2-Semester Pathway - International Foundation Year in Science - Continue to Bachelor of Science (Honours) - Earth Science

Students will learn research methods and critical thinking on the science pathway. The course covers mathematics for science and computing, chemistry, and biology, providing the foundation needed to progress to a science degree at the University of Portsmouth. This opens the door to a wide range of exciting and innovative careers in the science sector. From pharmaceuticals to physics, and marine biology to palaeontology, students will have numerous opportunities to explore and deepen their scientific knowledge.

Earth science plays a vital role in understanding how the planet functions and how its resources can be used responsibly to support a sustainable future. It forms the basis for efforts to transition to greener energy, address the effects of climate change, forecast and mitigate natural hazards, and develop safe, sustainable, and resilient cities.

On this Earth science degree course, students will choose one of three pathways at the end of their first year:

• Geology • Engineering geology • Environmental geology

These pathways equip students with the skills required for a career across the broad Earth science sector, whether through direct entry into the workforce or by pursuing one of the University’s applied Earth science Master's degrees. The UK government has committed to training the next generation of miners, geologists, and engineers through its Critical Minerals Strategy, and includes several Earth science-related roles on its Tier 2 Shortage Occupation List. Demand in this sector is expected to grow, as Earth scientists will be essential to the energy transition and to ensuring sustainable interactions between humans and the natural environment.