Which is the best university for environmental science or geology?

Question

I am 18 & a science student,doing my A level now.I am planning to further my study in the UK next year (undergraduate) majoring in environmental science or geology.I have a list of universities in the UK with me but I just don't know which one is the best for me to choose.York,Manchester,Keele,Newcastle,Nottingham,Bristol,Sheffield,Cardiff,Birmingham,Liverpool,Southampton,Lancaster and Imperial College are among the 50 universities in my list.So people! would anyone of you help me out here?Perhaps give me some ideas to choose the best six universities.I prefer universities with great study facilities,great study environment,nice and friendly people.The thing is that,I want to be able to mix around with everyone and not just with students from my country.Only then,I believe,that I could exchange knowledge as well as learn new things.So can anybody help me?

Does Leed really offer that course?

I know Keele University offers Earth System Science but does Oxford?

Answer 1

http://browse.guardian.co.uk/education?SearchBySubject=false&FirstRow=0&SortOrderDirection=&SortOrderColumn=GuardianTeachingScore&Subject=Earth+and+marine+sciences&Tariff=6&Go=Submit

http://browse.guardian.co.uk/education?SearchBySubject=true&FirstRow=0&SortOrderDirection=&SortOrderColumn=&Subject=Geography+and+environmental+studies&Institution=&Tariff=6

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/displayPopup/0,,13416,00.html

http://www.hero.ac.uk/rae/rae_dynamic.cfm?myURL=http://195.194.167.103/Results/byuoa/uoa20.htm

http://www.hero.ac.uk/rae/rae_dynamic.cfm?myURL=http://195.194.167.103/Results/byuoa/uoa20.htm

The first few links are rankings of undergraduate courses in things like Geology, Earth Sciences and Environmental Science. The last two are links to the 2001 research assessment of Earth and Environmental sciences faculties, to give you an idea of the quality of research they're doing.

The best thing to do then is check the institutions that pique your interest on UCAS and then look at online prospectuses to see which ones suit you best.

I'd recommend looking at Manchester, UCL, Leeds, Imperial, Edinburgh, Bristol and either Oxford or Cambridge - you can only apply to one of these two, and unfortunately I think you'll be too late to apply for this year.

If you decide the Oxbridge environment is for you (small colleges, one on one tutorials, very intensive studying) then it's definitely worth waiting a year to apply to them.

All of the places I've mentioned are highly regarded in terms of academics and I've heard generally good things about the social environments there. I generally find that most people are pretty accepting of international students, so if you make the effort to get to know people you should be able to mix with people from all over the world.

All the places I suggested are in cities though (Cambridge is the smallest), so if you prefer a slightly smaller town you might want to consider places like St. Andrews, Royal Holloway or Durham.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Geology is not an environmental science, but is one of the electives to get that degree; in fact, many of the classes needed for a geology degree are electives for it. So, while it may not be the same, it may be enough to get that environmental job, if you are strong in those. Go for it. Even if it isn't quite what they want, it will get your name in there, and they'll have it in mind if something more suitable comes open.

Answer 3

If your really want to do this type of study I reconmend the university of Leeds its is a very good course, you can specialise in environmental science and geology in the same degree or at least you could when I was there, Leeds is a great city too.

Answer 4

earth sciences at oxford