Palaeontologist

You could do a degree in:

• botany
• Earth sciences
• geology
• palaeontology
• zoology

Some employers, like museums or oil and gas companies, may ask for a postgraduate qualification like a MGeol, MBiol or MSci.

Other employers, like universities or research institutions, will expect you to have completed, or be working towards, a PhD in your specialist area of interest.

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

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• student finance for fees and living costs
• university courses and entry requirements

Career tips

You may find it helpful if you can speak a second language because you'll often be working with colleagues from around the world.

Further information

You'll find more on palaeontology training through The Palaeontological Association.

You'll need:

• maths knowledge
• knowledge of geography
• analytical thinking skills
• excellent verbal communication skills
• science skills
• excellent written communication skills
• knowledge of physics
• knowledge of chemistry including the safe use and disposal of chemicals
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Your day-to-day duties could include:

• collecting data and samples on field trips
• managing volunteers on field trips
• examining and testing samples in the lab
• doing research and publishing your findings
• planning and delivering lectures developing courses and workshops
• recording and classifying samples and collections
• giving talks and managing displays and exhibitions
• writing articles for scientific websites and magazines
• providing expert advice for broadcasters on programmes

You could work in an office, in a museum, at a university or in a laboratory.

Your working environment may be physically demanding and you may spend nights away from home.