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Imperial College London · Undergraduate
MSci (Hons) Earth and Planetary Science with a Year Abroad Integrated Master's degree at Imperial College London
MSci (Hons) Earth and Planetary Science with a Year Abroad at Imperial College London. Planetary bodies beyond Earth are increasingly accessible to scientific study, and this MSci puts that exploration at the centre of its teaching.
MSci (Hons)
Award
4
Years
Full-time
Study mode
90%
in work/study (15m)
About this course
Become familiar with the geological and geophysical principles that support solid planetary body exploration From the provider’s course page.
MSci (Hons) Earth and Planetary Science with a Year Abroad is an Integrated Master's degree (MSci (Hons)) at Imperial College London, based in South Kensington. It runs 4 years, studied full-time.
For Physics and astronomy graduates from this provider, 90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 89% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £40,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Physics & Chemistry, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
9.2
/ 10
Exceptional
3 of 3 official measures
Student satisfaction
What students say in the National Student Survey
Excellent86
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Graduate outcomes
In work or further study 15 months after graduating
Exceptional90
Moderate evidence Published sample: 35; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 90% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Continuation
Students who continue past their first year
Exceptional100
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 100% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year 1 12 modules
- Dynamic Earth and PlanetsCore
- Stratigraphy and GeomaterialsCore
- Deforming the EarthCore
- Physical and Surface ProcessesCore
- Volcanism and Internal ProcessesCore
- Programming for GeoscientistsCore
- Maths Methods 1Core
- Geology in the FieldCore
- Maths Methods 2Optional
- Life over Deep TimeOptional
- Chemistry for GeoscientistsOptional
- Low Temperature GeochemistryOptional
Year 2 13 modules
- Pure and Applied GeophysicsCore
- Solar System ScienceCore
- High-temperature GeochemistryCore
- Maps and StructuresCore
- Remote Sensing Earth and PlanetsCore
- Palaeontology and Optical PetrologyOptional
- Maths for Scientists and EngineersOptional
- Igneous and Metamorphic GeologyOptional
- Seismology and Numerical MethodsOptional
- Mechanics and WavesOptional
- Sediments and StratigraphyOptional
- Rocks and Structures in the FieldOptional
- Field GeophysicsOptional
Year 3 11 modules
- Independent ProjectCore
- Advanced Remote SensingCore
- Continental TectonicsOptional
- ClimateOptional
- Mining Geology and EngineeringOptional
- Near-surface Seismic ImagingOptional
- Integrated Advanced Field GeologyOptional
- Practical Seismic Data ProcessingOptional
- Mars Rover Mission SimulationOptional
- Advanced Applied GeophysicsOptional
- Advanced ProgrammingOptional
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
The course is structured to take you from grounding to independent research. Early study focuses on core theory, the fundamental geological, geophysical and planetary science concepts that everything else builds on. Alongside this sits research & methods teaching, where you learn the techniques and analytical approaches used to investigate rocks, minerals and planetary surfaces, both on Earth and, conceptually, elsewhere in the solar system. As you progress, applied practice work gives you the chance to put those methods to use, likely including fieldwork given the geological focus of the degree. You'll also select from specialist options such as those covering particular aspects of planetary geology, geophysics or related Earth science topics, allowing you to shape the later stages of the course around your interests. The year abroad is built into this structure, giving you an extended period studying or conducting fieldwork in a different academic or geological setting before returning to Imperial. Towards the end of the degree, an independent project lets you carry out sustained, self-directed research on a topic of your choosing, supported by academic staff. Running throughout is attention to professional skills, preparing you for the kind of work, research, technical or industry-based, that geology and planetary science graduates go on to do.
Who it's for
This course suits someone who finds rocks, landscapes and planetary surfaces genuinely interesting, not just as objects of study but as evidence of processes that happened, sometimes billions of years ago, on Earth and elsewhere. If you're the sort of person who wants to know why a mountain range formed the way it did, or what a Martian crater can tell us about impact history, you'll find plenty to engage with here. It's a good fit for people who don't mind fieldwork in all conditions, who are comfortable with a mix of laboratory analysis, mathematics and physical geology, and who like the idea of an extended, four-year commitment that includes a year studying abroad. That year away demands independence and adaptability, you'll need to be someone who can settle into a new academic environment, possibly a new country and language context, and keep momentum on your studies while doing so. Because the degree leads towards Chartered Geologist accreditation, it will also appeal to those with a fairly clear sense that they want a professional geoscience career, or at least want to keep that door open. Equally, if you're drawn to the idea of planetary exploration as a scientific discipline rather than just a popular-science interest, the planetary science emphasis of this course gives you a way to pursue that seriously, through structured study rather than as a side interest.
Careers & job market
Graduate outcomes data covering Physics & Chemistry courses nationally (not specific to this university) gives a general sense of what happens after graduation in this broad subject area. Across these courses, 85% of graduates were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, and 75% of those in work were in roles classed as highly skilled. Separately, 90% of students nationally on courses in this area continue past their first year, either still enrolled or having completed their studies. National earnings data (Graduate Outcomes/LEO), again not specific to any one institution or course, shows a spread rather than a fixed figure. Fifteen months after graduating, earnings across the relevant national dataset ranged from roughly £26,500 to £34,000. After three years, the range was about £24,650 to £34,800, and after five years it widened to approximately £30,600 to £43,200. These figures reflect national outcomes across the field and should be read as context rather than as a prediction of what any individual graduate will earn. For this particular course, the Geological Society accreditation is a concrete professional marker: it means the degree can count towards part of the experience requirement for becoming a Chartered Geologist, which is relevant if you're aiming at a career in professional geology, mining, energy, environmental consultancy or related sectors where chartered status matters.
University & format
Imperial College London is a public, research-intensive university and a member of the Russell Group, founded in 1907 and based in South Kensington, with a total student body of around 17,565. It holds a Gold award in the Office for Students' TEF 2023 for teaching quality and was. This MSci (Hons) Earth and Planetary Science with a Year Abroad runs full-time over four years, taught in English, and carries the UCAS course code F520. Among recently accepted students, 90% entered with A-levels or equivalent, and the most common UCAS tariff band was 208–223 points, this reflects typical entrant profiles rather than a stated minimum requirement. Bursaries and scholarships may also be available, and it's worth checking the university's own funding pages for current details, particularly given the additional costs and arrangements that can come with a year spent studying abroad.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
Application timelineWhat happens next
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
PlacementPublished placement option
Work placement. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
Open daysFind out more about our September Open Days
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Entry & how to get in
Typical offer (from the provider)The university’s course page lists a typical A-level offer of AAA. Always check the provider for the current offer and subject requirements.
Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent90% of accepted students came in with A-levels or equivalent (entrants over recent years).
Typical UCAS tariff: 208 - 223 pointsThe most common UCAS tariff band among accepted students. This is what entrants had, not a stated requirement.
Professionally accreditedAccredited by the Geological Society for the purpose of partially meeting the experience requirement for Chartered Geologist
Entry requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check Imperial College London's official course page for the current offer.
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 90% |
| Other | 10% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Competitive entry
Accepted students typically held strong UCAS tariffs. Check how your predicted grades compare and whether a contextual offer applies.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Your UCAS points0
▾
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Add your grades to see where you land
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
Apply by13 January 2027, 18:00 UK timefor this course
Typical gradesA*A*A*+A-level equivalent admitted students held
UCAS codeF520quote this on your application
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code F520). One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
💡 Many universities make a contextual (reduced-grade) offer, for example based on your school’s results, time in care, or where you live. Ask Imperial College London whether you’re eligible before you apply; it can lower the grades you need.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Homeup to £9,790 / yr
Internationalset by the university
Standard capped home fee at English providers (2026/27); Scotland, Wales & NI differ.
Check fees at Imperial College London →For students who normally live in England
illustrative Maintenance Loan per year
£9,790tuition used per year, illustrative full-time England fee-cap scenario
illustrative borrowing over 4 years
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Funding matched to this course
All Imperial College London funding →Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.
Medicine students
Check eligibility →undergraduate students
Check eligibility →international students
Check eligibility →students of Black heritage
Check eligibility →Amounts, exclusions and deadlines can change. An award is not guaranteed unless the university confirms it.
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Career quizApplication walkthroughSalary & CV check
Careers & earnings
What Physics & Chemistry graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £40,000 | £34,000 – £50,000 | 35 |
| 3 years after | £44,000 | £34,500 – £60,500 | 135 |
| 5 years after | £59,000 | £42,500 – £82,500 | 150 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 35; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
90%
in work or further study 15 months on
89%
in highly skilled work or study
100%
continue past their first year
85%
find their work meaningful
85%
say work fits their future plans
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in physics & chemistry · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Physics & Chemistry nationally
Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£40,000
£26,500 – £34,000After 3 years LEO
£44,000
£24,650 – £34,800After 5 years LEO
£59,000
£30,600 – £43,200national rangethis course’s medianaxis £22,000 – £61,500
National figures for Physics & Chemistry graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
90 of 100
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
55% working15% working and studying20% in further study89% in highly skilled work or study
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 35; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Physics & Chemistry courses at the same study level.
This course £59,000Peer median £36,000Middle 50% £32,000–£38,500
99th percentile
Compared with 886 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Information Technology ProfessionalsSOC 2020 213 · 23% of published destinations · ASHE median £55,357
- Business, Research and Administrative ProfessionalsSOC 2020 243 · 17% of published destinations · ASHE median £48,746
- Finance ProfessionalsSOC 2020 242 · 16% of published destinations · ASHE median £47,173
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 55; response rate: 50%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Job market & outlook
How Physics & Chemistry graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
85%
in work or further study 15 months after graduating, across Physics & Chemistry courses nationally.
Graduate Outcomes75%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled90%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuationHow AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Physics & Chemistry graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Research institutes
- Energy & manufacturing
- Universities
- Government labs
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Physics & Chemistry graduates.
Physics Content Developer for AI-Enhanced LearningUp LearnPhysics PhD, Quantum Data Scientist for AIObsidianPhysics Academic MentorRibbons and Reeves LimitedPhysics TechnicianSapientia Education TrustPhysics Academic Mentor17918Physics Teachers in Calderdale and KirkleesCV-LibraryLive from the StudySmarter job board · as of 2026-08-01.See all matching jobs
Is this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
💷
Student finance
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
📈
Where graduates go
90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £40,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
🎯
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
⭐
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 9.2 out of 10: NSS 85.6% · in work or study 90% · continued 100%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine
All students22,525
International52.9%
Aged 25+20.2%
Physical sciences across the UK
Students64,325
Aged 25+17.8%
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around South Kensington
3,468 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Anti Social Behaviour 750Violent Crime 642Other Theft 530Shoplifting 370Theft From The Person 293
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Physics & Chemistry right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to Imperial College London from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by Imperial College London; international fees are typically £12,000–£30,000/year for classroom subjects and higher for lab/clinical ones. You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Imperial College London offers the GREAT - Imperial College London Scholarship for international students, see Scholarships above.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with Imperial College London and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at Imperial College London
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
Entry is competitive. Accepted students typically held strong UCAS tariffs. The most common tariff band among recent entrants was 208 - 223 UCAS points. Use the calculator on this page to see where your predicted grades would put you; many universities also make lower contextual offers.
What are the entry requirements?
Set by Imperial College London. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
What do graduates go on to do?
For Physics and astronomy graduates from this provider, 90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 89% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £40,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
What will it cost me?
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years. See Fees & funding on this page to work out your numbers.
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