GeoSciences (Individual Project) MScR Level: Postgraduate research Subject: Earth, Environmental and Ecological Sciences Year of entry: 2026 Study options Part-time MScR | 2 years | Start date: multiple dates Full-time MScR | 1 year | Start date: multiple dates Key facts School School of GeoSciences College College of Science and Engineering PhD by Distance Not available School location Multiple campuses Apply now 19 to 21 November 2025: Postgraduate Virtual Open Days Join us live to explore postgraduate taught and research study at Edinburgh and gain key insights before you apply. Register now Overview About the degree programme This Masters by Research programme offers you a unique opportunity to conduct research on fields related to Geosciences, including:human and physical geographyatmospheric and environmental sciencegeologygeophysicsDesigned to provide a structured research training pathway, it will allow you to explore your chosen field, potentially paving the way for further study.During this 12-month programme, you will engage with and focus on your research topic, and your work will be assessed on the basis of your final dissertation.You will start working with your supervisory team on your dissertation right from the start of your programme. The programme does not include compulsory taught components. However, after consultation with your supervisor, you may audit courses. There are also multiple opportunities to participate in interdisciplinary training and workshops.This flexible and supportive environment is ideal for developing innovative research and establishing valuable connections. Applying How to apply Please see our step-by-step guide to applying for a research degree in the School of GeoSciences. Applications that do not follow application guidelines will be placed on hold and eventually rejected as incomplete.Application process Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:How to apply When to apply We encourage you to apply at least one month prior to entry so that we have enough time to process your application. If you are also applying for funding or will need to complete immigration processes in order to be able to study with us, then we strongly recommend you apply as early as possible. Application fee There is no fee to apply to this programme. What you need to apply As part of your online application, you will need to provide supporting information and documents, such as the following:a CVa research proposalname of supervisor (if known)copies of your degree certificates and academic transcripts that confirm your current or final marksevidence you meet the English language requirements (where applicable)certified translations if your original documents are not in EnglishWhen you start your application, you will be able to see the full list of documents you need to provide. ReferencesYou must submit two references with your application. Apply Select the award, duration and delivery mode you want to study. Then select the start date you want to apply for. Select programme - Select a programme -MScR GeoSciences (Individual Project) (2 years)MScR GeoSciences (Individual Project) (1 year) Funding, fees and costs Funding Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:borrowing moneytaking out a loanfamily supportpersonal savingsincome from workemployer sponsorshipscholarshipsExplore sources of funding for postgraduate study Search for other funding opportunities You can find scholarships, bursaries and other funding you might be eligible for on our Scholarships and Student Funding site.Postgraduate funding opportunities Tuition fees Tuition fees by award and duration Tuition fees for full-time and part-time options are listed for one academic year. Part-time MScR GeoSciences (Individual Project) (2 years) tuition fees Full-time MScR GeoSciences (Individual Project) (1 year) tuition fees Graduate discount If you are a University of Edinburgh graduate, you will be eligible for a 10% discount on your tuition fees for this programme. You may also be eligible if you were a visiting undergraduate student.Find out how to receive your graduate discount Costs Additional programme costs This programme has a minimum additional cost of £1,000 per year (for full-time students).This is to support your research, by covering costs that are directly related to your project.Examples of such costs include:fieldworkconference attendancepurchase of small items of equipmentbookssubscriptionsFurther research costs may be required, depending on your project requirements. Accommodation and living costs You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.We estimate that you might spend £1,167 to £2,330 per month if you are a single student.Living costs include:foodutility billstravel, clothes, books and stationeryrecreational costs (for example, TV subscriptions and social events)Living costsAccommodation costs depend on where you live while studying and the type of accommodation you choose.University postgraduate accommodation options and costs Entry requirements These entry requirements are for the 2026-27 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2027-28 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2026. Qualifications A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in a related subject. We may also consider your application if you have other qualifications or experience; please contact us to check before you apply. International qualifications To find international equivalent qualifications, select where you studied from the country or region list. Where you studied - Select a country or region -AfghanistanAlbaniaAngolaArgentinaArmeniaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBoliviaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBrazilBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaChileChinaColombiaCosta RicaCôte d'IvoireCroatiaCubaCyprusCzech RepublicDemocratic Republic of CongoDenmarkDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEritreaEstoniaEswatiniEthiopiaFinlandFranceGabonThe GambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGreeceGuatemalaGuineaHaitiHondurasHong Kong-SAR ChinaHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJordanKazakhstanKenyaKorea, Republic ofKuwaitLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLithuaniaLuxembourgMacau-SAR ChinaMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMauritiusMexicoMoldovaMongoliaMontenegroMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNepalNetherlands, TheNew ZealandNicaraguaNigeriaNorth MacedoniaNorwayOmanPacific IslandsPakistanPalestinian TerritoriesPanamaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPolandPortugalQatarRomaniaRussiaRwandaSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSierra LeoneSingaporeSlovakiaSloveniaSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSudanSwedenSwitzerlandSyriaTajikistanTaiwanTanzaniaThailandTogoTrinidad and TobagoTurkeyTurkmenistanUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited States of AmericaUruguayUzbekistanVenezuelaVietnamWest Indies and CaribbeanZambiaZimbabweMy country or region is not listed English language requirements You must prove that your English language abilities are at a high enough level to study this degree programme.This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals.You can meet our English language requirements with one of the following:an English language testa degree that was taught and assessed in Englishcertain professional qualifications English language tests we accept We accept any of the following English language tests, at the specified grade or higher: IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements. TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements. C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 169 in each component. Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components. Oxford ELLT: total 7 with at least 6 in each component. Oxford Test of English Advanced: total 145 with at least 135 in each component. How old your English language tests can be Tests no more than two years oldThe following English language tests must be no more than two years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality:IELTS AcademicTOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition)Trinity ISEOxford ELLTOxford Test of English AdvancedTests no more than three and a half years oldAll other English language tests must be no more than three and a half years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality. Degrees taught and assessed in English We accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English-speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration.UKVI list of majority English speaking countriesWe also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English-speaking countries (non-MESC).Approved universities in non-MESCHow old your degree can beIf you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts.This time limit does not apply to your degree if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country. Find out more about our English language requirements Find out about other English language qualifications we accept, including professional qualifications.English language requirements Programme details Research profile The programme is associated with the largest Geosciences research group in the UK, comprising around 370 academics and researchers. Our research excellence is endorsed by recent assessments, with a significant portion rated as world-leading and internationally excellent.Research institutesAll research students are affiliated with one research institute, which provides a forum for the development of ideas, collaboration, and dissemination of results. It also provides an environment for training, development and mentoring of research students and early-career researchers.Each research institute has a very active seminar series drawing distinguished external guests as well as internal speakers, and you will be encouraged to attend and participate.Read more about our research Programme structure This Masters by Research programme is an opportunity to carry out independent research in any of the following major branches of Geosciences:atmospheric scienceclimate changeecological sciencesenvironmental geochemistryenvironmental geoscienceenvironmental sustainabilityexploration geophysicsgeoinformaticsgeologygeophysicsglaciologyhuman geographymeteorologyoceanographypalaeoclimatologypetroleum geologyphysical geographyremote sensingThe programme aims to provide a structured approach to basic research training, allowing you to explore an area of research that may be subsequently developed into a PhD. You may also have the opportunity to develop links with research projects at national and international levels.The programme allows you to work on research throughout the year, with your work being assessed solely on your final dissertation. The degree will be awarded based on the outcome of the examination of your dissertation. Taught courses You can take taught courses by arrangement with your supervisor, but none are required.Courses can be audited from any postgraduate courses offered by the School of GeoSciences. It may be possible to undertake courses offered in other schools, after discussion with your supervisor. Support As a postgraduate research student at Edinburgh, you have access to an exceptionally wide range of training courses offered by the many interdisciplinary researchers across the School of GeoSciences, and more broadly across the University.You will receive guidance both from your supervisory team and the postgraduate research office on appropriate training specific to your research needs and requirements. Additionally, an academic adviser, separate from your direct supervisory team, is always available to help support you and track your progress and welfare throughout your research degree.Professional development opportunitiesMultiple professional development opportunities are available to you throughout your studies to develop your transferable skills, including:communicating ideas to the public, such as the 3-Minute Thesis competition, and the annual Postgraduate Research Conferenceproject managementteaching on the School’s undergraduate programmes in Earth Sciences, Ecological and Environmental Sciences, and GeographyTraining offered by the Institute for Academic Development (IAD) Facilities Facilities are an essential asset for our research and teaching. GeoSciences has a full range of laboratory, field and workshop facilities, all of which are available to postgraduate students. These include facilities for sample preparation and mineralogical, physical and inorganic and organic chemical analysis of:rocksoilplantwatergaseous samplesNational facilitiesThe School hosts and manages a number of national facilities on behalf of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC):Ion Microprobe FacilityGeophysical Equipment FacilityField Spectroscopy FacilityOur facilities' technical and research staff provide training to help you identify the most relevant methods for your research projects or develop new techniques.InstrumentsThe SEM, electron probe micro-analyser and secondary ion mass spectrometry instruments enable imaging, chemical and isotopic analysis of solid materials to 1 micron resolution.Our X-ray µCT instrument enables 3D and 4D imaging of natural materials and experiments.The Cosmogenic Nuclide Facility enables isotopic analysis of rocks and sediments to understand landscape evolution.Our Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry and Laser Ablation facility enables high precision elemental and simultaneous isotope ion analyses for a wide range of liquid and solid materials. Results from this may be coupled with those from the Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry facility to understand oceanic and biogeochemical responses to past and current climate change.UK Biochar Research Centre (UKBRC)GeoSciences also hosts the UK Biochar Research Centre (UKBRC) laboratory and pyrolysis facilities, which produce the 'UKBRC Standard Biochars', a set of research-grade biochars now used by over 100 research groups worldwide.Airborne Research and InnovationIn addition to ground-based field instrumentation and our boat for work in rivers, lakes and coasts, Airborne Research and Innovation boasts an Eco Diamond HK36 small aircraft and UAVs supporting research in:ecologyatmospheric chemistrymicrometeorologyforest studiesgeomorphologyagricultural sciencearchaeologypalaeontologyComputing facilitiesComputing-intensive research in geographic information systems (GIS), meteorological and climate modelling, geophysics, and analysis of space and satellite data is supported by access to our in-house GIS suite and software licences, and the Edinburgh Computer and Data Facility parallel computing and DataStore facilities. Specialist training for research staff and students in using these facilities and in High Performance Computing is provided by Information Services and the Edinburgh Parallel Computing Centre.National and international facilitiesComplementing our in-house facilities, GeoSciences research students and staff have access to national and international supercomputing, laboratory, experimental and field facilities. We are regular visitors to X-ray synchrotron facilities in Europe and the USA for research on many themes.Finally, and as you might expect, one of our most important facilities is planet Earth itself. Our students and staff use field stations and facilities worldwide for research projects in the Antarctic, Arctic and tropics, on research ships in the world’s oceans, through aircraft sampling the atmosphere and via remote sensing data from satellites. Careers Careers Service Our Careers Service can help you to fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals. The Careers Service supports you not only while you are studying at the University, but also for up to two years after you finish your studies. With the Careers Service, you can: access digital resources to help you understand your skills and strengthstry different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you developget help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobsattend careers events and practice interviewsget information and advice to help you make informed decisions Visit the Careers Service website Life at Edinburgh Accommodation We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single postgraduate taught students from outside the UK and new, single postgraduate research (typically PhD) students who:apply for accommodation by 31 July in the year when you start your programmeaccept an unconditional firm offer to study at the University by 31 Julystudy at the University for the whole of the academic year starting in SeptemberUniversity accommodation websiteAccommodation guarantee criteriaWe also offer accommodation options for couples and families.Accommodation for couples and familiesIf you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place Societies and clubs Our societies and sports clubs will help you develop your interests, meet like-minded people, find a new hobby or simply socialise.SocietiesSport Clubs The city of Edinburgh Scotland's inspiring capital will form the background to your studies — a city with an irresistible blend of history, natural beauty and modern city life. Find out more about living in Edinburgh Exercise, leisure and support facilities Outside of your studies, we offer a range of facilities that you might find useful day-to-day, including:sport and exercise facilitiesUniversity cafes and cateringEdinburgh University Students' Association (EUSA) venues and shopsa multi-faith chaplaincy for all faiths and nonea University nursery (based at King’s Buildings campus) Health and wellbeing support You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.The support services we offer include: a student counselling service a health centre (doctor's surgery) support if you're living in University accommodation dedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustmentsHealth and wellbeing support services Disability and Learning Support Contact General enquiries Postgraduate Research OfficeSchool of GeoSciencesGrant InstituteThe King's Buildings CampusEdinburghEH9 3JW pgrsupport.geos@ed.ac.uk Phone:+44 (0)131 650 5854
