Strategic Earth Resources

Entry requirements

A 2.1 Honours undergraduate degree in a subject-related area. If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements.

Months of entry

September

Course content

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 mineral 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 mapping techniques and 3D geological modelling, as well as topics in mineral exploration and targeting.

 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.

Highlights

• The course includes over 20 days in the field
• Students also take additional optional topics either in geodynamics, climate science, advanced geochemistry or carbon capture methods.
• Students gain knowledge and experience through; preparing seminars, interacting with invited guest lecturers from industry, industry-driven workshops and 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.

Fees and funding

The University of St Andrews is committed to attracting the very best students, regardless of financial circumstances. Find out more about the scholarships and postgraduate loans available.