Structural Geology with Geophysics MSc

The Structural Geology with Geophysics MSc is a unique and globally leading Masters programme. This course will provide you with the advanced theoretical and practical training needed to flourish in a career in applied structural geology both across a range of geo-energy industries and as preparation for independent academic research.

Fundamental to the emerging Energy Transition is the need to understand structural controls in the sub-surface, for both renewable and traditional energy acquisition/storage. This course will focus on the practical application of structural geology, preparing you for employment in a breadth of energy and resource facing industries, including geothermal, hydrothermal, CCS (carbon capture and storage), hydrocarbons, rare minerals and ores, energy and hydrogen storage and shallow hazard risking.

You will gain a skillset combining advanced structural techniques and interpretation and assimilation of sub-surface data, an understanding of structural systems in time and space, at a geodynamic, basin and resource scale. You will develop an appreciation of both the geological and geophysical constraints of sub-surface interpretation and model building and the associated uncertainties

This will enable you to use a combination of structural and geophysical techniques to solve geological problems. At the end of the programme as a skilled subsurface interpreter and modeller, you’ll be able to contribute in an industry-facing role from day one and, with many of our students following on to PhD study, have the potential to pursue a research career. The skill-sets you acquire will be widely applicable and transferable enabling you to have flexibility in your choice of industry into the future.

Our teaching is research led, with direct links to active applied research. You’ll be taught by a range of research and industry experts, as well as through industry-led workshops. Strong multi-industry links are a feature of this course.

Course highlights

• A key focus of this Masters is on understanding structural evolution in various settings and the use of 3D and 4D thinking in geological contexts. These skills are essential for your employment in industry for the duration of your career regardless of which energy/resource facing industry you start in.

• Undertake fieldwork that is directly linked to your classroom learning.

• Depending on your interests, specialise with a choice between hydrocarbon, mining and geothermal options embedded in the second semester. This will give you flexibility in the industry but can also allow you to retrain if you are seeking an alternative career path.

• Access high-spec computing facilities and industry-standard software.

• Complete an individual project, typically in association with an external company or institute.

Specialist facilities

The School of Earth and Environment’s building gives you access to world-class research, teaching and laboratory facilities. As a Masters student, you will have access to a 3D visualisation suite, and to your own dedicated computer facilities running industry standard software, such as:

• 2D and 3D seismic interpretation and geocellular modelling is done via Petrel and other industry-standard software.

• Structural modelling and restoration is learnt using a range of industry standard software.

• PCs run a range of structural modelling, restoration, GIS and 3D visualisation programmes.

• Resource specific software, for example in the Ore specialisation you will train in Leapfrog 3D deposit modeller.

Find out more about our facilities.

Programme team

The Programme Leader, Dr Emma Bramham, is a specialist in surface behaviour and sub-surface linkage to magmatically driven faulting, specifically in volcanic systems on Mars. She is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and has a wealth of industry experience as an offshore geophysicist.

The wider programme team is made up of geoscientists from the School’s Institutes for Applied Geoscience and Geophysics and Tectonics, featuring specialists in data processing, computational geophysics, structural geology and resource exploration.

Active research environment

The School of Earth and Environment is home to five world-leading research institutes, which are at the heart of our active research environment – working to tackle the planet’s most pressing environmental challenges. Throughout your degree you will be taught by experts who are leaders in their fields, and be directly engaged with their cutting-edge research.

Industry links

We have very strong links with industry, which you’ll benefit from throughout the year. This includes the provision of scholarships, data for dissertation projects, teaching of short courses and free licenses for industry standard software.

We’re continually developing new relationships with industry; below is a summary of some of the links that we have.

Short courses and software training courses

An increasing number of companies provide short courses to complement the course, such as Shell, BP, Equipoise and Badleys. Although not a formal component of the degree, they provide an excellent opportunity to interact with industry experts and work on currently active exploration/production data.

Courses range from exploration/development team games, application of fault seal analysis concepts to exploration data though to specific software training provided by software companies.

Industrial recruitment visits

We have weekly presentations from companies encompassing the industry spectrum, including the largest multinationals, specialised consultancies and service companies.

This gives you anopportunity to hear technical presentations and information about graduate recruitment schemes and employment opportunities. A number of companies also arrange first round interviews when they visit.

Dissertations

We have established close links with a number of companies to ensure that your dissertation is relevant and directly linked with industry through placements, projects, data and project supervision.

Presentations

The culmination of the Masters year is the final presentation in September, where you will be expected to present the outcomes of your dissertation to an invited audience of industrial and academic contacts.

Accreditation

When you choose a degree with accredited status, you can be assured that the teaching is of the highest standard. The quality and relevance of our teaching has been recognised by an independent body of academics and industrialists through our Geological Society of London Professional Accreditation.

If you have an appropriate degree, our Geological Society accreditation will reduce the amount of experience required for you to reach Chartered Geologist (CGeol) status, an important career step in Geoscience.

You will take nine months of taught classes, followed by approximately three months of independent research and dissertation writing in association with industry or research collaborators.

Develop personal skills and a professionalism that will make you employable, as well as increasing your knowledge and technical ability.

You'll carry out fieldwork, which forms an integral part of the course, and is directly linked to learning outcomes in the classroom. Besides local visits, there is a 6-day trip to South West England and a 12-day visit to the Spanish Pyrenees.

Some of the modules you will study are spread over a full semester, while most are short and intensive. They are devised to develop your advanced understanding of key topics (including large scale tectonics, basin evolution and reservoir scale deformation) and your technical ability through the use of industry-leading software.

Begin, by reviewing the fundamentals of structural geology, maps, and mathematics before moving onto the more advanced modules.

You’ll receive advanced training in structural geology and tectonics, in geological model construction, and the practical application of structural geology. You will also gain training in interpreting sub-surface data and the principals underlying data acquisition and processing and will have the opportunity to specialise in either hydrocarbon, geothermal or ores options within semester two.

You’ll also undertake professional and research level training in structural geology and basin evolution from regional, to basin, to reservoir/deposit scale.

Fieldwork

The following fieldwork forms an integral part of the course. It is directly linked to learning outcomes in the classroom. During your studies you will have the opportunity to take part in field courses such as:

• An introductory field day to Ingleton, North Yorkshire.

• A six day trip to the South West of England. Consider both extensional and compressional tectonics, basin-scale to fault to reservoir scale deformation, fault seal analysis, kinematic and geometric fault evolution, restorations, and 3D fault analysis.

• A 12 day trip to the Central Spanish Pyrenees. This trip serves as a summary trip where you will pull together elements from the entire course. Consider regional scale orogenic deformation through to basin scale to fracture scale. And the influence of sediment-structure interaction in basin evolution, and tie outcrop scale observations with seismic examples.

• Additional day trips will focus on Energy Transition topics.

Want to find our more about your modules?

Take a look at the Structural Geology and Geophysics module descriptions for more detail on what you will study.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Structural Geology with Geophysics MSc in the course catalogue

Modules

Year 1

Learning and teaching

Teaching is varied, with some of your modules being very practical based e.g. fieldwork, presentations, learning new software. While other methods are tutorial or lecture based. You will also have the opportunity to work individually or as a group. Regardless of method, you will be supported by substantial online learning material.

You will be assigned a personal tutor, who will maintain contact with you throughout the year and offer pastoral guidance. They will help you to settle into the university and clarify any procedures, as well as helping you prepare for employment on graduation. You will also receive administrative support from SEE’s dedicated Student Education Support office.

Our Virtual Learning Environment will help to support your studies: it’s a central place where you can find all the information and resources for the School, your programme and modules.

You can also benefit from support to develop your academic skills, within the curriculum and through online resources, workshops, one-to-one appointments and drop-in sessions.

On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

Given the variety of learning outcomes and teaching methods, you will be assessed differently between modules but generally assessed on a combination of presentations, practicals and/or formal examinations.

Entry requirements

A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) or above in a geological, geophysical, environmental geology, mining or related subject. Mathematics to A-level is also preferred, although GSCE level is accepted.

If you have a lower qualification and a non-standard geology degree, you may be considered on an ad-hoc basis, supported by relevant experience. You may also have to take an entrance exam.

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For more information please contact the Admissions Team.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Science (6 weeks) and Language for Science: General Science (10 weeks). 

If you need to study for longer than 10 weeks, read more about our postgraduate pre-sessional English course.

How to apply

Application deadlines

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

29 July 2022 – International applicants

9 September 2022 – UK applicants

Applications for 2022 entry will open on Friday 1 October 2021. From that date this page will contain a link to take you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.

If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2022

Fees

• UK: £11,750 (total)
• International: £29,500 (total)

Read more about paying fees and charges.

Brexit 
Visit our Brexit page for the latest information on the effect of the UK's exit from the EU on current students and applicants to the University.

For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.

Additional cost information

Because we recognise the value of field experience the school heavily subsidises or covers the transport and accommodation costs for all compulsory taught field courses.

We hope to run our fieldwork activities as planned for the 22/23 academic year, but it might not be possible due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are continually reviewing the situation and will communicate any decisions to applicants and offer holders at the earliest possible opportunity.

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government.  Find out more at Masters funding overview.

A degree from Leeds and the experience you'll gain here will give you the edge to find the career you want. Your course will give you the experience and knowledge that employers are looking for to help you secure a job.

The University of Leeds is in the top five most targeted universities in the UK by graduate recruiters, according to High Fliers’ The Graduate Market in 2021 report.

There is a need for well-trained structural geologists with geophysical skills and training, within both the hydrocarbons and minerals industries, but also within sectors such as geothermal and hydrothermal energy and carbon sequestration. With a Masters being generally considered as a good level to enter into a career within the resource exploration industry the longer-term employment prospects are very good, with many companies targeting the course directly for recruitment.

We maintain excellent links with industry and professional bodies and many energy and service-sector companies engage directly with our students via specific company recruitment talks and workshops held throughout the year. Other opportunities for recruitment can arise from project placements and the final presentations day at the close of the programme in September.

You will develop transferable skills, from 4D thinking, time management, and critical and analytical thinking to team working, presentation and report writing skills. We also run a number of company-led training workshops that develop your skills using industry software such as Petrel, Kingdom and Leapfrog.

Starting salaries as a professional geoscientist in hydrocarbons and mining industries are commonly around £30-35,000 per year.

Read profiles of our alumni to find out more about where some of our graduates are working.

Careers support

The School of Earth and Environment has a strong commitment to enhancing student employability and has its own dedicated Employability Officer.

We offer extra support and activities to help you stand out in your chosen field and achieve your career goals. In particular, you will have further opportunities for training, conference attendance and involvement with Student Chapters (AAPG,EAGE, SPE, SEG, PESGB).

At Leeds we help you to prepare for your future from day one. Our Leeds for Life initiative is designed to help you develop and demonstrate the skills and experience you need for when you graduate. We will help you to access opportunities across the University and record your key achievements so you are able to articulate them clearly and confidently.

You’ll have access to the wide range of careers resources and support from your Careers Service. You’ll have the chance to attend industry presentations, book appointments with qualified careers consultants and take part in employability workshops and webinars. Our careers fairs provide further opportunities to explore your career options with some of the UKs leading employers.

You will also have full access to the University’s Careers Centre, which is one of the largest in the country.

There are also plenty of exciting ways you can volunteer during your time at Leeds. Find out more at the Leeds University Union website.