Program Overview
The Geophysics with a Year Abroad at Imperial College London is a MSc programme in Natural Sciences over 48 months, delivered On-campus. This programme equips graduates with advanced knowledge and practical skills for professional and academic careers in the field.
Students gain a rigorous grounding in both the theoretical foundations and applied dimensions of natural sciences. The programme combines coursework, research components, and practical projects that develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and specialist expertise relevant to industry and research needs.
Graduates of the Geophysics with a Year Abroad programme are well-prepared for careers in academia, industry, government, and the private sector across United Kingdom and internationally. The programme provides an internationally recognised qualification within the Bologna higher education framework.
Key Program Features
- Duration: 48 months
- Language of instruction: English
- Study mode: On-campus
- English requirement: IELTS 7
- Location: London, United Kingdom
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Geophysics with a Year Abroad programme are prepared for diverse careers in natural sciences:
- Research Scientist
- Environmental Consultant
- Laboratory Manager
- Science Writer
- Policy Advisor
- Academic Researcher
Program Curriculum
Course Structure
- Broad introduction to geology and geophysics
- Cover subjects not previously experienced
- Learn to study independently in a university environment
- In the first year, Geophysics students take advanced maths and physics classes with an emphasis on calculus, statistics and mensuration, as well as the subjects studied by Geoscience students with an introduction to programming in both Python and Matlab.
- Transfer to other degree titles is possible at the end of the first year, and compulsory for those not achieving the first or upper second standard required for the MSci degree.
- Deepen knowledge of core geophysical subjects
- Apply physical laws to geological questions
- Enhance written and research skills
- Vibrations and Waves
- Geodesy and Geomagnetism
- Global Geophysics, Earth Structure and Tectonics
- Advanced Maths courses, Time Series Analysis
- Applied Geophysics
- Remote Sensing and GIS
- Structural Geology, Geochemistry, Seismology
- You will be expected to think about these subjects in terms of physics \x96 for example, how does temperature and pressure affect atomic structures and cause metamorphism?
- Applied and Practical Geophysics
- Applied Exploration Seismology
- Geohazards
- Hydrogeology and Fluid Flow
- Marine Geology and Geophysics
- Seismic Techniques
- Physical Oceanography
- Enhance research skills by undertaking publishable research
- Combine field and class-based learning in unique basin analysis field course with other degree students
- Specialise in chosen area while maintaining breadth of options
- Approximately half of the fourth year, including all of the autumn term, is devoted to a publishable independent research project on a relevant area of interest. This may involve a mixture of fieldwork, laboratory/computing analysis and literature review. You will be given maximum flexibility in choosing your independent project and one or more members of staff will supervise your work. You will become part of a department research team.
- For the rest of the year you pursue further geophysics courses relevant to the degree, and you may also choose from a variety of other specialist courses offered to other geoscience students.
Admission Requirements
Academic Requirements
- Geophysics applicants must achieve a minimum of AAA overall, to include:
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Geophysics candidates who do not meet this requirement will be offered Geology and Geophysics instead.
- All candidates admitted without an A-level in an important science subject (e.g. Chemistry) are provided with additional subject teaching in the first year. About 20% of the students we admit have Geology A-level, but this is not a requirement.
- Applicants must also show that they are proficient in mathematical skills, by attaining GCSE grade A, or an AS-level at grade B or better.
- For students following the International Baccalaureate and wishing to apply for Geophysics courses, we require a minimum of 38 points overall, including at least 6 in Mathematics and Physics at higher level.
English Proficiency: IELTS 7 or equivalent.
Tuition & Financial Information
Detailed tuition information is not available. Please contact the university for the most current tuition and fee information.
Application Deadline
Please contact the university for application deadline information.
About Imperial College London
Imperial College London
London, United Kingdom
Imperial College London is a distinguished institution of higher education committed to academic excellence, innovative research, and preparing students for leadership in their chosen fields. The...
University Profile- Start Date May 2026
- Language English
- Duration 48 months