
Geophysics (MSc)
Southampton, United Kingdom
DURATION
1 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
26 Aug 2025*
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
GBP 30,300 **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* international students | uk students: 9 september 2025
** EU and international students | UK students: 9,250 GBP
Introduction
Geophysics plays a key role in understanding what lies beneath the earth's surface. This knowledge is vital for large engineering projects such as wind farms, carbon dioxide capture and storage, and hydrogen storage complexes.
With our geophysics master's degree course, you'll learn how to apply the geophysical techniques needed to explore Earth’s resources sustainably. The skills, knowledge and experience you'll gain will help you start a successful career and become a leader in geophysics and sustainable development.
You'll be based at our Waterfront Campus at The National Oceanography Centre Southampton (NOCS), one of the world's largest centres for marine education and research. Here, you'll be studying the part of our planet’s subsurface which is essential to moving forward with the energy transition and helping to transform the lives of others by decarbonising our economy.
During your studies, you'll develop your understanding of modern survey methods and gain experience in planning surveys. You'll also gather, process and analyse data, which is critical to enabling safe and efficient development.
To achieve this, you'll have access to our research boat, R.V. Callista, and facilities to help you broaden your skills and knowledge.
As an MSc Geophysics student, you'll also benefit from:
- access to the latest industry-standard equipment, technology and software
- training and assessment techniques which help prepare you for the workplace
- opportunities to apply your findings and interpretations to real-world scenarios
- training in key aspects of geology and geotechnics to help you understand the wider context for your work
- support in learning how to communicate with end users and successfully meet their needs
Gallery
Admissions
Curriculum
Modules
The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Find out why, when and how we might make changes.
We also expect to work with industry partners to design many of our research projects.
You must study the following modules:
- Advanced Exploration Geophysics
- Computational Data Analysis for Ocean and Earth Scientists
- Geotechnics for Geoscientists
- Key and Practical Skills for MSc Geophysics
- MSc Research Project
- Seafloor Exploration and Surveying 2
- The Ground Beneath Our Feet: The Geological History of the Last 2 Million Years
You must also choose from the following modules :
- Carbon Storage in the Sub-Surface Environment
- Sea Level Rise and Coastal Management
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Our geophysics master's degree course will prepare you for a career linked to sustainable development, such as renewable energy.
It will include practical experience based on the University research vessel, R.V. Callista. You'll also get the chance to work with multiple industry-standard software packages for data processing and analysis.
The programme has a strong emphasis on coursework, a lot of which is based on industry or industry-equivalent datasets. You'll participate in activities and assessments that replicate what you will encounter in your future career.
We also expect to work with industry partners to design many of our research projects.