Geoscience Research - Msc

at Keele University

The MSc in Geoscience Research is a 180 credit programme that runs full time over one year, or two years part-time and will develop research skills through focusing on a geoscience project of your choice. The programme comprises five modules that run over three semesters, with the main focus of the programme being a research project, undertaken either at Keele University or on placement with either a UK-based partner or a host institution overseas: 

• Research Skills (30 credits)
• Literature Review (15 credits)
• Geology/Geoscience/Geography/Environment Option module or Modern Language module or Academic English for Postgraduate Students* (15 credits)
• Research Project Design and Management (30 credits)
• Dissertation (90 credits)
   

During Semester 1, students focus on generic research skills including science communication and planning the research project through the Research Skills, Literature Review and Research Project Design and Management module. Semesters 2 and 3 are primarily focused on the research project.
 

*International students for whom English is not their first language will take Academic English for Postgraduate Students to further improve their English language skills, either as their 15 credit option module or as an additional module.
 

Core Taught Modules

Research Skills:

The programme starts with a module aimed at developing your research skills. Comprehensive generic research skills will provide you with transferable research skill sets needed to successfully complete the course and provide employability skills in your job or research roles following successful completion of the course. Alongside the taught skills sessions covering research design, critically evaluating literature, ethics and methodologies, students will also begin to learn the techniques needed to carry out their independent research project under guidance from their supervisor.  You will present your research ideas and plans via an oral presentation to the rest of the cohort and teaching team, and the feedback received will be used to improve your assessed research proposal. This will better prepare you to carry out your dissertation project, and also provide you with a deeper understanding of methodologies in, and impact of, your chosen field of research.
 

Being able to work both individually and as part of a team are essential employability skills for driving projects forward in the work place, and sustainability is at the forefront of our global society. Therefore, in this module, you will work in small groups to research a ‘grand challenge’ in your field of research and write a website article/blog. This assessment will develop your skills in project management and communication, along with providing transferable skills of considering the wider implications of your research to society and the environment – key attributes for many jobs in the employment sector.
 

Literature Review:

A successful, well-designed, well-analysed research project stems from an excellent understanding of research in the discipline. In this module, you will develop information literacy and skills in searching for, selecting, and critically evaluating peer-reviewed research literature, relevant to your masters research dissertation and then synthesising this information into a literature review. Regular seminar/tutorial meetings with supervisors will develop confidence in discussing and critiquing issues within your field of interest.
 

Research Design and Management:

This module builds on research training to support you to successfully manage your research and career through reflective practice, skills audits and action plans, and developing peer-reviewed CV and cover letters. Module content is delivered via a combination of taught sessions in semester one, one-to-one fortnightly meetings with the project supervisor(s), independent research and self-learning techniques. You will present your preliminary research project results and receive formative feedback via a poster presentation to the cohort and teaching team.
 

Dissertation:

The cumulation and highlight of the programme is the strong focus on the research project. Using the research skills gained over the duration of the course and its accompanying modules, you communicate the background, methods, results and conclusions of the masters research project in the form of a 20,000-25,000 word dissertation that is structured to easily translate the work into a manuscript fit for peer-reviewed publication. We always encourage you to publish your work where possible and this has generated a number of publications in peer-reviewed, high quality international journals, geoscience magazines and newspaper articles.

ACADEMIC ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Applicants should have an honours degree in Geology, Geoscience, Physical Geography, Environmental Science, or a related discipline, or hold an equivalent qualification. The minimum degree category for entry is 2:2 (or international equivalent). Students who can evidence alternative professional qualifications and/or relevant experience/training will also be considered.
 

Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to view our available projects on our website, then contact and discuss research options with the Keele University staff member listed for the research area/topic of interest before making an official application. In your application documents, state clearly your preferred subject area or specific project, including potential supervisor, and your motivation and background for carrying out a project in a particular area. Please contact us if you would like to discuss options. 
 

Acceptance on the course is subject to having an agreed research project and project supervisor. Places with external partners and at individual host institutions overseas are limited and subject to availability. A placement at a specific host institution (or external partner) is not guaranteed and is allocated on a competitive basis after discussion with the potential host supervisor. A decision on a particular student placement is made at the time of application to the course. In the case that an agreement to host a student cannot be reached with the host institution (or external partner), students may be accepted on the MSc in Geoscience Research programme to carry out a research project in the chosen field at Keele University.
 

Applicants from a country where English is not the first language are required to show evidence of English language competence, either an IELTS score of at least 6.5 (with no subtest lower than 5.5), or by holding a previous degree which has been taught and examined in English, unless the specific entry for the course indicates otherwise.

International - Full time £17,900 per year
 

Our programme includes a Career development workshop and the emphasis on the substantial ‘hands on’ research training with the provision of an international placement option makes this programme unique within the Higher Education Sector in the UK, and will enhance your employability. We believe that our programme structure will help to develop future employees with strong and transferable research skills that are valued both within industry, organisations and academia. 

Past students have progressed to gain employment within the Geography, Geology and Environment sector and so far, 14 of our graduates have continued onto PhD programmes. See examples of what our students have progressed onto doing in our case studies below. We encourage students to publish their work in peer-reviewed journals which enhances employability for career pathways.