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Strategic Earth Resources (MSc) 2023 entry

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.

Application deadline

Thursday 10 August 2023

Applicants should apply as early as possible to be eligible for certain scholarships and for international visa purposes.

“This course is extremely broad – I have learnt about topics with relevance to geotechnical engineering, petroleum geoscience and planetary science, all whilst maintaining an intense focus on ore deposits. There is a wide range of analytical equipment, which gives you more scope in terms of what you can do for your dissertation.”
Shane
- Belfast, Northern Ireland

Entry requirements

The qualifications listed are indicative minimum requirements for entry. Some academic Schools will ask applicants to achieve significantly higher marks than the minimum. Obtaining the listed entry requirements will not guarantee you a place, as the University considers all aspects of every application including, where applicable, the writing sample, personal statement, and supporting documents.

Application requirements

  • CV or résumé 
  • personal statement 
  • two original signed academic references 
  • academic transcripts and degree certificates 

For more guidance, see supporting documents and references for postgraduate taught programmes.

English language proficiency

If English is not your first language, you may need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability.  See approved English language tests and scores for this course.

Course details

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. 

Modules

The modules published below are examples of what has been taught in previous academic years and may be subject to change before you start your programme. For more details of each module, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, please see the module catalogue.

The modules in this programme have varying methods of delivery and assessment. For more details of each module, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, please see the latest module catalogue which is for the 2022 - 2023 academic year; some elements may be subject to change for 2023 entry. 

 

Across the first two semesters, students must take the following compulsory modules: 

  • Applied Digital Field Methods: field-based module that focuses on creating and interpreting surface and underground maps, and on drone-based or other remote sensing exploration technologies.
  • Core to Crust Ore Genesis - High Temperature: focuses on the geological processes, geodynamic setting, and mineralogy of the principal metallic and non-metallic mineral deposits related to magmatic and magmatic-hydrothermal processes. 
  • Core to Crust Ore Genesis - Low Temperature: focuses on the geological processes, geodynamic setting, and mineralogy of the principal metallic and non-metallic mineral deposits related to low-temperature hydrothermal and surficial processes. 
  • Exploration to Estimation: explores the fundamental geochemical and geophysical concepts used by the mineral exploration industry and covers key aspects leading to mineral resource estimation. 
  • Field Excursion: international field course to see major deposit types and mining operations. 
  • Global Resource Challenges: tackles the economic, environmental, societal, geopolitical and ethical issues regarding mining, and future challenges shaping mineral exploration into the mid-21st century. It includes field trips to see the environmental impact of mining.  
  • Statistics and Analytical Sciences: provides students with a strong background in statistics and methods of data analysis used in Earth Sciences. 

Students can choose from one of following optional modules: 

  • Geodynamics: studies the geodynamic evolution of Earth's crust through geological time, the evolution of convergent and divergent margins, and the relationships between tectonics, erosion and climate. The module develops skills of geodynamic interpretation, field observation and use of numerical models. 
  • Special Topics in Climate Science: tackles a variety of topical research subjects in climate science, such as climate sensitivity, past warm climates, external forcing, and geo-engineering. 
  • Advanced Geochemistry: trains students in the advanced techniques and methodologies used to address fundamental and applied questions related to the Earth system and the cycling of natural materials between fluid and solid phases. 
  • Carbon Capture Methods:  will introduce students to concepts about carbon capture, storage and utilisation in concert with reducing atmospheric CO2 to meet government-decreed targeted levels. Skills will include computational and field based methodologies.

The third semester of the MSc course focuses on independent field or laboratory-based research conducted with an academic supervisor. The topic is defined by the student and can be chosen from research foci within the School, or with an external industrial or academic partner. For laboratory-based dissertations, students will have full access to the state-of-the-art analytical facilities available at St Andrews. 

The research project will involve: 

  • project formulation, together with the chosen supervisor 
  • proposal writing and analytical design 
  • oral presentation for feedback on the proposed study 
  • data collection, integration and interpretation 
  • presentation of the project results via a poster conference 
  • a dissertation of not more than 12,000 words, submitted by a date towards the end of August. 

If students choose not to complete the dissertation requirement for the MSc, there is an exit award available that allows suitably qualified candidates to receive a Postgraduate Diploma. By choosing an exit award, you will finish your degree at the end of the second semester of study and receive a PGDip instead of an MSc. 

Teaching

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

The assessment for the taught modules is based on coursework and written examinations.

Events

The School of Earth and Environmental Sciences holds weekly seminars with expert guest speakers from the UK and abroad. Students are invited to attend and to meet the speaker one-on-one.  

Members of the School also typically attend the annual Mineral Deposits Studies Group research-in-progress meeting, as well as the meetings of other specialist groups such as Geochemical Group or the Volcanic and Magmatic Studies Group.

Students can apply for bursaries to attend these conferences, which take place in the UK. 

Fees

Home
Tuition fees have yet to be set.

Overseas
Tuition fees have yet to be set.

More information on tuition fees can be found on the postgraduate fees and funding page.

Funding and scholarships

The University of St Andrews is committed to attracting the very best students, regardless of financial circumstances.

Taught postgraduate scholarships    Postgraduate loans

After your degree

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 as well as a programme of events to assist students in building their employability skills.

Further study

The comprehensive and rigorous MSc course provides relevant preparation for pursuing a career in the mineral industry sector and also prepares students for PhD-level research.

Postgraduate research

What to do next

Online information events

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Postgraduate online visiting days

We encourage all students who are thinking of applying to the University to attend one of our online visiting days.

Contact us

Phone
+44 (0)1334 46 3940
Email
earthsci@st-andrews.ac.uk
Address

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