BSc (Hons) Palaeontology

Are you interested in studying the processes of how life on Earth began, evolved and diversified? Do you enjoy getting your hands dirty as well as spending time in the lab?

Get ready to dig up the past on our BSc (Hons) Palaeontology degree course, which is accredited by The Geological Society of London.

Course highlights

• Reveal the secrets of ancient life in our petrology and palaeontology laboratories, stocked with rock, mineral and fossil specimens
• Work alongside our active academic research team on the latest palaeontological theories and models as they integrate new ideas and data into teaching
• Unearth your own discoveries on field trips in locations such as the Isle of Wight, Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site locations Lulworth Cove and Lyme Regis, and other famous fossil localities

Accredited by:

This course is accredited by The Geological Society of London.

Modules

Year 1

Core modules in this year include:

• Biodiversity & Vertebrate Anatomy – 20 credits
• Earth Materials – 20 credits
• How the Earth Works – 20 credits
• Quantitative Methods – 20 credits
• Science for Earth Systems – 20 credits
• Sedimentology and Palaeontology – 20 credits
• Tutorial Programme – 0 credits

There are no optional modules this year.

Year 2

Core modules in this year include:

• Early Vertebrate Evolution – 20 credits
• Invertebrate and Analytical Palaeontology – 20 credits
• Micropalaeontology, Palaeobotany, and Palaeoenvironments – 20 credits
• Palaeontological Techniques – 20 credits
• Professional Skills for Palaeontologists – 20 credits
• Sedimentary Processes and Facies Analysis – 20 credits
• SEGG Tutorial Programme L5 – 0 credits

There are no optional modules in this year.

Placement year (optional)

In this course, you can do an optional work placement year between your 2nd and 3rd years to get valuable experience working in the industry.

We’ll help you secure a work placement that fits your situation and ambitions. You’ll get mentoring and support throughout the year.

Year 3

Core modules in this year include:

• Palaeontology Project and Study Tour – 40 credits

Optional modules in this year include:

• Analytical Methods for Earth and Environmental Scientists – 20 credits
• Applications of Palaeontology and Sedimentology – 20 credits
• Dinosaurs and Mammals – 20 credits
• Introduction to Teaching – 20 credits
• Oceans, Climates and Environments – 20 credits
• The Fossil Record – 20 credits

Placement opportunities

After your second year, you can do an optional work placement to get valuable longer-term work experience in the industry. Placements give you the opportunity to apply what you've learnt so far in a real workplace, boosting your employability and making you attractive to employers after graduation.

You can work for a company or organisation here in the UK or overseas, or you could go independent by setting up and running your own business with other students.

Previous students have enjoyed placements at civil engineering, mining and quarrying companies and the Dinosaur Isle museum on the Isle of Wight.

Whichever route you choose, you'll receive support and guidance. Our specialist team of Science and Health Careers advisors can help you with finding a work placement and improving your employability skills. They'll provide you with a database of placement vacancies, support with your job search – including help with applications and interviews – and support throughout your placement.

Palaeontology is the study of ancient life, from the earliest algae to the biggest dinosaurs and our first human ancestors. It seeks to uncover the ways in which life on Earth evolved through the ages and in turn, how this can help us better understand the natural world today.

Studying fossilised lifeforms can reveal facts about biology, ecology and evolution vital to many modern environmental issues, including climate change.

Gain valuable skills for a range of scientific careers

With this BSc (Hons) Palaeontology degree, you gain the knowledge and expertise to become a skilled palaeontologist without any previous experience in palaeontology or geology.

When you graduate, you’ll have a strong set of transferable skills suitable for a range of scientific roles in areas such as energy resources and exploration, environmental consultancy, teaching and museum curation.

You could also continue your studies with our research master's programme in Palaeontology, which would enable you to spend a year working on a dedicated project in a paleontological area that interests you. Many of our MRes students publish papers in scientific journals by the time they complete the programme.

What areas can you work in with a palaeontology degree?

Previous students have gone on to work and study in areas such as:

• energy resources and exploration
• environmental consultancy
• museum curation
• teaching
• academic research

What jobs can you do with a palaeontology degree?

They've gone on to work in the following roles:

• researcher of vertebrate palaeontology
• geographic information systems (GIS) editor
• science teacher

Ongoing careers support

After you graduate, you can get help, advice and support for up to 5 years from our Careers and Employability Service as you advance in your career.