Geology
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Why do earthquakes occur where they do? How is gold formed? What shapes the landscape? How did dinosaurs become extinct? If you’re intrigued by the Earth’s structure, composition and development over time, studying geology with the OU will feed your interest and imagination.
Through practical activities with home kits, interactive media and fieldwork trips to sites of geological interest you’ll gain a better appreciation of how our planet evolved. At the same time you’ll be developing the practical and analytical skills sought by many employers. Students are often attracted to geology because it’s closely related to many other science disciplines. Employment opportunities for graduates with this background are similarly diverse and include energy, mining, engineering and the environment.
Degrees
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More about Degrees
More about Degrees
undergraduate.qualification.geology,qualification,,degree,1Undergraduate or bachelors degrees are nationally recognised qualifications consisting of academic study designed to help you gain a thorough understanding of a subject.
For a degree in a named subject, such as business studies or humanities, you'll study mainly in your chosen subject, although you may be able to include some modules from other subjects.
With The Open University you could also study an Open degree where you can combine a range of modules from similar or different subjects to suit either your particular career or personal interests.
You can use a degree to:
- change careers or progress your current career
- gain an in-depth knowledge and understanding of a subject you are interested in
- gain professional recognition
- go onto postgraduate study, such as a diploma or masters degree.
)
Undergraduate or bachelors degrees are nationally recognised qualifications consisting of academic study designed to help you gain a thorough understanding of a subject.
For a degree in a named subject, such as business studies or humanities, you'll study mainly in your chosen subject, although you may be able to include some modules from other subjects.
With The Open University you could also study an Open degree where you can combine a range of modules from similar or different subjects to suit either your particular career or personal interests.
You can use a degree to:
- change careers or progress your current career
- gain an in-depth knowledge and understanding of a subject you are interested in
- gain professional recognition
- go onto postgraduate study, such as a diploma or masters degree.
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Natural Sciences
Study a broad range of science subjects or specialise in astronomy, planetary science, biology, health sciences, chemistry, analytical science, environmental science, Earth sciences, or physics. -
Open degree
The BA/BSc Open Degree is a qualification that gives you a huge choice in terms of subjects and modules that you study to make up your degree.
Diplomas of Higher Education
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More about Diplomas of Higher Education
More about Diplomas of Higher Education
undergraduate.qualification.geology,qualification,,diploma-he,1A Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE) is equivalent to two thirds of an honours degree. They are nationally recognised qualifications focusing either on a particular job or profession, or academic study.
DipHEs are designed to increase the professional and technical skills of staff within a profession or extend your knowledge and understanding of a particular subject. A DipHE shows that you are capable of extended study at university level.
You can use a DipHE to:
- change careers or progress your current career
- gain technical and professional skills
- gain a greater knowledge and understanding of a subject you are interested in
- gain professional recognition
- achieve a full honours degree through additional study.
The Diploma of Higher Education might be of particular interest to those living and working in Scotland.
)
A Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE) is equivalent to two thirds of an honours degree. They are nationally recognised qualifications focusing either on a particular job or profession, or academic study.
DipHEs are designed to increase the professional and technical skills of staff within a profession or extend your knowledge and understanding of a particular subject. A DipHE shows that you are capable of extended study at university level.
You can use a DipHE to:
- change careers or progress your current career
- gain technical and professional skills
- gain a greater knowledge and understanding of a subject you are interested in
- gain professional recognition
- achieve a full honours degree through additional study.
The Diploma of Higher Education might be of particular interest to those living and working in Scotland.
Certificates of Higher Education
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More about Certificates of Higher Education
More about Certificates of Higher Education
undergraduate.qualification.geology,qualification,,certificate-he,1A Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) is a nationally recognised qualification focusing on either a particular job or profession, or academic study. Equivalent to the first year of a full honours degree, they are the most basic level of qualification that can be gained in higher education and show that you are capable of studying successfully at university level.
You can use a CertHE to:
- gain confidence to study successfully at university level
- change careers or progress your current career
- build on your existing experience and gain new skills
- gain a broad introduction to a subject you are interested in
- achieve a foundation degree, DipHE or full honours degree through additional study.
)
A Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) is a nationally recognised qualification focusing on either a particular job or profession, or academic study. Equivalent to the first year of a full honours degree, they are the most basic level of qualification that can be gained in higher education and show that you are capable of studying successfully at university level.
You can use a CertHE to:
- gain confidence to study successfully at university level
- change careers or progress your current career
- build on your existing experience and gain new skills
- gain a broad introduction to a subject you are interested in
- achieve a foundation degree, DipHE or full honours degree through additional study.
Getting started with an Access module
There are two ways to start a qualification. If you haven’t studied for a long time or need to build your confidence, beginning your studies with an Access module may be the right choice for you.
Choose a qualification to find out more.
Study a module as a standalone course
You can study a single module on its own for personal interest or to improve your career prospects. See the list of all our individual courses in Geology.
Postgraduate options
If you already have a degree, you may want to see postgraduate courses and qualifications in Science.
Undergraduate
International students
If you want to study for an undergraduate qualification and you are living outside the UK and Republic of Ireland, visit our international prospectus.
Your questions
Try our frequently asked questions.
Come and meet us at an event near you.
Or contact an adviser by Email or call +44(0) 845 300 60 90 +44(0) 845 366 60 35
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