Master of Earth Sciences (Advanced)

Overview

The Master of Earth Sciences (Advanced) is a research-focused degree for students with an endless curiosity about how the world works.

In this program, in addition to your coursework, you will design and complete an independent research project based on your own interests. You can explore subjects in biogeochemistry, ocean and climate change, seismology and mathematical geophysics, and experimental petrology.

Under the expert supervision of academics from Australia’s leading academic institution for Earth sciences, you will graduate with the advanced skills necessary to conduct further research, such as for a PhD.

Please note: if you are interested in a coursework-only degree in Earth sciences, without a research component, this is possible with the Master of Science in Earth Sciences from ANU.

Advanced program handbook

Key facts

#1 in Australia and top #15 in the world for Earth & Marine Sciences (QS 2022)
#1 for Geophysics and #1 for Natural Sciences (QS 2022) in Australia
2 years full time
Study full time or part time
Access to state-of-the-art facilities
#1 in Australia for graduate employability (Times Higher Education)

The team used the TerraWulf high-end computing cluster to generate their map. Credit: Stuart Hay, ANU

Explore our state-of-the-art facilities

Careers

As a graduate, you will be highly employable for work in research, policy and management roles in Australia and across the world, including:

Project management
Research and analysis
Education and community awareness,
Policy.

A Master of Earth Sciences (Advanced) is an excellent qualification for pursuing a career in tectonics, geochronology, mineral exploration and hydrocarbon exploration.

Students graduate with the ability to carry out research on Earth sciences in university, industry or government research institutions. Many staff in the school have strong links with industry, government and other relevant agencies to help support student research and career pathways.

The degree also prepares you for opportunities in scientific, biological, geological, geotechnical, meteorological, resource management and similar companies, or in government and public service positions.

The Australian National University has been ranked as the top university for graduate employability in Australia in the Global University Employability Ranking 2020. As a student at ANU, you gain access to the ANU CareerHub – an online career development and employability tool that includes a jobs board and careers resources. You also have access to drop-in chats with a career consultant and to attend our career fairs to meet potential employers.

Learning experience

Tharika Liyanage

Solving a very big (but very small) molecule mystery

Tharika Liyanage went on to study an award-winning PhD topic after completing her Master of Earth Sciences (Advanced).

Read about Tharika's research

Get out of the classroom

Take field trips as part of your degree, including to the One Tree Island research station on the Great Barrier Reef.

More about the Coral Reef Field Study course

Fees & scholarships

Fees

Please visit the Programs and Courses website for information about fees.

View fees

Scholarships

Featured Master of Earth Sciences (Advanced) - Domestic Scholarship

Domestic science students with First Class Honours (or equivalent) can apply for a $10,000 scholarship offered in partnership with Geoscience Australia.

Key people

Dr David Heslop, program convenor

Dave's research focuses on Earth's magnetic field and how naturally occurring magnetic minerals can be applied to environmental problems. His areas of expertise are geophysics and data science.

Professor Penny King

Penny examines the interaction of planetary materials with gases and the role of these processes in understanding the evolution of planetary environments and surfaces. Her areas of expertise are Geology, Geochemistry, Surface Processes and Mineralogy and Crystallography.

Professor Nerilie Abram

Nerilie's research focuses on how the Earth’s climate has behaved over the last millennium, and what that tells us about the climate changes we are seeing now. The past climate records that she develops come from corals, caves and ice cores, and she combine these with climate model data to study climate changes.

Professor Andrew Roberts

Andrew's areas of expertise are environmental magnetism and palaeomagnetism, marine geoscience, geochronology and tectonics.

Watch the webinar

Learn about different areas of Earth Sciences, examples of careers and employment trends, as well as an overview of studying the Master of Earth Sciences (Advanced) at ANU.