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Master's programme · 2 years · 120 credits
As the global population increases, we are facing a number of new challenges related to environmental protection and sustainable use of natural resources. Meeting these challenges requires more geological expertise. The Master’s programme in geology provides you with cutting-edge expertise that is in demand on the international labour market.
This specialisation in the programme provides you with specialist knowledge in bedrock geology, the research field that investigates the formation and inner structure of the Earth and the dynamics of the Earth’s crust. This is studied through geochronology, geochemistry, sedimentology, structural geology and dating methods. The education also covers mineralogy and petrology, subjects dealing with the origin and transformation of minerals and rocks. You will also get insight into prehistoric life and how plants and animals evolved over Earth’s long history. Four courses, each worth 15 credits, make up the recommended study path:
On admission to the programme, you will automatically be placed on the first two courses. Normally, students attend at least one of the other two courses, but it is also possible to combine courses in bedrock geology with other Master’s level courses, for example in quaternary geology or applied geology. The programme, which qualifies you for research studies, also opens the door to a labour market in which advanced geological or geoscience issues hold a central position.
The programme requires a prior Bachelor’s degree in geology or geoscience specialising in geology, including basic education in mineralogy and petrology. The international profile of the programme provides you with skills and knowledge to pursue your career in Sweden as well as internationally.
One of the many assets of our Master’s programme in geology is the department’s wide range of advanced research equipment. This includes instruments for geochemical analysis, state of the art microscopes for the analysis of rocks and microfossils as well as various dating laboratories, for example to determine the age of unusual minerals whose atoms can tell us about continental drift over hundreds of millions of years. All students attend lectures and exercises in well-equipped lecture rooms and teaching laboratories. Fieldwork is an essential part of the study programme and you will participate in field courses and excursions to southern Sweden, Denmark and the island of Gotland to familiarise yourself with different types of bedrock and sediments. For 1.5 semesters in the second year, you will conduct a degree project (45 credits), which normally includes fieldwork in Sweden or abroad followed by analysis work in one of our research laboratories. Data processing and a literature review are normally part of the thesis work and you will have access to all the resources of the Geolibrary, including digital journals.
Career opportunities
Demand for geological expertise will only increase in the future, to address the major societal challenges we are facing. With a Master’s degree in Geology, you will be well-equipped with both general and specific subject knowledge to tackle advanced tasks in research and qualified professional work. Many of our students get jobs as environmental consultants or specialists within the mining, construction and engineering sectors. Others make a career in Swedish and international authorities, often centred on sustainable management of groundwater and other geological resources. You can also work in municipal planning, water engineering and environmental protection. Geological knowledge is in demand all over the world and there are good opportunities to find jobs abroad, for example with water supply in developing countries or in major infrastructure projects.
More information can be found at https://www.geology.lu.se/education
Open for applications
Application opportunitiesThe regular application round has closed, but this programme is accepting late applications. See all programmes that are currently open for late applications on universityadmissions.se and apply now.
Visit Universityadmissions.se to apply
Director of studies: Dan Hammarlund, +46 46 222 7985, dan [dot] hammarlund [at] geol [dot] lu [dot] se
Bachelor s degree of at least 180 credits in geology or the equivalent. The degree must include at least 90 credits in geology. Proficiency in English equivalent to English 6/B from Swedish upper-secondary school.
based on grades awarded for previous academic courses and a statement of purpose for the application (from the applicant s Summary sheet ).
Most of Lund University’s programmes require English Level 6 (unless otherwise stated under 'Entry requirements'). This is the equivalent of an overall IELTS score of 6.5 or a TOEFL score of 90. There are several ways to prove your English language proficiency – check which proof is accepted at the University Admissions in Sweden website. All students must prove they meet English language requirements by the deadline, in order to be considered for admission.
Check if there are any country-specific eligibility rules for you to study Master's studies or Bachelor's studies in Sweden.
daytime Lund, full time 100%
In English
Study period
30 August 2021 - 4 June 2023
Application
Late applications are being accepted
Lund University uses a national application system run by University Admissions in Sweden. It is only possible to apply during the application periods.
*Note that the process is different if you are applying as an exchange student or as a part of a cooperation programme (such as Erasmus +).
*If you have studied your entire Bachelor's programme in Sweden and all of your academic credits are in Ladok, you do not have to submit transcripts or your diploma when applying for a Master's programme. However, there may still be other documents you need to submit! See the link below.
*Svensk student? Läs instruktionerna om att söka till ett internationellt masterprogram på lu.se
In addition to the documents mentioned under Step 2, you must also submit a 'Summary Sheet' (PDF, new window) when you apply for this programme.
Watch on YouTube: How to apply for a Master's programme
Full programme/course tuition fee: SEK 290 000
First payment: SEK 72 500
Citizens of a country outside of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland are required to pay tuition fees. You pay one instalment of the tuition fee in advance of each semester.
Read more about tuition fees, payments and exemptions
There are no tuition fees for citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.
If you are required to pay tuition fees, you are generally also required to pay an application fee of SEK 900 (approximately EUR 100) when you apply at www.universityadmissions.se. You pay one application fee regardless of how many programmes or courses you apply to.
Read more about paying the University Admissions in Sweden application fee and exemptions on the University Admissions website.
*Note that there are no tuition or application fees for exchange students or PhD students, regardless of their nationality.
The Lund University Global Scholarship programme is a merit-based and selective scholarship targeted at top academic students from countries outside the EU/EEA.
Lund University Global Scholarship
The Swedish Institute offers scholarships to international students applying for studies in Sweden at Bachelor's, Master's, PhD and post-doctoral levels.
Scholarship options at the Swedish Institute website
Lund University has agreements with scholarship organisations and funding bodies in different countries, which may allow applicants to apply for funding or scholarships in their home countries for their studies at Lund University.
