Department of Earth Sciences
![Alternative text](/media/durham-university/departments-/earth-sciences/60228.jpg)
About the Department of Earth Sciences
We are living through a time of unprecedented change on Earth. Scientific understanding of geological hazards, sustainability, infrastructure, climate change, energy, and natural resources has never been so important, and Earth Sciences sit at the heart of the debate.
We aspire to help shape the future by providing the highest quality education for our students and by undertaking research that is both intrinsically excellent and relevant to society.
Study with us
Undergraduate study
We place research-led teaching at the centre of our undergraduate programme because we want our undergraduates to be at the forefront of knowledge generation in the 21st century.
Postgraduate study
We aspire to help shape and improve the future by training the next generation of Earth Scientists through provision of high-quality postgraduate training and research opportunities.
Our research
This is how we make an impact on the world around us.
Find out more
Diversity initiatives
Our values are an integral part of our identity and form the basis of almost everything we do.
What's new?
Ancient worm fossil solves mystery of how insects and spiders evolved
A new study led by our Earth Sciences department has uncovered an incredibly rare and detailed fossil, named 'Youti yuanshi', that gives a peek inside one of the earliest ancestors of modern insects, spiders, crabs and centipedes.
![Individual organ systems of fossil 'Youti yuanshi'](/media/durham-university/central-news-and-events-images/news/Fossil-larva-WEB.png)
Cave discoveries on Mars could unveil secrets of alien life
Fully funded studentship for 4 years
Early Career Research Fellowship funding opportunities
IAPETUS2 Doctoral Training Programme
Marie Curie PhD Fellows 2023
Researchers find eruption date of ancient German volcano possibly wrong by 130 years
Durham research has a lasting global impact
We have launched a new Global Research Brochure where we shine a light on some of our incredible researchers who are making a difference in the world.
![A globe with lines showing connections between different parts of the world.](/media/durham-university/central-news-and-events-images/Research-brochure-WEB-STORY-2.png)
Explosive volcanic eruption led to record-breaking underwater flows
Researchers find eruption date of ancient German volcano possibly wrong by 130 years
Ancient worm fossil solves mystery of how insects and spiders evolved
A new study led by our Earth Sciences department has uncovered an incredibly rare and detailed fossil, named 'Youti yuanshi', that gives a peek inside one of the earliest ancestors of modern insects, spiders, crabs and centipedes.
![Individual organ systems of fossil 'Youti yuanshi'](/media/durham-university/central-news-and-events-images/news/Fossil-larva-WEB.png)
National Geothermal Centre to supercharge geothermal energy
Cave discoveries on Mars could unveil secrets of alien life
Durham undergraduates survive sea survival training
Two Durham geophysics undergraduates, have successfully completed a sea survival training course.
![Student wearing sea survival gear in the water](/media/durham-university/departments-/earth-sciences/news/2023/STCW_Mar_23_1.jpeg)
Taught postgraduate courses (MSc degrees)
New opportunity to study climate science
I selected Durham University because it has a high world ranking, and I enjoy the small, quiet atmosphere of the city. The staff, students, and facilities in the Earth Sciences department are of the highest quality.
Get in touch
Contact us to find out more about the exciting things our students do, research breakthroughs, and life at the cutting edge of Earth Science.
Earth Sciences,
Arthur Holmes Building,
Science Site,
South Road,
Durham. DH1 3LE
Tel: +44 (0)191 334 2300
Questions about studying here?
Check out our list of FAQs or submit an enquiry form.
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