Master's Degree Programme
| About the programme Language: English (See language requirements) | Place of study: Aarhus | Commencement: August / September |
The Master's degree programme (MSc) in Geoscience allows you to expand your knowledge from the Bachelor's degree programme (BSc) in Geoscience and offers a unique opportunity to combine the best of geology and geophysics.
This programme is for those interested in the Earth's structure (chemical and physical), water resources, geothermal energy, climate development over time, and CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage). Beyond the academic aspects, the programme emphasises developing sustainable solutions for the modern society's resource needs, such as clean drinking water and sustainable energy and mineral supply. You can therefore combine geology, geophysics, physics, and chemistry at an advanced level in a socially relevant programme.
The MSc in Geoscience is research-based, highly flexible, and integrates geophysical and geological methods and knowledge. This allows you to explore your own interests both in the laboratory and in the field.
Specialisations are offered in areas such as Water (groundwater), Climate, Petrology, Sedimentology, Basin, Quaternary Geology, Geophysical Methods and Modelling.
Find more information about the specialisations on the department's website.
Geology combines both practical and theoretical approaches through lectures, laboratory work, and field trips. You will learn to analyse geological challenges by creating working models, collecting and analysing data (including using IT and numerical models), and preparing scientific reports.
Geophysics is based on mathematical and physical theories combined with practical experiments and research. You will work with geophysical measurements, geological observations, and advanced computer models to address a wide range of geoscientific questions posed by modern society. These include identifying groundwater resources, sand and gravel deposits, and optimal geothermal conditions for heat extraction.
With an MSc in Geoscience, you can work for consulting engineering firms, government bodies, and municipal institutions on projects such as groundwater research, environmental assessments, securing clean drinking water, and river restoration. Opportunities also exist in companies focused on alternative energy forms like wind and hydro energy and geothermal solutions. You may also pursue a research career through a PhD programme.
In this section you can learn more about the admission requirements relevant to the master's degree programme in Geoscience. Depending on your educational background and your qualifications, there are different ways to meet the admission requirements:
This section is relevant for you, if you have:
The two sections listed below are relevant only for students with a bachelor's degree from a Danish institution:
Below you will also be able to learn more about language requirements and find out whether or not this master's degree programme has a limited intake.
If you have an international educational background, you must meet both the general admission requirement and the specific admission requirements:
You must have a bachelor's degree or equivalent that is comparable to a Danish bachelor's degree in both level and duration (180 ECTS).
For more information about how your bachelor's degree is assessed, please see the national database.
If you meet the general admission requirement, the university will continue on to assess whether or not you meet the specific admission requirements.
You can be admitted to the master's programme if the university assesses that your education has a level, scope, and content that corresponds to the academic requirements specified below.
| Subject area | Number of ECTS |
| Subject components within geology, geophysics and physics | 60 |
| Fundamental subject components within programming, mathematics, chemistry, probability theory and statistics | 30 |
| Total | 90 |
| If you hold a Bachelor's degree in Physics from Aarhus University, you must have the following subject areas: | Number of ECTS |
| Subject components within geophysics and physics | 30 |
We cannot assess in advance whether your specific degree will meet the above requirements. Therefore, we recommend that you apply for the programme if you believe that you meet the academic requirements. In this regard, it is a good idea to compare your degree with the programmes that provide direct admission.
The following Bachelor's degree programme(s) from Aarhus University entitles you to an offer of admission to the Master's degree programme in Geoscience:
Bachelor's degree programme in Geoscience from Aarhus University
Please note that you must apply for admission to the Master's degree programme within three years of completing your Bachelor's degree programme.
Learn more about Legal right of admission.
Certain Bachelor's degree programmes from Aarhus University and various other Danish Universities have been determined to meet the admission requirements to this Master's degree programme in Geoscience:
This master's degree programme has a limited intake.
Because of the limited intake all qualified applicants will be prioritised according to a set of selection critieria (see below).
Meeting the admission requirements does not automatically ensure your offer of admission. Only if you have a specific bachelor's degree from Aarhus University with a so-called 'legal right of admission' will you be guarenteed an offer of admission to this master's degree programme.
If there are more qualified applicants than available student places, the selection will be based on the following criteria (each criterion counts for 1/3):
Grades from the qualifying degree
Grades achieved in relevant subject fields:
Geology
Geophysics
Physics
Chemistry
Mathematics, probability theory and statistics
Programming
Please note that grades achieved after the application deadline are not included in the grade point average (GPA).
Relevant subject fields (measured in ECTS). In this assessment, ECTS credits that are a part of the admission requirements described under ‘Other qualifying degrees’ are not included.
Geology
Geophysics
Physics
Chemistry
Mathematics, probability theory and statistics
Programming
In criterion three, the score is based on the proportion of subjects on the bachelor’s degree diploma that fall within the relevant subject fields. In this assessment, ECTS credits that are a part of the admission requirements described under ‘Other qualifying degrees’ are not included.
In order to be admitted to this programme you must meet the university's english language requirements.
Students with bachelor's degree from Aarhus University with a so-called 'Legal right of admission' are exempt from the English language requirement.
Unfortunately, Aarhus University is not able to assess your qualifications beforehand. In order for your qualifications to be assessed you must apply for admission. To learn more, please go to Assessment of your qualifications.
The MSc in Geoscience comprises 120 ECTS credits and is flexible to meet individual academic needs and aspirations. During the first week of the programme, you will develop a personalised study plan, under the guidance of a department supervisor, by choosing courses from the Course Catalogue. The study plan is tailored to your academic background and interests, as it is based on the courses you have completed during your bachelor's degree programme, and is subject to approval by the study board.
Teaching is conducted by researchers who are specialists in their respective fields, ensuring that the latest findings are quickly integrated into the curriculum. A significant portion of your time will be spent on laboratory work and field courses, complemented by lectures and group work that delve deeper into the many academic challenges.
At the Department of Geoscience, and Aarhus University in general, you will experience close interaction with researchers, an opportunity seldom found at other universities. Professors are approachable for further clarification, and students are encouraged to ask questions during lectures and exercises. While the programme demands high academic standards and independence, you will gain substantial returns in the form of academic challenges and knowledge, combined with a broad skill set.
The MSc in Geoscience culminates in a Master's Thesis, often based on extensive fieldwork and/or laboratory work. Under the supervision of a researcher, you will be responsible for the project description and for completing the thesis.
For information on thesis opportunities within the research groups at the Department of Geoscience, visit their websites.
You will quickly become part of the community at the Department of Geoscience. The cohorts are relatively small, fostering a strong sense of camaraderie among all students.
You will have access to study spaces, reading rooms, computer labs, and, not least, the programme’s Friday bar, where you can enjoy a pleasant chat with your fellow students. During your thesis work, it is possible to have an office space where you can study and collaborate with your peers.
The Department of Geoscience has a long-standing tradition of international collaboration with educational institutions in Europe, the USA, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. This provides excellent opportunities to study abroad at one of the many partner universities. A study abroad experience is relevant if you aspire to work internationally, but also to enhance your qualifications for the Danish job market.
The photos belong to the users, shared with #AUInternational and #AarhusUni.
Toke Højbjerg Søltoft, MSc. in Geophysics (now Geoscience), managing director at Aarhus GeoSoftware
"I chose to study geoscience, because I had an interest in groundwater, and since I have a background as an electronics technician, I quickly decided on a path within mapping of subsoil by using geophysical instruments. This meant that I have always prioritised the geophysical courses when planning my study programme.
I found the degree programme to be very business-oriented, as the courses incorporate real-life issues in classes, and the many projects during the programme gave me an opportunity to work together with companies and giving me business-related experience in my study programme.
Furthermore, there were numerous options for relevant student jobs, where you could use your knowledge from the study programme dealing with real issues.
The study environment at the Department of Geoscience, where the programmes in both geology and geophysics are located, is very nice, since you quickly get to know most students and lecturers.
Today, I work as managing director in Aarhus GeoSoftware, a company that was developed as a spin-off from a research group at Geoscience in 2015. I use my knowledge from geophysics on a daily basis in my job, but my experience with overviewing large projects and taking responsibility also comes from my education. Even though I now work with software and geophysics, my geological background from my Bachelor’s degree is also very useful when working with interpreting geophysical research results and relating them to geological aspects."
Lasse Svenningsen, MSc. in Geophysics (now Geoscience), Wind Energy Consultant at EMD International A/S
"I work with developing new calculation methods for a software tool used in wind energy. Lots of different aspects have to be calculated in a wind turbine project. The wind field in the area needs to be modelled in space and time so we can place the turbines in the right location for optimal energy production. We also calculate their noise level and the shadows they cast on neighbours."
The chart shows the five most common types of work for graduates from similar programmes 1-2 years after finishing their degree. The data is derived from a survey made by Epinion for the Ministry of Higher Education and Science and Aarhus University in 2020.
Graduates in Geoscience from Aarhus University find employment in both private and public sectors. Many work in private consultancy firms, particularly within the environmental field or on large construction projects such as offshore wind farms. Others are employed by municipalities and regions with management, utilising and protecting groundwater and other natural resources.
After completing the first year of your MSc programme, you can apply for admission to the four-year PhD programme. Alternatively, you can apply for the PhD programme after completing your MSc in Geoscience, in which case the programme lasts three years. A PhD in Geoscience provides an even broader range of career opportunities, typically within research and development.
You can read more about the PhD programme in Geoscience here.
