The surface of planet Earth is highly dynamic, with abrupt changes in environmental conditions driven by the complicated interplay of physical, biological, chemical, and geological processes. Specialist skills and knowledge are urgently required to document and interpret the records of environmental change, meaning that environmental geoscientists are at the forefront of tackling many of the urgent issues arising from society’s interactions with the Earth’s surface and shallow subsurface.
Our Environmental Geoscience degree will equip you with an in-depth understanding of the Earth system, with a focus on surface and shallow subsurface process interactions. From this, you'll gain deep time perspectives on how subaerial and submarine landscapes evolve, and how sedimentary successions can be used as crucial archives of environmental change.
At Leeds, we continue to place fieldwork as an integral part of developing your knowledge of Earth surface processes and understanding of records of environmental change. Throughout your course, you’ll build observational and analytical skills through visits to classic field locations. By applying that knowledge to Earth resources, or mitigating climate change, you’ll learn how to help solve critical societal problems.
Distinctively, we have a large group of world-leading researchers who work at the interface of geological and geomorphological disciplines. Your final year project will be building 3D geo-models using real-world datasets to provide you with the unique independence and experience that means, upon graduation, you'll be a skilled environmental geoscientist ready to help solve the key challenges that face humankind and secure the future of our planet.
This programme may include field activities. Should a planned destination be deemed unsafe or unviable, we will arrange appropriate alternative means for students to meet programme learning outcomes.
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable
Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SOEE1045 | Solid Planet | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| SOEE1078 | Skills for Geoscientists | 20 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
| SOEE1080 | Living Planet | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| SOEE1090 | Earth Surface Processes | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| SOEE1700 | Dynamic Planet | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Candidates will be required to study 20 credits from the following optional modules (Basket 1 and 2):
Basket 1: Candidates who do not have A-level Maths or Chemistry at grade C or above should take the relevant courses from this basket. Candidates who already have these A-levels (or an equivalent qualification) may not take these modules.
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SOEE1135 | Foundation Chemistry | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| SOEE1481 | Foundation Mathematics 1 | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) |
Basket 2: Candidates with sufficient credits available may take up to 20 credits from this basket.
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SOEE1034 | Natural Hazards | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| SOEE1120 | Vertebrate Evolution | 10 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| SOEE1281 | Atmosphere | 10 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| SOEE1302 | Advanced Mathematics 1 | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| SOEE1312 | Advanced Mathematics 2 | 10 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| SOEE1541 | Foundation Physics | 10 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Candidates may choose a 10 credit discovery module in place of an optional module from basket 2, subject to timetabling constraints.
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable
Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SOEE2205 | Contaminated Environments | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| SOEE2650 | GIS for Geoscientists | 10 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| SOEE2910 | Palaeoenvironmental Analysis | 20 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
| SOEE2941 | Investigating the Shallow Subsurface | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| SOEE2950 | Sedimentary Basins and their Resources | 10 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| SOEE2970 | Advanced Skills for Environmental Geoscientists | 20 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
| SOEE2981 | Deformation of Earth’s Materials | 20 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) |
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable
Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules: - 3D geo-models: Independent project (40 credits - Pass for Progression) - The Last Million Years (20 credits) - Environmental Geomorphology and Sedimentology (10 credits)
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SOEE3020 | Geothermal Energy: Engineering, Societal and Governance Challenges | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| SOEE3135 | Engineering Geology | 10 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| SOEE3282 | Groundwater | 10 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Candidates will be required to study 20 credits from the following optional modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SOEE3110 | Earth System Science: Biogeochemical Cycles | 10 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| SOEE3190 | Earth Observations from Space | 10 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| SOEE3480 | Past Global Environmental Systems | 10 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| SOEE3630 | Strategic Energy Issues | 10 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Last updated: 30/04/2026 16:10:13
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