The University of Birmingham is a public research university located in Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom. It received its royal charter in 1900 as a successor to Queen's College, Birmingham, and Mason Science College, making it the first English civic or 'red brick' university to receive its own royal charter. The University have a long and proud history of firsts, at the University of Birmingham; they were the first – and are now one of the largest - civic universities in the UK.

At Birmingham, the institution teach and research across the full breadth of academic disciplines, creating a vibrant community with multi-disciplinary opportunities for research and education. The University is a truly international community consisting of more than thousands of staff, students, and alumni. The student community is not only one of the largest of any UK university, it is highly diverse, with 82 per cent of home undergraduate students from state schools, 32 per cent from a BAME background, and 35 per cent in the first generation of their family to attend university.

Year 1
The first year provides you with broad training across a wide range of Earth Science and Biology topics. All modules are compulsory. We don’t assume any prior knowledge; any chemistry, physics and maths that you require is taught in the context of individual modules, and applied to the problems that you’re investigating. Residential field trips to Northern Ireland and South West Wales will train you in key skills in geological observation, data recording and interpretation.

Compulsory modules

Earth History and Life
Introduction to Evolution and Animal Biology
Earth Systems
Atoms to Volcanoes
Earth Structures & Tectonics
Geoscience Project
Introductory Field and Research Skills
SW Wales Field Course
Year 2
In Year Two, following the broad introduction provided in Year One, you can start to shape your degree based on your interests by selecting two optional modules from Earth Sciences, Biology or Physical Geography alongside a small number of compulsory modules. Compulsory modules build on the knowledge and understanding gained in the first year to develop specialist skill in key areas required to ensure that your degree meets the accreditation requirements. As part of this you will undertake two UK-based residential field courses, which typically includes SW England. You will cover a wide range of field skills on these trips with a special emphasis on palaeontology.

Compulsory modules

Sedimentology
Field Skills
Resource Geology
Project Planning for Independent Projects
Palaeoecology
Optional modules

Animal Biology: Principles and Mechanisms
Evolution of Humans and Other Animals
Ecological Systems
Genetics 1
Geological Natural Hazards
Hydroclimatology: Climate and Water
Year 3
In Year Three, you will complete a research project (dissertation) that is usually based on a short period of field and/or laboratory work undertaken in the summer between Yrs 2 and 3–this focuses on addressing a scientific research question in Earth Sciences. You will also undertake a unique training in museum and palaeontological field skills which includes a residential international trip typically Utah or South Africa. The remainder of your program is based on three optional modules drawn from either Earth Sciences, Physical Geography and/or Biology allowing you to further specialise and follow your own interests.

Compulsory modules

Earth Sciences Research
Palaeontology Field and Museum Skills
Optional modules

Climate change in the earth system
Palaeoclimates
Evolutionary Palaeobiology
Evolution of Vertebrates
Exploring the energy transition
Conservation Practice: Genes to Ecosystems
Human Evolution
Responses to Global Environmental Change
Biodiversity and Conservation Management
Genetics II
Please note: The modules listed on the website for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. Unless indicated otherwise, the modules listed for this programme are for students starting in 2021. On rare occasions, we may need to make unexpected changes to compulsory modules after that date; in this event we will contact offer holders as soon as possible to inform or consult them as appropriate.

You will need to book the accommodation after you have been accepted.

You can choose to live on campus or off campus in private accommodation.

• Make a booking online after you have been accepted (in this case please let us know your choice when you apply).
• Register when you arrive - its not possible to reserve a room before arriving. You can arrive a few days before and book it