MSc in Geology
Budapest, Hungary
DURATION
2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
31 May 2025
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
EUR 4,190 / per semester *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* Application fee: €160.
Introduction
The program provides advanced training in geology, applicable to geological problem-solving. Our graduates have a solid foundation of knowledge in the different core disciplines of geology sciences (mineralogy, petrology, geochemistry, and paleontology), complemented with advanced skills through specialized studies in selected areas. The field component includes a three-week geological mapping field school.
The program also has an emphasis on practical courses related to mineral exploration, petroleum geology, hydrogeology, and environmental geology. The specialization in petroleum geology and/or hydrogeology provides in-depth training for future specialists in these fields. The degree program prepares both for continuing studies after admission to a doctoral program and work as a geologist primarily in the petroleum industry, in hydrogeology, or in related jobs in the public sector.
Admissions
Curriculum
Strength of program
The Geology MSc program is taught by highly qualified faculty members of four departments (Physical and Applied Geology, Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry, and Paleontology). The Program Director is a member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, six professors hold the doctoral degree of the Academy, other teaching faculty members hold PhD degrees. Three research units, specialized in topics of geology and paleontology, are funded by the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and hosted by the Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences.
The highly diverse research portfolio of our staff is focused on (but not restricted to) the geology of Hungary, the Pannonian Basin, and the neighboring areas, its hydrocarbon and groundwater systems, mineral resources, as well as basic research in mineralogy, geochemistry, sedimentology, stratigraphy, and paleontology. The results of this research are regularly published in leading international journals, and MSc student thesis projects are often integrated into these larger projects.
Structure
Compulsory courses
- Rock-forming minerals
- Paleobiology
- Petrographic analysis
- Construction of geological maps and sections
- The geological mapping field school
- Geological mapping field school report
- Paleontological analyses
- Integrated stratigraphic analysis
- Structural geology
- Sedimentology
- Geology of Hungary and the surrounding regions
- Introduction to geochemical analytical techniques
- Rock-water interactions in the rock record
- Geomathematics
- Quaternary geology
- Directed studies–Thesis project 1
- Directed studies–Thesis project 2
Core elective courses for the specialization - geology, and paleontology
- Applied micropaleontology
- Applied micropaleontology practical
- Biostratigraphy
- Paleobiology in sauropsid reptiles
- Paleobiogeography
- Characteristic fossil assemblages of the Carpathian region
- Characteristic fossil assemblages of the Carpathian region (practical)
- Natural hazards
- Subsurface geological mapping
- Diagenesis
- Facies analysis of clastic rocks
- Correlation of cores, well logs, and seismic data
- Regional geology of the world
- Digital techniques in seismic and well-log interpretation
- Geochronological methods
- Geodynamics of the Pannonian Basin
- Seismic interpretation
- Major events in Earth history
- Facies analysis of clastic rocks
Core elective courses for the specialization - hydrogeology, petroleum geology, and environmental geology
- Hydrogeology
- Data processing and analysis in hydrogeology
- Organic geochemistry
- Hydrocarbon exploration, production, field development
- Subsurface geological mapping
- Correlation of cores, well logs, and seismic data
- Seismic interpretation
- Geodynamics of the Pannonian Basin
- Digital techniques in seismic and well-log interpretation
- Basin analysis and petroleum systems
- Groundwater flow in drainage basins
- Groundwater flow in drainage basins practical
- Field practice in hydrogeology
- Petroleum hydrogeology
- Petroleum hydrogeology practical
- Environmental isotopes
- Facies analysis of clastic rocks
- Facies analysis of carbonates
- Diagenesis
- Facies analysis of clastic rocks
Core elective courses for the specialization - mineralogy, petrology, geochemistry, mineral resources, and archeometry
- Isotope geochronology
- Environmental isotope geochemistry
- Environmental geochemistry
- Magmatism in extensional basins
- Practical micromineralogy
- Archeometry of stone tools, ceramics, and metals
- Archeometry of stone tools, ceramics, and metals
- Examination of geological field samples
- Petrography and petrogenesis of igneous and metamorphic rocks
- Volcanology
- Sedimentary mineral resources
- Mineral exploration
- Applied crystal chemistry for geologists
- Instrumental analytical techniques in geology 1
- Instrumental analytical techniques in geology 2
- Instrumental analytical techniques in geology 2 (advanced)
- Instrumental analytical techniques in geology 2 (basic)
- Field studies of magmatic and metamorphic minerals, rocks, and mineral deposits
- Mineral deposits 1 (magmatic, metamorphic, hydrothermal)
- Mineral deposits 1 (magmatic, metamorphic, hydrothermal) practical
- Fluid inclusion studies
Optional elective courses
- Environmental history
- Mesozoic foraminifera studies
- Paleontology of the Mollusca
- Modern carbonate sedimentary environments
- Complex geophysical and geological interpretation practical
- Oceanography (Marine Sciences)
- English for geoscientists
- Unconformity-related phenomena
- Hypogenic caves in Hungary
- Hypogenic caves in Hungary field practical
- Geology of North America
- Limnology
- Karst hydrogeology
- Well logging
- Well-log interpretation practical
- Thermodynamics in geochemistry
- Medical geochemistry
- Nuclear analytical methods and their application in Earth sciences and archeometry 1
- Nuclear analytical methods and their application in Earth sciences and archeometry 2
- Igneous petrogenesis
- Metamorphic petrology and petrogenesis
- Advanced petrography
- Geochemical calculations
- Petrology of the Earth’s interior
- Geology of bauxites
- Hydrothermal systems: mineralogy and geochemistry
- Soil mineralogy
- Clay minerals and their transformation processes
- Structural spectroscopies in geology
- X-ray diffraction in geology
- Electron optical methods in geology
- Practical transmission electron microscopy
Career Opportunities
Our graduates are best trained to seek employment in the petroleum industry, with groundwater and geothermal companies, or in the public sector, including universities, geological surveys, and research institutions. Their broad-based geological knowledge will prepare them to work in teams together with geophysicists and other geoscientists. As all courses are offered in English, prospective employers include those located in the graduate’s home country as well as global, multinational companies.
Job examples
- Petroleum exploration: Our graduates find project geologist positions in the G & G (Geology & Geophysics) sector of the upstream segment of oil companies.
- Hydrogeology: Our graduates find jobs in the industry to explore and manage groundwater resources.
- Natural resources administration: Our graduates can fill positions in national geological surveys and other government offices responsible for the management of natural resources.
- Geoscience research: Our graduates can apply to PhD schools at research universities and continue their education towards successful careers in academic research in Earth sciences.