Undergraduate Degrees, Department of Earth Science and Engineering

Hear from students and teachers about our Geology, Geophysics and Earth and Planetary Science programmes, including field-based teaching and research opportunities. 

Key facts

Total expected intake
90 (2024 entry)

Applications : Admissions ratio
5 : 1 (based on 2024 entry data)

The Times and Sunday Times World University Rankings 2024

3rd in the UK for Geology; 8th overall globally

Meet Laura Jackson, an undergraduate Geology student at Imperial. Hear what led her to choose Geology and what she’s enjoyed about her course so far

 

The principal challenge facing the world’s growing population is how to maintain sustainable access to the natural resources – water, energy and food – that are necessary for us to enjoy a good quality of life, while protecting the environment.

The science and engineering behind understanding and solving this challenge lie at the heart of earth science, an interdisciplinary subject which encompasses physics, chemistry, mathematics and other sciences. Modern geoscience is moving beyond the confines of Planet Earth to explore the key processes that shaped the Solar System, and since 2019 we have offered a degree in Earth and Planetary Science alongside our courses in Geology  and in Geophysics.

Our dynamic and friendly Department brings together ground-breaking research and innovative teaching in geology, geophysics, mineral and energy resources, environmental science, planetary science and computational modelling. 

We are based within the Royal School of Mines building (virtual department tour) and have excellent teaching and learning resources and industry-standard geoscience software packages.

Our location gives us easy access to one of the finest fossil and mineral collections in the world, hosted at the Natural History Museum, just minutes away from the South Kensington Campus. Museum staff, who are world experts in geochemistry, mineralogy, mineral resources and palaeontology, also contribute to our teaching.  Read student profiles to learn more about what it is like to study within our dynamic Department.

Our undergraduate courses

Three-year courses (180 ECTS):

Undergraduate course information

Wellbeing and support

Undergraduate students in our Department are supported by a robust wellbeing support network. Find out more about how ESE supports the welfare of undergraduate students.

Student Life

Student unions

The Royal School of Mines (RSM) has its own Union. This is a central part of many students’ social life, providing the opportunity to meet and mix with people from all years in a friendly, supportive environment. 

In addition, students can also take advantage of the huge range of clubs and societies run by Imperial College Union – more per student head than any other university in the UK. Further details: Imperial College Union website 

Societies

There are two notable societies at ESE: the Imperial College Geology and Geophysics Societies. Both aim to spark interest in these fascinating subjects in a relaxed setting. 

Explore: 

Undergraduate Admissions Team

Email the teamadmit.earth@imperial.ac.uk         

Admissions Tutor & Head of UG Admissions
Dr Alex Whittaker
Telephone: +44(0)20 7594 7491
Emaila.whittaker@imperial.ac.uk

Deputy Admissions Tutor
Dr Gareth Roberts
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7594 7363 
Email: gareth.roberts@imperial.ac.uk

Undergraduate Admissions Officer
Cindy Valuto
Telephone: +44(0)20 7594 2889
Emailc.valuto@imperial.ac.uk

Undergraduate Education Manager
Nicholas Dean
Telephone: +44(0)20 7594 1762
Emailn.dean@imperial.ac.uk