The MSc in Strategic Earth Resources prepares students for the challenges in resource extraction in the 21st century. It tackles not only the geological skills and understanding required for mineral exploration targeting and estimation, but also the economic, environmental, and social aspects of mining: from exploration, extraction to remediation.

Course information

The MSc in Strategic Earth Resources is a one-year postgraduate degree run by the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences. It is designed to prepare students for the challenges in resource exploration in the 21st century, combining core knowledge, fieldwork, short courses, seminars, and a research dissertation.

The course covers the fundamental processes leading to the formation of ore deposits. It provides hands-on training in both the classroom and field in the latest digital and remote sensing mapping techniques and 3D geological modelling. It will additionally cover the economic, environmental, and social (ESG) aspects of mining: from exploration, extraction, to remediation, as well as topics such as critical metals and sustainable mining, the global climate challenge, and energy alternatives such as geothermal. Students also take additional optional topics either in geodynamics, climate science, or advanced geochemistry.

Students gain knowledge and experience through:

• preparing seminars
• interacting with invited guest lecturers from industry
• visiting mine sites.

Knowledge is consolidated through both an industry or research-focused dissertation, and through an international field course.

The MSc is targeted both at new graduates seeking a career in the resources industry or as preparation for an applied PhD, and also at professional exploration geologists with several years industry experience seeking to move into an exploration strategy role.

Teaching format

The MSc in Strategic Earth Resources is a comprehensive course that combines core knowledge, fieldwork, short courses, student-led seminars and a research dissertation.

The MSc degree requires two semesters of full-time (or four semesters part-time) coursework equivalent to a total of eight taught modules, and includes over 20 days in the field. The assessment for the taught modules is based on coursework and written examinations.

The final three months of your course will be focused on independent research which concludes with a 12,000-word field or laboratory-based dissertation.

Careers

Because of the importance of the extractive industries to society, the economy and the environment, economic geologists are employed in:

• mineral, oil, gas and petroleum industries
• engineering, environmental and financial sectors
• geological surveys
• consultancy companies
• academia.

The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students on a taught postgraduate course and offers a programme of events to assist students in building their employability skills.