Environmental Geophysics with a Year in Europe

Description

The University of East Anglia in Norwich offers a unique degree in Geophysical Sciences, encompassing not only the solid Earth but the whole Earth system and its interactions, which control our environment. We follow a complete and integrated physical approach to address the environmental issues that threaten our future. The Year in Europe programme involves four years of study with the first two years at UEA following the BSc Geophysical Sciences programme. The third year is spent at a University abroad. You return for your fourth year to UEA and complete the final year modules from the BSc Geophysical Sciences.
The aim of the degree programme is to provide a quantitative, physical understanding of the whole Earth system and the processes that control our environment. The course takes students on a journey of discovery around the Earth studying the skies, seas and the Earth's deep interior and examining the surface to discover how the Earth has developed into what is seen today. Because Geophysics is a broad subject at the intersection of many disciplines, the degree programme is taught within the School of Environmental Sciences to enable students to choose a multidisciplinary path of study. The integrated approach stresses the links between wide-ranging subjects including solid Earth geophysics, meteorology, geophysical modelling, oceanography and geology. The course covers the various environmental threats and their impact on human society.
Links with industry and careers In addition to the support services provided by the University, UEA’s degree programmes in Geophysical Sciences benefit from our strong links with local and multinational companies, which provide valuable teaching support and sponsor two prizes for students enrolled in the degree programmes. Given the strategic proximity of UEA to the North Sea, all our students are invited to visit the facilities of local geophysical companies including marine geophysics surveying ships and to carry out practical work using industrial data and software.
A report by the British Geophysical Association in 2006 highlighted a national shortage of geophysicists, which is likely to persist or become more pressing in the future. Graduates of UEA’s programmes in Geophysical Sciences easily find employment and have gone to work for various local and multinational companies in the sectors of geophysical exploration and services, geotechnical engineering, risk analysis, environmental consultancy, amongst many others. By doing their undergraduate studies in Geophysical Sciences, students gain a wide range of skills that are highly-prized by employers.
Field Course Options and facilities Field courses and practical classes are an integral part of training our geophysical science students. You will be introduced to many different geological environments and learn to use a variety of technological equipment through the wide range of field courses available.
UEA has state of art equipment for teaching and research in Geophysics and has the support of a dedicated technician. Moreover, we use sophisticated computational modelling and massive global data sets to study the source process of earthquakes and to image the Earth's deep interior. We also investigate and advice on the phenomena related to seismic and volcanic hazards and risks including earthquake, volcanic and crustal deformation monitoring and numerate analyses of seismic and volcanic hazard, vulnerability and risk.

Detailed Course Facts

• EUR 10560 Year (EEA)
• EUR 17480 Year (Non-EEA)

UK/EU £9,000; International £14,900

• English

Course Content

Example Course Modules

Year 1 compulsory

• Understanding the Dynamic Planet
• Sustainability in Society and Biodiversity in a Changing World
• Earths Chemical Processes and Atmosphere and Oceans
• Global Environmental Challenges
• Numerical Skills for Scientists.

Year 2 optional

• Ocean Circulation
• Meteorology
• Aquatic Ecology
• Environmental Politics and Policy Making
• Hydrology and Hydrogeology.

Year 3 compulsory

• Global Environmental Change
• Research and Field Skills
• Independent Project (BSc only)

Year 3 optional

• Biological Oceanography and Marine Ecology
• Field Course to East Africa
• Earthquake and Volcanic Hazards
• Fossil Fuels.

Year Abroad

At the School of Environmental Sciences, UEA, Norwich we can offer you a once-in-a-lifetime chance to spend a year of your studies abroad.

The year abroad degree programmes are four years in duration. You will spend your first two years at UEA, Norwich. The third year is spent at a university (of your choice) abroad and the fourth and final year is spent back at UEA, Norwich. The overseas placement is subject to satisfactory academic performance during Years 1 and 2. Students on an exchange programme will be expected to pay 15% of their annual tuition fee to UEA during their year abroad and we will pay the overseas university.

The chance to spend a year abroad can be an experience of a lifetime as well as providing you with:

• Travel opportunities
• The opportunity to learn a second language
• The chance to experience different cultures
• The chance to study topics that we cannot provide here at UEA

Students on the European exchange programmes have the option to spend one year of their studies in either France, Spain or Sweden. We currently exchange with the below institutions and these are reviewed regularly. We will do our best to place you at the exchange university of your choice, however if the demand for a particular university exceeds the places available, you will be placed elsewhere. Language training will be provided for you during your second year at UEA, prior to the year in Europe, therefore we do not expect you to obtain a language A-level for admission. We do however ask that all applicants have a GCSE language at Grade B or above (not necessarily French, Spanish or Swedish).

The European universities that students from the School of Environmental Sciences currently visit include:

• Aix-Marseille II University, France
• Josef Fourier University Grenoble, France
• University of Granada, Spain
• Umea University, Sweden
• Uppsala University, Sweden

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6 TOEFL iBT® test : 78

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

Requirements

• A Level: ABB (including A level Mathematics)
• International Baccalaureate: 32 (incl 2 HL grade 6, to include HL Maths)
• Scottish Highers: AABBB (including Maths)
• Scottish Advanced Highers: ABB (including Maths)
• Irish Leaving Certificate: AABBB (including Maths)
• Access Course: See below
• European Baccalaureate: 75% overall (including Maths)

Students for whom English is a Foreign language

We welcome applications from students from all academic backgrounds. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading). Recognised English Language qualifications include:

• IELTS: 6. overall (minimum 5.5 in any component)
• TOEFL: Internet-based score of 78 overall (minimum 20 in Speaking component, 17 in Writing and Listening components and 18 in Reading components.
• PTE: 55 overall (minimum 51 in any component).

If you do not meet the University's entry requirements, our INTO Language Learning Centre offers a range of university preparation courses to help you develop the high level of academic and English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study.

Interviews

The majority of candidates will not be called for an interview. However, for some students an interview will be requested. These are normally quite informal and generally cover topics such as your current studies, reasons for choosing the course and your personal interests and extra-curricular activities.

Gap Year

We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year, believing that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry and may wish to contact the appropriate Admissions Office directly to discuss this further.

Special Entry Requirements

A level Mathematics or equivalent.
General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted.
Students who wish to study at a European university will be required to have achieved a GCSE grade B or above in the language of instruction for the year abroad.

Intakes

The School's annual intake is in September of each year.

Alternative Qualifications

We encourage you to apply if you have alternative qualifications equivalent to our stated entry requirement. Please contact us for further information.
Pass the Access to HE Diploma with Distinction in 36 credits at Level 3 and Merit in 9 credits at Level 3, including 12 Level 3 credits in Maths. GCSE Grade B in an appropriate language.

GCSE Offer

Students are required to have Mathematics and English at minimum of Grade C or above at GCSE Level.
Students who wish to study at a European university will be required to have achieved a GCSE grade B or above in the language of instruction for the year abroad.

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than University of East Anglia.