Postgraduate study

GeoSciences (Individual Project) MScR

Awards: MScR

Study modes: Full-time, Part-time

Funding opportunities

This masters by research programme is an opportunity to carry out a substantial piece of research in any of the following major branches of geosciences:

  • Atmospheric Science
  • Climate Change
  • Ecological Sciences
  • Environmental Geochemistry
  • Environmental Geoscience
  • Environmental Sustainability
  • Exploration Geophysics
  • Geoinformatics
  • Geology
  • Geophysics
  • Glaciology
  • Human Geography
  • Meteorology
  • Oceanography
  • Palaeoclimatology
  • Petroleum Geology
  • Physical Geography
  • Remote Sensing

Research training

The programme aims to provide a structured approach to basic research training, allowing you to explore an area of research that may be subsequently developed into a PhD. You may also have the opportunity to develop links with research projects at national and international levels.

Research reputation

The School has the largest geoscience research group in the UK, with about 370 academics and researchers. The ambition and quality of our research was reflected in the latest Research Assessment Exercise, where 66% of our research was rated within the top two categories: world-leading and internationally excellent.

Research institutes

All research students are affiliated to one research institute, which provides a forum for the development of ideas, collaboration, and dissemination of results, and an environment for training, development and mentoring of research students and early-career researchers. Our research institutes each have a very active seminar series drawing distinguished external guests as well as internal speakers, and you will be encouraged to attend and participate.

The programme allows you to work on research throughout the year, with your work being judged solely on your final dissertation. You can follow taught courses by arrangement with your supervisor, but none are required.

The degree will be awarded based on the assessment of the dissertation.

Courses can be audited from any postgraduate courses offered by the School of GeoSciences. It may be possible, after discussion with your supervisor, to undertake courses offered in other schools.

As a research student affiliated to a research institute, you will benefit from an excellent peer-supported network.

As a grouping of researchers with related interests, the institute provides a forum for development of ideas, collaboration, and dissemination of results, and an environment for training, development and mentoring of research students and early career researchers.

These entry requirements are for the 2023/24 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2024/25 academic year will be published on 2 October 2023.

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in a related subject.

We may also consider your application if you have other qualifications or experience; please contact us to check before you apply.

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

English language requirements

You must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies, regardless of your nationality or country of residence.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

  • IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component.
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
  • C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 169 in each component.
  • Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
  • PTE Academic: total 62 with at least 59 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than three and a half years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about our language requirements:

Additional programme costs

Additional programme costs (APCs) will depend on the research costs associated with your chosen project and will depend on the study mode (full-time or part-time).

Students on this programme should typically expect to pay £1000 a year.

Tuition fees

AwardTitleDurationStudy mode
MScRGeoSciences (Individual Project)1 YearFull-timeTuition fees
MScRGeoSciences (Individual Project)2 YearsPart-timeTuition fees

UK government postgraduate loans

If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments.

The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:

  • your programme
  • the duration of your studies
  • your tuition fee status

Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

  • School of GeoSciences
  • Grant Institute
  • West Mains Road
  • The King's Buildings Campus
  • Edinburgh
  • EH9 3JW

We encourage you to apply at least one month prior to entry so that we have enough time to process your application. If you are also applying for funding or will require a visa then we strongly recommend you apply as early as possible.

You must submit two references with your application.

Please see our step-by-step guide to applying for a PhD in the School of GeoSciences:

Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:

Further information

  • School of GeoSciences
  • Grant Institute
  • West Mains Road
  • The King's Buildings Campus
  • Edinburgh
  • EH9 3JW