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Engineering Geologist

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Primary Secondary Post-16

An engineering geologist is a special kind of scientist who studies the ground, rocks, and soil to help make building projects safe. They find out if the land is strong enough to build things like roads, bridges, tunnels, and buildings. They often visit sites, collect samples, and use computers to look at maps and data. Engineering geologists work closely with engineers and builders to stop problems like landslides or flooding. Their work helps keep people safe and makes sure new buildings will last a long time.

Engineering Geologist

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📊 Statistics

Average Salary

Engineering geologists in the UK usually earn between £25,000 and £60,000 per year, depending on experience.

Job Availability

There are around 3,000 engineering geologists working in the UK, with jobs found across the country, especially where there are lots of building projects.

Typical Work Hours

Most engineering geologists work about 37 to 40 hours per week, but might need to work extra hours when visiting sites.

🚀 Careers in this path

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Soil Tester

Soil testers check the ground to see if it is strong enough to build things like houses and schools.

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Rock Investigator

Rock investigators study different kinds of rocks to help people decide where it is safe to build roads or tunnels.

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Landslide Helper

Landslide helpers look at hills and mountains to make sure they are safe and do not slide down after it rains.

Start Loving Science

Learn About Rocks and the Earth

Pay attention in science lessons and enjoy learning about rocks, soil, and how the Earth changes.

Try to read books or watch videos about geology and the Earth. Visit museums with fossils and rocks. Ask your teachers if you can do projects about the ground or nature.

Do Well in School

Work hard in subjects like science, maths, and geography. These help you understand what geologists do.

Getting good grades in science, especially in chemistry, physics, and geography, will help you study geology later. Ask for help if you find a topic difficult.

Get the Right Qualifications

Study GCSEs and A-Levels

Choose GCSEs in science and geography, then take A-Levels in subjects like geology, maths, or chemistry if possible.

Some schools offer A-Level geology, but if not, focus on subjects like geography, physics, chemistry, or maths. These are good foundations for university.

Go to University

Apply to university to study geology, earth sciences, or a similar course.

Look for courses that are approved by professional groups like the Geological Society. You may need good A-Levels to get accepted, so check the entry requirements for each course.

Gain Experience and Skills

Get Work Experience

Find a work placement or internship with a company that hires geologists.

Ask your teachers or careers advisors for help finding work experience. You might also contact engineering or geology companies directly. This helps you learn what the job is like and meet people working in the field.

Learn to Use Special Tools

Learn how to use tools that geologists use, like maps, computers, and special testing equipment.

While studying, you will get to try out different tools and software. You might learn about using GPS, analysing rocks, and drawing maps that show where land might be safe or risky.

Start Your Career

Get a Job as a Trainee

Look for junior or trainee engineering geologist jobs after university.

You can search for jobs with engineering firms, environmental consultants, or building companies. At first, you will work with experienced geologists and learn even more on the job.

Keep Learning and Growing

Continue to learn new things and work towards becoming a fully qualified engineering geologist.

You may want to join professional groups, get extra certificates, or do a postgraduate degree later on. This helps you move up in your career and work on bigger projects.

🎯 View Apprenticeships

Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Engineering Geologist. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.

🎓 View Apprenticeships

Career Progressions

This page showcases various career options and the pathways to reach them. Each career listed here shares transferable skills and knowledge, making it easier for individuals to transition between them.

Your current career is highlighted to help you see how it fits into the broader landscape of potential career choices. By clicking on any career, you can learn more about it, including the training and education required to pursue it.

Remember, progressing in your career often involves further learning and training. This page provides insights into future career options as well as those that can lead up to your current one.

These career progression decisions are informed by comparing the skills and knowledge needed for different occupations, along with data on how people move between them. Explore the possibilities and discover the exciting journey ahead in your career!

Sample Qualifications

An Engineering Geologist and a Geoscientist both study the Earth’s processes, materials, and structure. They require similar geological and engineering knowledge to assess geological hazards, resources, and site investigations, making them closely related in terms of qualifications and expertise.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship

University

To work as a professional geoscientist you'll need a degree in a relevant subject. Courses often combine theory with fieldwork and practical training.

Degree subjects include:

  • geology
  • geoscience
  • geophysics
  • Earth science

It's becoming more common for new entrants to hold or be working towards postgraduate qualifications like an MSc or PhD.

Integrated postgraduate master's qualifications like a MGeol or MSci can be studied at university. These courses include more independent research and are designed to lead directly onto further study like a PhD.

It's useful to get some work experience through an internship or year in industry placement while you are at university. Your university careers service can help you find opportunities.

Organisations like Geology for Global Development also run projects and placements to help you gain skills.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
  • 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including a science, for a degree
  • a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

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Apprenticeship

You could apply to do a Geoscientist Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.

You could also apply to do a Geotechnical Engineer Level 7 Integrated Degree Apprenticeship if you already have a first degree in a subject like::

  • engineering
  • science
  • geoscience
  • maths

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

More Information

Career tips

Experience of specialist geological software and computer modelling packages can be an advantage when you are applying for jobs.

Since many employers of geoscientists operate internationally, extra language skills can also be useful.

Further information

You can discover more about careers in geoscience through The Geological Society.

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