Geology
Jobs where your degree would be useful include:
Geology entry requirements for university
While entry requirements will vary from uni to uni, most ask for a combination of some of the following subjects: maths, geography, biology, chemistry, and physics.
A qualification in geology would of course also be beneficial to your application, but universities and colleges will be aware that not every applicant will have had the opportunity to study it before. In this case, focus on your personal statement, and persuading the admissions team at your chosen uni or college that geology is the subject for you.
A levels – Entry requirements range from BBB to AAA, with the universities and colleges most commonly asking for ABB.
Scottish Highers – Entry requirements for Highers (the most common qualification) range from ABBB to AAABB, with universities or colleges most frequently requiring AABBB. Occasionally, universities ask for Advanced Highers to supplement Highers. If Advanced Highers are requested, universities or colleges typically ask for AAB.
Vocational courses – Other Level 3/Level 6 qualifications (e.g. Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma, or an SCQF Level 6) may be accepted as an alternative to A levels/Highers by some providers. It’s essential that you check alternative entry requirements with universities or colleges.
Career Profile - advice for a career within Geology
My name is Jim Yates, I'm a former Blackpool Sixth Form student who studied Geology, Geography and Ancient History at A-level. I currently work as a geologist for a Canadian mining company.
Career Journey
While I was at Sixth Form I really enjoyed geology and wanted to pursue it at university. The geology tutor at the time (Dr. Sloan) mentioned that some university departments have very strong links to industry, with good employability prospects for graduates. He specifically suggested the Camborne School of Mines in Cornwall and a career in the mining industry. Part of my family come from a mining background, so it's an industry which has always interested me. However, I wasn't completely sure about what I wanted to do at that age. When I applied to Camborne, the process seemed much more formal than I was used to - frankly, it seemed quite a privileged establishment, which in a way, was a little intimidating. I ended up opting for a more generalist degree in Earth Science, which I studied at Keele University in Staffordshire. I enjoyed the course, which allowed me to undertake a lot of fieldwork, including two residential fieldwork placements in Iceland and Italy. After Keele, I decided to pursue a career in the mining industry and I remembered what my old geology tutor had said about Camborne - so I applied for their post graduated Mining Geology degree. After a year there (including a work placement in Namibia), I graduated and started working for a mining consultancy in the outskirts of London as a junior geologist. While I was there, I was responsible for calculating the metal content of various potential ore deposits, as well as processing and interpreting satellite imagery, planning exploration programmes etc. While I enjoyed my work, I hadn't trained as a geologist to sit in an office in the UK, so when I was offered the opportunity to work for an Australian company in Saudi Arabia I leapt at the chance! After several years working in Saudi Arabia, I started working for a Canadian company in Egypt. I now work for a different Canadian company which has operations in South Africa and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, although I am now once again completely office based, nominally in London.
What do you do in your role
In the mining industry geologists are tasked with finding potential mineral deposits and managing the programmes to delineate and assess those deposits prior to exploitation. These geologists are usually known as exploration geologists. Once other professionals have completed more in-depth engineering, metallurgical and financial modelling and the mine is built (or not...), geologists will be employed on the mine site to further refine the geological and reserve models upon which the production schedule is based, as well as numerous other duties (for example, near-mine exploration). Those employed in this role are known as mine geologists. A geology degree will arm you with the minimum amount of knowledge required for both roles, however, mine geology is quite specialised. Other related roles exist, but they are either managerial/leadership based, or specialism based. The former include Exploration Managers, Chief Geologists and Mine Geology Superintendents and the latter include Geophysicists, Geochemists, Resource Geologists, and Database and GIS Geologists. My current role is a GIS Geologist within an Exploration Department and I am responsible for managing the company's exploration data as well as providing GIS and cartographic support.
What is the best part of your role?
One of the main tasks I have is to produce maps for senior management. These maps can be included in company and government reports, presentations, stock market news releases as well as memo's to the CEO and board of directors. I've always enjoyed making maps from a young age, so to do this for a living is great. I enjoy the blend between science and art; a map or similar graphic has to be able to convey information effectively. So I take great satisfaction from producing something which is neat, aesthetically pleasing and delivers a message. In my previous positions I've worked as an Exploration Geologist, which is field- or site-based. Either out in the middle of nowhere on an exploration camp, or doing mine-based exploration. Both are great fun, with a particular set of challenges. The main tasks involved in these positions are designing and managing drill programmes; in order to test the underground potential of a mineral deposit, we use drill rigs to extract a cylinder of rock from the ground. This cyclinder is usually about 3" or so in diameter and is extracted in sequential ~3 metre "runs". By coring into the Earth this way it is possible to generate an understanding of the subsurface. Once you split, crush, pulverise and analyse the retrieved rock core, you are provided with a robust chemical profile - by doing this we can determine just how much metal is underground. So drilling is the best part of any geologists job, because it provides them with the opportunity to better understand the geology; it allows them to test their hypothesis about potential mineralisation. Since they are the ones who manage the drill rig, they are also the first to know whether the company has hit mineralisation - there is nothing like seeing core retrieved from the ground and seeing gold (or copper, zinc, lead etc.)!
What is the hardest part of your role?
My current role is pretty relaxed since it is completely office based. However, as a both an exploration and mine geologist you have to work long hours. The standard shift is 12 hours. Since the UK's mining industry is very small, most British mine and exploration geologists work abroad on "Fly-in Fly-out" rosters. You work a set amount of weeks in a row, then have a set number of weeks off. A common ratio might be 6 weeks on, non-stop, then 2 weeks off. But this depends on the company and country; I have friends who have worked up to 12 weeks in a row, while only having 2 weeks off, others may only do 4 weeks on 2 weeks off. Many geologists emigrate to countries like Australia or Canada, where working conditions are better. In Australia FIFO rosters are typically 9 days on 5 days off. Working away from friends and family for extended periods can be difficult as well as placing strain on relationships. Thankfully, even in remote places, field camps typically have internet connection to allow video calls with loved ones. In addition, many mines are in remote parts of the world where the climatic conditions can be tough. Geologists in Canada might work on a drill rig in artic conditions whereas those in the Sahara will be working in extreme heat (43-45° C). Working underground as a mine geologist can also be physically demanding; the heat and humidity underground saps strength. Some people don't like this, but others take great satisfaction from doing a good job in challenging conditions.
How can I gain a career in this role?
To work as a geologist in the mining industry you will first need to complete a geology degree. This will provide you with the fundamental knowledge needed. It is becoming increasingly common to opt for a post graduate degree (MSc) in either mining geology or exploration geology. Several institutions in the UK offer these degrees, but Camborne has the best reputation in the country and is known globally as a decent mining school. While doing your undergraduate degree, it is imperative to work during the summers in order to gain experience. This will greatly enhance your employability prospects. You can either apply directly to companies such as Rio Tinto, Anglo American and BHP, all of whom offer summer studentships as well as graduate schemes, or apply for a working holiday visa in somewhere like Australia and then apply direction to other mining companies.
If you decide to go for a career in mining, it is important to be focussed and plan ahead - simply getting a degree is not enough these days. If you are interested in a career in mining, then Camborne School of Mines offers numerous specialist degrees. Before you do this, however, you should carefully think about what you want to achieve. If you would prefer to stay in the UK, you may want to look at a more generalist degree; most of my peers in the mining industry have left for places like Australia. On the other hand, if you are desperate for foreign travel and want to emigrate to somewhere like Australia or Canada, then a degree in mining will take you there. On top of that remuneration in the industry is excellent; graduates in the mining industry in Australia earn a minimum of ~$60k AUD - many can expect to earn more than this. Senior and leadership positions enjoy multiples of this. Ultimately this line of work isn't for everyone. It's tough, mentally and physically demanding, draining, stressful and inherently dangerous; but it is incredibly rewarding.