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    Study earth sciences abroad

    An in-depth guide to studying earth sciences as an international student.

    Find earth sciences programs

    Explore earth sciences programs abroad

    See other programs in earth sciences

    Earth sciences degrees abroad

    Earth sciences explore the composition, history, and processes of the planet we live on. It’s a multidisciplinary field that draws upon several other subjects, including geography, biology, chemistry, physics and engineering.

    As an earth sciences student, you’ll look at how the world came to exist and how it has developed over time. As well as gaining a detailed understanding of the Earth’s inner workings, you’ll study natural phenomena like volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. You’ll also consider how we can protect our planet from the consequences of climate change, deforestation and pollution.

    Weather systems, landscapes and natural resources vary hugely between countries and continents. Studying abroad is a fantastic opportunity to take your learning beyond the textbook and explore the world’s natural phenomena first-hand.

    Earth sciences program structure

    Bachelor’s degrees in earth sciences normally take three or four years to finish. The length of your BSc will depend on where you choose to study and whether or not you complete a placement between your second and final years.

    If you’re hoping to explore the wildly diverse landscapes of the US, your undergraduate degree will last four years. The American liberal arts model insists that students spend the first half of their program studying general education, before focusing on science-specific modules for the final two years.

    Postgraduate programs are available for students looking to dive into some original and independent research. Master’s programs usually require one year of full-time study or two years of part-time learning. A PhD will take several years on top of this.

    To help you get to grips with the theoretical and practical aspects of the subject, your timetable will feature a mix of lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical workshops, laboratory sessions and field trips.

    Since earth sciences is such a broad and far-reaching field, most universities have plenty of elective modules to choose from. That said, you’ll probably still attend mandatory classes in these core topics:

    • Earth processes and structures
    • Natural resources and materials
    • Structural geology and tectonics
    • Weather and climate
    • Oceanography
    • Introduction to geoscience
    • Threats and deformation
    • Mathematical skills for earth sciences
    Earth sciences program structure

    Bachelor’s degrees in earth sciences normally take three or four years to finish. The length of your BSc will depend on where you choose to study and whether or not you complete a placement between your second and final years.

    If you’re hoping to explore the wildly diverse landscapes of the US, your undergraduate degree will last four years. The American liberal arts model insists that students spend the first half of their program studying general education, before focusing on science-specific modules for the final two years.

    Postgraduate programs are available for students looking to dive into some original and independent research. Master’s programs usually require one year of full-time study or two years of part-time learning. A PhD will take several years on top of this.

    To help you get to grips with the theoretical and practical aspects of the subject, your timetable will feature a mix of lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical workshops, laboratory sessions and field trips.

    Since earth sciences is such a broad and far-reaching field, most universities have plenty of elective modules to choose from. That said, you’ll probably still attend mandatory classes in these core topics:

    • Earth processes and structures
    • Natural resources and materials
    • Structural geology and tectonics
    • Weather and climate
    • Oceanography
    • Introduction to geoscience
    • Threats and deformation
    • Mathematical skills for earth sciences

    Types of earth sciences degrees

    Best countries to study earth sciences

    Best universities to study earth sciences

    See all universities offering earth sciences programs

    How to study earth sciences abroad

    1. University & program search

      Find the right program for you and your career aspirations

    2. Application guidance

      We'll get you to the right place to start your application

    3. Visa & travel advice

      Get help after application, all the way to your first day at university

    Our team of advisors is ready to support you at every step of your study abroad journey.
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    Earth sciences study abroad programs

    Earth sciences undergraduate programs

    Bachelor's in earth sciences

    • false

      Earth Sciences - BA Florida International University, USA

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      4 years
      Annual tuition fee
      18,566 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 18,566 USD

      Start date
      August, January
      Show program overview about Earth Sciences
    • false

      Earth Sciences - BSc St. Francis Xavier University, Canada

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      4 years
      Annual tuition fee
      16,342 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 20,436 CAD

      Start date
      September
      Show program overview about Earth Sciences
    • false

      Earth Sciences - BSc Millersville University, USA

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      4 years
      Annual tuition fee
      21,560 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 21,560 USD

      Start date
      September, January
      Show program overview about Earth Sciences
    • false

      Earth Sciences - BSc University of New Brunswick, Canada

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      4 years
      Annual tuition fee
      13,879 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 17,357 CAD

      Start date
      September
      Show program overview about Earth Sciences
    • false

      Earth Sciences - BSc (Tech)/BSc University of Waikato, New Zealand

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      3 years
      Annual tuition fee
      22,713 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 31,795 NZD

      Start date
      July, February
      Show program overview about Earth Sciences
    See all bachelor's degrees in earth sciences

    Associate in earth sciences

    • false

      Earth Sciences - ASc Santiago Canyon College, USA

      Program type
      Associate
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      8,304 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 8,304 USD

      Start date
      August, June, February
      Show program overview about Earth Sciences
    See all associate degrees in earth sciences

    Earth sciences graduate programs

    Master's in earth sciences

    • false

      Earth Sciences - MPhil University of Newcastle, Australia

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      30,027 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 38,825 AUD

      Start date
      February, September, July
      Show program overview about Earth Sciences
    • false

      Earth Sciences - MSc (Tech)/MSc (Research)/MSc University of Waikato, New Zealand

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      25,702 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 35,980 NZD

      Start date
      July, February
      Show program overview about Earth Sciences
    See all master's degrees in earth sciences

    Doctorate in earth sciences

    • false

      Civil Engineering Sciences and Earth Sciences - PhD Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Hungary

      Program type
      Doctorate
      Duration
      4 years
      Annual tuition fee
      10,784 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 9,000 EUR

      Start date
      September, February
      Show program overview about Civil Engineering Sciences and Earth Sciences
    See all doctorates in earth sciences

    Future earth sciences careers

    As an earth sciences graduate, you’ll have the theoretical knowledge and practical capabilities needed to get your career off the ground. Your problem-solving, analytical, and critical reasoning skills will be desirable to an array of employers, including environmental consultancies, energy companies, conservation organizations and governments.

    Here are some of the exciting positions you could land:

    • Engineering geologist
    • Geoscientist
    • Geotechnical engineer
    • Environmental consultant
    • Minerals surveyor
    • Environmental journalist
    • Environmental lawyer
    • Crisis and disaster management expert

    With so many career opportunities available, figuring out what to do after graduation can be tricky. Your university’s career service can point you in the direction of work experience opportunities and polish your resume.