PGDip The Geology of Northern England (online)

From the spectacular igneous geology of the Lake District World Heritage Site and Northumberland National Park to the Yorkshire Jurassic ‘Dinosaur Coast’ and the mineral wealth of the Pennines, the North has an incredible geological history spanning almost 500 million years.

Concentrating mainly upon the geological evolution of northern England, you will analyse and interpret key geological features and concepts to integrate regional knowledge into the interpretation of larger scale Earth processes and structures. You will assess the region’s importance in current and historical Earth science controversies and study human interactions with the rocks and landscapes of northern England from the Stone Age to the present day.

Although the focus is on northern England, the programme also examines elements of other significant areas of UK geology where relevant, for example the Chalk Group of Southern England; the North Sea Oil and Gas Province. You’ll also have the opportunity to focus your own reading and research on your home region or other areas of the UK or world.

The programme also covers topical aspects of geology on both a national and international scale; for example the sudden global warming and extinction event that resulted in the Palaeocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM).

Undertaking this multidisciplinary course will equip you with a breadth of transferable skills including advanced research, science communication and palaeoenvironmental analysis.

Course content

This Postgraduate Diploma is a part-time programme taught over two years. Throughout the course, you will explore the geological history and scientific importance of northern England and its global significance in the development of the Earth sciences from the Stone Age to the present day.

Careers and skills

Whether you're looking to pursue a geological career, support current employment, or evidence continuous professional development, this course offers a strong foundation for any vocational or geological/non-geological career path.

The programme has a strong emphasis on the development of research, analytical, writing and science communication skills. As a result, you will acquire and reinforce the key attributes required of an accomplished geologist. You’ll also obtain the scholarly foundation with which to progress to further education in geology or a related subject area at Masters or PhD level.

Outside industrial and academic environments, you will have the opportunity to explore your personal geological interests.