chance to deepen your knowledge in a brand new subject area, chosen from a huge range of for-credit modules.
All of our undergraduate courses include one module from I-Explore's wide selection. The module you choose will be fully integrated into your course's curriculum and count as credit towards your degree.
Professional accreditation
Our Earth and Planetary Science degrees were new for 2019 entry. Usually, a degree can be newly accredited once the first intake of students graduate. This will be in 2022 for our first BSc students and 2023 for our first MSci students.
We will seek retrospective professional accreditation, for students beginning from September 2019.
Accreditation is sought from from these organisations:
Associateship
As well as your main Imperial degree, you will also receive the award of the Associateship of the Royal School of Mines on completion of this course.
The Royal School of Mines is one of three historic Colleges that came together to form Imperial College London in 1907.
Find out more about our Associateships.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching
Our courses are both theoretical and practical. Teaching will be enhanced by fieldwork opportunities throughout your degree. Methods include:
- Lectures
- Tutorials
- Field work
- Group exercises
- Laboratory work
Assessment
Methods for this course include:
- Written examinations
- Coursework
- Reports
- Poster presentation
- Seminars
- Vivas
Entry requirements
We welcome students from all over the world and consider all applicants on an individual basis – see selection process below.
For advice on the requirements for the qualifications listed here please contact the Department (see Contact us).
We also accept a wide range of international qualifications. If the requirements for your qualifications are not listed here, please see our academic requirements by country page for guidance on which qualifications we accept.
English language requirement (all applicants)
All candidates must demonstrate a minimum level of English language proficiency for admission to the College.
For admission to this course, you must achieve the standard College requirement in the appropriate English language qualification. For details of the minimum grades required to achieve this requirement, please see the English language requirements for undergraduate applicants.
Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)
An ATAS certificate is not required for overseas students who apply for this course.
For more information about the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS), please see the International Student Support website.
View our terms and conditions on visas.
Tuition fees and funding
We charge tuition fees for every year that your course lasts. The fee you will be charged is based on your fee status, which is determined by government regulations.
Home rate of tuition
2022 entry
£9,250 per year.
For each subsequent year, you should expect and budget for your tuition fee to increase by an amount in line with inflation. The measure of inflation used will be the Retail Price Index (RPIX) value, taken from April in the calendar year in which the academic session starts.
For example, the RPIX value in April 2022 will apply to fees for the academic year 2022–2023.
Fee status
Whether you pay the Home fee depends on your fee status.
Your fee status is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status.
Find out more about how we assess your fee status.
EU/EEA/Swiss students
The Government has confirmed that EU/EEA/Swiss students who begin a course before the 31 July 2021 will be eligible to pay the same fee as Home students and have access to student finance for the duration of their course, as long as they meet certain requirements which are unchanged from previous years. This includes students who begin the course remotely.
EU/EEA/Swiss students starting a course on or after 1 August 2021 will no longer be eligible for the Home fee rate and so will be charged the Overseas fee. Please note we do not expect this to apply to Irish students or students benefitting from Citizens' rights under the EU Withdrawal Agreement, EEA EFTA Separation Agreement or Swiss Citizens’ Rights Agreement respectively. However, we are currently awaiting the formal publication of the amended Fees and Awards regulations.
The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website has useful information on the conditions you currently need to meet to be entitled to pay tuition fees at the Home rate for study on a higher education course in England and reflect the regulations as they currently stand (not the amended regulations which are subject to publication).
UKCISA has also provided some information in response to Questions for students starting their course from the 1 August 2021.
Government funding
If you're a Home student, you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan from the UK government to cover the entire cost of tuition for every year of your course.
You can also apply for a means-tested Maintenance Loan to help towards your living costs.
Overseas rate of tuition
2022 entry
£35,100 per year.
For each subsequent year, you should expect and budget for your tuition fee to increase by an amount in line with inflation. The measure of inflation used will be the Retail Price Index (RPIX) value, taken from April in the calendar year in which the academic session starts. For example, the RPIX value in April 2022 will apply to fees for the academic year 2022–2023.
Fee status
Whether you pay the Overseas fee depends on your fee status.
Your fee status is assessed based on UK Government legislation and includes things like where you live and your nationality or residency status.
Find out more about how we assess your fee status.
EU/EEA/Swiss students
The Government has confirmed that EU/EEA/Swiss students who begin a course before the 31 July 2021 will be eligible to pay the same fee as Home students and have access to student finance for the duration of their course, as long as they meet certain requirements which are unchanged from previous years. This includes students who begin the course remotely.
EU/EEA/Swiss students starting a course on or after 1 August 2021 will no longer be eligible for the Home fee rate and so will be charged the Overseas fee. Please note we do not expect this to apply to Irish students or students benefitting from Citizens' rights under the EU Withdrawal Agreement, EEA EFTA Separation Agreement or Swiss Citizens’ Rights Agreement respectively. However, we are currently awaiting the formal publication of the amended Fees and Awards regulations.
The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website has useful information on the conditions you currently need to meet to be entitled to pay tuition fees at the Home rate for study on a higher education course in England and reflect the regulations as they currently stand (not the amended regulations which are subject to publication).
UKCISA has also provided some information in response to Questions for students starting their course from the 1 August 2021.
Additional course costs
This section outlines additional costs relevant to this course.
Field trips
Please note that all field trips referenced on this page are included in the cost of tuition, except for the fieldwork component of the independent mapping project, which Geology students undertake in the second year of their programme.
Accommodation and living costs
Bursaries and scholarships
Careers
Besides obtaining the core knowledge and skills necessary for a career in the earth science, graduates of the new programme will gain specialist understanding and practical skills in geological, geochemical and geophysical aspects of planetary science.
This bespoke training will ensure that you are well placed to pursue a research careers in planetary science, and will have gained the breadth of knowledge required to undertake a broad range of space‐related employment.
Our three-year BSc degrees are excellent preparation for careers in geosciences and other professions, especially if followed by a relevant MSc and a research degree.
Our four-year MSci degrees provide a deeper understanding of the subject and the chance to undertake a significant research project.
Many of our graduates go on to further study either by doing focused MSc degrees or undertaking research on a PhD programme.
Other recent graduates of the Department have become:
- Graduate Engineering Geologist, Mott MacDonald
- Risk Consultant, KPMG
- Trainee Field Geophysicist, Oilfield services provider
- Spatial Data Infrastructure team, Global IT and business consulting service
- Research Assistant, National museum
How to apply
UCAS key information
- UCAS course code: F647
- UCAS institution code: I50
Apply on UCAS
You can start and track your application on UCAS Hub. There you can add this course as one of your choices.
Application deadlines
Applications are now closed.
Any questions?
Find answers to your questions about admissions.
If you have a disability or impairment, the Disability Advisory Service are here to support you and answer your questions.
Related departments
You may also be interested in the following related departments and the courses they offer:
Connect with us
Got a question?
T: +44 (0)20 7594 6478
E: admit.earth@imperial.ac.uk
Sign up for our newsletter
Receive regular updates with useful information about studying with us.
Explore Imperial
Take a virtual tour
Explore our South Kensington Campus and our halls of residence from your home.
Chat with our students
Have your questions answered by real Imperial students.
Terms and conditions
There are some important pieces of information you should be aware of when applying to universities. We've put together this information in a dedicated section of our website.
Read our terms and conditions for these areas: