Geology university rankings 2027
University of Exeter is the best university for geology in 2027, ahead of Durham University and University of Bristol. We ranked 21 universities on teaching, support, graduate pay and what it is like to live there.
- 1University of Exeter, 91 points. 100% teaching and 100% academic support.
- 2Durham University, 87 points. £33,000 graduate pay and 98% academic support.
- =3University of Bristol, 70 points. £30,000 graduate pay and 92% teaching.
The full ranking
Showing the top 10 of 21.
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Teaching quality100%1st of 21Academic support100%1st of 21Student satisfaction79%4th of 21Graduate pay£30,0003rd of 21Cost of living675th of 21City safety66.77th of 21Social life789th of 21Sustainability61.24th of 21
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Teaching quality96%5th of 21Academic support98%3rd of 21Student satisfaction78%6th of 21Graduate pay£33,0002nd of 21Cost of living663rd of 21City safety78.04th of 21Social life789th of 21Sustainability57.98th of 21
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Teaching quality92%12th of 21Academic support92%13th of 21Student satisfaction73%15th of 21Graduate pay£30,0003rd of 21Cost of living7315th of 21City safety57.012th of 21Social life833rd of 21Sustainability62.82nd of 21
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Teaching quality93%9th of 21Academic support93%11th of 21Student satisfaction75%10th of 21Graduate pay£27,00015th of 21Cost of living675th of 21City safety59.111th of 21Social life7713th of 21Sustainability63.31st of 21
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Teaching quality90%16th of 21Academic support90%15th of 21Student satisfaction83%2nd of 21Graduate pay£26,50017th of 21Cost of living621st of 21City safety100.01st of 21Social life7119th of 21Sustainability53.811th of 21
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Teaching quality95%7th of 21Academic support90%15th of 21Student satisfaction79%4th of 21Graduate pay£28,0009th of 21Cost of living675th of 21City safety73.95th of 21Social life798th of 21Sustainability51.813th of 21
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Teaching quality95%7th of 21Academic support93%11th of 21Student satisfaction71%18th of 21Graduate pay£27,50012th of 21Cost of living663rd of 21City safety60.310th of 21Social life833rd of 21Sustainability58.07th of 21
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Teaching quality93%9th of 21Academic support100%1st of 21Student satisfaction71%18th of 21Graduate pay£27,50012th of 21Cost of living688th of 21City safety51.516th of 21Social life841st of 21Sustainability60.45th of 21
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Teaching quality97%4th of 21Academic support94%9th of 21Student satisfaction84%1st of 21Graduate pay£28,0009th of 21Cost of living688th of 21City safety79.43rd of 21Social life7415th of 21Sustainability28.421st of 21
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Teaching quality92%12th of 21Academic support96%4th of 21Student satisfaction76%7th of 21Graduate pay£30,0003rd of 21Cost of living8019th of 21City safety63.09th of 21Social life7020th of 21Sustainability59.86th of 21
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Teaching quality96%5th of 21Academic support96%4th of 21Student satisfaction74%12th of 21Graduate pay£27,50012th of 21Cost of living7417th of 21City safety100.01st of 21Social life7415th of 21Sustainability50.314th of 21
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Teaching quality92%12th of 21Academic support96%4th of 21Student satisfaction81%3rd of 21Graduate pay£25,00021st of 21Cost of living642nd of 21City safety51.217th of 21Social life7415th of 21Sustainability55.59th of 21
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Teaching quality98%3rd of 21Academic support96%4th of 21Student satisfaction76%7th of 21Graduate pay£27,00015th of 21Cost of living7315th of 21City safety63.38th of 21Social life7415th of 21Sustainability45.319th of 21
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Teaching quality75%20th of 21Academic support76%20th of 21Student satisfaction74%12th of 21Graduate pay£28,0009th of 21Cost of living688th of 21City safety54.913th of 21Social life841st of 21Sustainability55.410th of 21
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Teaching quality99%2nd of 21Academic support90%15th of 21Student satisfaction73%15th of 21Graduate pay£26,50017th of 21Cost of living688th of 21City safety53.615th of 21Social life7713th of 21Sustainability50.215th of 21
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Teaching quality88%17th of 21Academic support88%18th of 21Student satisfaction74%12th of 21Graduate pay£29,5006th of 21Cost of living7518th of 21City safety69.56th of 21Social life817th of 21Sustainability43.220th of 21
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Teaching quality91%15th of 21Academic support91%14th of 21Student satisfaction76%7th of 21Graduate pay£29,5006th of 21Cost of living6912th of 21City safety46.718th of 21Social life789th of 21Sustainability47.517th of 21
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Teaching quality93%9th of 21Academic support95%8th of 21Student satisfaction72%17th of 21Graduate pay£25,50020th of 21Cost of living7014th of 21City safety36.121st of 21Social life825th of 21Sustainability48.516th of 21
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Teaching quality88%17th of 21Academic support88%18th of 21Student satisfaction68%20th of 21Graduate pay£29,0008th of 21Cost of living9120th of 21City safety44.419th of 21Social life789th of 21Sustainability61.63rd of 21
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Teaching quality75%20th of 21Academic support73%21st of 21Student satisfaction75%10th of 21Graduate pay£26,00019th of 21Cost of living6912th of 21City safety54.814th of 21Social life825th of 21Sustainability45.718th of 21
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Teaching quality88%17th of 21Academic support94%9th of 21Student satisfaction66%21st of 21Graduate pay£38,0001st of 21Cost of living9120th of 21City safety44.419th of 21Social life7020th of 21Sustainability53.112th of 21
What the ranking shows
- University of Exeter leads by 4 points. Its strongest results are 100% teaching and 100% academic support.
- The best-paid graduates are not at the top. Imperial College London has the highest graduate pay at £38,000, but ranks 15th.
- Two universities score 100% for academic support, including University of Exeter in the top three.
- Ormskirk is the cheapest place to live, with a cost-of-living index of 62. London scores 91.
How the ranking works
We rank each university on eight measures: teaching quality, academic support, student satisfaction, graduate pay, cost of living, city safety, social life and sustainability. The ranks are added together and the highest total ranks first. Lower living costs count as better, and universities with the same total share a place. Read the full methodology.
Four things to check before you apply
- Geological Society accreditation. The Geological Society of London accredits geoscience degree programmes. Accreditation is given per programme, so check the exact course title is accredited.
- Fieldwork. Field trips are a big part of most geology degrees. Check where they go, how long they last and any extra costs.
- Entry requirements. Most courses want two sciences or maths, often including chemistry. Geology A-level is not usually needed. Check accepted subjects on the course page.
- Master's or placement options. Some universities offer a four-year integrated master's or a year in industry. Check whether you can switch between routes after you start.
Questions students ask
Which is the best university for geology in the UK?
University of Exeter ranks first in our 2027 geology ranking with a score of 91, ahead of Durham University (87) and University of Bristol (70).
What A-levels do you need for geology?
Most geology degrees ask for two science or maths subjects, commonly chemistry, maths, physics or biology. Some accept geography as one of them. Geology A-level is welcome but rarely required.
What jobs can you get with a geology degree?
Graduates work as engineering geologists, hydrogeologists, environmental consultants, mining and energy geoscientists, and in geological surveys. Skills in data, mapping and analysis also transfer to other careers.
Why does Geological Society accreditation matter?
An accredited programme gives training directly relevant to later becoming a Chartered Geologist (CGeol). Chartered status comes after graduating, through professional experience.
What is the difference between geology and geography?
Geology studies the Earth's rocks, minerals, structure and history. Geography covers landscapes, environments and people. Physical geography overlaps with geology, but geology goes deeper into earth science.
Related rankings
Sources: The Geological Society of London and the Graduate Outcomes survey. Graduate pay is measured about 15 months after finishing.
