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Department of Earth Sciences

Providing education, research, and knowledge to help shape a sustainable future for Earth and its inhabitants.
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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. 

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7th in the Guardian University Guide 2024
Joint 7th in the UK for world-leading research impact (REF 2014)
8th The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023
World Top 50 QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023

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.

    Man reading while overlooking sea

  • 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. 

    Woman sat on rocks

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.

Man reading while overlooking sea

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. 

Woman sat on rocks

Our research

This is how we make an impact on the world around us.

We are a vibrant and collaborative community of 50 academic and postdoctoral staff, and 70 postgraduate research students (PhD and MScR). We conduct and disseminate rigorous research that deepens our understanding of the Earth and environment, and that transforms and enhances practices and outcomes in academia, in industry, and amongst practitioners.

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Diversity initiatives

Our values are an integral part of our identity and form the basis of almost everything we do.

Earth Sciences aims to support equality, diversity and inclusion across the department, encompassing all aspects of inequality. We consider inclusiveness to be fundamental to a supportive, progressive and successful Department. We aim for the Department to be a pleasant and supportive work and study environment for all, respecting the dignity of staff and students, regardless of their gender, gender identity, race, or disability.
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What's new?

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Climate change is hampering River Thames clean-up efforts

Global warming is making it harder to clean up the iconic River Thames in the UK, according to a new study involving scientists from Durham University.

Research news
Small boats going along the River Thames in the UK.

Two Durham geologists earn lifetime achievement awards 

The Geological Society of London has recognised Professor David Selby and Dr Richard Brown for their contributions to the field of earth science.
Research news
Two Durham geologists in the field

Royal Astronomical Society honours Durham scientists

Two Durham scientists whose work helps us to understand the Universe and our own planet are being recognised by one of the UK’s leading learned societies.
Research news
Head and shoulder pictures of Dr Andrew Valentine (left) and Emeritus Professor Ian Smail (right). Both men have beards and glasses and are looking directly at the camera.

Durham scientist onboard drilling ship investigating major Japanese earthquake

A Durham scientist is part of an international research team drilling into the seabed off the east coast of Japan to learn more about the 2011 Tohoku great earthquake.
Global research
The deck of a large ship at sunset

Professor Claire Horwell wins prestigious American Geophysical Union Award

Professor Claire Horwell from our top-rated Earth Sciences department has been honoured with the American Geophysical Union's (AGU) 2024 GeoHealth Section Award, recognising her groundbreaking work at the intersection of geosciences and public health.
Research news
PROF CLAIRE HORWELL

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.
Research news
Individual organ systems of fossil 'Youti yuanshi'

Cave discoveries on Mars could unveil secrets of alien life

Our scientists have identified dozens of potential cave entrances on the surface of Mars using cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) techniques.
Research news
NASA spacecraft nearing planet Mars
More news items

Durham scientist onboard drilling ship investigating major Japanese earthquake

A Durham scientist is part of an international research team drilling into the seabed off the east coast of Japan to learn more about the 2011 Tohoku great earthquake.

The deck of a large ship at sunset

Leading the world in interdisciplinary research

We have been ranked third in the UK for interdisciplinary science research.
Person wearing protective facemask welding, with bright blue flame visible

Working with UNICEF to protect children’s health globally

We’ve joined UNICEF’s Children’s Environmental Health Collaborative (CEHC) to help protect children from the harmful consequences of air pollution on a global scale.
A road scene showing buses, cars and scooters emitting pollution

Climate change is hampering River Thames clean-up efforts

Global warming is making it harder to clean up the iconic River Thames in the UK, according to a new study involving scientists from Durham University.

Small boats going along the River Thames in the UK.

Two Durham geologists earn lifetime achievement awards 

The Geological Society of London has recognised Professor David Selby and Dr Richard Brown for their contributions to the field of earth science.
Two Durham geologists in the field

Royal Astronomical Society honours Durham scientists

Two Durham scientists whose work helps us to understand the Universe and our own planet are being recognised by one of the UK’s leading learned societies.
Head and shoulder pictures of Dr Andrew Valentine (left) and Emeritus Professor Ian Smail (right). Both men have beards and glasses and are looking directly at the camera.

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

Taught postgraduate courses (MSc degrees)

The Department is now offering and participates in 2 taught postgraduate degree programmes:
Satellite image with nodes and edges

New opportunity to study climate science

We are excited to announce the launch of our new 3 year Climate Science degree course!
New Climate Science Course at Durham Earth Sciences
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.
Jaafar H. Jotheri
PhD in Palaeoclimate - from Babylon, Iraq

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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